Claiming The Remnant

Chapter 26

[ Taiya ]

There was something about the woman entering the King's study that had my brain fizzing. The rain of thoughts that had not been hitting home had now found some purchase; minimal though it was.

She curtsied. The King smiled but it was off. Grace had received a bright unrestrained smile. The smile he had given me was genuine but didn’t shine. This last smile though, was disingenuous. He didn’t like her.

Something told me I didn’t like her either, even though I couldn’t recall having ever seen her before. Then there was the way she looked at me. She knew me, she definitely knew me and she didn’t like me. The hardness in her eyes, the tightness in her jaw, the way she angled herself away from me. Why was I seeing these things? Like the servant on the door, why? This was the King’s study. The King was in here. There should be a guard.

“Ah, Josephine, please come join us.” King Leoré waved the lady in. There was a little twitch in her face when he called her name.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Josephine entered with long confident strides; the heels she wore an extension of her form. Her dress was powder blue, she chose the blue chair and when the King offered tea she chose the blue teacup. Blue.

I looked at the teacup Benton told me to choose. Why? The branches of the Yelka twisted around the teacup, silver blossoms wide and plentiful. Silver.

Ye, Gods there was something right there; something, something that pulled at my brain but that was it. A pull and nothing more.

“Lady Esther, this is Josephine. Josephine will be your escort and guide around the grounds and castle during your stay. Josephine is trusted and valued here in my court, I think she will be an outstanding companion.” His Majesty said before taking a little sandwich from the stand.

“It is lovely to make your acquaintance, Lady Josephine.” I nodded curtly. Following His Majesties lead I also selected a sandwich from the stand.

“Pleased to make your acquaintance also, Lady Esther.” She smiled demurely but there was a spark in her outstandingly powder blue eyes. “Regretfully, Lady Esther, I must admit that I do not hold the title that you so kindly bestowed on me, it’s just Josephine.”

“Then I must ask, Josephine, that you only call me Esther.” My smile was guarded, a pain was snaking around in my brain. “It would only be proper if we are to be friends.”

“Of course Esther, how gracious of you.” Josephine lifted her matching saucer and teacup. “Your dress is exquisite.”

“Thank you Josephine, that is very kind of you to say.” I smoothed the skirt, preening a little. The way Josephine complimented me made it sound like I was a filthy street urchin in rags. “Your dress is also exceptional. The beading is superb.”

“How wonderful, you shall make excellent companions to each other.” He raised his teacup in a silent toast and I followed suit. Josephine raised her teacup also, as she did so the handle broke off but luckily the teacup landed in the the centre of the saucer, only a little tea spilling over the edge.

Josephine gasped and looked embarrassed.

A thought cut sharply through my mind; if only the tea had fallen in her lap and scalded her.

“Well,” His Majesty mused, rising, “perhaps it is a sign to bring this afternoon tea to a close.”

“It has been most delightful, Your Majesty.” I said politely, rising from my seat. Josephine stood, curtsying to the King as she did.

“The pleasure has been all mine.” King Leoré moved to get the door and Josephine offered me her arm, which I took despite my reservations. “I look forward to seeing you at dinner this evening.”

“It will be an honour to dine at your table, King Leoré.” The smile I wore was tentative. Afternoon tea had been one thing but dining at the King’s table was altogether a more nerve wracking prospect.

“Lady Esther, my dear, do not look so anxious; Josephine will accompany you.” The King's grey eyes were watching me with interest. A feeling, almost like a wave of nausea but tangled with fear, settled heavily on my chest. I was being watched. It was just dawning on me. Everything was wrong, I was wrong, even the mirror thought I was wrong. “Until this evening Lady Esther.”

“This evening, Your Majesty.” I curtsied.

“My King.” Josephine curtsied also.

Arm in arm Josephine walked me down the hallway.

“Would you like a tour of the castle or perhaps the gardens, Esther?” Josephine asked sweetly. Too sweetly.

“Josephine, I do not wish to offend but I am beyond exhausted. Could you escort me to my Suite?” I was almost pleading with Josephine as though she were my superior and not company gifted to me by the King.

“As you wish, Lady Esther.” Josephine’s tone had an underscore of displeasure.

“My apologies, I fear I’m still a little under the weather.” My head was starting to throb and along with my burning feet and aching legs I was starting to feel a little miserable. Not to mention now that I was away from the King’s hearth my bones were going cold. “An awful first impression I know, just if I do one more thing I don’t think I’ll make it to dinner.”

“A sensible decision, My Lady.” Josephine said stiffly.

“Please, Josephine, Esther is fine. I fear we have somehow gotten off on the wrong foot. Walking the castle or the gardens sounds perfect but between my head and my feet, not to mention I feel like an icicle, I just really need to lie down.” I told her almost desperately. Unlike when Grace had escorted me to the King’s study, Josephine was taking larger steps and her arm was only loosely linked with mine therefore offering no support.

“You are cold?” She stopped to ask. I nodded. “Tired, headaches, soreness, nausea?”

“Yes, Healer Poflorin tends to me everyday. I am feeling better but the progress is slow, although I swear I’m feeling colder everyday.” I smiled tiredly at Josephine, pushing down the discomfort I felt in her presence. I told myself I was just being paranoid.

“How awful, Esther. I understand. Certainly it appears it would be best for you to rest, of course I shall come and escort you to the King’s table later this evening.” Her smile seemed false. While her understanding seemed evident, as she walked slower and offered me more support, I couldn’t help but feel the sympathy was as false as her smile. In fact she almost seemed gleeful at the revelation of my ailments.

“Thank you, Josephine.” My thanks were genuine. I was too tired for anything else.