I watch as Madeleine looks around. Deciding it was a good idea to bring her here after all. The way she looks at the well loved shop like it contains luxuries she's never seen before is incredibly pleasing. Clearly she appreciates the place just as much as I do. I had thought she would, but it is always nice to be right.
"It really is great, it's something of a locals only spot. All the locals know its here and it spreads mostly through word of mouth. Which means its always nice and quiet, all the locals consider it something of a secret. Nobody wants to be the ones to bring down a bunch of crowds and ruin the nice atmosphere, so I gotta ask you not go spreading it around." I add a little wink at the end. It has become incredibly clear at this point that she has never been around someone willing to tease her even a little.
"Of course, it would be a shame if such a place were to be descended on by the likes of Lady Ardew and her little group. Thank you for showing it to me." That tiny smile has made a reappearance, and just like the other two times I've seen it, a thrill of accomplishment goes through me.
She reaches for the menu and begins to look through it. I allow myself a moment to study her. I had caught glimpses of her at parties before but before that ball I had never approached. When I had helped her with that group of bullies I had not realized just who she was, but when I had I was a little shocked. Nothing about the woman who had stood unmoved and uncaring of the insults thrown in her face, who did not even seem to see anything wrong with the way she was treated fit with anything I had heard.
Where was the arrogance? The cruelty?
So I stayed, continued to chat and while it was brief it revealed quite a lot about her. From how baffled she was when I insisted she was clearly undeserving of her reputation, to how clearly unused she was to receiving any actual kindness, to how quickly she would conceal any hint of emotion on her face anytime it peaked through. Most telling however was how quickly that tiny smile vanished when she heard her fathers voice. The way that small bit of light in her eyes was doused like a candle in a thunderstorm.
I had spent time thinking about it afterwards, it was far from the first time I had met someone only to find them almost entirely unlike what I had heard but there was something more to this. There was something about the look in her eyes, something strange, and I've always loved a good mystery.
Plus she is a Blackwood, knowing more about them, about her, can only serve me in the future.
So, when I spotted her in the market during my usual rounds, I watched. I couldn't get close enough to hear what the argument in the boutique was about but the warning given to her by Little Eve, baron Clearfield's illegitimate daughter was very telling (and wasn't it interesting that little Eve, someone so completely new to nobility would know such a thing). More interesting was Madeleine's complete lack of surprise at the information about the prince while being genuinely confused about why the girl would choose to warn her about it.
So, when the perfect opportunity to get closer presented itself, I struck.
The way she looks at her servant is also rather telling, there is clear, genuine care there. As though she were looking at a friend, rather than an employee. One more contradiction to the rumors of a cruel, petty woman who would be cruel to her servants just because she could.
Taking her to little paradise was a little bit impulsive though. However, it seemed to be going in my favor.
I shake myself out of my musings when Madeleine looks up from the menu, black hair framing her face like silk curtains she asked, "What are your recommendations? Since you obviously come here a lot." There was still that wariness in her voice, unsure of what to say perhaps.
Smiling I lean forward and begin pointing out a couple of my favorite dishes, noticing the way she avoids being too close.
Eventually we both order and settle in to talk.
"So, you said you were out here going dress shopping right? Any particular occasion?" I am curious if she will choose to reveal the engagement or not. It is obviously a recent development and these things are usually announced very formally.
She pauses, obviously considering her words, then sighs "I suppose you will likely hear about it soon anyway. My father received an offer of marriage from the royal family, for myself and the crown prince to get married. The dress is meant for an upcoming meeting with them to discuss the arrangement. Though it still has not been finalized yet."
I'm fairly certain that was the most I had ever heard her speak at once. More interesting was the way she phrased everything, not "I got a proposal" but "my father got a proposal". Also, the way there was no excitement or even nervousness in her tone, it was as though she were talking about being invited to a tea party.
"Forgive my saying so, but you do not seem terribly thrilled about this development, my lady."
She pauses once more, barely noticeable but there. "I am, of course, thrilled by this opportunity. It is an incredible honor to be bestowed with." Ah, she's closed back off again. Just as I was getting somewhere. That entire thing sounding so practiced and rehearsed it was obvious how little she actually wanted to marry the guy.
"Please, my lady. Dispense with the proper politic talk. I think we both know you are not actually 'thrilled with this opportunity'. I pinky promise, there's nobody here to overhear you, and I won't breath a word of anything you say to anybody."
The uncertainty was clear in the way she froze once more, almost eerily still as she deliberated, none of it showing on her face. I wonder if it is an ingrown paranoia around other people that leads to her clear distrust. Most people by this point have long since bought in to the 'perfect good boy' image. They don't think twice about trusting me, not believing I would ever do something malicious with the information.
Not that I have any particular agenda with Madeleine, but more information is always better.
Another sigh, clearly giving in once more, "You are more observant than you let on, Sir Redhaven. I suppose you are right, there is no one here of any importance to overhear me and even if you did go around telling others what I say it is unlikely people will really believe you." A smile curls my lips, triumphant at this victory. I am also a little surprised though, observant is not a trait most would ascribe to me. Certainly not within only a couple conversations.
"I am not particularly enthused with the arrangement. I do not have anything in particular against the prince. I am merely uninterested in marrying him, or marrying anyone really. However, I was always going to end up in this sort of arranged political marriage one way or another so I am not terribly broken up about it either."
A rather common hang up, though not one I would have expected from such a woman. I would have expected her to at least be interested in the power if not the love story.
Following this line of thought I ask, "So you are unhappy to be marrying someone out of duty and politics rather than love. That's understandable, but are you not interested in the idea of becoming empress. Even if you have no interest in the man himself surely the idea of becoming the empress is exciting. The sort of thing little girls dream about, no?"
"Not particularly, I hold more than enough money and power as it is. Becoming empress only means I would be placed under further scrutiny." I suppose this does make sense especially given the way that group of girls has treated her on both occasions I had seen her. Clearly being the center of attention has never led to anything good for her, thus becoming empress seems likely to only increase that negative attention.
"Ah, and so we have circled around once more to your undeserved reputation. I did get the chance to learn more about you after the ball," this has her freezing up once more, "however the longer I sit across from you the more ridiculous everything I was told becomes. Really I cannot understand how that sort of reputation managed to perpetuate for so long, it truly baffles the mind."
That tiny, beautiful smile makes a reappearance. It truly makes her all the more striking, it is no wonder she would be the object of so much envy and jealousy. She is the image of the perfect noble lady, but when she gives an actual smile, when her eyes crinkle just the slightest bit, she becomes radiant.
Before she can respond with more than a dismissive shrug, our food arrives. The conversation from here is mostly just small talk. Nothing of particular note is revealed. Though I am given another glimpse into the rather strained relationship between her and her father through a couple passing comments. However, I don't dare to dig to deep just yet it would be such a shame to chase away someone so interesting just because I couldn't be patient.
It is as we are leaving to meet back up with Madeleine's servant that my luck begins to turn. From out of the shadows of the quiet side street steps a group of men. I recognize them as a group of thugs that had been causing problems in the area recently.
"You're a hard man to track down, you know that." The leader of the men speaks up, attempting to be threatening, "now, since you sold us out. I think it's only right that we get a little bit of revenge ourselves don't you?" He takes a step forward, brandishing the shabby sword he's carrying towards us. "If you're good and don't resist we'll even promise not to hurt your little girlfriend. Not too much at least."
I take a step, placing myself between Madeleine and the men. Of all the times this could have happened it really just had to be now. They had been causing trouble in the area for a while, normally I would not have cared but they were too brazen about and were beginning to draw attention from the city guard. I couldn't have that lot looking to closely.
"Listen, fellas. I think you've got the wrong person. Are you sure we can't talk this out."
"Oh no, we're so far past talking." With that the leader lunges and the rest of the men begin to close in. I draw one of the daggers I keep hidden in my boots and duck under the rather clumsy swing. I slash upward with my own weapon and carve a deep gash into the leaders wrist, causing him to drop his weapon.
I continue to dodge and weave through the group of uncoordinated men. Sticking to incapacitating them, rather than killing. That could be taken care of later, away from witnesses.
Keeping an eye on where Madeleine had backed up and was watching the fight warily. Unfortunately, when one of the men did grab for her I was too far out of reach to stop him in time. He grabbed her by her hair and held a knife up to her throat.
"Stop right now or I slit the girls throat!" He yelled, red faced and enraged. I straightened, the rest of the men backing up a little to create a circle, obviously expecting me to surrender now. As my mind whirred with what to do, I saw as madeleine, still entirely calm, reached a hand up and clasped it around the mans wrist.
Then the man began screaming, dropping his knife, and smoke began to pour out from where madeleine was gripping him. This was when I remembered another thing I had learned about her, that she possessed fire magic.
The man wrenched free, stumbling back and I took the opening, lunged forward, and slit the mans throat before any of his compatriots could react. Before I could ponder if that had been a stupid decision the rest of the men were back on me, now even angrier than before. Deciding that, well, I had already killed one of them might as well kill the rest I made short work of them. It was so much easier to kill than incapacitate.
Now surrounded by corpses I turned to where Madeleine was standing. Her face completely devoid of any fear, disgust, or anger. There wasn't even any surprise, no shock at what I had done, nothing.
"I don't suppose I can convince you to keep quiet about this." I said, testing the waters. It didn't seem like she was about to go running to the nearest guard but it was best to tread with caution now.
"I doubt anybody would believe me if I did tell them. Besides one of them tried to kill me, why would I go running to the guards to turn you in for defending me." Somehow, everything about this statement seemed genuine, there was no nervousness, no deceit. Somehow, she had seen me kill 8 men and did not even seem phased. As though this was a normal, everyday occurrence.
She glanced down and lifting up the hem of her skirt to look at it, "Did I get any blood on me?"
"No, your clean." I stare at her, genuinely bewildered for the first time in a very long time. She steps away from the carnage before turning to look back at me, obviously expectant. Just waiting for me to join her on our walk back to the market as though nothing significant had just happened.
So as I accompany her back to he carriage I cannot help but stare a little too long at her as she walks by my side, and when I kiss her hand and wish her an overly flowery goodbye I am gifted that same, barely there smile.
I stare after her carriage long after it has departed, just thinking. She had seen what I had done, and yet still smiled at me the exact same way. Had accepted me without hesitation, as though the fact I was willing and capable of killing was unimportant. It was thrilling, no one had ever simply accepted me like that. They liked the cheerful, upbeat boy Parth pretended to be, not the man who was capable of lying and scheming and killing.
As I imagine her once more, with that radiant smile directed at me. I feel something shift within me. I need to know more about her, to keep her by my side and smiling at me. No matter the cost.