By My Side | The Arcana: A mystic Romance

4:Splendor And Luxury

After bringing Haya warm water to freshen up, Portia had a few chamber maids bring in a selection of clothes for her. Being the modest person that she was, Haya only chose a few that didn't look like they would be too much for her to bare.
She wore a pair of long, loose teal pants that tightened at the ankles. It was paired with a teal tunic that was pulled together at the neck with matching string.
There was still a bit of time before breakfast, so Haya didn't hurry as she sat cross legged on the soft carpet in front of the mirror.

She took Asra's spell book and opened it, skimming through each page. Using her magic, she searched, reaching for every corner of the book. There came that little whisper of Asra's magic, faint and distant but definitely there. She shut the book, breathing out a sharp breath as a knock sounded a the large door.

"Dearest magician, her grace awaits your company at breakfast!", Portia called. With a sigh, Haya made to leave.

It was just after sunrise as Haya was being lead to the countess' dining hall. The previous night she had been too tired to note how the corridors were wide and bright with light from the many torches that hung from the walls. Servants scurried this way and that, some sparing Haya a curious glance or two before getting back to what they were busy with.

"So Haya... May I call you Haya?", Portia began, quickly catching herself before she made any more mistakes. She truly did not want to offend the countess' esteemed guest. Upon seeing Haya nod, albeit reluctant, she smiled widely.
"So what do you think caused the count's death?", she asked exitedly.

Haya pondered, she didn't want to incriminate any innocent people. The slightest mistake could have a person beheaded, and she wasn't too sure of Portia yet. It was possible that she was waiting for Haya's composure to slip so that she could report it back to the countess.
She had also met Dr Devorak, and was now starting to doubt he would be capable of murder in such a heavily guarded place. Something about him screamed innocence. However, Haya knew better than to judge the situation prematurely.
"I think it's best to wait and see, Portia. I have a feeling that this case is bigger than it seems.", Haya replied simply, with a small smile.

Finally they arrived before a grand mahogany double door, which Portia gracefully pushed open to reveal a slpendid sight. To say it was splendid would be an understatement, Haya could think of no words with which to defind the dinig hall's grandeur. It was decorated with golden framed portraits, small and large, on each wall. There was a dining table so long and wide that walking around it was like taking a stroll through a large garden. The walls were painted a beautiful burgundy, which complemented the frames wonderfully. Two incredibly large windows were on the wall in the back, over them, two rich purple curtains were drawn to the side.

Countess Nadia sat on that side, at the head of the table. Her tall frame was well complemented by the throne-like wooden chair that she sat on as it gleamed in the morning sunlight. She sent a friendly smile Haya's way.

"Good morning, Haya, please, have a seat.", offered the countess. Haya made to comply, but was quickly stopped. "Oh, not so far, dear magician, do come closer.", the countess called to her. She complied, sitting not too close, and not so far that it was impolite.

Portia entered the room, it wasn't clear when she left,but she was back now with a brass jug that she carried carefully to the countess. More servants streamed in a with the hot breakfast meal in hand. Portia poured a deep, red liquid into the countess' wine cup as the servants set the meal down with their reach. "Wine, Haya?", the countess asked, sending an inquisitive gaze her way. Haya simply shook her head, earning her a bemused smile from the older woman.

They ate in silence, which was comfortable for the countess. Haya, on the other hand, couldn't help but tense throughout. It wasn't everyday that you'd stay in the palace, let alone dine with the countess in her lavish dining hall.

After the meal was done and the table was cleared up, the countess lead Haya to a remote balcony that overlooked the palace gardens. In the air was a sweet scent and the sun shone a soft light on the two women. Haya lowered her gaze and alloed her thoughts to travel just a bit.

"They say that he died in a fire.", the countess suddenly said, startling Haya from her thoughts. She smiled that beautiful smile of her's, but this time there was a bit of bitterness in it. Haya wondered if it was always there, if, perhaps she just never noticed it. "I am afraid I do not remember anything from three years ago. I only remember waking up one morning, feeling as if I had just arrived. Yet my husband with whom I was newly wedded, was nowhere to be found."

Whatever caused the memory loss truly was a force to be reckoned with, Haya thought. It seemed she wasn't the only one who was suffering from it. The difference between herself and the countess was perhaps that her didn't even remember how she got to the shop or where she came from. She just woke up to Asra's terrified, tear covered face, and life seemed to lift off from there.

"It was painful, really, waking up with the expectation to find a warm embrace await ting you, only to be met with cold nothingness instead.",the tall woman reflected, lowering her gaze ever so slightly to look towards Haya. "Do you have a lover, Haya?", she asked wistfully.
It was the question that caught Haya off guard. If she could, she would have coughed it off, but that would only make things awkward. Averting her flustered gaze, she forced out a laugh as her thoughts traveled to a far away place. A familiar face came into mind, and although flustered, it made Haya rather sad, the thought.

"I apologise, I did not intend for you to be offended. I suppose that...", but the countess was cut off mid-sentence.

"Oh, no, no. You didn't offend me at all, your grace. I just didn't expect that question, that's all.", Haya explained quickly. She blushed deeply and held her breath unknowingly.
At that, the countess smiled gently and asked, "Then you do have a lover?"

"Well now, your grace, I wouldn't say a lover. I mean I have a friend, a companion, perhaps. Just no lover, no...", Haya tried to explain. This was not what she came to the palace for. The countess simply nodded in understanding, a knowing smile taking over her expression. She lifted a clenched hand to her chest. There was something something shiny in it, Haya noticed. It was wrapped around her hand, a necklace, Haya realised.

"I would like for you to have this.", the countess offered, opening her hand in front of Haya for her to see. "Ever since you got here it seems to call your name.", the countess spoke contently as she reached out a free hand to take hold of Haya's own. She placed the trinket in Haya's open palm. Upon closer inspection she realised that it sported an emerald, and it was more of a charm than a necklace.

"Your grace, I don't know what to say.", she said hesitantly, visibly reluctant to take the trinket.

"Take this as a gift, my thanks for coming to my aid.", the countess persuaded her. Haya closed her hand over the piece of jewelery, accepting it with a curt nod.