ix.

Jayen

"Jayen there you are!"

We had just stepped out of the shower room when Maj hurried up to us. She was flush and her hair was falling out of place.

"Oh, I'm sorry I was in the shower-"

"Doesn't matter." Maj clasped her hands together awkwardly. "The lady wants you to join her for dinner."

"What?" I stopped in my tracks.

"I know, dear, but she insisted." Maj tilted her head. "At least you wouldn't have to eat with Jinan. . ."

I rolled my eyes. "I like eating with you guys. I don't want to sit across from the lady as she criticizes me again."

Maj shrugged her shoulders. "I am sick of using my polite voice and mannerisms. I miss it being just us."

Aoife smiled. "I know I haven't been here long but I already miss it being just us."

We laughed and Maj put her hand on Aoife's shoulder. "It doesn't metter how long you've been here. When we start working here you join the family. . .unless we don't like you. So you've got nothing to worry about!"

"Wait but why does she want me there?"

"She told me to tell you that she wants to discuss the garden and landscapes." Maj smiled. "You better get on up there."

I nodded and headed down the hallway. When Lord Damon was still alive and well we never dinned with him. He ate completely alone unless he wanted us to wait on him. The maids would spend an hour waiting on him before joining the rest of us for dinner. I've never eaten with someone high up. Are my manners ok? Is she going to yell at me? Do old people still care about elbows on the tables?

My parents were sticklers for manners. I had to be on time and perfect or else I wouldn't be able to eat with them. Of course they still feed me I just had to eat in my room alone. My parents were a mix of strict and relaxed. I could wander around the village and surrounding forest but I could not be rude in anyway. I didn't even have to be outwardly rude, even if I just didn't say hello in the proper tone my parents would be angry. Joshua was free to do whatever he wanted though. He could burn a house down and they'd be okay with it. Well, he would never do that. He was always really polite and gentle.

My heart was racing. I could feel it thumping in my head like a metronome. My hands felt weak- my mother used to tell me that means I had low blood pressure- and I couldn't walk straight. I was slowly making my way over the dinning hall door. It was large and went almost all the way to the ceiling. The doors were a heavy dark wood with red designs carved into the wood.

I took a deep breath. Here goes nothing.

I pushed the door open to a view of a long table. Lady Dupon was sitting at the far end of the table, facing the door. She was drinking from a glass full of a dark purple liquid. My heart wouldn't slow down.

"Come." She motioned to the seat on her right. "Sit down."

I nodded and walked over to the seat her eyes followed me but she did not move her head. My seat was already set. There was a glass of the same liquid next to a plate of meat. I sat down and kept my head down.

"Do you know why I asked you here?" Lady Dupon swirled the liquid in her cup.

"Maj told me that you wanted to talk to me about the garden." I met her eyes. She had a cold expression like she was looking through the window at a snow storm; a mix of disappointment and intrigue.

"Please, try some of my wine." She gestured a gloved hand to my glass.

I grabbed the glass and took a sip. The liquid was warm and tasted like sugared plums. I let it roll over my tongue and down my throat. I've never drinken wine before but it was the best I've ever had. I closed my eyes and savored the rest of the taste.

"Is it good?" Lady Dupon's voice has a tinge of amusement to it.

I put the glass down. Before I could say anything she reached out and grabbed my wrist. Her leather gloves added another grip to her already strong grip.

"You're bleeding." I couldn't read her voice.

"Oh, um, yeah I guess I am." I felt heat growing up my neck, Lady Dupon kept her grip tight. "The roses got me, I'll take care of it." I started to get up, hoping she would let go.

Lady Dupon softened her grip and stood up. She pulled me closer to her and I could smell plums and vanilla on her. My heart was beating so loud I thought she would hear it.

"Let me." Her voice was soft and sent a chill down my back. She reached into her dress and pulled out a black cloth with lace frills. "Can I?" She hesitated.

I nodded and she wrapped my hand up. The cloth was warm and her touch was gentle. She was focused on my hand and I studied her face. She had a few fine lines that creased when she was focused. Her dress was black with lace along the neckline that reached her throat and lace on the layers of her skirt. The bodice has shimmery and small floral designs on it.

She looked up at me, catching me staring. "You should take care of yourself. I don't like my staff to be injured."

She took a step away from me and sat down on her chair again. I flexed my hand with the wrap on it before sitting back down. "Is there. . . something specific you wanted to talk to be about?"

She took a drink from her glass. "I'm going to suppervise you tomorrow. I want to make sure you're doing a good job on my garden. The gazebo needs to be cleared and cleaned. I don't want you mangeling any more plant."

"Is this about the roses?"

"It's about the roses. But. . . thank you. For the rose. It's lovely and I placed it on my nightstand." Lady Dupon turned her head away slightly.

"Is there anything else?"

"Eat. I don't like to discuss business while my guest has a empty stomach." I didn't notice before but the lady did not have a plate in front of her.

I didn't want to argue and started eating. Kuna's cooking was a light in the dark in this stressful situation. Why did she call me her guest? I work here, I'm far from a guest.

"Where are you from?" Lady Dupon asked.

"Little Onshoren. It's off the coast, it's not too far from here."

Lady Dupon pursed her lips. "Did you grow up there?"

"I did. I lived with my brother."

"Your whole life?"

"My whole life." I lied. "Where are you from?"

"Freane. Do you know where that is?" She was a lot more relaxed and friendly then when she was in the garden earlier. Maybe it was the wine.

"My. . .My mother was from there." I said in between bites. Shoot, I didn't want to mention her. I shouldn't have thought about my family earlier.

Lady Dupon closed her eyes and nodded. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to cut our night short. I fear I may have gone a little bit too far tonight with the wine. I'm still getting the recipe correct."

"You made this?"

"Yes. Would you be so kind as to escort me to my room?" She rubbed her temple.

"Of course my lady." As soon as I said that her eyes fluttered open and met mine. Her eyes burned into my soul and set my metronome heart fast again.

She stood up, still as graceful as ever. She glided along the tile floor, the only indicator that she was walking and not floating was the click of her shoes on the tile. I hurried to follow her. If she was intoxicated she did not show it. She led the way to her bedroom on the second floor. Her room was already unpacked and was covered in black. She had the curtains replaced with thick black fabric. She grabbed a candle and when she handed it too me it was already lit.

"I would normally have a handmaid do this but you'll do." She waved her hand at me dismissly. "Can you light the rest of the candles. It's dreadfully dark in here."

I nodded and used the candle to light the others. I could feel her eyes on me the entire time. How did she light the candle? She didn't have a match with her.

"Before you leave. . . I need your help again." I turned around and the candlelight danced across her face.

"Of course."

"I need you to untie my corset."

My face was flush with embarrassment. I haven't helped someone with their corset since Joshua's wedding. I hadn't even noticed she was wearing one. It was the same color and design as the rest of the dress.

She turned her back to me and I walked over to her. My hands shook slightly as I grabbed the first cross. My hand brushed against her back briefly and my heart swirled. She was facing a full body mirror and was eyeing me through it. She was a few inches taller than me.

"Again, I would normally have a handmaiden help me out with this. I can do the rest myself."

"Are you sure? I don't want to leave you if you're feeling unwell." I was on the last of the crosses, I was careful not to touch her again.

"I can see how red you are. I don't want you to pass out. I need you tomorrow to fix up that mess in the garden. You've let it run completely wild. That's why the rose struck you." Lady Dupon locked eyes with me and I shrunk back.

"Of course. . . My lady." Everytime she seemed like she would be kind, she insulted me. Maybe not purposely but it still hurts.

When I untied the rest of the corset she let out a sigh. She was holding the corset to her still. "Thank you, Jaylen. Could you put this on the dresser for me and close the door?"

I nodded and took the corset from her. It was thick and made of satin and some other thicker material. I don't know, I'm not a seamstress. I can barely identify basic fabrics and can barely repair a rip. I placed it lightly on the dresser and stepped out of the room. I didn't look back as I closed the door behind me. The candles in the hallway flickered as I made my way downstairs to the servants wing. I'm not sure how long it's been but it was completely dark outside.