Helian and the Cunning Countess (6)

As Rosa and I returned to my room after our gathering with the squires, Selene’s voice roused me from my thoughts. “Lady Saintess.”

This was convenient timing. “Yes, Dame Selene? Can I help you?”

“If it’s not too much trouble, your presence would be appreciated in the first-floor dining room tonight. Some of us are gathering for a meal and it would be my pleasure to introduce you to the staff.”

I nodded. “That sounds nice. I’ll get ready in my room. Please send for me whenever you like.”

Rosa clapped. “That’s perfect! I’ve been wanting to see you in one of the new dresses from the countess. The one with the black lace would be a perfect match for the grim atmosphere of the dining hall, and you –”

Selene waved politely and walked away.

“– could pair it with the onyx hairpin and necklace set as an accent. We’re not in a hurry, so we should braid your hair this time! Since it’s a group gathering, we should make sure to pick an elegant and understated perfume that will accentuate your beauty without drawing too much attention, perhaps lavender? Oh, and as a contrast to the onyx you could wear the opal bracelet on your left wrist… I wish you were going out on an evening date so you could wear your new heels, but I suppose slippers will have to do. Let’s get to work!” 

With this, the little chatterbox gestured towards the mirror and waited for me to sit.

The sudden invitation from the dame right after my encounter with the childhood sweethearts felt like yet another coincidence. I hoped it wasn’t a bad omen.

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The countess loudly greeted me as I entered the dining hall. She was sitting at the head of the table, and before my arrival she had been speaking with Dame Selene, who sat to her left. “Lady Helian, I’m so glad you could make it! I worried you would sleep early after wandering the estate this afternoon. You seemed so tired after last night.” Selene frowned in response to this. The countess beckoned me to sit at the empty seat to her right. “Please, have a seat! The staff will be bringing out an appetizer in just a few moments.”

I bowed politely, then made my way to Lady Solana’s side and took my seat. A waiter strolled over from the corner of the room and politely asked for my choice of beverage. I had a feeling I would need a stiff drink, so I requested the strongest wine available. The countess chuckled. My gaze drifted to the right, past Selene. 

And there was XXXXX. Looking right at me. A familiar discomfort made its return—once again, I found it hard to breathe. 

You shouldn’t be here. Why are you here? How can I make you leave? 

My chest was painfully tight. I saw that Selene’s lips were moving, but I couldn’t hear anything.

The countess squeezed my hand and pulled my attention back to her. “What’s wrong, Helian? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

I thought back to Rosa’s stories and made my best excuse. “To tell you the truth, Lady Solana, I’ve heard some worrying tales about the first-floor dining hall… I guess I can’t help but feel some trepidation.”

Solana clapped. “Ah, yes, the dearly departed lord! You needn’t worry, we had him exorcised last year. In any case, were he to return to haunt the estate, I would merely kill him again to ensure he learned his lesson.” Selene cleared her throat. “But where are my manners, we’re overdue for introductions!”

“To my left we have the legendary moonlight swordswoman, terror of the battlefield, champion of the seven years’ campaign, Dame Selene. She is my closest ally and if any trouble should visit you during your stay here on the estate or at any point in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask for her assistance.”

I nodded. “The dame and I have already met. She’s been very helpful.”

“Good! I expected no less.” 

The countess then gestured towards XXXXX.

How a Little Bird Hid in the Boughs (4)

The countess had clearly been day drinking. As such, anything could happen. 

I prayed fervently to no god in particular for their mercy, hoping that Lady Solana would refrain from saying anything reckless and allow the evening to proceed without any disruptions.

As I looked to Selene for reassurance, the countess gestured in my direction.

“This young lady here is XXXXX. I can see you were struck by her beauty just a moment ago, and I completely understand! The little bird found her way onto my estate earlier this year and she’s been a fantastic addition to the staff. I’m sure Selene would gladly sing her praises as well, were she not so reluctant to pamper the aides and trainees.”

As the countess said ‘little bird,’ I flinched involuntarily.

“Now that I think of it… when we first met, she told me she grew up in the southern part of the Rydberg barony. There must be something in the water for two talents such as you young ladies to emerge from there in the same year! In any case, XXXXX, this fine visage in front of you is the Saintess Helian, from the rumors, right here in the flesh!”

I nodded and did my best to reply without my voice cracking. “We’ve met, Countess.”

She tilted her head. “You have?”

Helian frowned. “Yes, Lady Solana. We grew up together.”

The countess grinned from ear to ear and lifted her glass for an impromptu toast. “What are the odds? Marvelous, marvelous. To fated reunions, then!”

After our toast, the countess proceeded to introduce the rest of the aides and knights seated at the table. 

The wait staff entered the room with a selection of appetizers.

After filling her plate with the sweetest items available and gesturing for the waiter to refill her drink, Helian turned to stare at me –at my earrings, to be precise – then asked one of the few questions I hoped not to hear.

“What have you been up to?”

I sipped my wine. “Not too much… Dame Selene keeps me busy with paperwork, and I train with the squires during the afternoons to keep my sword sharp. I’m truly grateful to Lady Solana for giving me an opportunity like this.” I gestured towards the countess with my glass.

Helian drank her wine without breaking eye contact. “The countess is a remarkable woman, so I’m not surprised that she recognized your talent. I’m sure you’ve learned a lot from her.”

Ah. I’m screwed.

I cleared my throat. “Ah… yes, she’s an example for any aspiring swordswoman. I’ve learned a great deal by being here. Anyway… how are you doing? It’s great to see you again.”

Helian finished her glass in one large gulp. “Yes, it’s a surprise to see you too. I’ve been busy, as you know, but my stay here with the countess has been a nice chance to relax. It’s a shame that things are going to become complicated again.”

The countess was having the time of her life. Meanwhile, I could feel Selene’s discomfort rolling off her in waves. And Helian looked like she wanted to kill me. I couldn’t blame her.

Still, I had to keep up appearances. “I’m sorry to hear that, Helian. Let me know if I can do anything to help, though I’m not sure how much time I’ll have to spare… there’s been a lot of paperwork to handle lately.”

Lady Solana finally saw fit to rescue me from my predicament. “Helian, darling, if you keep staring at her like that, I’ll get lonely! If I’m not mistaken, you were XXXXX’s swordplay tutor, am I right? You must tell me about your instructor. And if you feel up to it, perhaps you could grant me the pleasure of a sparring match during your stay? It’s always a delight to get some exercise with a beautiful young lady.”

------

After Helian excused herself at the end of dinner, I bid the countess a polite farewell. “Have a good evening, Lady Solana. Thank you for the meal.”

“Of course, of course! Thank you for your company tonight.” She nodded towards Selene. “Please make sure she makes it safely to her quarters.”

It’s not as if I was drunk… probably. As I carefully stood from my seat and left the table on mostly-steady legs, the dame walked ahead of me and waited at the door, watching me with concern.

Don’t look at me like that Selene, I’m fine…

As I thought this, I stumbled over a thick wrinkle in the ornate rug and fell right into the arms of the exasperated knight.

“Sorry… I tripped.”

“Yes, I’m sure you did. Be careful.”

We slowly made our way up to the second floor and she led me to my room, entering briefly to remove the spare bottle of wine from my cabinet. Yes, that was probably wise. Thank you, Dame Selene, for your consideration and wisdom.

“Thank you, Dame Selene, for your consideration and wisdom.”

“What?”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to say that… I think I should go to sleep.”

“I agree. Good night, XXXXX. I’ll see you at the meeting in the morning.”

With that, she turned and closed the door behind her.

------

I carefully hung up my dress uniform, then took off my earrings and placed them in my desk drawer, making certain to lock it afterward.

As I turned out the lights, a knock came at my door. I moved to answer it.

“Yes? What is it?”

The door flew open and hit me in the face, knocking me flat on my rear. A woman entered, silhouetted by the light from the hallway.

“You’ve got a lot to answer for.”

My visitor shut the door, locking it behind her.