Empire of Dreams

*7*

I pulled the shawl closer. It was a cold afternoon. The sun wasn't anywhere in sight but somehow the ladies seemed to find it the perfect weather for a picnic.

It had been two weeks since Elizabeth's letter but Aunt Catherine insisted on acting as if nothing was wrong. So here we were, with ladies from the court, sitting on a hill nearby Sudeley. Little Mary had started crawling already and hence I was made responsible of her.

I painted one of the ladies. Her flowery hat was just too beautiful to miss. Little Mary looked at it bemused, smiling every now and then. It was tragic she would never speak, but atleast that meant I had both her and Aunt Catherine by my side and I was unmeasurably grateful for that.

"Drop everything now and come over Little Grey, I've caught the best of the fishes from the pond" Uncle Thomas boasted as he neared us with the other men trailing behind.

"Coming!" I called and picking Mary, ran to him.

On the walk to Sudeley, I was entertained with the tales of fishing and foolery but managed to look interested just long enough to survive. The dinner table was covered with all the fishes caught and Thomas took care to tell me about each though the maids glared at us, knowing they'd have to get rid of the pungent smell.

The ladies arrived a couple hours after.

"You forgot the painting there!" Catherine reminded, holding out the now-dried painting.

"What a beautiful painting of me!" Lady Irem smiled.

Lady Irem was a new addition to the court, recently having arrived from India. She was a Muslim and being brought up surrounded by Christians, both Catherine and I were amused by her. She was different in every possible way, may it be appearance or accent but she tried to blend in.

I looked at the painting and then at her, both were exceptional. Lady Irem was married to a high ranking military officer, hence technically being a dame but Catherine had befriended her early on, making Irem a part of the court through the ladies soon. Though she didn't have any position in the court, Lady Irem certainly had a strong sway on the opinions. Her charm and cleverness could get her whatever she wanted, if only she tried.

Her husband, Sir Osiris was brooding character. Among the charming and scheming nobility, he stood out due to his tall and strong built. Hair shaved close to head, a scar from the left ear to chin, scrutinizing lime green eyes and rigid posture made clear he was an esteemed knight of the highest ranks.

Lady Irem stood out too. Her honey coloured skin and earthy eyes gave her a calming appearance while her long waves of dark hair were usually left down unlike the other ladies who tied theirs up in tight buns. Her accent was also different but she had a way with people which made that almost unnoticeable. She was Little Mary's godmother too.

"Are you sure, aapa?" She had asked when given the offer.

"Of course I am, Irem dear" Catherine had smiled in return.

Irem often used unique terms like 'aapa' which meant Elder Sister in her language. she proudly flaunted her origins, blending in yet remaining true to her roots was something she managed very well.

It wasn't all good and happy though. Both Sir Osiris and Lady Irem were mysterious and though they spoke a lot and socialized, I could sense the air of mystery around them. They said so much, yet so little about themselves.

I wondered on about her but was pulled back to reality by Little Mary's light tugs on my gown.

"What is it, Gladiolus?" I asked as I propped her up in my lap.

She turned her head towards Aunt Catherine, hands stretching towards her.

"Want your mother? Is that the case? Well, we'll go, let's just finish the milk" I soothed her, bringing the glass to her mouth.

Soon after drinking the warm milk, Mary fell asleep and so did I, my thoughts finally fading. I was shaken awake hours later as the guests prepared to leave.

"It was a wonderful outing, Baroness" one of the ladies remarked as they boarded the carriage.

Catherine tipped her head in response, waving elegantly as they disappeared down the road.

"We'll take your leave too, then" Lady Irem informed her while Sir Osiris seemed to be doing the same to Thomas.

"I'll let you go for now, but you must come to stay for some time. We'll have a nice time together"

"Of course aapa" she assured before they too left.

I retreated to my room, still too sleepy to process anything.

"Don't fall asleep again, eat something Jane" Catherine said, appearing in my doorway.

"Too tired Aunt, I'll join you for breakfast tomorrow" I mumbled as my eyes fluttered close. It must've been the first time in two weeks that I had slept. I could feel Catherine stroking my hair sometime in between, but I didn't wake up until it was late in the night.

Catherine slept peacefully beside me though the moonlight seemed to target only my face. My stomach rumbled in hunger and I couldn't go back to sleep. So I decided to hunt in the kitchens for food. Along the way I passed Uncle Thomas sleeping with Little Mary tucked beside him and the parlour's fireplace still burning.

At last having found some cookies and warm milk, I ate away hungrily in the most unlady-like manner. After all, food first, manners second, atleast in private.

I returned to my room and slipped beneath the warm blankets again, the body warming again slowly.

I dreamed of unusal things that night and I knew, just like you, my dreams were never just dreams.....