Chapter 18
Princess Yseldra's large length slid into Nerissea's rear until there was nothing left to give. One of her hands fondled Nerissea's breast, pulling at the pale pink bud. Glistening essence spilled from between Nerissea's hairless folds, mingling with the perspiration upon her skin.
Her Highness suddenly delivered a stinging slap to Nerissea's backside. Nerissea gasped, her eyes falling away from mine as she nearly toppled forward. Another slap followed swiftly on the opposite cheek, just as loud, and the girl whimpered. Then Her Highness grasped her body again, steadying her.
It was the sound of those loud slaps that jolted me back into my senses, as though my very soul had been struck alongside her tender flesh.
I turned and fled.
Down the corridor I ran, my vision blurring, down the stairs and past the check-in counter.
"… Wrong room, Sister," someone called behind me, but their voice barely reached me.
At last I found shelter in a modest inn. In the chamber they gave me, I sank to the floor and folded myself into the corner, drawing my knees to my chest. I buried my face into my hands, my breath trembling. My heart… oh, my heart was bleeding.
"I am confessing, that from the first moment I saw you, I have not been able to rid my mind of you."
A cry escaped me at the recollection of Her Highness's voice.
"I am ever so glad the Duchess turned me down. It led me to you instead. And you are infinitely better. I adore all your little expressions."
Another helpless sob tore free.
"I cannot help myself. I wish to kiss you, but as you are not ready, I must steal a taste of you in other ways."
My tears began to fall without restraint.
"Yes, sweet one. The color white, in the sky."
Each memory cut deeper than the last. My weeping grew ragged, my hands trembling.
"Have you fallen in love with me yet?"
I broke entirely. My cries filled the room, my tears flowing without end.
Night descended. My tears dried, though my heart remained sore. I returned to the temple in silence. All were already asleep. I crept into our chamber and sat upon the floor beside Sister Alethea's bed. Her soft snoring brought me some comfort. At last, I laid my head against the side of her mattress and drifted into sleep.
---
The door flew open with a violent clatter, jolting Sister Alethea and I awake.
It was morning.
"Sister Alethea, it is your turn to assist in the fields this year. Be outside in fifteen minutes. The carriages are waiting," Sister Juliara announced briskly.
"Must you?" Sister Alethea snapped, voice hoarse with sleep. "Would it wound you to knock?"
"I do this to everyone," Sister Juliara replied with a shrug. "I am a busy woman."
She departed, slamming the door behind her shut. We both flinched again.
"She could have informed me ahead of time," Sister Alethea muttered, throwing off her blanket. Then her gaze fell on me.
"Why are you on the floor? And still in your habit, no less."
"Ah," I said, standing awkwardly. "I… I fell asleep."
She rose from the bed and took hold of my face. "You have been crying. Oh, Naevia…"
"I have not," I replied with a smile.
She studied me closely. "Your eyes are puffy, and you are a horrible liar."
My smile faded, for it had been false from the start. She pulled me into an embrace.
"I shall speak with Father Sorin," she said. "I do not wish to go while you are in such a state."
"N-no," I said quickly, pulling back. "I am quite all right. Truly. Or if you prefer, I might go in your place."
"Absolutely not. You went last year. I shall not allow you to go this year."
Each autumn, the temple sends many of us into the mountains to gather wild Giglian flowers. Once dried, they taste much like sugar, and we distribute them to the orphanages. I had once offered to purchase real sugar, but Father Sorin urged me to reserve the coin for garments and toys. And he was right. We are called to make the most of what we are given.
Harvesting Giglian was grueling work, and we are gone for nearly a month, but none of us ever complained. We went with warmth in our hearts.
"It shall help me keep my thoughts away," I said.
"Every time you return, your hands are covered in wounds."
At that, my cheeks flushed with shame. I am not skilled at harvesting. The flowers bear thorns, and more often than not, someone misplaces their gloves. I always offer them mine. I cannot bear to see others in pain. I am not the only one who goes without, but unlike the others, I am clumsy. I always end up bleeding.
We dressed for the day, and Sister Alethea went to seek Father Sorin. It was not long before she returned with a sigh.
"He says I must go. He says it would not be fair to the others if I remained."
"Then go," I said gently. "I shall be well. I promise."
And so, she departed.
By noon, I was seated at the vanity when the door burst open with a loud crash. I let out a startled cry.
"Sister Naevia," came Sister Juliara's brisk and indifferent voice. "A letter from Duke Piers Draymoor, and another from the King."
She handed me the letters and shut the door with yet another slam. I flinched again at the sound.
I stared at the two envelopes in my hands. A slow dread crept up my spine. A letter from a duke was unexpected enough. But the King? Why would His Majesty write to me? Had not my father assured me that all matters were under control?
I opened the Duke's letter first.
"To Sister Naevia of the Temple Lunovara,
I was most impressed by the success of your recent Fun Camp event. My slaves speak highly of you and your kindness. I should like to offer formal sponsorship, should you be willing. If agreeable, kindly respond and we may arrange to discuss particulars."
My heart quickened. Was this truly about Fun Camp? Or was something more concealed beneath such polite wording?
I turned to the King's letter.
"To Lady Naevia Ashcroft,
Word has reached me of your admirable achievements in the founding of Fun Camp. I should like to propose its expansion to a twice-yearly effort, though the matter requires discussion in person. The Imperial Palace awaits your presence."
My heart stilled. This was no invitation. It was a summon.
Both letters spoke of Fun Camp, yet I could not believe such interest was merely charitable. Sister Alethea was gone, and I did not know whom I could trust.
I quickly laid out a fresh sheet of paper, dipped my quill into the ink, and brought it to the page.
"To Father and Mother," I wrote, words uneven.
"I have received letters from His Majesty, King Percival Valebrinth of Dunverra, and from Duke Piers Draymoor. I shall feign illness for now as an excuse not to appear at the palace, though I know such deception cannot last. I humbly ask for your guidance in what must be done.
Your loving daughter,
Naevia Ashcroft."
I folded the letter, placed it within an envelope, added the King's and the Duke's, and sealed it tightly. Hailing a carriage, I made my way to the post office.
"I require the fastest delivery service, please," I said, placing the envelope upon the counter.
"You have it, Sister," the clerk replied. "That will be twenty gold coins. Twenty-five if you wish it to depart at once rather than tomorrow."
I nearly swooned. Twenty-five gold coins could clothe dozens of children through several seasons.
"When shall it arrive in Baymoon with the swifter service?" I asked meekly.
"Five days, without fail."
Considering that the journey by carriage might otherwise take nearly a month, I knew in my heart the cost was fair. Still, it pained me as I handed over the coins with great reluctance.
That task complete, I returned to the temple and took a bath. When night fell and the others had all gone to sleep, I knew it was time to make my falsehood real. My parents would be so grieved if they knew. But I was a bad liar, and there was no other way. So, with great nervousness, I crept into the kitchen and… ate five raw shrimps.
The moment I returned to my chamber, I sank upon the bed. Seafood has ever been my undoing, for it brings upon me a dreadful fever. Sister Juliara would most likely be the first to find me. I prayed she might come soon, for I was in sore need of a physician.
As expected, the fever came. It began with a thousand pinpricks upon my skin, as though needles had taken to piercing me all at once. My body broke out in a cold sweat, and then the darkness claimed me.