Scrubbed clean and in one of her older dresses, Dew relaxed into an oversized armchair. She sat with her ladies and Efa in a sitting room by the gardens. Plenty of candles occupied the space for her human eyes to see and windows made up one side of the room. 

A small buffet of snacks laid before her. Efa ate half a tray by herself and Dew ate the other. 

Anest, if Dew recalled her name correctly, fetched Efa some salve for the blister that bubbled up along her thumb’s joint and a roll of bandages. Efa nodded in thanks and kept the hand tucked into her stomach for safety. 

“They did not feed you this morning,” Neidry frowned deeply. “Tell me of anything you dislike and I will ensure the chefs do not send them up.”

“I will,” Dew nodded. Her eyes caught on Neidr’s unusual style. “Furs and leather are common here for clothing?”

The servants that brought them the trays and the seamstresses all wore leather pieces. Some in one long bolt tied about their necks and waists. Others clasped separate pieces for tops and skirts. Trousers were sewn together or clasped with small metal pieces. 

“Cloth is not easy to produce for us,” Neidr explained and lifted part of her dress for Dew to see. “But we with privilege may wear it.”

The cloth hung loosely over her right shoulder and tied at her waist. It left her other shoulder exposed to the warm air.  A bit of silver embroidery decorated the upper edge.  Up close, Dew could see a metal clasp at each of her sides that kept her dress from slitting up her hip. The cloth stopped short of her ankles and she wore leather sandals. 

“The seamstress showed me plenty to pick from,” Dew recalled. She did not mention how strange the encounter was. “At home, furs and leather are not worn so much by the ladies.”

“Furs are easy to get from the Civeks," Neidr noted. “Their leather is also easy to tan here.”

At Dew’s confusion, Neidr explained in full. 

A creature described as large as any cow Dew would have seen in the fields. They were bred for the production of large pelts. Their tusks made good goblets to drink from and the hooves could be carved into trinkets for children. The meat was common in stews or with local greenery. 

“Will my wool dresses be an issue?” She did not want to seem overzealous or expensive to the court. 

“No,” Neidr appeared surprised she would be asked that. “You are to be queen. It will set you apart.” 

“Do you make your dresses, Neidr?” 

“I picked the material.” Which all her dress appeared to be. Material strapped together with leather belts or chains or clasps. 

Noble lords at court wore tunics of leather or similar sashes to Neidr’s dress. All so strange and even scandalous. Except for the armor. They wore that like skin. 

Dew asked Neidr more about this realm. About how sunlight shined so dim to which Neidr responded that the sun shined bright for them. Their cat-like eyes made the dark bearable. The fauna of this world glowed bright for warnings and mating rituals and because the Fae bred them to glow. 

Neidr spoke a little of the false king, having turned of age around Rhyddid’s ascension. 

Rhyddid, a great warrior, rose up against the false king to claim the throne for himself and to establish order in the realm. A realm set apart from other Fae which Neidr spoke harshly of. He could be just as ruthless as any Fae Dew heard in stories. Just as he proved in the hall. 

Neidr did not mind the events as much as Dew did. She shrugged it off. 

“They should have done their duty,” was all she would say when pressed. 

On why the lord would attack Dew, Neidr said, “No one wants Rhyddid to marry you. You are a gift or a prize to be kept, not married. He should have a Fae wife but he chose a human.” She shrugged, appearing unbothered. “He is king. He will do as he pleases.” 

That left Dew’s stomach hollow. Would she be attacked again in the hall? Would Neidr try to replace her? She didn’t appear malicious, bored really at the topics considered common knowledge. 

“I have four sisters and he chose me…” Dew picked lint off her skirt absentmindedly. 

“You are very pretty and bright.” Neidr smiled at her with no kindness. “We like our gems and our glowing flowers. You will be his gemstone.” 

Dew glanced at Efa, a bit uncomfortable at the thought of being a prized possession, but her sister focused on her sketchbook and not on the conversation. At least, as a prize, she would be protected and could offer Efa some semblance of that protection. 

“Have you picked the courses for your wedding yet?” 

“My wedding was announced this morning,” Dew pointed out. “I only managed to get the material picked for my dress.” 

“I will take you to the kitchens tomorrow.” Neidr looked to Efa. “I was told she does not speak.”

“She does not,” Dew stiffened at the turn of the conversation. 

“She enjoys… drawing?”

“Very much. Any quiet task like mending, embroidery, reading, and sketching,” Dew did her best to recount.

Neidr nodded along slowly at the list and turned to Cothi who dismissed herself quietly. 

“Huw,” Nedir frowned for a moment before continuing, “the new steward will ensure you have everything you need. Your sister too. Cothi will bring her more material.” 

“Thank you.” Dew glanced to the window. “Neidr? What kind of life do you have here?”

“As much as you did at home.” Neidr stood. “I will give you a tour.” 

Efa began to pack away her things, but Dew stopped her. 

“Keep sketching. I’ll return.” Dew nodded to Anest who did not move from her seat as Dew and Neidr left the room. 

A few guards waited outside the sitting room and Neidr spoke to them for just a moment. 

“I informed them Anest and Efa are still inside. They will continue to guard the room.” Neidr motioned for Dew to follow with one guard trailing behind them. “We should start at the main hall.”

So, Neidr led Dew on a long hike through the castle. Corridors began to blur together at points and her legs felt heavy every time they encountered another winding staircase. The outside smelled as fresh as home did. Servants bowed as they passed before scurrying to finish their tasks. 

Neidr explained words to her like servant and throne and guard. She called Dew brenhines, queen, and Efa, tywysoges, princess. Brenin Rhyddid translated directly to King Freedom. 

“He said the people called him something…” Dew could only remember the first word, the name he insisted on. 

“Rhyddid Rhag y Gorchygwr Tywyll,” Neidr said proudly, “means Freedom from the Dark Conqueror. The false king that enslaved our people.”

Dew figured he must have been this ‘other’ Fae Neidr mentioned with such distaste. 

“Rhyddid for short?” Kings often took names of regale upon ascension. The Fae appeared to have similar traditions.

“For you, yes.” Neidr slowed their tour along the battlements and Dew noticed a large field with a fence line. 

“What is that?” Dew’s feet ached but she stepped to the edge to get a closer look.

“That is where… our horses are kept.” Neidr watched with her for a moment, the field empty as the creatures were stabled. “We can go tomorrow after the kitchens.”

“That would be wonderful.”

“You are hungry,” Neidr teased as Dew’s stomach growled loudly. “Supper will be soon.” 

Despite the long venture, Dew felt she hadn’t seen everything yet. 

“I need to collect Efa. How do suppers go at court?” 

“It is a… large meal with senior lords.” Neidr guided her back inside. “It is the only… public meal of the day. You may take your others by yourself or with us.” 

“I see. I’ll need to be taught your etiquette.” At Neidr’s confusion, Dew explained, “table manners.”

“Oh… yes, we should do that quickly.”