Patrol 4: Storm & Calm

Chapter 23

"Would milady like her repast now?" one of the servants asked, bowing, as Eddin and Vania walked into the dining room.

Vania blinked, freezing in place. "Um." She glanced up at Eddin; he bit back his laugh and nodded at her. She looked at the servant, still bowed. "Yes. Please. Um. What's your name, again?"

The servant stood back upright. "G'har, milady. But you needn't worry about that. T'venst will have your breakfast ready shortly. While you wait, may I serve you tea? Juice? Something else?" G'har glanced over to Eddin. "Perhaps some tevvin, milord?"

Eddin frowned. "No, thank you, G'har. I'll have the same thing Vania has."

"Very well." He looked to Vania again. "Milady?"

"Um. Juice will be fine. Thank you." As the servant turned, Vania hastily added, "And, please, stop with the "milady." My name is Vania."

G'har disappeared through the back door of the dining room without a word.

She looked up at Eddin. "How long will it be before they realize I'm not a lady at all?"

Eddin chuckled. "Never. You're the lady of the household."

Vania scoffed.

Eddin pulled out a chair at the small table by the fireplace. "Shall we sit here today? I don't think the large table is needed when it's just the two of us."

Vania eyed the long table taking up most of the room, then at the small oval table where Eddin stood. She walked over to him and sat in the offered chair. "I think you're right." As she settled into the chair and Eddin walked around the table to take his own seat, she added, "Thank you."

G'har whisked in, a silver tray bearing three pitchers and two glasses in his hands. As he set the tray down and placed a glass before each of them, he said, "Today, we have pana, apple, and grape juices." He indicated each pitcher in turn. "What can I pour for each of you?"

"I'll take it from here, G'har, thank you," Eddin replied, waving a hand at him. "I will pour for both of us."

"Very well, milord." He bowed to Vania. "Milady." As he turned, he added, "I shall be in the kitchen, assisting T'venst. If you have need of anything, please let me know."

Vania frowned at the servant's back, then turned to regard Eddin. "That will get old fast. If I'm truly the lady of the house, why won't he do as I asked and call me Vania?"

"Improper," Eddin replied easily. He gestured to two of the pitchers, "Apple or grape?" He nudged the third pitcher apart from the others.

"I can pour it myself," Vania replied. "Thank you." She picked up the pitcher of grape juice and poured herself a glass. She glanced at the third pitcher and saw him frown. "What the hell is pana juice? Something from A'mardis?"

Eddin frowned deeply as he poured himself some grape juice. "I don't know if it's originally from A'mardis, but it has become the traditional morning beverage served to newly wed a'marlon women, to encourage fertility and replenish energy."

Vania dropped her head into one hand as she blushed, mumbling, "Oh."

He sighed. "Similar to the tevvin he offered me, though tevvin is served warm and is given to newly wed a'marlon men, to help keep their energy up and increase their libido."

"How long do they plan on trying to serve us that?"

"Oh, only about a week or so. And then whenever you wish, by request."

"Can we tell them not to even offer again?"

"You can try," Eddin replied. He grinned at her. "But it'll probably be just as successful as your attempt to get him to call you Vania."