Chapter 40: A Bittersweet Morning
Even yet, Seraphina had no idea what had taken place the previous evening when she awoke the next morning.
After devouring such a lavish and extravagant supper the evening prior, what Prince Chaitav had tried to accomplish after that was beyond the comprehension of any other royals in attendance. Word had soon spread. Not just to the other royal guests, but also to the Raven Noble families. Such acts would have a swift and merciless decree on them.
Many of the Raven noble houses believed that Queen Nox was being, "With respect, your Majesty you are being far too soft with this peacock prince. Had any noble lord's son in the Kingdom done the same, their head would have been removed from their body and provided to the victim as justice served," in Lord Dreylorn's words. As he protested in the Queen's court the same day as the news broke.
In a rare agreement with Lord Dreylorn, Lady Cindertalon nodded slightly before voicing her own concerns. "How many other harpy clans have no sense of sanctity? They may well tell us one thing but in another act in their true accordance and colours - just as those peacocks have shown under your own roof, your Majesty." Quickly showing her own hand and reasonings, "If we were to arrange foreign betrothals with other noble houses, how do we know who is safe for our daughters?" Of which Lady Cindertalon had three of her own.
"They were foreign royal visitors, the Peacock Queen and her... unscrupulous son, the second prince. This is not the time for the Raven Kingdom to be turning distant trade relations into actors who's interests no longer align with ours.
The family best known for trade winds by the huge airships chimed in. Clearing his throat three times, and rather loudly, to quieten the room before he spoke, "I for one think the Queen has maneuvered with expert diplomacy on this incident. Trade routes remain open, and goods such as their honeyed wine sell fairly well, second only to blood wines. As for arranging foreign betrothals, Lady Cindertalon, I'm happy to arrange a masterclass in negotiation... for a reasonable professional fee."
At a different corner of the Queen's court, Lady Nightvale hid a chuckle at the offer of help towards the Cindertalon's.
The Lady turned her face away from Lord Blackmere, clearly unimpressed by his offer of assistance, with a, "Hrmph!"
"Our Queen has caused another royal family to forfeit funds for damage to property, all be it that the property was staff, but it is a brilliant negotiation. Gold for her son's head, to pay for his crimes? Which mother would choose the latter?" Lord Blackmere wasn't just flattering the Queen today; he was impressed at the Queen's restraint from the usual... more bloody responses.
Then, a voice that rarely spoke in the Queen's court answered after considerable time, "...but it was not your daughter he defiled." It was Lady Greytalon, it had been one of her daughters, "It was MY AURORA he did... that... to.." At first her voice shook, betraying her anger and then the sneer, even considering what had taken place.
The court was silenced.
Event Queen Nox had no perfect response to this, for Lady Greytalon had been right.
Everyone knew about Prince Chaitav's crimes.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
While being one of the first enquiries, Queen Charula Rajdevan would have to return to the Peacock's Valley with an international incident and the Peacock's relations with foreign clans irreparably damaged.
Thanks to the quick and noble deeds of Prince Fenn, and his response to him in informing Lady Nox; she now knew the horrifying details of her Son's conduct and improper contact with a royal servant of the Queen… yet, even Queen Nox could not understand why a guest had acted in such a way. She hadn't exactly liked him for either of her daughters. No, he was far too colourful and gaudy, it wouldn't do... or even in the way he spoke. She found his mannerisms rude.
Yet, she had not expected that he would attempt to commit a crime... certainly, not a crime so heinous like that!
Here in her Kingdom.
Further, right here in the Queen's own castle!
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Seraphina knew and anticipated that Sephora would probably try to slip silently into her room because she had messed up, - this time.... she had messed up big time.
Not with her, but with their mother. Pleading for Seraphina to use her position as heir and favourite to help convince her mother to go easier on her.
To let her get away with whatever explanation she had planned, with an apology and the suggestion of some type of harsh training with Commander Sylen as punishment.
Yet, it was getting very late on, and now a whole two days since their argument, and she still had not seen her sister.
Nor had she run into any of their guests throughout the rest of that night, but Seraphina had been too focused on organising outfits for the next few days while guests were there.
Even with her worry urging her to venture out, once or twice during the night, to check her sister's quarters and her chambers. Finding her fireplace was off.
Sephora's bed was freshly made by the servants. Empty. She'd never come back in, to Seraphina's uneasiness.
The eldest twin barely slept, if at all, that night.
As that fleeting concern that had grown from dinner, into a nauseous worry by the light of the first break of light the next morning.
The older twin waited... and waited... for the entirety of that night.
Coupled with a longing hope, that nothing awful had happened to her.
She remained awake still, pretending to sleep. Listening out for the moment the latch of the door would peep a tad from being lifted, and opened.
Never did there end up being a Sephora in her room.
There never came the grand and imaginative explanation that Seraphina had come to know.
It was at that point; Seraphina had a strong suspicion something was just very amiss with her sister's disappearance. By the light of the first rays of the morning, she excepted, that disappearance was just what had happened.
Her stomach pooled with a sheer sense of dread. Between the worry and absence. Not even sure if she could muster the will to eat, she felt ill with worry, and she paced a little bit.
Opening her curtains helped a little with the feeling that Seraphina just to do anything… or just something. She looked straight ahead at the ombre sky, then down to the Kingdom below.
Searching in this manner… she knew it was futile.
Back and forth in her room – watching as the remnants of last night's clouds cleared and a rare, sun dawned slowly through the glinting silhouettes of forests below. Mulling over everything she could think of, everywhere to potentially start to look.
Sure, Seraphina had been nervous about the whole dinner and meeting the first potential mate candidates, but she had to admit that she snapped, and very harshly at her sister, because of that. Sephora hadn't done anything to earn that. If anything, it had been Sephora who had tried her best, knowing full well that her older sister didn't feel confident at all. Trying to get Seraphina to perk up, as best as she could.
They so ever barely fought between them… and never as seriously.
If something has happened to Sephora, it is ALL my fault. The knot in her stomach seemed to get heavier. As though it were made of iron.
Those rich oranges and golden rays at the top of the rising sun, peeping through the trees on the horizon, caught the tears that threatened at the line of Seraphina's eyes. Tears glistening, at the ready. Trying her best to hold back their threatening tide… but that last thought sent her over the edge.
One after the other, her tears fell slowly… then all at once.
The princess' physique heaved as she sobbed. Curled against the side of her bed.
Doing her best to keep quiet.
It was early, too early for most to even be awake and she didn't want any of the servants who many be starting work to think there was a need to attend to her.
The servants would want to help without a second thought, and Seraphina didn't want to be seen like this - crying! Of all things, That was the last thing she needed right now.
"There is no Sephora in the castle." She sobbed into her folded arms.
There had been some fleeting concern by the Princess initially at the dinner. The concern had only been fleeting and easily ignored. Her twin had missed dinner! Not just any but, that, dinner that they might finally meet those they were to be mated... and Sephora had been the one between them that was excited about the whole ordeal. She had wanted to attend… to see a real peacock in the flesh.
Originally, the concern had only been brief and effortlessly disregarded.
Now it overwhelmed her in waves that slammed against her heart, rocking her core. Her eye's stung and grew red… puffy.
Seraphina didn't know where her sister was but in the marrow of her bones, Seraphina knew that her sister must be in some type of danger.
Trapped? Or injured? That she might be lying somewhere needing her help. Images of those very scenarios intruded upon her,
The next notion that blazed to her mind was harsh, Maybe mother will care now that she's gone. It seethed against how Lady Nox treated Sephora, Maybe… a search party of royal guards had already been sent! The Princess knew her mother. Knowing full well that one hadn't been sent yet. She would have been alerted.
Seraphina cried, and cried. Hoping for the safe return of her little sister until her tears finally ran dry and the sun was above the treeline, burning an unusual and bitter morning heat into the sky.
Beginning to move off the floor. Feeling hollow and horrible, she considered… Maybe Sephora really had been nervous.
Dinner with the vying prospecting mates and their chaperons, various royals from those kingdoms, all the while her twin never arrived. Seraphina was used to Sephora's antics; she felt that she more than anyone knew her sister best - and her sister her.
What would she do if she lost her?
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Finally, the eldest Princess pulled herself together, deciding on what she was going to wear for today's schedule and then heading for the baths. Surely, those would help her feel a bit better.
The tender warmth of the waters of those delightful hot springs, bubbling up from the mountain, accompanied by that soothing steam, seemed like a sensible way for Seraphina to try to start her day.
Her breath was still jagged, from the anxiety which had her weeping, as she trudged stiffly out her door, around her hall, down a stairwell down, and another hall to the rear. Seeking the softness of the vapor on her skin.
It wasn't that early in the morning now, so Seraphina hoped that no one else had decided to come to her yet. She could sense the irritation of her eyes from crying and their puffy swelling – it was an odd sensation, not one that was pleasant, not to her.
She might be asked questions if anyone witnessed her in this distraught state…
Teasing open the first door to the black and grey mosaic-floored hall that led to the steam baths. Heard no noise, no conversation, just the slight drop of water echoing like a crisp bell, she slipped in and over to the last door. It was shut and usually needed a firm pull to get it open, which is why they kept the wedge there throughout the day.
Seraphina didn't do that this time. Kicking the wedge into the tiled hall behind her, she closed the door behind her. Leaning on it as she sighed heavily with sheer relief that she was, in fact, alone. She had the baths all to herself!
That air… that hot, wonderful, steamy air she sought swathed her senses. Causing her to breathe in deeply a few times before starting her cleaning ritual. Today, it really felt like just that – ritualistic.
Summoning all the strength she could for the day.
Heading over to a line of different soaps and wax for feathers. Held on the only shelf that jutted out from the wall: Black, marbled, and with strong specks and streaks of grey through it.
Taking her favourite wax with a pleasant, balmy type of scent, she began applying it to her wings.
Reaching around to those awkward parts in the middle of her feathers. Extended her great wings and contracted them in awkward half and quarter folds until the bar was gone and both sides were coated.
Now, she could enter one of the pools. Slipping off her black silk night gown she slipped her legs over the closest side and jumped in eagerly.
Harpies didn't have to apply wax to their wings before bathing. Naturally, they secreted a protective coating anyway. The additional layer of wax being applied just helped that coating, keeping feathers dry. Even when in the water.
It also came in different scents and for any young harpy, male or female, that was an attractive quality.
There were two in the room. Both are long rectangles, side by side. Separated only by an arm's width of marble. Historically, one was for Kings and Princes, naturally the other was supposed to be for Queens and Princesses. No one did that now. They just chose one of the granite pools carved from the granite of the mountain and went in. The springs naturally bubbled up here.
Washing her face with the mineral water at the perfect temperature, it soothed the swelling around Seraphina's eyes. Giving her some further relief.
The steam, already helping from the moment she stepped in.
Altogether, rejuvenated the princess's energy somewhat.
She still felt exhausted, just not as drained.
Now she felt more ready, for the day. More capable of handling, whatever it decided to throw at her.
The apprehension regarding Sephora's whereabouts still lingered at the corners of her mind. An ever-present question.
It was only at the end of her bath, as she got out and began to dry off, that she noticed a bundle of worn apparel. Of dark emerald green clothes. They looked to be, perhaps, a dress or robe of a noble-woman, with bronzed stitching, and a worn bronzed breastplate to match.
Seraphina knew these were the garments of a noble. Yet, she couldn't think of one she knew of as being in the castle. Just as she could not possibly imagine that any should or would be in the castle. At least, not this morning and not this early.
Turning back to finish drying her legs off. Seraphina concluded that the garments belonged to the mother of some Raven Noble who was here with another prospecting mate. It was odd that they had left their breastplate and not taken it with them, but the noble probably had a spare. Right?
Making a mental note, Seraphina was going to tell one of the servants about clothing.
An easy ask about who was in the castle. They tended to know what was going on long, before the twins ever did.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Back in her room, readying her hair, a faint knock came at Seraphina's chamber door.
Her heart fluttered… was it?-
"Lady Seraphina, may I come in?" It was one of the servant girls, this one was new. As the princess knew her voice but wasn't sure of the name it belonged to.
All fluttering ceased at once.
Gripping her abdomen, to hold back the worry brewing. She got up from her vanity table, went out of her room, and down around 10 steps, to her living quarters. Dropping her hand away to her side, just before opening the door, "Yes, hello?" Noticing the pink scars, with widening eyes, freshly trailing down the young servant's cheek, Seraphina pulled her into the room by her wrist.
Closing the door to her quarters, "Who did that to you??" Pressed the princess.
Undressed and her hair half started, she looked somewhat ridiculous but her pressure as a royal caused the servant harpy to begin explaining at once, "It… It was the Lady of the Manor. The Raven Queen. It was my fault… I got in her way."
"Come," Leading the servant with her into her room, "Can you help me with my hair and getting dressed?"
The servant girl bowed in service, "Of course, Lady Seraphina!"
Over the time it took for the princess' hair to be crafted into an up-do of swirls, Seraphina quizzed the servant on everything to do with what had happened regarding this new incident. Between her mother and a brand new servant.
Seraphina also learned while the servant helped her dress, that this new harpy in the house was Branwen. They weren't too different in age, she was 19. Where the Princess' were 18, or almost. At least, with the fuss, her mother was making about having their mate confirmation secured and announced on their 18 birthdays, had made is to it already felt to Seraphina like she was 18.
The Princess also decided that she quite liked this new servant. Learning that she hadn't wanted to quit the house right away, even with the wounds the Queen's rage had caused. Determined to make a success after securing the job in the palace, the Princess acknowledged to Branwen how much grit was an admirable quality and told the other harpy how impressed her.
Seraphina also informed the servant that, she herself, would give Branwen some form of compensation for her own mother's actions. Especially since the servant was so sure on remaining in service to them.
Suddenly, as Branwen was helping to fasten Seraphina's breastplate the servant remembered! "You are to have a Caller today. Your mother vetted him yesterday, isn't that great?"
"That's… very swift of my mother." The princess mused aloud, her tone neutral. Not betraying her nerves about the whole mate affair. "Who?"
Branwen finished and spoke quickly, with excitement, "It's Prince Kavan. I believe he is from the Tawny Harpy clan which borders us to the south. You are to have his calling at afternoon tea, everything is already being prepared and organized."
The servant looked Seraphina up and down, lingering at her eyes. By sheer reflex, the princess touched the skin below her right eye - retracting her talons to be gentle. Uncertain left wondering if it was obvious to Branwen that she had been so upset earlier about Sephora, that she'd been in tears. Something, so un-raven-like.
Seraphina thanked the servant, a giddy feeling overcoming the anxiety that lingered. "I liked that one from last night." Pausing for a second, remembering the noble's women's bronze breastplate and clothing crumpled on the floors in the baths, she asked with a teasing curiosity, "Are there any fine and eligible Raven Batchelor's who might have arrived yet?"
"No. NBatchelorsot yet." Branwen seemed puzzled, "Why do you ask?"
Seraphina explained.
A slight frown deepened on the servant's face, "That is quite strange. None of the Raven Nobles arrive until tomorrow, with most of them living in the Kingdom, you don't need to be introduced and meet quite the same way as Royal suitors from other Clans." A furrowed brow remained. "I'll go and collect the clothing on my towel round, thank you for letting me know." She was back in professional servant mode.
With the prospect of Fenn being allowed to Call on her, the princess smiled again. Recalling last night, and how she found him easy and pleasant to talk to… and he did have such lovely eyes!
At the thought of last night, another question arose, "Has there been any word on ..Sephora?" Asked the Princess.
The servant shook her head apologetically, "Not yet, my Lady. I'm sure she will turn up soon, don't worry on such an important day." Branwen had eased greatly after getting to know this member of the Royal House.
Since the Princess was fully dressed and ready to start her day, she let the servant know. "I'm going to the library…" Heat rising, like the bubbling hot springs, to her face, "I'm going to read up a bit more on Tawny Harpy. I know we border their territory, but… it might help to know more… cultural aspects."
"Of course, I'll let Maven know where you will be. Don't forget breakfast, the Chef has really outdone himself this morning." Branwen smiled.
Together, the harpy girls left Seraphina's quarters. Parting ways: one headed to the library, and the other started her round, collecting the dirty towels.