Chapter 65
This marked my first occasion in hosting such an event. It was difficult to comprehend how far I had come in my own improvement. Never had I imagined that I would one day organize such a gathering by my own hand, and I could not deny the quiet swell of pride within me.
My residence brimmed with nobles. The ladies were adorned in gowns so elaborate that it seemed a silent contest of superiority, each striving to outshine the other. I was all but disregarded, for their attentions had turned entirely toward Millicent, who stood with effortless grace at the foot of the staircase. Her manner of dress bore a striking resemblance to Yseldra's. Rather than indulging in excessive volume, she favored garments of a more refined and slender cut.
"My Lady," Neal approached. "I have concluded the count of the donations. The total amounts to six thousand gold coins, along with several paintings which may be sold for additional coin."
Six thousand was no small sum for an orphanage overseen by me, the very Naevia whispered of in disgraceful rumors. My gaze shifted toward Millicent. Her influence was formidable indeed.
"Seven thousand," came a voice I knew all too well.
Yseldra approached with a proud smile.
"I did not extend an invitation to you," I said quietly.
"I am aware," she replied with ease. "Yet I have contributed one thousand. That grants me the right to attend."
"Your Majesty," Hanna cooed as she glided forward, her hips swaying. "I have long heard of your beauty, and I see now that such praise does not exaggerate. It is an honor." She bowed. "I never imagined I would witness both you and Lady Naevia within the same room. Tell me, Lady Naevia, did you find pleasure in being tormented? I hear some do."
Yseldra's expression darkened at once, and the place fell into a heavy silence.
Millicent stepped forward, her crimson gaze fixed upon Hanna. Her face remained composed, unlike Yseldra's shadowed fury, yet those red eyes carried a severity that struck like blades.
Hanna visibly shrank. She was said to be but sixteen, in that moment she appeared aged far beyond her years.
"Oh my, Hanna," Beatrice hastened forward in distress. "Offer your apology to Lady Naevia at once." She turned swiftly toward the two rulers and inclined her head. "Please forgive her, Your Majesty, Your Grace. My sister is but young and lacks proper sense." She gave Hanna a sharp nudge. "Apologize, quickly."
Maxwell, having just returned from outside, hurried toward us the moment he beheld the scene. "What is the meaning of this? Hanna, what have you done?" He paused, recollection striking him. "My greetings to Your Majesty, the Queen," he said with a bow, then turned back to her with urgency. "What have you done?" he demanded.
"Your Grace," Yseldra spoke, her voice dangerous low, "if you fail to act, I assure you that I shall."
"Lady Hanna of House McLusky," Millicent said, her authority absolute, "you have given offense to Her Majesty, the Queen of Dunverra, my esteemed ally. You have likewise offended Lady Naevia of House Ashcroft. What answer do you offer?"
Maxwell and Beatrice fell at once to their knees, pulling Hanna down with them.
"Please, have mercy," Maxwell pleaded.
"Lord McLusky," Millicent replied, "it would seem your daughter has not been properly instructed. You shall send her to Fortuna Academy, where she will remain for the duration of one full year."
Fortuna Academy was an institution Millicent herself had established, a place where those who faltered in the conduct of high society were corrected. The burden of its cost fell upon their families, and that cost was far from trivial. Millicent had once confided that the funds were directed toward charitable works, and it was through such means that orphanages were founded, among them the House of Gab. No noble household desired such a sentence, for reputation was their very lifeblood, and to be sent there was to suffer a visible decline in standing.
I had half a mind to dismiss the matter, for I had long grown accustomed to the whispers and scorn cast upon my name, yet if Fortuna were to gain further means to aid those in need, then it was better that I remain silent.
"Your Grace, I beg you," Maxwell implored, his voice strained with desperation. "I shall make offerings to temples and orphanages each month for an entire year. Please, show mercy."
"Lord McLusky," Millicent replied, her tone edged with warning. "Would you care to join her there as well?"
"I shall send my daughter there at once."
He rose in haste, seized Hanna by the hand, and dragged her toward the door, with Beatrice rushing after them in distress.
In the aftermath, the remaining nobles gathered about me, offering praise for the manner in which I had conducted the event before taking their leave one by one.
"I shall depart as well," Millicent said. "I imagine the two of you would prefer privacy."
I inclined my head. "Thank you for attending, Your Grace. I am most grateful."
She offered a smile. "You are doing well. I commend your efforts in managing the House of Gab."
Once she had gone, Yseldra drew me into her arms.
"It is of no consequence, Yseldra," I said quietly. "I am accustomed to unkind words. They no longer trouble me."
"I am sorry, Naevia."
"It is truly fine."
"I shall see to it with Millicent. We will put an end to such talk. I swear it upon my name."
"It is fine."
She fell silent then, holding me closer. Time passed, the sun shifting, the shadows lengthening, before she finally spoke.
"Will you come to my residence? Aelunira and I have something for you."
"I cannot. There remains much to be done. I must arrange provisions for the children now that funds have been secured."
"Then tomorrow?"
If it were only her, I would not have been inclined to go, but I found myself wishing to see what Aelunira had prepared for me. "Very well."
---
"Come, save me, my knight," Yseldra cried, clinging to a broom, her grasp most desperate.
"I am coming," Aelunira shouted, filled with heroic fervor.
"You shall not pass me," Sir Lorcan declared, stepping before her.
"I will defeat you," Aelunira proclaimed as she charged forth with her wooden spear.
"Make haste, my knight, the boat is drifting away," Yseldra called in feigned panic, her steps retreating with deliberate exaggeration.
The other guards, assuming the roles of villains, began to swing their wooden swords toward Aelunira with careful restraint. With a face set in earnest determination, she struck at them, knocking their weapons aside before pretending to stab each in turn. Her expression grew most comical, her mouth forming a perfect O with every thrust.
Yseldra was yet more absurd, clutching the broom as though her life depended upon it, even summoning tears to her eyes. To behold them abandon all decorum, surrendering themselves to such unrestrained foolishness, stirred something within me. This little play… was the gift they had prepared for me.
A small smile touched my lips.
When their little play reached its end and the knight had triumphed in rescuing the princess, Yseldra seized us both and led us to her bedchamber, where she had us sit upon the edge of the bed.
"I wished to present this with you present, Naevia," she said as she seated herself on Aelunira's other side. In her hand rested a necklace, its chain of gold, its pendant an oval ruby. "Aelunira," she continued with fondness, fastening it about the child's neck, "this once belonged to my mother, and to her mother before her. It has been passed from mother to daughter within the royal line for generations, and now it is yours. One day, you shall pass it to your own daughter. It is somewhat old in fashion, but it is a royal heirloom. Do you like it?"
Aelunira nodded, her gaze fixed upon the pendant in wonder. "It is so pretty... If I have a sister, must I share it with her? I will share it if I must!"
Yseldra's eyes turned toward me, and I swiftly averted my gaze.
She gave a soft chuckle. "Tell me, do you wish for a sister?"
"Yes," Aelunira answered brightly. "I shall be a good elder sister."
"Then you must ask your mother for one. She alone possesses the ability to bear children."
"Why can you not have babies, Mother Yseldra?"
"I am incapable."
"I do not understand. You are a woman as well."
"It is not easily explained," she replied.
"Mother," Aelunira said, tugging at my arm until I turned to her, "you told me that if I desire something, I should tell you first. I want a sister."
Yseldra leaned back on her hands, clearly pleased, while I found my fingers clutching my skirts. I had spoken without due thought, and now I was left to face the consequence of my own words.
Perhaps I might adopt Amanda. She was but three years of age, and could very well stand as the younger sister. On the morrow, the nun and I were to convene and discuss the matter of coin and its proper management, so I could not present Amanda to Aelunira that day. Perhaps the day after.
"Grandmother told me that I was in your belly for many months. I wish to read to my sister while she rests within you," Aelunira declared.
And my careful plan flew out the door.
Yseldra's smile deepened, her satisfaction scarcely concealed. She took far too much pleasure in this.
Yet why had I even entertained the thought of adoption? Were they not soon to return to Dunverra? And when they departed, how was I to witness Aelunira's growth?
"Aelunira," I said gently, "would you permit me a moment alone with Yseldra?"
"I shall go play with Sir Lorcan," she replied, skipping toward the door and disappearing beyond it.
The instant it closed, Yseldra seized my waist and drew me firmly to her.
I looked at her. "Must you persist in holding me so? I wish for us to converse as proper adults."
"What is it you desire to discuss, my beloved?"
"You may have Aelunira for this year. The next shall be mine. We shall continue thus until she is of an age to choose where she shall remain. It is a fair arrangement for us both."
She smiled and rested her head upon my shoulder. "Why must you render it so complicated. Simply come with us." She then breathed warm air against my neck.
"Cease your lust, Yseldra. I am attempting to speak with you in earnest."
"I cannot help myself. My beloved is exceedingly gorgeous. And your breasts have grown fuller."
"Truly, is this your notion of proper courtship?"
"It served me well before, did it not. Should I procure some ancient scrolls filled with lewd tales and read them to you first?"
"You… I swear, you have not matured in the slightest."
I pulled myself from her grasp and took my leave, for if I lingered, she would grope my breast at any moment. That, I had no doubt.