Reasons for Silence

Lamps

Chapter Five ~ Serefina

            Kobe’s plan to find someone marry didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. Mostly because I thought that it was odd that he up and decided one day that he wanted to be a married man. That part was what confused me the most, to each his own, I guess.

           

            All of my chores were suspended the day of the first social. I shadowed Kobe for the day, going to and fro beside Kobe as he organized final details.

            An hour before the social began he turned to me in the hallway and told me to clean myself up. He said that Vena – the head serving maid – would have a new dress for me in the wash room.

            “I already have dresses,” I said flatly.

            He rolled his eyes and put a hand on my shoulder.

            “Kimana,” he said, “I really can’t have you looking like a slave at the party. I need you to focus on your task and I can’t have people interrupting you because they want their glass refilled.”

            I sucked in my lips and slowly nodded my head. I had forgotten my actual position in the Manor so when Kobe said “slave” I felt like I ran into a wall.

            The dress was lavish, really. It was pink and the bodice was covered in lace. The neckline cut straight across from one shoulder to the other. The lace sleeves came down to right above my elbows. It was a very flattering look for me. I pulled my hair into a French braid, I didn’t want anyone thinking too highly of me, even though that was unlikely because I wore no jewels whatsoever.

            I walked down to the Great Hall and I felt a twinge in my stomach. I had simply never been to a party before and I didn’t know how to handle myself. Not that I thought that I would have too many interactions – I was there to observe.

            I closed my eyes and took in a deep breathe to calm my nerves. It helped. Someone tugged at my arm and I opened my eyes.

            It was Kobe and for some reason I was still surprised for some reason even though I had lived at his manor for nearly four weeks. He was a touchy-feely person. But he was a man so I guessed that he couldn’t help that.

            “Good, you’ve made it,” he said, “now I want you to stay out of people’s way and try not to be noticed. Just stand in the back over there.”

            Kobe spoke quickly without looking at me. He motioned to the back of the hall with a hand then turned back to me. That was when he seemed to notice me. He looked my face over then his eyes gazed down to take in my dress. I held my arms behind my back and I could feel my breath catch in my throat. His eyes snapped back up to my face before the attention could have been described as anything less than admiring.

            He pinched the bridge of his nose.

            “If anyone tries to talk to you,” he started and then a grin came across his face, “well you don’t really talk anyway. You’ll be fine. Just don’t encourage anyone.”

            I nodded my head but my face held an unamused countenance.

            He brushed my cheek with his thumb.

            “We’ll talk about what you learn later, then,” he said and turned to greet his guests as they arrived.

            I did as I was told and walked to the back of the hall and began my observations.