Chapter 12 - Emilia

Hearing a knock at the door I wake up along for the first time in almost two weeks, something that used to normal for me but now feels completely foreign and wrong. My mates have no doubt left for the Council meeting they're hoping that if they can get everything dealt with we can return to the castle tomorrow, but it will all depend on today's meeting.

"Come in." I call out, the door opens revealing Nuela carrying a tray with what looks like breakfast on it.

"I'm sorry to wake you my Lady but the seamstress will be here soon. I thought you might like some breakfast before she arrives." She explains as she places the tray across my lap so I can start eating.

"Thank you Nuela. Do you know when my mates might be back from the Council meeting?" I ask hoping that they might be back soon.

"I'm sorry my Lady but we've had no word from them yet. Closer to lunch I'll send a servant to see if they'll be back to eat but it may depend on what the meeting is about." Nodding I start eating but don't each much not having an appetite after just waking up.

At Nuela's suggestion I don't bother getting dressed settling for just brushing my hair and managing to braid it back and out of the way. Once I'm ready Nuela leads me to one of the room downstairs where the seamstress is setting up with several assistants running around following her orders. It's a big difference from going to Madame Loni's which was less chaotic compared to what is happening in front of me now.

Directing the chaos is an older woman whose only slightly taller than me yet she commands the attention of the room. Expertly she's ordering everyone around, not just her own assistants but servants who are likely the new staff working in the palace, managing to turn the room into a makeshift seamstress work area. It took a few minutes for the seamstress to notice Nuela and I's arrival in the room but walked over as soon as she noticed us.

"My Lady." She greets sinking into a deep curtsy, more elegant and beautiful than the simple bobbed curtsies I've seen so far from servants around the palace. "I'm Madame Joanna. It's an honour to be making your new wardrobe."

"It's nice to meet you." I utter quietly overwhelmed by what's going on around me so early in the morning. This is the second time I've met with a seamstress about making more dresses for me but the three finished ones I already have are more than enough in my opinion. Despite this it still doesn't seem like enough to those around me but hopefully this visit will be the last for a while.

"Lord Belath has left some designs that he would like made for Lady Emilia in whatever fabric she chooses. They left instructions to spare no expense on their mate's wardrobe as she needs several of everything." Nuela luckily takes over, handing over a notebook containing Bel's designs which I didn't even realise she was carrying. "As the Lords don't know how long they will be in Hadlau Lady Emilia will also need court appropriate dresses for the stay. Lord Ruikor has some designs planned to make some jewellery himself, but they have also asked for your recommendation for a professional jeweller."

"I shall send one of my assistants to Master Nicolas, one of the top jewellers in Hadlau. He will probably be able to come here today with some of his pre-made pieces and then may stay while I work to create jewellery to go with the dresses once he's met Lady Emilia. It's his belief that he designs best after meeting the person." Madame Joanna tells us as she sends off an assistant with a note for the jeweller. I'd be perfectly happy with just the necklace containing my Stone which I still make sure to wear every day.

"Would you like to get started my Lady?" Nuela asks seeming to notice my nerves once again, but I take a deep breath and nod. The sooner we get started the sooner this will be done although looking around it seems I'll still be here for a long time.

Like the visit to Madame Loni this fitting starts with measurements being taken probably a good thing as the numbers Madame Joanna calls out a different to the last time, I'd put on some weight. My mates will be happy about that, they'd worried that I'd lose the little I'd managed to gain at the castle due to the journey to Hadlau.

After that the assistants move rapidly holding different fabrics close to me getting opinions from Madame Joanna, Nuela and myself although I soon fall quiet not having much to say about if a colour suited me or not. As Nuela and Madame Joanna decide on colours they discuss the dress that it might be made into; lighter colours as day dresses while brighter or darker colours are selected for court dresses along with any more expensive popular fabrics. Then they bring up night dresses and what I needed.

"Something to please the Lords?" Madame Joanna suggests with a wink that I don't understand. Why would they care what I wear to bed?

"I don't understand, it's only a nightdress." I reply tilting my head slightly trying to figure out what she meant. Both Madame Joanna and Nuela look at me in shock before Nuela orders everyone out of the room, leaving just the three of us.

"My Lady, come sit with us." Nuela invites helping me down from the stand where I'd been while Madame Joanna and her assistants worked. Together the three of us move to sit on a settee in the corner of the room, they seat me in between the two of them.

"My Lady forgive me for asking but has anyone ever talked to you about what can happen between men and women when they're alone? The kind of thing that creates babies?" Madame Joanna asks speaking softer and kinder than I've heard all morning. I shake my head in response.

"Before I met my mates no one really talked to me. They all hated me. All I know is that sometimes people would get married and later there would be children." I reveal trusting them enough to mention my life in Stowu.

"I'm sorry about that my Lady." Nuela says taking my hand giving it a comforting squeeze, "Would you be okay with Madame Joanna and I explaining some things to you?" I nod giving my permission.

"I suppose the best place to start would be the differences between a man and a woman's body. It will make things easier to explain." Madame Joanna being the blunter of the two takes over, "There are the obvious differences such as men are generally taller with wider shoulders while women have breasts. We need to talk about the more private differences though my Lady, having been around the Lords for some time now have you noticed anything different about them compared to your body?" I can't help blushing having an idea of what she meant, having seen Kor naked out of the corner of my eye during our bath that last night in the castle.

"Yes, there… between their legs. It's different." I stutter out not quite sure how to describe what I'd seen.

"That is called a penis my Lady and women have a vagina." Nuela informs me.

"You may hear different names for them though. It's common for a penis to be called a cock instead and pussy or even cunt are used rather than vagina. Cunt is more vulgar though so I can't imagine that the Lords would ever use it around you my Lady." Madame Joanna continues determined not to leave anything out. "Now when a man is aroused his penis changes, usually they are soft but when aroused they get hard. A woman on the other hand will become wet when aroused and it helps ease the way for what follows. When both are ready the man will put his penis inside the woman, this act is called sex or fucking and if it's done correctly then this act can be very pleasurable. After some time there will be a release for both the man and woman which is what can lead to a pregnancy."

I sit quietly for a while taking in what I'd just been told, it's a lot. Then there's the idea that my mates might want this which is making me blush even more because the idea of it, being close to them that way, is something I find myself wanting but am scared of at the same time.

"It's not something you need to think on too much my Lady. The Lords will wait for as long as you need until you're ready for anything more we just wanted you to know the facts and be prepared for the future. Although I'm sure the Lords will take their time teaching you the details." Nuela squeezes my hand again reassuring me that everything will be fine.

"So in the future after doing this I could give my mates children?" I ask wanting to be sure.

"It's a possibility my Lady. Although as a vampire Lord Belath can't have children, Lords Ruikor and Lilas both can but fertility rates, the chance of children, is very low for their races. To balance out their immortality elves have the lowest fertility rates of any race except for vampires who aren't able to have children at all. Dragons have a slightly higher chance of children as they have long but not immortal lives so there is a good chance that at some point in your lives together you'll give Lord Ruikor children." Nuela informs me with a kind smile before turning serious again, "My Lady there is something else I wanted to ask, you mentioned that you'd never been taught any of this. Does that include your period because we can explain somethings and help you in any way you need?"

"Period? What's that?" I ask confused having no idea what she was asking about.

"When you bleed between your legs my Lady. It should happen roughly once a month." Madame Joanna clarifies. "It's something that happens as a girl becomes a woman usually it starts in early teens."

"Bleeding, no that's never happened." I shake my head even more confused now surely bleeding once a month isn't normal, but they seem concerned by my answer. "Is that a bad thing?"

"It's not bad my Lady but if you'll permit me I'd like to call a healer to visit. Just to check on your health, I think the delay might be caused by lack of food so it should be resolved by the correct diet." I nod giving permission for Nuela to call a healer so she stands getting ready to leave, "Perhaps I should call for some tea before we continue with the fitting?"

"That would be lovely Nuela." Madame Joanna says. Nuela doesn't leave just simply gives her orders to a servant outside the door before returning to her seat. Our conversation continues but with the lighter topic of dresses once again although I feel slightly more confident speaking up now with my opinion.

We continue talking as we sip at our tea before calling the servants and Madame Joanna's assistants back into the room to continue the fitting. It continues on as though they'd never been ordered to leave at all and soon some of the assistants are sitting down to work on dresses at Madame Joanna's orders so that some will be finished before she leaves.

A knock on the door doesn't even halt things as Nuela welcomes an elderly man into the room who moves to greet Madame Joanna joining her at the table where she's set up command. Trailing behind him are a few servants carrying trays and boxes which are set down on a spare table.

"Madame Joanna, it's good to see you again. I wasn't expecting your call but as your note said I've brought some of my best pieces and my sketch pad for some designs. Now whose the lucky Lady you've given such special attention to?"

"Master Nicolas may I introduce Lady Emilia, the long-awaited soulmate of Lords Ruikor, Lilas and Belath. My Lady this the best jeweller in the city Master Nicolas."

"My Lady." Master Nicolas bows deeply taking my hand and pressing a kiss to the back of it, "It's an honour to meet you and congratulations of finding your Soulmates."

"It's nice to meet you too Master Nicolas." I reply as he waves over his servants who carry some of the boxes over to us. Opening them he presents the beautiful contents, necklaces and tiaras, with a wave of his arm.

"Any of these are available for your selection my Lady. Please try them on and see if they suit you."

"I'm not sure about the necklaces, I wear this one every day." I take my necklace off to show him, "It contains my Stone and Kor designed and made it himself. It's very special to me."

"Of course my Lady. The chain on this necklace is quite long so you could wear it together with other necklaces that are shorter." He hands the necklace back for me to put on smiling, "The best of both worlds my Lady."

It turns into almost a full day of being fitted into different dresses and trying on various sets of jewellery with only a small break for lunch. My mates sent word that they wouldn't be back for lunch, so I ate together with Nuela, Madame Joanna and Master Nicolas listening as they discussed the state of the court. I picked up a few names, but they mainly talked about the current fashions and who was following them.

A few hours after we finished lunch Madame Joanna and Master Nicolas finally announced themselves done. There are still more dresses that need to be finished but several are finished already and will be left here for me to wear while Masater Nicolas has some designs he plans to make for me but is holding off on some until after Kor has made his own pieces. Packing up they get ready to leave.

"I will be back soon my Lady. Don't forget to call on me if you ever need or want more dresses or maybe some capes come winter." Madame Joanna makes me promise before she curtsies and leaves. Master Nicolas follows after her only asking that we pass along his greetings to Kor and let him know that there are some spare jewels at Master Nicolas's store if he wants them.

"You look beautiful my Lady." Nuela tells me once they've left. Before she left Madame Joanna had her assistants dress me completely in a beautiful red dress with a ruby necklace, even doing my hair and adding a jewelled head piece. It's completely different from anything I've ever worn but I can't wait to see my mate's reactions.

"Thank you Nuela. Could we go for a walk in the garden, we've been in here all day?" I smile as she accepts and joins me as we head outside into the sun. The gardens seem even more beautiful today now that I'm awake enough to enjoy them properly.

Nuela goes back inside soon after having some work to do inside leaving me to wander the gardens alone. It's the first time I've truly been alone since that first night after meeting my mates when I slept alone. I enjoy the peace of it for a short time before going back inside wanting to at least hear other people around.

Gathering my embroidery supplies I settle down on a window seat in the library for my first attempt at embroidery with quality supplies. Whenever I'd been able to afford what I needed in Stowu it was only the low-quality items that they couldn't sell to other customers, the only ones they were willing to sell to me and at a marked-up price. Now I have beautiful threads and a silk background plus a proper wooden hoop frame to keep the silk tight and make the embroidery easier.

It's late afternoon, almost evening, by the time my mates return and find me in the library. I've been trying to embroider a type of flower I'd seen in the gardens earlier and could still see from the window. Not all of my stitches are straight but the longer I've been working on it the better my stitches have become.

"Emmy?" I look up at the sound of Bel's shocked voice. I'd been so focused on keeping my stitches straight I hadn't heard them enter, smiling I put everything aside so I can stand up.

"You're back." I run over hugging Bel first then Lilas and Kor glad to see them again after spending most of the day apart. "How was the Council?"

"Tiring but needed." Lilas says as we move to sit on the settees arranged by the fireplace, "There is a threat of war."

"War?" I'm shocked they hadn't been too concerned yesterday so for the reason the Council summoned us here is war.

"Not quite yet but Nerkise has been taken over by a group of heretics who have rejected the Gods and are destroying Soul Stones. We need to be prepared in case they turn their attention towards Rialria so we will be staying in here in Hadlau until the matter is resolved." Bel explains.

"Safe here, just in case." Kor adds noticing my slight disappointment at having to stay here rather than return to the castle.

"Enough about the Council, how was your day?" Bel asks, "You look beautiful in your new dress." Lilas and Kor nod in agreement with him.

"Madame Joanna was really nice she even sent for Master Nicolas to bring some jewellery. Oh, Kor he says that he has some spare jewels at his store if you would like them. After they left I had another walk around the gardens then did some embroidery, have a look." I get back up and fetch the embroidery hoop passing it over to Bel to have a look at. I don't mention the conversation I had with Nuela and Madame Joanna it's too embarrassing and it feels sort of private.

They seem grateful for the distraction from the Council and war as we spend the time before dinner talking about anything else. Lilas even promises to continue my reading lessons after we've eaten dinner, he says he'll try and make time to continue when possible, but I know that meetings with the Council will have to take priority. Nuela informs us that dinner is ready, so we make our way into the small dining room that we ate in last night where everything is already laid out for us.

We don't talk much while eating focused on the food in front of us and simply enjoying each other's company. After dinner we gather in the bedroom each occupied by our own activity, as promised Lilas continues teaching me to read. Kor is sat at a table working on something while Bel is drawing on the settee opposite the one Lilas and I are using.

Like my other reading lessons it devolves to Lilas reading to me after a few hours. Kor comes and sits with us abandoning whatever he was working on, and Bel stops drawing to lie across Kor's lap instead, falling asleep as Kor runs his hand through Bel's hair. A knock at the door draws our attention.

"Come in." Kor calls out the noise waking Bel, but he doesn't bother sitting up.

"Forgive the disturbance my Lords, my Lady but it's late and I thought Lady Emilia might need some help getting changed." Nuela enters, carrying one of my new nightdresses and gives a curtsy waiting in the doorway for further instruction.

"Thank you Nuela. We didn't realise how late it's gotten; we'll go and get ready for bed in the bathroom and leave Emmy in your capable hands. It'll be another early morning; the Council are gathering again." Bel says standing lazily to join Lilas and Kor in making their way to the bathroom.

Having some privacy now Nuela helps me remove my jewellery before undoing the ties of the dress and helping me into the nightdress. It's a simple white nightdress that Madame Joanna and her assistants were able to finish quickly along with a few others so that I had something to sleep in at least until she finished what she said would be better ones. My mates come back in not long after as Nuela is finishing braiding my hair back after brushing it, tying off the braid she curtsies and leaves the room without another word.

"You're finally out of Kor's tunics." Bel says happily staring as I stand, and he can see the new nightdress.

"Yes Madame Joanna made a few for me." I reply blushing although I'm not sure why. The nightdress covers more than Kor's tunics did although big on me they still only reached my knees and were always slipping off my shoulders.

"You look lovely." Lilas adds with Kor give a nod in agreement, "Come we should get some sleep. We should be able to have breakfast together in the morning before we leave for the Council meeting maybe you'd like to explore the public gardens tomorrow. I'm sure Nuela will accompany you although since we'll be here a while we should sort a personal maid for you." I only nod too tired to think much more about tomorrow and how I'll be spending another day without my mates.

Today has been exhausting so it doesn't surprise me that as soon as I lie down and relax I'm falling asleep. I don't even really notice my mates joining me in bed only feeling them lie down next to me and their breathing as I drift off.

I wake up finding myself facing Lilas and, judging by the large arm pulling me back against his chest and the one I'm using as a pillow, Kor is behind me. Bel is still asleep on the other side of Lilas but Lilas himself is awake and seems to have been watching me sleep.

"Good morning." He greets quietly trying not to wake the others.

"Good morning. Were you watching me sleep?"

"Not for long. You're just very cute when you're sleeping, cuddling up against Kor no wonder he calls you a kitten." Lilas smiles at me as he lifts a hand to cup my cheek.

"I'm not a kitten, please don't start calling me that as well." Kor is already sticking to the nickname I don't need Lilas joining in, or they might all start calling me that. I don't truly mind the nickname, but I'd gone from having no name to now not only a name but two nicknames as well, I don't want too many nicknames.

Hoping to distract him from teasing me anymore and daring to do something I'd been thinking for a while I lean forward and give him a brief, light kiss. Up until now I'd only been kissing them briefly on the cheek but now I give Lilas a true kiss, like I've seen the three of them share. Although it's not a deep or long kiss like I've seen them give each other it's still a kiss on the mouth. Pulling back I can't help blushing especially as Lilas stares at me in shock then I feel Kor's chest behind me shaking with a deep chuckle.

"You even kiss like a kitten." He says moving his head, so he's spoken right next to my ear. I turn my head to face him giving him a stern look that fails judging by the expression on his face, "No? Then prove it." He challenges me raising an eyebrow. Feeling brave after Lilas's reaction I lift my head slightly and give Kor the same kiss I'd just give Lilas, getting a smug happy face from him rather than shock.

"Hey! If you're giving out kisses I want one." Bel protests sitting up from behind Lilas almost shoving him out of the way so that he can take Lilas's place next to me and get his own kiss. Willingly giving the same kiss as Kor and Lilas I can only laugh as he cheers before rounding on Lilas for another kiss, this one deeper and longer.

"You're very brave this morning kitten." Kor comments pulling me back against his chest as we watch Bel and Lilas kiss.

"I missed you all yesterday and I'd been trying to find the courage for a few days. It seemed like the right time." I mutter burying my head in the pillows trying to hide my blush, I wish that I didn't blush so easily.

"Don't hide from us." Kor mutters lifting my head out from the pillows and preventing me from hiding again by placing one of his hands against my cheek. "My beautiful mate." Then he's pulling me into another kiss, this one firmer and slightly longer than the one I gave him with Kor in full control.

Not long after we get out of bed to prepare for breakfast and another day apart from each other. Bel sticks his head outside the door and sends a servant down to let the kitchen know to start breakfast and for Nuela to come help me dress. They go and change in the bathroom again once Nuela arrives to help me. With her help I choose a lovely green dress that while fancier than anything I've worn before Nuela assures me that it's perfect for a day out in the gardens, where I might meet members of the court for the first time, when she asks about my plans for the day. It doesn't take her long to help me into the dress complementing it with a pair of emerald earrings and a tiara styled to look like leaves.

Re-joining my mates in the hallway we go to the dining room where we sit down for breakfast and I manage to eat more than usual now that I'm starting to settle into life here. The others as usual consuming much more, Kor finishing his second plate before I've finished my first and only stops eating after his third.

"Do you think you'll go to the gardens today?" Lilas asks as we enjoy some cups of tea after breakfast before they have to leave.

"Yes, it seems like a nice day and Nuela said she'll go with me. I might take my embroidery out with me and sit there for a while."

"There'll likely be other court ladies out as well, if they don't treat you well let us know and we'll put a stop to it." Bel adds, "I'd watch out for Lady Pearce at the moment, her husband was one of the candidates for the Council, but we voted against his addition in favour of Lord Hess. She might be bitter over it."

"I met Lady Hess the first day we got here. She seemed nice I hope I get to meet her again." I hope to make at least a few friends here since we'll be staying for an undetermined amount of time.

"I'm sure you'll meet again soon; Lady Hess has always been very welcoming to new ladies at court." Kor says, "She'll probably seek you out soon after what happened and take you under her wing until you adjust to court."

"We should get going or we'll be late." Lilas states before standing from his position next to me. Leaning down he places a kiss on my cheek, "We'll see you soon Emilia." Kor and Bel stand as well and follow Lilas's lead of giving me a kiss before they all head out for the meeting.

I go to the library to practise my reading for an hour before deeming it warm enough now for a walk around the gardens. Not wanting to go alone I seek out Nuela to come with me, luckily she isn't busy and has the time to come with me. I can see now why a personal maid might be needed.

Nuela shows me the way to the nearest public garden which is also one of the largest. It's beautiful like the one at the palace but has a clear layout so that people can walk around easily without getting lost. I don't see many people around due to the early hour which I'm thankful for I'm not sure yet if I'm ready to deal with people born to this rich life who'll no doubt look down on me for my background.

Finding a gazebo in the garden I sit down there to work on my embroidery, I insist that Nuela heads back to the palace sure that she has work to do today now that we know we'll be staying for an extended period of time and that I can find my way back to the palace later on by myself. Even though the garden is large I can still see the palace from here so will be able to use that to find my way.

"My Lady." I jump slightly as someone suddenly calls out near me. Looking up I find Lady Hess walking closer to me.

"Lady Hess. It's nice to see you again." I greet setting my embroidery aside to focus on her.

"You as well. I'm glad to see you looking better today. Forgive me but I never found out your name the last time we met and please feel free to call me Maryam."

"Thank you Maryam. I'm Emilia and please just call me that I'm used to being called a Lady."

"I'm sure you soon will be." She replies sitting down next to me, "Is this your first time in Hadlau?"

"Yes, before I found my Stone I'd never left my village so it's a very big change."

"Well I must say it's only what your third day here? And already you're better dressed than many of the young Ladies here at court. Would you care to take a walk with me?" I agree and once I'd packed my embroidery back into the basket I'd brought with me, we set off for a stroll around the gardens.

"Congratulations on Lord Hess's appointment to the Council." I say as we walk out of the gazebo and back into the gardens.

"Thank you, it's something he's wanted for some time now. It was your mates votes that made it possible though, although I guess I'll see less of him now. The Council are very busy at the moment." She gives me a knowing look and seems to judge that I know what the meetings are about as well.

"Yes, they'll be very busy for some time. I hope it dies down quickly; I miss spending time with my mates already." I reply looking down, becoming sad at not only war but missing out on time together with my mates.

"We'll be okay Emilia." Maryam says pulling my arm to link it with hers and giving me a reassuring smile, "The Council will deal with that matter and we're safe here in Hadlau. Now I've got plenty of time to get to know you better. In fact I'm planning to host a ball to celebrate Willard's appointment to the Council, I'd be honoured if you'd help me organise it and attend with your mates of course. Would you be interested?"

"I've never done anything like that before. I wouldn't want to get anything wrong and ruin it." I tell her, everything around me is new and while I think I'd like to go to a ball helping to plan one seems more out of my depth than anything else I've experienced yet.

"Don't worry I have most of it planned out already it just needs to be put into motion. It will be more of an opportunity for you to learn your way around and meet new people who are important and influential at court all while having some fun." Hearing her explanation I nod in agreement, and we make plans to meet again tomorrow to start working.

"Welcome back my Lady." Nuela greets once I return to the palace. Handing my basket to a maid I can't help running over and hugging her, overflowing with happiness now that I've got something to be doing every day. "Did something happen my Lady?"

"Yes, I met Lady Hess while in the garden. She's asked me to help her organise a ball she's hosting, we're starting tomorrow."

"That's wonderful my Lady, I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun working on this. Perhaps to help you it will be best to sort out your personal maid today, I know of a few qualified women that might be willing to come and meet with you. For a lady's maid it's most important that you like or at least get along with each other."

"Okay would you be free this afternoon to help?" I ask wanting to make sure that I don't have to sit through interviews on my own. I don't know what I'd be looking for in a lady's maid, but Nuela seems to know and might have done this before.

"Of course my Lady. I'll send out some enquiries now so we can meet them this afternoon." She curtsies and walks away to her office to make the arrangements.

Still having some time before lunch I set myself up on the window seat in the library again to work some more on my embroidery. Once I'm better at it I want to make something for each of my mates, they've done so much for me it'd be nice to be able to give them something in return.