A Woven Attachment
Chapter 19
“Oh, Commander!” Emmy blurted with such volume that it caused Theo to jerk, nearly spilling the tea he was trying to give her. “I didn’t know you frequented the library.”
Emmy rapidly patted her hair and cheeks, soothing her locks into submission. She’d carelessly tossed and twirled her hair while she scrutinized the records and she was sure it was an unruly mess. His own casual attire and slightly messy hair, however, put her at ease. She supposed that neither of them had anticipated any visitors, and yet here they were.
Theo smiled a breezy smile and proceeded to sit across from her. He simply looked at her for a moment with his penetrating gaze, as if he was mulling over what he wished to say.
“I didn’t know you frequented the library, Miss Emaline.”
Emmy felt her cheeks turn pink. Realizing she was in his territory and alone with him in the lifeless library, she nervously crossed her ankles and fidgeted slightly. She hadn’t been truly alone with him since their initial confrontation by the creek—but even then they were in her own backyard. This time, she couldn’t hide behind her pompous accusations or declarations of justice. It was just Emmy and Theo.
“But, I must say,” He leaned forward as though telling a secret, causing Emmy to lean forward in return, “You’re in my favorite chair.”
Emmy’s mouth dropped—her exaggerated reaction eliciting a small smirk from Theo. There were at least twenty other chairs in the library and six or seven other tables. Had she really chosen the one chair that he preferred, even thought of as “his” chair? Theo just looked on, enjoying her seemingly flustered appearance.
“Then you should have beaten me to it then,” she said with a huff.
She looks cute when she’s cross.
“Would you mind telling me what you’re so engrossed in? You didn’t hear me when I called your name several times, so I decided you could use some tea to warm you or waken you—whichever remedy is needed.”
“Oh!” Emmy swiftly reached for the forgotten teacup, jostling it in her exuberance.
Eeyouch!
The hot liquid scorched her hand as it made its hasty escape from the teacup. On reflex, Emmy shook her hand frantically, as if the motion itself would heal her burns.
“Blast my biscuits, that’s hot!”
“Here.”
Theo closed the distance between them in seconds. Grabbing her injured hand, he quickly dried it with a handkerchief he had handy and blew on it lightly. He flushed as he came to his senses, but Miss Emaline had hardly taken note of him at all! Her faze was entirely fixed on the worn navy handkerchief wrapped around her fingers. He’d never been one to fuss over finery, preferring functionality over beauty, but he was certain it was an eyesore to such a refined seamstress.
“What a relief to see that you’re not still carrying around that horrid handkerchief I made!” Emmy said cheekily, forgetting all about her burn.
“Don’t worry. I’ve stashed it away.”
“But you kept it?” Emmy asked, gazing into his widening eyes as her hand remained clasped in his.
“Let me make you another cup.”
And just like that he broke both his gaze and his contact with her. Emmy wrinkled her brow as she watched him turn from her. There was no attendant at this hour and he didn’t seem like the type to cause a fuss about something like tea.
Did he have some more brought in earlier?
He opened a small cabinet in the corner of the room and, to her surprise, retrieved a tea cup. The cabinet was all but invisible to an undiscerning eye and had passed Emmy’s notice, yet he clearly had performed the same procedure many times before. Feeling her eyes upon him, he said, without turning away from the task, that he’d all but turned the library into his personal study and equipped it with all his needs. He poured water into each cup from the water spout and brought it over to the table.
But it isn’t hot though, she thought, hesitantly looking up at him through her soft lashes.
Before she had a chance to ask he placed a rose bud and dried leaf in each cup. He then placed his hands around a cup, making it appear even more fragile in his large hands, and closed his eyes.
His hands glowed as red as embers while Emmy’s amber eyes turned to saucers. As he opened his eyes, his hands returned to a normal hue and a small spiral of steam floated above the cup.
Incredible.
“I possess a bit of magic from my late father, though I don’t care to display it often.”
“Amazing,” she said, her words coated with awe.
“Well, I can at least make tea by myself. Can’t say it’s of great use in other scenarios.”
Emmy was sure he was being modest. Magic users could apply their strength to all sorts of things, and she was sure he had mastered his craft with the same discipline he’d shown as the Royal Commander.
While he gazed at the fireplace, she studied his face as the light cast shadows upon him. What an enigma, she thought, resting her cheek on her palm. One thing she was certain of, Theo was a sincere person. He didn’t attempt to placate her with compliments or idle promises when it came to the situation with her brother. Further, he could adapt to Yuki’s spontaneity and Celia’s shifting moods.
He’s a good friend, I’m sure. A good man.
The recent revelation with Yuki lifted the barrier between them. Perhaps, now, they could spend more time getting to know each other, rather than fighting.
She thought back to when she and Yuki watched him fight on the training grounds. He had trained his body over and over until he could utterly master swordsmanship and fighting tactics. And yet, he sat here sipping his rose tea while gazing at the fire. As of late, all her friends were enigmas.
Friends?
Emmy sat up, realizing how easily the word had come to mind when considering Yuki, Celia, and even Theo.
Though friendly, Emmy was often sewing or serving at her parent's bakery. Socialization usually happened on the street or in church, but things had shifted lately. Celia visited her almost every day and Yuki and Theo never seemed too far away either. She sipped her tea and stared into the reflection.
What a welcome change.
* * *
“You’re certain it was her?” Yuki asked Albert in his study. In his hand was a letter from Miss Rubelia, the Craftsman Guild director.
“Absolutely,” Albert responded without a pause. “Didn’t you read the letter I just gave you.” A hint of exasperation tinged his question.
Yuki chomped down on lip, lost in concentration. He knew Emaline frequented the Craftsman Guild, but he hadn’t expected her to have a showdown with Rubelia. A smile appeared on Yuki’s face as he imagined the spirited Emmy against the iron-clad Rubelia.
Who would win in a war of words, I wonder?
“Something humoring you, Your Highness?”
“Not at all.” Yuki tossed the letter on the desk. He’d return to it later. “Anything else to report, Albert?”
Albert tossed something in the air to Yuki. “She gave me this.”
Easily catching it, Yuki found an iron miniature of a royal crown in his hand. He studied it briefly, stretching across his massive table as he looked at it. “What might this be? Yet another clue to decipher, no doubt. She’s one darn exasperating woman.”
Albert nodded in agreement as Yuki himself pushed up from the desk with a sigh.
“Going on an evening walk again, Your Highness?”
Yuki responded with a small nod. As Albert slipped out, he reached for the letter once again. He stood and walked absent-mindedly toward the windows behind his desk as he reread its contents.
“Miss Emaline?” Yuki spied Emaline in his garden below, walking leisurely through the low-lit garden path like they had weeks before.
What was she doing out this—? As if on cue, Theo, formerly hidden on the garden path, popped into the light by Emaline’s side. They were walking, presumably, toward the palace gate.
It was late, quite late. Most ladies wouldn’t think of wandering the town at such a time, but, then again, Emaline was not most ladies. Placing his gloved hands on the windowpane, he wondered if she came to visit the library he showed her during their own evening stroll around the palace. He had given her permission to use it as she desired, but he couldn’t be certain it was the reason for her visit.
Or did she come for him now that things were settled between them?
“Ha! Such foolish thoughts,” Yuki chided himself as he ran his hand through his disheveled hair. “Well, good for him!”
He said in the most jovial voice he could muster but it even sounded flat to his own ears. Theo had always been such a good friend to him…
Such a good friend, he repeated to himself.
He then threw the letter in his fire and skillfully swooshed on his cloak. In a matter of seconds he was astride his horse at the stables.
“Enough nonsense. I must place my attention where it’s urgently required.” And just like that his flowing dark cloak disappeared into the night.
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