CH 92: Caste Lloyd

Toni bowed at the woman’s compliment, a cute gesture that nearly sent the woman into her chair. While Toni didn’t mind the compliment, Alice had to hold back her anger. She was used to women looking at her son with lust like this, but this woman was different. She just knew that the moment they stepped out of this noble setting, the woman’s facade would fall. All the dirty secrets and rumors surrounding Castle Lloyd would be proven.

Myrtle was able to recover, patting her sweating forehead with a handkerchief before she settled in her seat. She took a moment to catch her breath before turning to Lilith. The two whispered to one another before Myrtle scowled. After a brief moment, Myrtle turned back to her audience.

“Thank you for gracing us with your presence. It is truly a pleasure to meet all three of you. I have shuffled around my guard to make room for yours, though, the women with us currently will accompany them.” Myrtle spoke with the voice of a noble, similar to Alice’s fake act. “I hope you understand, I wish to be accommodating, but also need to be cautious with my property.”

Alice glanced at Maeve, who just nodded her head. It was a reasonable request, but they had to make sure to watch out for them. “Very well. Sorry for the cautiousness… We’ve already had a few incidents with him and other noblewomen.” Alice replied politely. They’ll have to accept it for now. “We just ask that the maid duties be accomplished by any butlers you have on staff.”

Myrtle took a moment to think. She rubbed her chin, doing her best to avoid looking at Toni. She could only concentrate on the noble talk when she couldn’t see him. “That… I can do. Lilith, inform the head maid of the change. Anything else?”

“Not at the moment. Thank you for the accommodations.” Alice said before bowing. The concessions she had to make were better than she had expected. Her gut told her something was wrong, but that could be discussed in private with Maeve.

“You are welcome. As guests of the house of Lloyd, it is my duty to accommodate you as best I can.” Myrtle said in a regal manner. Alice straightened up from her bow, ready for the formalities to be dropped. “Now, what was the reason for visiting again?” “Pilgrimage. We were told to travel the land by our goddess Anka.” Alice replied, doing her best to project her anger of their goddess. “She blessed Toni with her power and wished for him to play around the country.”

“Ahh, that does make sense. Would want such a handsome young man to be shown off to the world.” Myrtle said, taking a glance back at the boy. Alice’s eye twitched at the word ‘handsome,’ but she calmed herself. “And I’d very much like to see this performance. How soon are you able to put it on?”

“Give us an hour to settle, and we can start preparing the show,” Alice responded. Toni shifted beside her, anxious to play already. Myrtle just nodded.

“Very well, I do believe your knights are bringing in your luggage as we speak. But I can give you the hour.” Myrtle said. She rested in her seat, waving her hand. A door flung open, and a young man appeared in a butler's suit. A tray in his hand with a glass ready for the woman.

The boy, Alice guessed he was just under 18, personally handed the glass to the noblewoman, his head bowing as he presented it. Alice studied the butler’s suit, which looked somewhat worn. After Myrtle took the glass, he raised his head and looked towards their guests. He bowed to them before excusing himself.

Alice furrowed her brow. After getting a good look at his face, he was definitely younger than Toni. He had green eyes and brown hair with a professional smile. Alice glanced at Maeve, who just nodded. Another thing to discuss when they were alone.

Myrtle took a sip of her drink before continuing. “Ahh… well, you’ll have the entire western wing to yourself. Make yourselves at home. Lilith, see to it that our best butlers attend to their needs.” Lilith nodded before excusing herself, following the butler. “If you’ll follow Lieutenant Cassidy, she’ll escort you to your quarters. I look forward to your performance.”

The trio bowed in unison before turning to exit the room. One of the Lady’s knights directed the three to the western parts of the castle. Along the way, Alice noticed more butlers and an assortment of treasures littering the halls. Seems Lady Lloyd’s family was highly accomplished nearly a century ago.

The lieutenant led them through high-arched hallways lined with painted portraits and golden sconces, each one a monument to the long and lavish history of House Lloyd. Cassidy marched a few steps ahead, her sword clinking softly against her hip with each stride. She didn’t speak unless necessary, but her watchful glances back at Toni weren’t lost on Alice.

They passed another butler in the corridor, this one no older than 14. He stopped, stood tall, and bowed as they passed. Toni gave a polite smile in return, but Alice caught the way his hand moved subtly toward hers. She took it.

“This place gives me the creeps,” he whispered, so low only she and Maeve could hear.

Maeve nodded. “I’m not seeing a single adult man here.”

“Or a boy older than Toni,” Alice added grimly.

Cassidy finally stopped beside an intricately designed door flanked by twin lion carvings. “These are your quarters. Food will be delivered shortly. You’ll find all your luggage has been brought here. If you need anything, ring the bell by the fireplace.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Alice replied coolly, watching Cassidy turn on her heel and stride away.

As soon as the footsteps faded, the three slipped inside. The room was grand, with velvet curtains, feather-stuffed couches, and a view of the garden just outside their room. But none of them took in the beauty. The moment the door clicked shut, Alice locked it.

“We need to be careful,” she said, voice low.

“I counted six underage butlers,” Maeve said, pacing. “None older than sixteen. All too polite. Boys are typically rowdier. Hard to get them in line or discipline them.”

Alice let out a forced laugh. She sat on the edge of the velvet chaise. “This place smells like control. And possession.”

Toni sat beside her, eyes down. “That one boy. The butler from the throne room. He looked scared. Just for a second, when he handed her the glass.”

Maeve stopped pacing. “You saw it too?”

Alice nodded. “It’s a front. Everything’s too polished and clean. Myrtle Lloyd is hiding her true nature. Though I’m surprised she’s so brazen with the underage boys. Wonder how she spins that.”

Maeve rubbed her chin. “Maybe she tells others that they were rescued… or gifts…”

Alice shuddered at the thought. “Fucking nobles…”

Toni looked up. “So what do we do?”

Alice reached over and cupped his cheek, her eyes fierce despite her soft touch. “We do what we came to do. Get this performance over with and then spend the night. Just like we planned on it.”

Toni nodded. “Okay, Mom. I hope nothing goes wrong… been a few days since I’ve danced.”

And just like that, Alice’s anxiety slowly dispersed. Watching her son prepare for a performance and stretch always filled her with nostalgia. He diligently stretched his body, unbothered by the creeping sense of dread hanging over the two women.

“Just like that, and he’s not even bothered anymore.” Maeve chuckled beside Alice. She joined Alice in sitting on her bed. “Lady Elfreit and Grace were the same way… she must have imprinted it on him before she passed…”

“Mmm, one-track minds… makes me feel like she’s still here sometimes. Even if they weren’t biologically related, Toni acts just like her.” Alice said, reminiscing. “Well, once you get past that tough gal facade…”

Maeve chuckled again. “That’s true… she was kind of a crybaby.”

The last bit of her anxiety left her when Alice thought of her wife crying. Those happy tears after Alice had given birth. The tears that came when they’d reunite after a long deployment. She missed all of it so much. “Yeah… thankfully Toni didn’t take after that…”

Toni, who was stretching, was only half listening to them talk. He couldn’t stop thinking about the butler from before and that fear that overcame him right before he bowed. What made him look so afraid? Why did all the other boys look scared too? Why wouldn’t they tell him anything?

A knock was heard on the decorated, oak door. It reverberated through the room, silencing the two. Maeve leaped to approach the door, hoping it was her lieutenant. She half expected some sort of ambush to capture Toni.. She had her sword in her right hand, using her left to open the door and hide her blade.

Thankfully, it was one of hers. “Captain. Everything is in order, the Lady’s knights have assisted us with our living space.”