𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄. chapter forty-three; Two Queens " You've made Lord Langlois happy. "
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THE PORTRAIT OF Hugo was perfect. It had taken Elspeth all day and she was extraordinarily proud of it. So proud she had Hugo walk her to Demetre's chambers and rest it right on his desk.
"I don't think this is a wonderful idea."
"He'll love it," Elspeth grinned, looking at her handiwork, "It'll be here to greet him the moment he returns."
Hugo only let out a laugh.
"Would you like to retire for the night, my lady-- Elspeth?"
Elspeth grinned at his correction, nodding.
But as she started toward the door, she faltered.
The woman turned to peer around the room. She'd been inside only once and hadn't stayed long enough to see it properly.
The room itself was large, but not as gaudy as her chambers. The walls were framed with dark wood, and detailed with a dark and intricate pattern. A four-poster bed sat in the center of the furthest wall, crafted out of dark wood, and deep red bedding covered the mattress, and large mahogany end tables sat on either side stacked high with books. An armoire taller than Elspeth stared from the opposite wall, and she briefly wondered if all his attire fit inside of it. Demetre wasn't a normal Lord, waltzing around announcing his wealth, he normally donned the attire of a regular huntsman, but she knew he owned nice, more expensive clothes as well.
The desk she had rested Hugo's portrait on was clear and clean, but Elspeth knew his real work happened in his office or elsewhere in the castle. There was a fireplace made of dark stone and a deep gray and red rug covering most of the floor. Another door stood slightly ajar, and Elspeth assumed this was his private bath chamber.
His items were scattered around; heavy hunting cloaks hung on one wall, and large dark boots sat on the ground beneath them. Swords and shields and bows adorned the wall as if they were decoration, books lined empty surfaces.
The room was dark but warm. Cluttered with Demetre.
Elspeth had almost thought it would be spotless. Devoid of life entirely. But she liked this much better. It suited him.
"Elspeth?"
She turned at Hugo's voice, her heart tightening further at the concerned expression resting on his furrowed brow.
"I think I want to stay here," Elspeth said thickly, unsure of when emotion had risen, "Just for a little while longer."
Hugo gave her a soft nod, informing her that he and Alex would remain outside the door before leaving her alone.
