Vow Of Silence

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

1st PERSON: Pelomina Lorenzo-Capiz

That night, sleep eventually came over me with a heavy feeling. My worries made me so weary that it felt like I was doing strenuous activities before lying down.

When morning came, and concerningly so, I woke up late. My attendants didn’t come to wake me up so I guess we have nothing going on for today. I was still wearing the pretty dress that was filled with wasted potential from yesterday and along with that was a strong sense of defeat.

Irritation.

But now that I’ve recharged with good sleep, I only feel two things: anger and indifference. Which is kind of opposing each other, but who cares? I’m upset and I don’t even want to think about it or stay in this place for longer than I could help it. I got up and stretched, looking at how beautiful my clothes are, even if they are slightly wrinkled.

Considering how I slept with them.

“Ahh… all this, for nothing,” I whispered into the air as I reached behind me and untied the corset, loosening them up little by little until I could just slide it off. After that, I took off the gloves and undid the braids in my hair, a workout in itself because of the length. However, it was somewhat rewarding because having them braided for so long made them curly.

I took the socks off and finally it was time to get rid of the dress. It’d be difficult to pull them up, so I guess the way to go is to pull them down gradually. With a sigh, I started at the sleeves, after successful pulling out one sleeve, I moved on to the next and—

“Wife, may I enter?” I suddenly heard Lykus’s voice bellow from the other side of the door and I ended up staggering, stepping on the hem of my dress and before I could even cling to the edge of the vanity, I already fell down with a soft thud knocking the chair over as I did.

“Crap… ah, what a great way to start the day,” I groaned, rubbing my butt that took in so much of the fall, while my other hand held my dress up,

“Wife?! Wife what happened, I’ll go—”

“No! No, it’s fine… I’m fine, don’t get in yet!” I yelled back, standing up first and dusting myself,

“Surely you don’t think I could stay still and…” he replied, going inside despite me clearly saying ‘No’. Typical man behavior, it really just takes one slip up to disillusion a person, because he didn’t look any different. He should look just as he does, which is magnificent, but for some reason, he looked… dull.

I was just… unimpressed. Nothing changed except my perspective for him and boy, does it do wonders. Lady Marianne should’ve just gone here faster and done those things pretty early in the game so I won’t have to develop feelings for Lykus. Save myself all the trouble.

I scoffed lowly, pulling the fallen chair upright with one hand and the other still gripping my dress up. I looked at him through half-lidded eyes, “I was getting dressed, my lord,” I told him and he nodded, watching me silently throughout that whole experience, before averting his gaze and looking around the room,

“I just heard something fall… I was simply worried,” he replied,

I hummed, “Worry not, my lord, a simple fall like that won’t break my bones,” I replied, and his chest rose as he took in a deep breath, yet his face remained stern and stoic. I shrugged and gestured to my dress, “I’d hate to impose… but I would ask for you to leave the room just so I could finish changing my clothes,” I said and he blinked at me twice before nodding.

Just as he left the door, he spoke again, “Would you like me to call you attendants?” he asked,

“Ah, yes, if only you have it in your time,” I replied, and he nodded, not turning to face me, and left the room completely. I sighed once the doors shut. Was I being too cheeky? Is he going to go back to acting like a bully because of this? Who knows, which each day that passes until the coronation I should care less.

I got the dress off and now I’m just wearing a chemise. I was planning to have a bath last night, wasn't I? Maybe I should do it today instead. I didn’t get the chance to, and it’s perfect. First thing in the morning, that ought to freshen me up, right? Soon enough, the three of them entered my room with sullen and depressed faces.

“My lady…” Keion began, reaching to give me a hug. What’s wrong now? This has Polly’s name written all over it,

Eustace held my hand, “My lady, we heard from Pollerma—” huh, wait who’s… is Polly’s whole name Pollerma?! “—and she told us what happened,” Eustace finished, patted the back of my hand,

‘I guess that would make sense. Everyone has such unique names,’ It would be more normal to have the name Pollerma around rather than Polly. Either way, I smiled at them and sighed.

“I’m alright, I’ve gotten over it,” I replied, but Java scoffed, looking away as she sniffed and wiped under her eyes, her nose red.

“I can’t believe he would do such a thing, how dare the both of them,” she spat, clearly, she’s upset to the point of tears. These poor women. They really loved Lady Vaustero, another reason to strengthen my resolve, give them the lady they truly love and not a cheap knockoff, which is myself.

I gestured for java to come closer and it ended up being a group hug, “I’m alright, it’s not like they slapped me across the face,” I assured, patting each of them on the back before pulling away, “However, I would like to wash up for today, would that be alright?” I told them and they immediately nodded.

“Of course, my lady, immediately,” Eustace said with a determined look, waddling her way to my door, “I will prepare the bath!” she announced and left, meanwhile, Keion draped a robe over me as Java searched my wardrobe for a change of clothes, or dress at that.

After the same thing as last time happened, they bathed me and dressed me. Keion even brought hair ornaments to the bathroom so she could do my hair then and there. Once we were done, they guided me outside and to the kitchen for breakfast, none of us saying a word.

I could hear clamoring in the kitchen. Another lively day, so it seems. The doors remained open and the scent of savory bread wafted through the air. It made my stomach growl and my mouth water. I waited out front because everyone seemed busy, as always.

Once one of the cooks noticed me, his eyes grew wide, “Ah!” he gasped, catching everyone’s attention, “M-My lady! It’s not done yet, please take a seat,” he said before whipping his head to the others, “GET THE LADY A SEAT!” He yelled and three other cooks came rushing to me carrying a single chair.

… okay...?

They bowed at me and returned to work, they seem to be plating now and they were done in a second; I didn’t even need a chair to wait for them; it took literal seconds until they were done and my portion was already trayed and ready to be served,

It was Limwei who carried my tray, bowing to me ever so slightly, “Where would you be eating, my lady?” he asked, acting all prim and proper. I ended up staring at him for a solid minute, a confused grimace on my face,

‘… what’s… oh come on—Polly!’

“My lady… are you planning to eat in this particular spot in the middle of the way of busy servants?” Limwei asked, and my amusement disappeared. There’s the sass from this walking block of marble, so much for acting nice to me,

Still, at least he tried, right? Make me want to see just how far he’ll go without being annoyed at me. I scoffed at him, “What, are you not going to offer spoon-feeding me?” I asked, and his eyebrows furrowed a millimeter.

“I am not interested in being decapitated, unfortunately,” he replied, and I chuckled, standing up straight with a huff,

“Well, that’s too bad, to the greenhouse then if you don’t mind,” I said and he nodded. He led the way to the greenhouse, holding my tray in one hand and offering his arms for me to hold on to as we walked towards the greenhouse. After setting the tray down, he turned to me.

“I will send Polly your way, my lady,” he said with a bow and left just like that. I shrugged and started eating. Looks like today’s menu is a special one. Is this the ‘make the lady feel better after seeing lord Lykus kiss another woman’ special? I got to say, though, if that’s what it took to be served really good food, why not?

I’m already upset enough as it is. Things like this are the only thing I’m clinging to as a source of joy after such a frustrating experience.

After finishing my meal, Polly came just in time with a weak smile plastered on her face. It seems like she didn’t come alone either because behind him is another guard. She stopped beside me and greeted me with a deep bow, as did the guard.

“My lady,” the guard began, “The lord wishes to see you in his study once you are done with your meal,” he said and Polly turned to me with a worried look, chuckling at her I focused my eyes back on the guard, “Yes, I’ll head there now,” I replied and he nodded before leaving,

Polly gasped lightly after hearing that, “My lady? Are you going to be okay?” she asked, and I nodded at her, standing up. I couldn’t exactly say I’ve grown a hard shell just after seeing that scene, but it made me face reality. I have no right to be upset. I was just kidding myself, thinking that could be mad for Pelomina’s sake, but I can’t be. There’s no reason for me to be mad.

Thinking that helps subside the pain that I shouldn’t be feeling in the first place.

Polly accompanied me as we walked to Lykus’s study. I knocked on the door, “Enter,” he called out from the other side so I did just that. Once he looked up from whatever he was writing or reading and saw me, his eyes darted to Polly.

“Leave your maid out,” he spat, how dare he—maid?

Polly froze on her steps and bowed at both of us before scurrying out, which made sense. We’re both upset with him, but he really is a frightening man. He then gestured to the couch in front of his desk and I took a seat. He seems upset, oh poor him.

“Wife,” he began, and I turned to look at him, raising my brows, “What happened yesterday… you must’ve seen something… different,” he followed with a sigh as he leaned further back and rubbed his temples,

“Oh, I… didn’t see anything yesterday,” I replied, offering a smile to him and his eyes snapped to me.

“Wife, don’t play this game with me, every servant in the castle talked about in hushed voices,” he argues, his tone getting more annoyed.

I pursed my lips and raised my shoulders, “What were they talking about?” I asked, and it seems like that pushed his annoyance further up.

He slammed his hand on the table and clicked his tongue, “They say that I’ve kissed lady Marianne, that was not what happened, I was merely helping her get rid of something that got caught in her eye,” he explained and my eyes widened at him, tilting my head to the side,

I know he must’ve been telling the truth… but funny enough, I just… don’t care. I don’t care anymore; it doesn’t matter. And as such, I continued to play dumb,

“Oh my, sounds like a terrible misunderstanding happened because of that,” I agreed and he sucked in a deep breath,

“Yes, but are you telling me you were not aware of this?” he interrogated in a low voice and I shook my head, before I could speak though, he groaned and rested his elbows on his desk, “So here we are having two people treated differently because of a rumor that didn’t even affect you,” he began and the smile I plastered on my face almost fell.

“Lady Marianne is an upstanding woman and citizen, traveling from afar to pay us a visit, she left last night without both of us to see her off because you were resting, it’d be such a shame for her name to be sullied under false accusations,” he said and I gripped the fabric of my dress, clenching my jaw because I thought my lips were about to quiver with how livid I am.

“Oh, perhaps it was Polly who saw, and she accidentally slipped up, don’t worry, I will clear your name to her and have her tell everyone that it’s a misunderstanding,” I replied and he huffed at me,

“That would be great, and we’re supposed to pick up the dress today—”

“Oh… I still feel a bit weak, I’d wish to stay behind and lie down, for a bit,” I interrupted and he raised a brow at me,

“Are you alright, wife? If there’s anything—”

“My attendant will help me out, now if you excuse me, my lord,” I said standing up, but he also stood up as I did,

“Let me escort you bac—”

“No,” I snapped, saying it a bit more harshly than I intended so I took a deep breath and put on a bright smile, “I’m sorry, my lord, my headache is making me more irate,” I followed as I placed my hand on the door, “I’ll just need to rest, my attendant will help me back,” I said and he gulped, nodding at me and walking back to his chair.

Polly was quick enough to hold my hand and she must’ve overheard me speaking because she knows just where to go… and that makes the both of us.