Chapter 55
“Everything’s going to be fine,” Camilla assured me. “If you fall again, I’ll catch you this time.”
I grumbled under my breath, uncertain of whether she was serious or simply teasing me. Grasping my hands together to stop them from shaking, I followed behind her down the hall. The two of us were almost to the dining room.
“Who do you think will be attending?” I whispered.
“The Praevus, most certainly. The Reeve wouldn’t be hosting the dinner without him, and Praevus Emver isn’t one to push aside social obligations. Other than that, I suspect there may be a few sentinels, perhaps the captain. And I suspect that boy, Silas, will be there. His father, however, has likely declined once again, if my guess is right.”
We approached the door, stopping just a few meters away. I brushed at the apron I had on, trying to remove and lingering wrinkles.
“Do I look okay?” I asked, looking up with wide eyes.
Camilla smirked. “I should be the one asking you that.”
I looked down at her dress, a tight and bold red colored one that emphasized her curves. It was as strange as before to see her wearing something made of actual fabric. The dress looked almost odd or out of place. Though it was still beautiful.
She gave my shoulder and gentle rub. “Don’t worry, you look fine. Are you ready?”
I gave her a nod. “Let’s do this.”
I took a deep breath, and the two of us entered. As before, the Reeve and his wife sat at the head of the table, one looking a fair bit more relaxed than the other. Virgil Dyere’s face was slightly red, and the man wiped away a streak of perspiration from his forehead. I almost felt bad for him, or would have if he wasn’t such a despicable man. Luckily, I’d avoided interacting with him or his wife since becoming a maid. I suspected both of them wanted nothing to do with the maid of a sorceress, both due to my station and because of her. Thus, they left me alone, despite the fact that I lived and worked in their home.
With as much grace as I could manage, I brushed past Camilla to pull the chair out for her and helped to seat her at the table. Other than Mr and Mrs Dyere, Lena was also present, as expected, and Rosetta stood off to the side behind her. Several sentinels sat along the table as well; I presumed the most important ones. They gave Camilla a curt nod as the Reeve exchanged greetings. All that was missing were the Praevus and Silas.
Just as the simple greetings finished, the door opened once again, and Silas strolled in, along with his father, surprisingly. It seemed that Camilla was wrong. I avoided their gaze, or Silas’s, at least, looking down at the floor. I doubted his father had spared me even a glance. As they sat, inane small talk picked up, punctuated by somewhat awkward silences as we waited. There was only so much talk about the season or taxes that one could have, though I doubted Camilla’s curt responses helped much.
Just as I began to think that the Praevus wouldn’t show up, the door sharply opened, and a sentinel stepped in, giving a gesture for someone to enter.
“Praevus Meilir Emver, Warden of the Encroaching Night, and Fourth Praevus of the Seven Imperial Praevi, entering.”
Praevus Emver casually stepped inside, giving a formal bow of greeting, that he somehow made look friendly and distinctly informal.
“Good evening, everyone. I do apologize for my slight tardiness. Time stops for no man, even a praevi, it seems. I do hope you weren’t waiting too long.”
The sentinel pulled out the chair for him, and the man sat.
“No, no, we just got here, ourselves,” the Reeve smoothly lied. “And no wait would be too long for a man such as yourself, Praevus Emver.” He topped the remark with a standing bow. “Welcome back to my humble home, Praevus Meilir Emver. Your presence is, as always, a great honor.”
“You are much too kind, Virgil. Though I appreciate that in a man. Please, please, sit. This is your home! Do not stand for my sake, good man. As I’ve said, there is no need for such formalities. If you keep this up every time I visit, you’ll have me as red in the face as young Camilla’s beautiful dress over here.”
Eyes from across the room moved to her, though Camilla appeared completely unintimidated.
Virgil sat once more, and they continued speaking as Rosetta and I slipped quietly into the kitchen.
“It’s just you and I, tonight. Are you feeling alright? You’re shaking a bit.” She turned fully to face me, hovering a foot away.
I waved her off with a hand, taking a steadying breath. “I’m fine, really. Just nervous.”
“Don’t worry, things won’t go the same as last time. You can be a little clumsy at times, but you’re not that clumsy.”
“Thanks,” I said with uncertainty. I wasn’t sure if that was supposed to be a compliment or more of an insult.
She smiled. “I believe I hear the call for food. Let’s step to it!”
With one last reassuring look, the two of us began bringing out the dishes and then serving them. Despite my nervousness, things did seem to be going fine, at least. Everyone largely ignored us, their focus on either the food or the Praevus. Even Praevus Emver and Silas never really batted an eye at me, to my surprise. Though part of me might have preferred if Silas focused on me, as instead, he took to ‘doting’ over Lena—attempting to hold her hand, giving her kind words and gestures, and other acts, all of which just made me feel nauseous.
Her responses hovered between appreciative remarks and polite, genteel indifference, which she somehow managed to pull off. If there was one thing I could say about Lena, it was that she was an excellent actor when she needed to be. There was no way I’d be able to cover my scorn and hatred so easily. In fact, there were several moments where I found excuses to go back into the kitchen just so I could hide my blatant disgust.
It was after one such incident that I came back out to find the Praevus and Virgil in the middle of a conversation over the recent shift in weather.
“It has been quite chilly out. I believe this winter is certainly going to be a frigid one,” Emver said, as he sliced into a cut of ham.
“You’re still quite certain that you don’t want a room here? I know my little home is rather cramped and quaint compared to the level of sophistication that I’m sure you’re used to, but I’m sure we could…” Virgil’s voice trailed as Emver waved his hand in a dismissive gesture.
“Thank you, Virgil. Truly, I appreciate the gesture; you have a lovely home here. But I much prefer staying out in the company of my men. It is nothing personal, I assure you. I merely like to keep a rather close eye on things.” His eyes flickered briefly over to Camilla, giving the woman a small smile. “Though I’m sure that Camilla, at least, has much appreciated your hospitality.”
“Well, the offer is always open. Give the word, and any room of the house is yours.” Virgil cleared his throat, swallowing down a lump of nervousness.
“Much appreciated, Sir Dyere. I don’t believe I’ll be around much longer, though. My work here is almost finished up.” His fork raised to his lips for a bite, followed by the touch of the square towelette. I felt my next step wobble.
The Reeve visibly perked up. “Excellent. I’ll be quite glad to be rid of such nasty business in my town. I cannot begin to show the extent of my gratefulness for your having come to handle it yourself, Praevus Emver.”
I might have mentally questioned that remark more, if my mind wasn’t so caught up in what Emver had just said.
The Praevus nodded. “As you’ve spoken on before. Though, I merely do what I must to see the Empire thrive, deeds big and small.”
They continued their small talk as dinner progressed, with even Mrs Dyere and Camilla occasionally commenting on one thing or another. My head stayed fixated on only one thing, though. The Praevus was leaving soon? What did that mean for us? Or for the smuggler group? Had he already discovered them all? Would he be arresting them for a trial? Most of all, would my father be alright?
I was so lost in thought that, when I next moved to fill Camilla’s cup, I tripped over the leg of her chair. My eyes widened as the bottle tumbled from my hands. With uncanny speed, the sorceress snatched it from its free-fall, placing the bottle on the table just as a red splash met the clean, white cloth. Her other arm wrapped around me, ceasing my tumble forward, and pressing me smoothy up against her. My mistress’s eyes filled my gaze, full of passionate, blazing flames. Her lips were a breath away from my own, and the two of us stood still in a moment of frozen time. As her lips curled into a sly smile, she released me, and I regained my balance, with cheeks as pink as violets.
“Told you I would catch you.”
I looked away. “T-thank you, Lady Camilla.”
Taking another step back, I gave her a polite curtsy. I couldn’t believe I’d actually tripped again! I was going to die of pure embarrassment over this.
From across the table, someone gave a gentle clap.
“Quite well done, Camilla,” Praevus Emver said, as his applause slowed to a stop.
As though caught doing something crass, she sat up straighter, replying, “Thank you, Praevus Emver.”
Thankfully, the whole thing was quickly dropped after that, and I faded back into the background for the rest of dinner. When it ended, everyone getting up to leave and giving their goodbyes, I just barely caught my stiff shoulders from collapsing down in relief. My eyes met Rosetta’s, who was motioning me back to the kitchen.
“Camilla, a moment, if you would?” Emver’s words made me pause, and look over at the sorceress standing next to me.
Camilla avoided my gaze as she made her way over to him, her stride as regal as always. Praying that the pause hadn’t been noticed or seemed suspicious, I turned and rushed after Rose, the maid tapping her foot impatiently.
“Stop lingering,” she said under her breath, practically pushing me into the kitchen.
The door behind us closed, and I let out a well-needed sigh. Camilla would be alright, I assured myself. I’d just have to find out what was going on, if anything at all, later, when we were both free again. With that, the two of us got to cleaning up, which took quite a bit longer than I would have guessed. Once everyone was gone, she lightened up significantly, and we ate and tasted the various dishes left behind as we worked. Despite that, I couldn’t fully rid myself of the heavy tension in my shoulders.
It was only when I finally made it back into the safety of Camilla’s room that relief truly washed over me. Camilla was safe, sitting hunched over a small desk and writing. She was okay. Dinner was over.
We’d made it!
Camilla turned my way, gesturing me over to her. When I did, she pulled me into her lap, her arms wrapping around me and chin leaning against my shoulder. The two of us sat silent for a moment, just enjoying the relative peace and comfort of the other.
“What does this mean for us?” I whispered.
“Difficult to say. I’m out of the loop, as it were. That he told us so openly that he is making a move soon means that he either trusts me to stay in line, or more likely, wanted me to know. I’m uncertain of what the Praevus is planning to do, or just how immediate his plans to act are. Nor do I know what he plans for you and I. He may be hoping that this pushes me to action in some way.” Her fingers drummed against my belly in a rapid, nervous pace. “And I cannot help but admit, there is a great temptation to simply swoop you off your feet, here and now, and rush off into the forest.” She let out a deep sigh.
“Is there no one you trust to ask? About his plans, I mean?”
“Of the sentinels? No. Most would have little idea, regardless. Only a select one or two would know anything potentially useful to us. That road is an unfortunate dead end.”
“So then..?” I left the sentence hanging in question. What now?
“We cannot rely on having the time to make contact with the smugglers. In fact, it’s possible that he’s waiting for that very thing. I’m—” She gripped the fabric of my dress, and her hug tightened as muscles tensed. “I’m terrified we’ve already given our hand away. That this was all exactly what he was waiting on all along.”
My face paled. Had we made a mistake? Was it all over? “W-what do w-we..?” My voice trailed as Camilla shuddered around me.
“I don’t know. I don’t,” she sniffled, and buried her face into my neck. The wet embrace of tears touched my skin.
An urge to twist around and hug her with all my might rushed through me, but I held back, worried that I would disrupt this moment somehow. Instead, I rubbed her quivering arms wrapped around my waist, and let her continue to squeeze and hug me like a pillow.
“I don’t want to die, Pearl.” She choked out a sob. “I don’t want to die.”
I gathered what will that I had still inside me, channeling the confidence that could only come from that small part of me which still wanted to believe in dreams and the heroes of old.
“We won’t, Camilla. I promise you that we won’t.”
I prayed it was a promise that I could keep.