Claiming The Remnant

Chapter 86

[ Esther ]

“Ethyn?” My hand found its way to his face as I whispered his name. I’d been frightened to call him without his title. I was a little frightened to do so now but everyone was occupied and My Prince looked like he needed me.

“Esther, I…” He turned his head, tears in his voice, clearly ashamed.

“You thought she was poisoning me.” Taking advantage of his seated position I sniffed his hair. My evening nap had contained a very vivid dream with some extremely moving poetry administered by My Prince. I was hungry but not just for the meal that we should be consuming.

“I’m not sure what I thought mon foudre. I, I just reacted. She’s only a lass, I shouldn’t have hurt her like that.” A little tremor ran through his body, I felt it where my hand rested on his shoulder.

“But you didn’t, Noémie did.” His self blame was out of place, at least in my mind.

“Esther, I’m meant to think before I act, lead by example. There was no need for me to grab Sami in the first place.” Still he wouldn’t look at me.

“But, she did switch my drink. It is rather suspicious.” The offending glass was still on the table; untouched. “I’m a little lost.” I admitted, picking the glass up and sniffing the water. “Sami is so young and I’ve never met her before… at least not that I recall. Surely, even if there is something wrong with the water it wasn’t her doing. She… she won’t be punished? Will she?”

“No, mon foudre. It really was all my fault.” The sad Prince took the glass from my hands. With a sigh he took a sip. My heart made a panicked leap and a gasp left my lips. “Just medicine.”

“Oh.”

“I know.” Finally Ethyn’s grey eyes, full of concern, met mine. “...”

“Don’t say it.” Carefully I took the glass back. This was another lie. “It doesn’t matter, remember.”

“Are you sure?” His hand was on my waist making me hot through and through.

“Yes. Do you like the dress?” I changed topic. My fingers wandered from his shoulder, up his neck to fiddle with his ear. The lobe was soft between my fingers. Perhaps I was stupid to brush this off but… he told me I was his horizon. My heart was so full when I thought of him, let alone when he was near. With a small laugh and a shake of his head Ethyn joined me in my bubble of selective ignorance.

“Humm,” His lips twitched with a naughty smile. My thoughts wandered to where those lips had been earlier today. There was a weakness in my knees that hadn’t been there before. “It’s absolutely beautiful, just like you. You know you didn’t have to change dresses? It is the same day afterall.”

“Don’t Ladies change between occasions?”

“Sometimes. There is a certain occasion where one might simply… take it off.”

“Ethyn! You really are a scoundrel.” I squeaked, trying to keep my voice down. The grand dining hall was so big I was shocked that our private conversation wasn’t echoing all over the place. “We get dinner first though? I’m rather hungry.” His jaw dropped as my relaxed demeanour took him off guard.

“In that case you should drink your water.” He recovered and held up the troublesome drink.

Grinning, I took the water.

“Ehem.” His Majesty politely coughed as I took a teasing sip of water. Muscles contracting, heart leaping with the suddenness of the interruption I spilled a little of the water over the Prince that I was practically straddling. A deep blush, like some weird self defense mechanism clawed over my body.

“Your Majesty.” I gave a small, panicked curtsy. Sami was standing next to him. Her hands were in fists, hiding the ragged, bloody nails but not her emotions. Pressure exploded from nowhere in my head. A shaky breath bordering on a whimper followed before the necklace settled the pain. Ethyn touched my elbow lightly while King Leorè’s face turned from mild amusement to concern.

Standing there, in the presence of Royalty with this young girl who was shaking with rage and fear I felt like an empty shadow of myself. Until this moment I had never realised, suspected sure but, not truly felt the weight of it or rather the total lacking within my being. The feeling grew; threatened to consume me. An ocean of raindrops were slamming to the ground everywhere but where I stood in my own mind.

I was not myself.

I knew it.

They knew it.

Yet they let me parade around the castle in this mask. Why?

And I didn’t really care. Not that they had lied to me. Not that they had hurt me. Not that my companion was a jailer in disguise. At the very least I should be appalled by what had just happened to Sami, sickened even but mostly I had just been frightened for myself. Only helping once I felt safe. There had been times that I’d stood up for myself though; to Jo, to Healer Asperonin, to Ethyn. Was I just selfish?

“Lady Esther? Are you alright? Does something pain you?” King Leorè’s face, with those grey eyes he had given to his son, hovered in front of me. Somehow I’d become seated, my hand a fist around the beautiful Pamperl cut stone of the necklace.

“My apologies King Leorè, there was a sudden pain in my head but I’m ok now.”

“Are you sure? Healer Asperonin is still here.” Ethyn added from my right. I nodded, tried for what I hoped was a reassuring smile and sipped the water that I’d managed to hang onto. Ethyn eyed it with suspicion. I resisted rolling my eyes.

“The Healer will be staying for now so let me know if there is a change.” The King told me before turning his attention to his Son and Sami. “Prince Ethyn, let us resolve this matter so that we might continue with dinner.”

Sami dropped her head in defeat, shoulders slumping.

“Your -” She began. Ethyn slid from his chair to his knees.

“Three times in one day. I must be dreaming.” The King, Ethyn and Sami all looked at me. If I thought I’d blushed before I was wrong. This was blushing. I was blushing so hard I thought I might pass out. The King had raised an eyebrow, my Prince was trying not to laugh and Sami, with tears cupped in her eyelids, looked as though she might murder me for having made light of the situation. “Sorry.”

“Sami, I must humbly give my sincere apologies for my unwarranted actions.” Ethyn began. Sami’s eyes became wider with bewilderment and those tears she had been keeping in, dripped with relief. “It was entirely my fault. My behaviour was completely out of line. I accosted you, frightened you, caused you to be physically harmed and most regrettably disrespected your honour, position and value as a member of staff as well as an individual.” He bowed his head to the lass. “Will you forgive me?”

“Forgive you?” Sami questioned in a cold voice. “Why? Because you were ‘humble’? Because you got on your knees? Because you asked?” The young server loosed her tongue and it was sharp. “You admit the fault was yours and expect some fancy words to smooth things over but, but, but…” She fought to find the courage to express her point.

“I understand.” Ethyn sighed.

“You do?” The young servant was doubtful.

“Yes. At no point was my life or overall safety an issue regardless of my behaviour.” He admitted much to Sami’s obvious satisfaction. “An apology does not satisfy you. Fair enough. What would?”

“Money.” Sami was quick off the mark. So quick, in fact, that her hand was out ready to receive.

“I have lots of money, it wouldn’t pain me to part with my coin.” Ethyn seemed confused but to me Sami’s demand was plain.

“And an apology was a hardship?” I interrupted, glaring at My Prince. “You asked what she would accept, neither pains you but she would take money where she will not take an apology, yet you query it? Money will be to her benefit where an apology benefits no one but yourself.”

“Very well said, Lady Esther.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” A little smug, I sat back, pleased to have been validated by the King.

“If…” Sami took on a look of terror as if the words she had been about to say were not still in her mind.

“What do you want to say Sami?” Ethyn said with kindness.

“If I wanted you physically punished,” The lass was trying to be careful with her words but she was still just a child, “it’s not like it would happen.” She swallowed. “And I still wouldn’t benefit from it.”

“True. Although I have been rather troublesome since returning from Velexarin and while Father has not spanked me since I was a child… he would likely do so now if you had requested it. Money it is though.” He added before Sami could protest. “I don’t have any on me right now.” He looked at her waiting hand.

“Well then, boy, you better run and get it, humm.” The King gave him a look. Healer Asperonin, who had apparently been listening in, made a strangled noise as he choked down a laugh.

“Of course My King.” Ethyn dusted off his knees before heading out.

“I said run.” King Leorè called after him. Ethyn started to sprint out of the dining room causing Sami to giggle. “Right, well, let’s have dinner.” He took his seat, while I turned mine to face the table. “Come, sit with us. You can have my Son’s seat as he is not in need of it.” His Majesty ushered Sami with a wave of his hand. “Healer, join us also.”

Tentatively she sat and I poured her a glass of water. Asperonin took Noémie’s seat. Joseph, who had been so quiet I had forgotten they were there, took his previous seat next to me. Almost instantly I missed Ethyn but the company was pleasant.

Lilana, a woman around my own age, served the five of us at table. Her bracelets clinked as she moved plates and refilled glasses. Her uniform was pristine and, like many, a plain cloth covered her hair; hiding any Shade that she might possess. What she did not hide though was the look of annoyance everytime she served Sami or Joseph. When it came to me she appeared unsure. I had no magic and wore blue but was also a Lady and clearly favoured by both the Crown Prince and the King.

I was considering saying something when Ethyn returned.