Thread Apart

Four

The month was going by quick. Lord Willem continued to decline our sessions, though I know we would be attending the ball together. My handmaiden had explained that she would be accompanying me, to which I was grateful. However, I was slightly perturbed. Even if this was a small decision, it felt like the first 'adult' decision that the Lord and I could have made together. To see how we really work as a couple. My fear of the future remained intact.

I had spent the last few weeks being sized and poked and fitted as the seamstress worked her magic. Who knew it took so long to make one dress? But I appreciated having something to do, even if it was just to stand there. I still did not know the final result of the dress, other than it was a deep blue to match the hairpiece my mother sent me. I'm glad I will have a piece of her with me on that night.

Less than a week until the day and my body was a bundle of nerves. The hairs on my arms at a constant standstill. I did not know what to expect from a ball other than what I had been told. I did not know if I knew how to play the game as well as I did here at the estate. With so many watchful and prying eyes. Perhaps the Ones Above would be displeased with me and end this Match. Perhaps I should stop having such thoughts. Was my mind even a safe space for me?

I was out in the garden again. Wispy clouds danced across the sky and a gentle breeze caressed the petals and the leaves. I'd like to think the Ones Above resided in a realm much like this garden. Who could be unhappy and playing games with mortals in a place as calming as this?

A servant approached and spoke softly to my handmaiden before disappearing. The staff was excellent at camouflage. "Miss, there is a guest here to see you."

A guest? There is only one person who would visit me. One wonderful person in the entire world. My mother. I couldn't stop the grin that erupted on my face, nor did I want to. Hastily, I made my way to the tea room, handmaiden in tow. As soon as those large, oak doors came into view, I had half a thought to run and push open the doors myself so that I could run into those comforting arms I so missed. But something stopped me.

A young woman was waiting outside, donned in a servant's uniform. My mother did not have any servants. I gave my handmaiden a look, a question mark clear on my face, but she only glanced back without expression. My handmaiden approached the door to the right across from the girl and waited for me. Approaching the middle of the threshold, I gave them the nod. At the same time, as if in sync, they pushed open the doors for me.

The figure stood on the other side of the room, facing that same window the Lord stared out of at our last session. I was right that my visitor was a mother, just not mine. "Lady Thomwell."

She turned toward my voice, not enough to make eye contact yet. "Miss Charlin, thank you for joining me."

Lady Thomwell--Lord Willem's mother--was the spitting image of what a Lady should be. She knew all the rules of the game. After Lord Branley's passing, the Lady awaited the appropriate amount of time before setting her sights on the aged Lord Thomwell. Since both parties were widowed at that point in time, it was deemed okay to wed. For a time, Lady Thomwell was Lady of both estates before Lord Willem became of age and could run their affairs in his mother's absence. I did not know what all went into being a Lord or Lady, but I am sure I would find out soon enough after being threaded. I assumed there was more than just appearing noble and attending balls.

"I am honored to be in your presence, my Lady." I gave her a curtsy. I did not say more. Lady Thomwell came to see me and Lady Thomwell would lead this conversation.

She drew herself away from the window and took her seat, in the chair that the Lord would always take. Like mother, like son. I took mine across from her, placing my hands gently in my lap and ensured my spine remained straight as a ruler. "I will have tea here for us in just a moment."

"Thank you, my Lady."

A moment of silence. The Lady only stared at me, drinking in my image. I wanted to crumble under her gaze.

"How are you enjoying your time here," she finally started, "in Briarton estate?"

I want to go home. "It's quite lovely. Especially the gardens."

"Yes, I have heard you spend a good portion of your time there. I have always thought a woman should be able to access nature at any time. The Ones Above created us in Nature's image, after all." I was not sure where she was going with this conversation. But maybe one cheeky comment wouldn't hurt.

"Nature can be as destructive as it is beautiful."

She gave a laugh that didn't feel real. "Well, they do say beauty is pain."

I wasn't sure what to say next so remained silent. Luckily, our tea was being served at that time and we could remain quiet until the staff exited the room. I glanced down into my cup, the liquid a dark golden color. I really did not like tea. But I kept the cup and saucer, if only to give my hands something to do besides sweat in my lap.

"So," she said, almost dragging out the sound of the word, "I will bet you are wondering why I am here."

"I'd be lying if I said the thought did not cross my mind," I smiled.

"You know, I was a bit wary after they announced you as my son's Match. Charlin Keplar. I did not know a single Keplar of noble rank. Who could this girl be?" More hidden insults. "But the Ones Above are never wrong." No. They were not.

She continued. "I like that you are not afraid to speak out beyond 'Yes, my Lady', 'Thank you, my Lady', or 'I am honored, my Lady'. It all grows very tiresome. Perhaps you will keep my son on his toes." The nobility did not like to be bored. I did not miss that I had already spoken some of these same phrases to her today.

I looked her in the eye, a small smile on my lips as I replied. "Yes, my Lady."

She looked like she wanted to laugh. A real laugh this time. I got a rush from playing the game. As much as I hated it, I also looked forward to it. I just don't know if I could survive a life of endless chess matches. I know I was only a pawn playing amongst kings and queens.

"I have something for you." Lady Thomwell smiled as if she knew something I did not. "Lord and Lady Plymerin thought it'd be funny to send out a few invitations excluding one vastly important detail regarding the ball."

I did not speak as Lady Thomwell called to her handmaiden. The young girl from before entered the room holding a medium-sized box. A gorgeous box. The material appeared velvet-y and was the color of the night sky. A thick ribbon the color of starlight wrapped delicately into an intricate bow  sat atop. Lady Thomwell took the box from her handmaiden's hands and waited once again until we were alone, letting her fingers feel the material on top.

"Here is your missing detail," the Lady grinned while presenting the box to me. The material was as soft as I imagined. Who knew a box could be so pretty.

"I almost don't want to ruin this bow," I said, as I was doing just that. Lifting the lid revealed similarly colored tissue paper, and amongst the paper sat a gorgeous mask. "A masquerade?"

The mask was the same deep blue as the material for my gown, and contained black and silver complimentary designs. I brushed my fingers lightly over the material. "Do you like it?"

"It's beautiful," I said, barely above a whisper. I straightened up, touched that I would have gifts from both my birth mother and fated mother with me on that night.

"When I heard about the ball, I got my son to share with me the details of your gown. You will be a vision that Briarton will be proud of." The real meaning: No woman representing my estate will look like a fool. "The Lord and Lady have such a strange sense of humor. I do not find anything funny about a few attendees appearing barren amongst a sea of secret faces."

I also did not get the joke, especially since the invitation stated we were to be honored. The nobility were sometimes stranger than the fae.

Lady Thomwell left shortly after. A tiny part of me wondered if perhaps it was not Lord and Lady Plymerin playing a joke, but in fact Lady Thomwell. But the thought was quickly squashed when I remembered I was to arrive with her son, and she would definitely not play her son for a fool.