Claiming The Remnant

Chapter 76

[ Ethyn ]

The sound of heels against the stone floor had me turning on the spot eagerly looking down the hallway for Lady Esther. My heart was an excited flame in my chest. The time between having seen her last felt infinitely longer than it should.

There was a sweet, light laugh and she stepped around the corner, Willis by her side - arm in arm. It made my blood start to boil. Jealousy was not an emotion that came to me often - never had I felt it so strongly either. I wanted my arm in hers. I wanted my body next to hers. I wanted to push Willis down the stairs.

Instead I smiled to cover the violence, completely unwarranted violence, that was brewing inside me. Willis kept a blank look, while Esther was clearly excited but nervous. Her thin, pale fingers of the free arm were picking at the material of her dress. A beautiful dress. It was leaning toward formal as opposed to the day dress I saw her in yesterday. Not that I could remember that dress very well, I had been too enrapt by her presence.

Cobalt blue, silver trim (in my honour I presumed), ribbed bodice with chateau neckline down to a full length, flared skirt and her sleeves were a lighter hue of blue. The chiffon material created a simple bell shape sleeve over her tiny shoulders. Probably chosen because it would slip over her arm bracelets.

Willis was also dressed differently to how I was accustomed to seeing them. Everything was a variation on blue in a pastel hue. Usually they weren't so loud about their shade, at least in my experience, but I was glad to see that they seemed more comfortable. Quite dashing as well - despite being very casually dressed in boots, loose trousers, a shirt that was likely two sizes too big with the sleeves rolled up.

"Your Royal Highness." They greeted. One with much more enthusiasm than the other.

"Lady Esther, Willis." I nodded to each of them. Esther dipped for a curtsy but couldn't resist flashing her eyes over me. Willis bowed stiffly. "You look stunning." I told Esther as I took her hand and planted a kiss on the back of it.

"Thank you, Ethyn." She blushed deeply, suddenly very shy. "Joseph picked the dress." It was sweet of her to be so honest. Quite unnecessary. It also had some imaginings flashing through my brain. I had to work to keep my hands from becoming fists.

"I must applaud you. You have excellent taste, Willis." My diplomatic mask coming out, stopping me from overreacting to the idea of Willis dressing mon foudre.

"Thank you, Your Royal Highness." Willis said with little feeling.

"Willis?" Esther nudged her companion while whispering the name as a question.

"It's all right." They replied in a manner that attempted to shrug it off but actually demonstrated that there was an issue.

"My apologies but it appears I'm missing something here?" I was confused. Father had spoken to Willis. Things had been settled, as evidenced by the person in question. At least that was what I thought.

"Ethyn…" She started shyly, looking up at me through thick lashes. Those shimmering pools that doubled for eyes were sucking me in. "He is Joseph today." Her companion was mortified by the Lady's rebuke.

"Ah, I'm most apologetic for my error, Joseph. I didn't mean to offend." A glint of amazement flashed in his eyes. I was used to addressing them as Willis, regardless of their attire. Last names were most commonly used in addressing guards and other similar personnel.

“That is most generous of you, Prince Ethyn.” Joseph gave a little bow in appreciation but Esther had developed a sharp look about her.

“Mon foudre?”

“Cook called you Willis too.” She pondered, a small frown upon her brow; addressing Joseph even though I was the one who had asked the question. Every little thing she did had me watching her, entirely enrapt. “Is it laziness or ignorance that people choose to use your last name rather than their head!” She fumed, an angry red flushed the skin of her chest. Esther pinned me with a glare that suggested she was considering which line of her thinking I was guilty of.

“My Lady, while I don’t doubt that in some cases that is true, Joseph is part of the Guard.” He looked panicked by my words but I wasn’t worried. The simple pretence of being Esther’s ‘companion’ or ‘escort’ around the castle wouldn’t hold up forever. It seemed to me my Father had been rather short sighted in this area. At some point, someone was going to let things slip - best to put as much truth out there as possible to curb any upset. “It is commonplace for guards to be referred to by their last names.”

“Oh.” Esther took a moment to process while Joseph looked like he wanted to be anywhere but standing right there. “Joseph?” She put a hand against his upper arm. “I’m not upset. Thank you. It must have been very trying to be stuck with me in such a capacity and not be yourself for so long.”

My heart was melting in my chest. Esther was so fragile to look at and she had been through so much that I was amazed at her capacity to take this deception in her stride. Kind too, very kind. She would make an amazing Queen. I was probably getting ahead of myself - after all this was only the third meeting.

Joseph’s face twitched. To smile? To cry? In anger? I was unsure.

“I agree, having to wear a mask can be tiresome. Hence you caught me somewhat under dressed in the library yesterday morning.” Putting on a light tone and kindly smile, despite the serious undercurrent of the topic, I kept going with the truth. “That is why, after seeing you yesterday, I spoke to His Majesty regarding the situation. It would seem that the ensuing meeting went well, Joseph?”

“Uh…” He stalled, either not knowing how or not wanting to respond. During my brief interactions with Willis they had always come across as difficult to read.

“Please, my intentions were out of concern for your well being in such a difficult situation. I hope it did not come across as meddlesome. Either which way, you owe me nothing. My apologies if I came across as such. It appears that I’m making you uncomfortable and so… a change of topics.” Esther was still thinking as I tried to smooth things over with Joseph. “Will you be joining us for a tour of the gallery?”

“Th-hank you, Prince Ethyn but I think Lady Esther is quite looking forward to spending the time with you - alone.” Joseph answered with a slightly over the top polite tone in his voice.

“You’ll be there for dinner though?” Esther caught Joseph’s arm as he moved to leave.

“Of course, I shall meet you at the Turquoise Suite to escort you.” He smiled, holding his hand over hers. I tried not to huff. I had wanted to escort my little thunder clap to dinner. “I hope you procure a moment.” Joseph grinned and Esther looked mortified, turning a heated red. Without another word, or the customary bow, he walked away. Finally I was alone with this woman that now held my heart.