"Wha… What are… you do…ing?" Edith managed to ask, her hands gripping Evans' as she tried to pry his hand off her neck.
"What do you think I am doing?" Evans asked, his gaze piercing through her own and his lips curled at the corners. It was obvious he enjoyed the sight of pathetically struggling to escape his grip.
And knowing this, Edith stopped struggling and dropped her hands at her side. Her gazed locked with his own, and despite her lungs running low on oxygen, she remained indifferent.
After a moment of a silent staring contest, Evans released his grip and stepped back, even dusting his hands of dusting of dirt.
Edith fell on her knees, coughing while trying to stabilize her breathing.
"I'll advise you to keep your distance from his majesty. If I ever find you suspicious, I will not hesitate to erase you, literally," Evans said, resumed walking.
Edith looked up at him and couldn't help wondering why he was so loyal to someone who was supposed to be inferior to him.
"A high elf who abandoned his people, pretends to be a human and serves one so diligently…" Evans paused when he heard speak. Edith stood up, turning her neck left and right to shake off the pain. "...It makes me wonder if he knows who you truly are, Dariel."
Evans chuckled. "I wonder," was all he said before resuming his steps.
Frustrated, Edith glared at his back but still followed behind him, knowing he wouldn't stop.
"This is your room. Your maid is inside waiting, the other three will come to you later," he paused and opened the door. "Be as quick as possible, his majesty does not like being kept waiting,' he stepped aside and let her inside.
"Sir Evans," the maid inside greeted with a polite bow. Her eyes darted towards Edith, who now stood beside Evans.
"This is your mistress as of this moment, take proper care of her, his Majesty's orders," Evans added and the maid's eyes widened a little but she was quick to realize herself and bowed her head.
"Yes, as his majesty commands,"
Evans nodded and turned around, "I will leave you to it then," looking at Edith, he added, "I will be back here to take you to diner. Be ready before that," With that, he left the room. He didn't even wait for her response.
"My lady…" the maid called, but Edith raised a hand and shook her head.
"Just Edith will be fine,"
"I am afraid I can not do that, my lady," the maid said adamantly. Seeing her like that, Edith didn't try to persuade her any further.
All right then. What's your name?" Edith asked.
"Hildegard, my lady," she replied, blushing a little.
"Okay, leady the way, Hildegard," Edith said, hoping she had pronounced the name properly. It was a good speaks their language, and her mother made she she learned the language of other kingdoms too. She would have been at a total loss if she hadn't.
"Yes,this way, my lady," Hildegard led her into the bathroom.
The water in the bathroom was already prepared and heated to just about the right temperature. Different soap and shampoo were also prepared and kept beside the bath. Edith couldn't help wondering when all of this was prepared when she had only just agreed to stay.
'Did he predict this outcome?' Edith asked herself. "That can't be," she said in a whisper, barely audible.
"Allow me to help you take off your…" Hildegard said but trailed off when she noticed that what Edith had on was nothing like she had ever seen any woman wear.
Didn't she feel too exposed wearing something that covered so little? Hildegard thought but brushed off the thought as it was not in her place to question her master's choice of clothing but as a woman too, she couldn't help wondering.
"You can leave," Edith said. Hildegard looked at her in confusion. "I will bathe myself. You can return when I wash my hair, other than that, go and prepare my dress. I prefer something that is easy to move in. Something similar to what i have on if possible."
Hildegard wanted to say that there weren't any dresses like that in the castle, but she couldn't be sure anymore. Ever since she came, although just a few minutes ago, many thing that weren't there before have shown themselves. The quarters that were off limits have been assigned to her.
"Yes, I'll see if there is anything like that," Hildegard said and left the bathroom. If she couldn't find anything like that in the closet, then she'll have to go and tell Evans about her special request.
Left alone, Edith stripped and went inside the bath. The warm water soothed her aching and sore body. Her mind drifted back to her parents and the dream she had while sleeping in the carriage. Then, at what Daphne had said to her.
"It is better and much safer to remain and Glenmoor a little longer, Edith. Once everything is clear and you can return, I will come back here to take you home."
Edith felt something was off. Daphne never said anything about her parent. So, does that mean they survived and are alive, or was Daphne hiding the truth about their health and all of Novara?
"Remember Edith, nothing is beyond your control. Have faith in yourself, your parents and in Novara. Do not think that the worst has happened. As long you are safe, Novara will be safe. So focus on your safety and happiness while you are here."
Edith remembered these words and sighed. She had asked why, but Daphne just went around the bushes without giving her a straight answer. But if her parents wanted her here, then she would make the most of her stay here. She will find those people who destroyed her home and forced her out here.
Meanwhile…
Davion sat in his study, his eyes locked on the paper in front of him. On it was a rough sketch of dress. Similar pieces of paper could be seen scattered across the desk with different designs.
A knock on the door disrupted his focus for a second before his gaze returned to the incomplete sketch. "Come in," he said before he continued to add the finishing touches to the design, hightling it to make it more vivid.
"You called for me, you Majesty?" Evans said as soon as he closed the door behind him.
"Yes, come here," Davion said.
Evans stepped closer, and his eyes caught sight of the pieces on the desk. He frowned.
"What do you think of these? Do you think she will like them?" Davion asked, looking at Evans whose brows seem to pulled together even further. "It has been so long since I have seen such an expression on your face, Evans, is there a problem?"
"I just think you don't need to go out of your way for anyone, your Majesty? She should be honored that you allowed her to stay and spared her life." Evans replied, his disapproval, evident.
Davion was silent for a while ss if contemplating his words.
"Let me ask you something, Evans," he said, and Evans, like the faithful and devoted servant that he was, nodded his ready to answer whatever he was asked.
"Do you like her?"