Iris Saulelux was yawning, barely covering her mouth with a hand, as her personal maid, Delph supported her. Her purple hair was left down, tumbling like a curtain, unrestricted. She looked like a young lad in a white silk shirt tucked into tan breeches while finishing the ensemble with well-worn leather boots. It felt like she had barely slept when the maids roused her up to see Leo Tenebrae off.
Iris's eyelids fluttered close as she rocked forward unconsciously. She was startled awake when Delph caught her and applied some pressure to keep her standing. Iris's brows knitted. How long more was she going to be kept from her bed? On another occasion, she would be fine with little sleep, not today. She was more exhausted than usual since her body was trying to repair the injuries.
"Tenebrae is here," whispered Delph, elbowing her mistress gently.
Her honeyed eyes sprang open and she was greeted by a pleasing visual feast for the weary, the sight of Lord Leo Tenebrae dressed handsomely in his military uniform. Leo's dark hair was windswept, giving him a rather roguish air. He was dressed impeccably in his deep-red military uniform, a shade that reminded her of fresh blood. Gold buttons on the uniform sparkled with the early rays of the sun. He rested a hand on the grip of his sheathed sword absently, walking towards her.
Iris's heart fluttered. How could anyone be this handsome? He looked so impossibly good in the uniform as if it was tailored specially for him. His shoulders looked incredibly broad and alluring and his body narrowed to a very trimmed waist. His thighs appeared strong and well-toned in that tight white breeches.
"Woman, you should just stay in bed," commented Leo when he noticed that his bride was in a daze, obviously exhausted. He ignored the rest of the send-off party, walking up to her. The dark-haired man forgot about worrying over Iris when he finally had a better look of her choice of clothes.
He froze, stunned. He had no idea what to make of her masculine attire. It was the first time that he had seen a noble lady wearing breeches. The general had to confess that she looked absolutely ravishing. The tan breeches intensified some aspects of her beauty that he did not notice and his cheeks pinked slightly: the princess had a very small waist, shapely toned long legs that ran for miles and a very firm, sensual derriere. His thick brows furrowed when he started fantasising about having those legs wrapped around him as cradled her bottom with his hands. "You shouldn't wear breeches in public," spluttered the dark-haired general, his angular jaws clenched.
Iris arched a brow at him, her sleep vanishing. "I like breeches." She jutted her pointed chin almost challengingly. What was wrong with her attire? Her clothes were very comfortable, made from high quality materials. She preferred it over the heavy, suffocating dresses that noble ladies were expected to wear. Besides, she liked the way the fabric clung to her perky derriere and shapely legs, two physical traits she was very proud of.
"It's not respectable for ladies," retorted Leo through gritted teeth, irritated. "It draws too much attention."
"The fault isn't mine then," countered Iris firmly, her gaze cold. "The fault lies on those crass men with wandering gaze—"
"—Just don't wear it," snapped Leo, raising his voice. He clenched his hands. "It's unsightly! If you hide your hair with a cap, you'll look like a little boy."
"Unsightly?" echoed Iris, offended. "You've no taste." She clicked her tongue. "Anyway, I find the colour of blood hideous. Will you stop wearing this military uniform in front of me?" She put her hands on her waist, akimboed.
"Woman, you're seriously blind," scoffed Leo, puffing his chest arrogantly. He knew that women gathered to ogle him whenever he wore a military uniform.
Before Iris could retort, the head butler intervened, leading a very handsome white stallion, almost fifteen-hands tall. She recognised the horse as Leo's personal steed. The majestic stallion stared at her, puffing air through his nostrils haughtily.
"My Lord, it is time that you depart," reminded Sebas, the stately head butler of the household. "The men are ready." His sombre gaze rested on the Lord unwaveringly as if he was trying to etch his visage into the canvas of his mind.
Leo patted the snout of the restless horse, calming the fierce stallion down. "It's time," agreed the general gravely, peering at the rising sun. A brand-new day had dawned upon the Kingdom and it was time to change the tides of the war.
"My lord," called the butler at once, staring pointedly at him. The dignified gentleman patted on his trousers.
Leo's thick brows pinched for a moment while he touched his pocket. His cerulean eyes widened when he forgot about presenting this gift to his bride. He withdrew from his pocket carefully and grabbed Iris's left hand. He slipped a delicate sapphire ring up her fourth finger until it rested against her marriage band, smirking. "You still have to wear this even if you think I have no taste."
The general dropped her hand and placed a foot on the stir-up. With a leap, he got on his horse with carless elegance. He reined in his mighty steed as it neighed proudly, ready to depart and join his men.
"Leo," Iris called suddenly, catching everyone's attention. She clasped her hand, still reeling from shock that Leo had presented her with a beautiful engagement ring suddenly. Her mind went blank. What should she say? She glanced at the engagement ring again. "The gem is the same shade as your eyes," blurted the princess mechanically.
Leo froze. "What's that supposed to mean?" There was some heat in his voice as he nudged the horse to get closer until he towered over his infuriating bride.
The princess shook her head lightly, hiding her hands behind her back. "I didn't realise that you knew the tradition of gift-giving." It was a sweet gift if they were truly lovers. Besides, she was impressed that he chose this ring as a token of their engagement, it was something besotted lovers would give. Who wouldn't want to wear a ring that reminded them of their lover?
The general rolled his eyes. "I'm not an idiot. I'm going to join my men now."
OK, what was a bride supposed to say to their husband when he was going away for war?
"OK, do your duty well," mumbled Iris, averting her gaze. She clasped her hands behind her back, resisting the urge to rub her nape.
Leo froze, staring at her in disbelief. His chiselled face soon contorted as if he swallowed a fly. He nudged his steed into turning away from her. He ignored the princess as he tapped his hell against the horse's belly and pushed it to a full gallop.
The ground quaked deafeningly as his men followed him on horses swiftly while maintaining their formation.
"What was that?" Iris spluttered, turning to look at her personal maid. "Did he need to go so quickly? So rude." She shook her head lightly. "Does that idiot know that it might be a long time before we could meet again?
Delph could only stare at her mistress, speechless.
Sebas smiled faintly at his mistress. "Please forgive our Lord, my lady. I'm sure that the Lord was hoping that you could wish him well for the war."
"Why?" Iris was bewildered, cocking her head slightly. She folded her arms across her chest. "The house of Tenebrae is famous for producing brilliant fighters and generals. Leo doesn't need luck to do well in battles. All his training will ensure that he will be victorious."
The butler chuckled, wrinkles appearing around the corners of his eyes. "Perhaps, my lady should have shared her confidence the Lord's ability to be victorious."
"And stroke his pride even more? No way," rejected the princess immediately as she continued to gaze at the direction that Leo had left. Her cherry-shaped lips curved. "It's just a matter of time that Leo returns victorious."
When that time comes, they should talk about dissolving their marriage. She felt a strange stab of pain in her heart. She rested a hand on her chest, blinking owlishly. "I'm returning to bed now," announced Iris causally as she yawned.
"Yes, my lady," acknowledged Sebas, bowing deeply. "Please have a good rest."
The send-off party bowed as their lady returned to the mansion first. Delph accompanied Iris back to her bedroom on the second level silently. When they reached the rooms, Iris realised that Emilie and her team were very efficient.
They had already cleaned the rooms. The sheets on the large bed that set in the middle of the spacious room was changed. There was the faint scent of sunshine since they had aired the bedroom.
"You're back, my lady," greeted Emilie, studying her tired mistress openly. "You should get more rest." She barely hid her exasperation of Iris's reckless choice to be out of bed despite being hurt. "Miss Delph, should I assist my lady in her change of clothes?"
Delph traded a look with the princess and nodded politely. "Your help is greatly appreciated, Miss Emilie. My lady is still a little sore around her abdomen."
"Of course, my lady is," agreed Emilie, glancing sternly at her mistress. "The doctor's medication is very strong and it was meant to relieve most of my lady's pain so that my lady would rest."
Iris chuckled, her honeyed eyes gleaming with amusement. "I will stay in bed today."
Emilie studied Iris's expression for several moments before she relaxed. "That'll be excellent for my lady's health." She gestured another maid to enter the bedroom and assist in changing the princess's clothes. Iris became an obedient mannequin for Emilie to change her clothes. The head maid opted a comfortable sleeping robe for the mistress so that she could return to bed at once.
Delph entrusted Iris's care to the zealous head maid as she busied herself making the bedroom more conducive for resting. It was slightly after dawn, much too early for a noble lady like Iris to be awake. Another maid brought a pot of flowers just to add its sweet fragrance into the air.
Emilie assisted the purple-haired woman into bed carefully, trying not to jostle her injuries. Her abdomen was starting to hurt from exertion. The purple-haired princess expelled a sight of relief when she sank into her comfortable bed.
It was like being in heaven, pillowed by soft clouds. The refreshing scent of clean sheets was so soothing that she found her eyelids getting heavier and heavier.
These maids were truly good at their work, noted Iris absently. They did not need to insist that she stay in bed for recuperation, she would willingly stay in such a cozy bed. She had never experienced such comforts even though she grew up in the palace.
"Turn down all social engagements today," mumbled Iris, barely keeping her eyes open, her words slurring. She recalled that this was her first day as Lady Tenebrae. Customarily, noble ladies would call on her just to welcome her into the ranks. "Del, please send a message to the palace and enquire if I have to visit."
Delph nodded, smiling faintly at her. "I will check at once, my lady. Just close your eyes and sleep."
"Please keep this properly," said Iris as she removed her engagement ring gingerly. She stared at her wedding band for several moments before deciding to keep it. She handed the ring to Delph.
"I will, my lady. Just relax and sleep."
Iris nodded slowly as her thick eyelashes fluttered close. Soon, her breathing evened out and the injured princess was fully asleep, tucked under the cover.
One of the maids remained behind to watch over their injured mistress. Delph made a trip to the walk-in wardrobe to store that beautiful engagement ring properly. She was surprised that Lord Leo found the time to select an engagement ring for her mistress. She joined the other maids in the other room.
"His grace had already given permission to turn down all social engagements on behalf of our lady. He also mentions that if the Palace requires our lady to visit, our grace will visit on her behalf."
The common-looking personal maid was astonished by the older Lord's favour. She had no idea why the Alexander Tenebrae would help Iris. He had retired from politics since his son took over his position as Head of the house years and stayed away from the spotlight. "My lady will be glad to hear that," commented Delph politely. "I shall send a message to the palace now."
Emilie nodded primly and allowed Delph to see to her duty. There was no need for their lord and lady to manage this household technically. The servants who rose to top positions within the household understood that the Dark Mansion could be empty for a long time if their head needed to go to war. They worked like a clockwork efficiently, seeing to all the tasks of maintaining such a large estate.
It felt like late morning when Iris began to stir slowly. The refreshing scent of fresh sheets filled Iris's lungs when she inhaled deeply and stretched her arms outwards. Her eye flew open when her abdomen throbbed, chasing away some of her sleepiness.
"My lady?" Delph called suddenly. "Are you awake?"
"I'm up," answered Iris, scrubbing her face with a hand tiredly, sitting up. "What time is it?"
"It's 2 in the afternoon. You slept past breakfast and lunch," answered Delph, a hint of worry in her voice. "Are you hungry?"
Now that her personal maid mentioned hunger, Iris stomach groaned loudly in protest, earning a giggle from Delph. She drew the blinds open, allowing sunshine to pour into the bedroom.
"Ok, my Lady. We'll need to feed that little monster. Do you want to take your meals in your sitting room instead?"
Iris swung her legs out of the blanket, her gaze fixed on the view beyond the full-length arched window. It seemed like it was another good day to be outdoors. Although she loved the sleeping robes Emilie had selected for her, she needed to change into something more presentable on her first day in the Dark Mansion. "I'll need a change of clothes. I can't meet anyone in my sleeping attire, Del."
The common-looking maid laughed, her brown eyes bright with mirth. "What have you done to Iris Saulelux? She knows nothing of respectability, just her comfort." She pretended to be aghast.
The purple-haired woman swept her hair upwards in a messy ponytail as she arched a brow. "Do you really want me to meet others like this? What would they say about your capability huh?"
"Miss Emilie would do well as your personal maid," teased the personal maid as she walked to the walk-in wardrobe to fetch a casual dress for her mistress to wear.
Iris nodded approvingly as Delph changed her clothes skilfully. "How did you get so good at it when I've never asked anyone to dress me unless it is a formal occasion?" She asked idly as Delph dealt with her hair, a little exasperatedly.
"It's such a waste that you have such beautiful hair," remarked Delph, shaking her head as she brushed her hair out carefully. She braided some of her hair to form a crown and left the rest to tumble down in gentle waves. "The engagement ring looks very pretty."
Iris was very beautiful even in a loose plain creamy dress that reached below her knees. It was the plainest that the princess had owned but it was still embellished with little brown ribbons and brown stones. Iris's purple hair was so flamboyant that no one would pay too much attention to her basic clothes.
Iris bumped into Emilie as she was walking towards the sitting room. She raised a brow when she noticed her fluster. The head maid always looked so put together, it was difficult to imagine that she could panic.
"My lady," greeted Emilie, curtsying deeply. "The Chamberlain is here with some soldiers. He insists on meeting you."
Iris's brows pinched at the news. "Did the Chamberlain explain the purpose of his visit?"
"No, milady," answered Emilie respectfully. "Our grace hasn't returned from his visit to the palace."
Iris acknowledged her answer with a nod, smiling faintly. There was no doubt in her mind that the Chamberlain was out to get her.
"Where is he?"
"He's in the silver sitting room, my lady. Should I summon back up now?" Emilie asked worriedly.
Iris's smile widened as she waved her hand dismissively. The silver sitting room was meant for unwanted guests. The space offered the hospitality that was befitting the house of Tenebrae but nothing more. "It's fine, let's meet the Chamberlain," smirked Iris as she strode carefreely towards that sitting room on the first floor.
"Our lady, Lady Tenebrae," announced the footman when he spotted her approaching with the maids. Sebas was also waiting with him.
Iris walked into the room without any fanfare, absently noting that the room still look too luxurious in her opinion. The paintings weren't exactly priceless but they still worth a lot of money. Two couches faced each other in the middle of the room.
A plump middle-aged man dressed in a tailored white tail scowled when she entered the room. He was sitting on the couch, flanked by several soldiers.
"Chamberlain, you should have sent a message earlier and I'll receive you at the door," said Iris, plopping herself into the couch facing him. "I hope you haven't been waiting for too long. I had such a long and exhausting night. I had to wake up early to send Leo off too. Father misses me already?" She giggled, covering her mouth with a hand.
Chamberlain's face darkened. "I'm here on His Majesty's business, Your Highness—"
"—Her Ladyship," corrected Sebas, interrupting the conversation matter-of-fact. He stood by her side, his legs on shoulder-width. "This is our lady, Lady Tenebrae." There was steel in his tone.
Iris waved her hand carelessly and Seba politely backed down. "I'm so glad that you're here, Chamberlain. I've been trying to explain to Lord Alex that the movers were not hired by me—"
He coughed, trying to interrupt her nonsensical tirade.
"Ah I see! Chamberlain must be so unwell that you hired those nasty people to move my things here," said Iris, her eyes full of pity. "Aren't you glad that nothing happened? Leo is my consort, a member of the royal family. He is also tasked with the heavy responsibility of winning the war. I'm so proud of my Leo. He and his men managed to catch those nasty guys," chirped the princess cheerfully.
"Your Ladyship—"
"—Where are those nasty man, Mr Sebas?" Iris asked, turning to look at the head butler. "Maybe Chamberlain could get a compensation if we still have proof of their wrongdoing."
"I'm afraid that might not be possible, my lady," intoned Sebas gravelly as he bowed. "We have sent them to the police."
"Oh no," remarked Iris, pressing her cheeks together almost melodramatically. "What shall we do then?"
"Your Ladyship!" yelled Chamberlain finally, his face puce.
"What's the matter, Chamberlain? You looked so flustered. It must be the heat. Mr Sebas—"
"—Your Ladyship, I'm here for the proof of first night," bellowed the Chamberlain, jumping to his feet. "And if you can't produce it, I'll have to take you away."
"Where is your shame, Chamberlain, yelling this at the top of your voice? My maids are unmarried innocent ladies! Look at them," shrieked Iris, flustered. The maids that had accompanied her into the sitting room bowed their heads deeply, their faces red.
The Chamberlain looked around the room and noticed that everyone was giving him strange looks, including the soldiers accompanying him. "I-I-I-I," spluttered the plump man, losing his composure.
"It's unbecoming for a man, much less the chamberlain working for the palace, to be so boorish. The House of Tenebrae will demand an explanation from the palace about this slight," pronounced Sebas, rising to his full height, as he glared at him.
"Who the hell—"
"—I'm retired Major Twilight. His Majesty had granted me peerage for my achievements," chided Sebas in a steely tone. "I've every right to make that demand. "He turned to his new mistress, resting a hand on hers paternally. "My Lady, please don't trouble yourself over this small matter. Emilie, please accompany our mistress upstairs to rest." There was steel in his voice, brooking no protest.
Iris winked at Sebas secretly. It was all a pony show to prove that she was under their thumb. She rose to her feet, rubbing her hands together. "That's a good idea. Emilie, let's go!"