Noble finished her chore quickly, patting Delia gently on her trunk as she left. The afternoon sun blinded her a second time as she left the dim stable.
The fresh air felt good after the stifling moments with Maelys. Something was seriously wrong with that woman.
Noble meant her no harm. A friend could never replace the blood bond those two sisters shared, no matter what. Noble could see that clearly, so why couldn't Maelys?
The elder sister seemed thirsty for Syrce's attention, as if her very being was fueled by the younger sister's approval and acknowledgement.
That was concerning but not exactly unusual. Flint didn't want to admit it, but many of his decisions were based on how his brother would observe them.
Family was a heavy motivator when it came to how most people lived their lives. Even Noble had chosen to become stronger because of those she loved.
But Maelys's emotions went beyond filial piety. They were intense.
'I thought maybe it was because of their long time apart, but now I am not so sure. What if being on that island changed Maelys?" Noble noticed that even Syrce wasn't sure how to react to the other woman at times.
If Mae had always been needy, then her younger sister would have developed ways to deal with it. But Syrce had said that Maelys was once strong and independent, so…what had happened?
'Was it due to her advisor?'
Noble wondered who the mystery man might be. He had met her, but she didn't know who he was.
If he was important but able to get by without being noticed, then perhaps he swayed people behind the scenes. A person like that could not be underestimated.
Why hadn't Syrce mentioned this mystery man sooner? That was frustrating.
'If Syrce won't tell me who he is, I will root him out on my own.'
Roan would need to know about this immediately. Perhaps she should seek him out first so he could be on the lookout.
'First things first…I will have to deal with that in a bit.'
Noble sighed. Why did it feel like everything always fell on her shoulders?
It didn't, of course, but that didn't stop her from feeling a moment of self-pity. But she shook it off before it could take hold. Everyone had their own battles. What right did she have to think hers were worse than anyone else's?
She felt the anguish and pain of others daily. Noble knew all too well that the human condition was often unhappy.
There was a strange comfort in that.
Whatever was going on with Maelys would be solved in due time, but for now, the woman would be sent away and leave Noble in peace.
'I just have to make sure she doesn't weasel her way out of leaving.'
As for the other problem, Noble would deal with it presently. Rounding the corner of a building, she spied a man leaving a storehouse while dusting off his hands.
When he caught sight of her, he froze. Noble crossed her arms and mimicked tapping her foot.
"Changing your clothes doesn't make you any less recognizable, you know…"
"Lady Bel?" The man smiled uncertainly.
"Calling me by my title now? You really have pulled out all the stops. Don't worry, Lady Syrce isn't with me. She went off with Lady Mae to pack for the elder sister's journey."
"Lady Mae is going on a journey?" The man furrowed his brow.
"She is going to see Lady Lyra…but I'm getting off track. What are you doing here, Flint? And what did you say to Lady Mae?"
Noble was certain deep down that this was the person Mae wanted her to find. The man couldn't even stay in the palace for half an hour without her. Instead, he had put on a disguise and tried to slide past her.
What else had the loose cannon done in her absence?
Flint pointed to the door he had just exited. "I am here because this building needed to be cleaned out. As for your second question, I passed Lady Mae on my way here, but I only said hello, nothing more."
'He isn't lying.' Noble chewed her lip.
Surely Maelys hadn't found that one word interesting enough to mention.
'Hmmm… what am I missing?'
Flint knit his brow. "I see you are in distress. Is there some way I can assist you?"
"Assist me? You shouldn't be here at all. You should be at the palace, remember? You were supposed to lie low!" Noble rubbed her forehead. "Did you just come down so you could prove us wrong about how well you can behave?"
"Oh my! Have I offended you?" Flint touched his cheek. "My deepest apologies, Lady Bel."
"I… no, you haven't offended me just now. But that is not the point!" Noble shut her eyes for a moment. "Listen, Flint, you have to be a team player and do what is best for all of us, including yourself."
"I do want what is best for everyone. My goal is to spread kindness," her companion assured her. "I just thought…"
"You thought that you knew better." Noble clicked her tongue, taking on a motherly tone. "I don't know whether pride or concern made you come down, but you need to reconsider. Think of it this way: if Syrce breaths a word of what you said to Maelys and makes her upset, you could make enemies of both of them for the foreseeable future. Avoid Maelys until she leaves for everyone's sake."
"But..." Flint held up his forefinger, many objections filling his mouth. But then he paused.
"Please, Flint, go back to the main keep, at least until the evening meal." Noble knew she shouldn't remove him forcibly, but the temptation to do so was great.
"I will go," the Master sighed, rubbing the scar above his left eye. "Before I do, is there anything I can do for you? I see there is a spot on your cloak. May I wash it for you? Or is your throat dry? Perhaps I can get you something to drink?"
"Haha, very funny. But offering to do laundry is a bit over the top." Noble smiled at him and shook her head sadly. She looked him up and down once more. "And speaking of laundry, did you really think that disguise would fool us?"
Flint raised an eyebrow at her, betraying a little of his inward pride. "You don't like it?"
"It's far too big," Noble chuckled. "Where did you even find it?"
"It was...just something I picked up," the man answered, his eyes darting back toward the building.
"Then perhaps you should return it before the owner notices."
"Owner? Oh my! I would never want to deprive someone of their garments. How could I be so cruel!" Flint placed his hand on his heart, looking faint.
"There's no need for dramatics. Just return what you have taken, and all will be well. Your regular tunic or your armor both suit you better anyway. Even Mirage's belt, which is rather flamboyant, looks better on you than that monstrosity." The floating Master nodded.
Flint took great interest in the last part of her sentence. "You think Mirage's belt looks good when I'm wearing it?"
Noble pointed her finger at his chest. "Don't twist my words!" Her eyes flashed with anger. "I said you wearing the belt makes more sense than that enormous tunic."
"Thank you. I understand," Flint bowed. "I will take your words to heart and take my leave."
"Take your leave?" Noble floated back a step. Her anger dissipated as she sighed. "I can see that you really are trying. You almost sounded like Aether just then."
She dipped her head and continued.
"Take your leave then, and I will see you this evening."
"I wish you a most pleasant rest of your afternoon, my lady! If you will excuse me."
Flint bowed again and turned to leave. Locating the main keep, he headed up the hill.
Noble stared after him, her heart disquieted.
The man was being insufferably sweet.
And that was just as bad as when he was acting salty.