Descendants of the Kings (Book 2)

Ch 48: Bears and wolves

The palace of Gerrathea was in upheaval.

Harried maids carried giant vases of flowers and baskets full of linens. Cleaners fervently scrubbed floors. The cooks and scullery maids ran around hauling trays and platters full of elaborate confections. Everyone worked as if they were under the threat of a dragon fire. It might have been the same thing, as at the helm was Katram, menacingly commanding them all.

With a single hand, Katram abruptly stopped a young Faerie boy carrying a pile of cloth. "No, no, no, what is this?"

The boy, Rooney, looked at the basket and frowned. "What you asked for, ma'am--towels and linens."

Katram tutted and picked up the corner of one of the towels. "I asked you to bring cream towels and sheets to change the guest rooms. These towels are white. They don't even match."

Rooney frowned even harder, cheeks colouring pink in confusion. "Are they not the same thing?"

Katram gave him such a scathing look that Rooney ducked his head in shame, apologised profusely, and scampered back to the downstairs storage.

Standing at the top of the stairway landing, Ella watched all of this with amusement.

"I do recall inviting Lady Rhiannon and her daughters over for tea, not for a royal ball," she said lightly, going down the steps separating them. "I don't believe they will be staying overnight."

"And if they do?" Katram lobbed back, hands planted on her hips. "What if one of the ladies decides to lay down for a rest, or if they so happen to need to change? What if they wander into one of the rooms? What then, Miss?"

"Then they would find impeccable and tastefully furnished rooms, because that is how they look year round, due to your hand," Ella said calmly. "You always keep the palace looking pristine, there is no need for all this added fuss. All I wanted was help decorating the sun room for tea."

"There is indeed need for a fuss!" Katram said, her blue skin taking on a purpled tone. "Lady Rhiannon is not merely a guest. She is a force to be reckoned with. I will not be giving her even more of a reason to look down on us. She will arrive at a palace befitting of the royal family."

A few of the maids and cooks passing by muttered amongst themselves, nodding and looking determined despite their obvious hurry. They amped up their speed, going back to their tasks with renewed fervour. Ella could only blink at this.

When Ella had announced that she would be hosting Lady Rhiannon and her daughters for tea, she was touched to be met with the staff's vocal enthusiasm. Now, with how hectic the last few days of preparations had been, Ella was beginning to worry it was a matter of personal pride for Katram and much of the staff. Katram was always strict, as head of staff, she ran a tight ship, but something told Ella that there was more to this than her usual perfectionism.

Gently touching a hand to her elbow, Ella steered Katram into a quieter area of the hall, away from the chaos of fabrics and flowers.

"Kat, I do so appreciate your help in organising this, but I do not mean for you and the staff to be run ragged," Ella said in concern. "I cannot help but wonder if there is something you might not be telling me. Is everything alright?"

Katram let out a soft sigh, wringing her hands on her maroon dress. "You might be too young to know this, but House Berwyn has always been at odds with House Aeron."

"Yes, I've heard about it," Ella agreed. "Rivalry for the throne, as they are the closest to the main line."

House Berwyn was a branch off the main royal line, descended from a daughter of King Foalan. It was undoubtedly the most powerful House other than the royal family. So much so, that there had even been two queens and several princesses from the Berwyn line. Their claim to the throne was the most solid, and many skirmishes had sprung from this fact over the years.