Royal Hearts and Hidden Truths

DEUX

                                        DEUX

EDÙARD

   I listened to Jeanette sing in her soothing voice. It was a pleasant blend of softness and raspy hoarseness. I was entranced by her voice and the song lyrics. 

Her platinum- scratch that- white blond hair was held up in a tight bun, revealing her slender neck, and I could see the vibrations every time she sang a different note. 

   I was intrigued when she raised her head to look at us when we were passing by. None of the servants dared to. Her hazel-brown eyes looked inquisitive and curious, and held this faint sparkle of interest and innocence. 

   "Edùard?", I heard Edmondé call. He was coming up the stairs. "Over here", I replied. Soon Edmondé appeared beside me. "Why are you…", he trailed off when he noticed Jeanette. "Who's she?", he asked. I almost rolled my eyes at his question but restrained myself.

    "One of the maidservants", I replied observing her obvious uncomfortable expression. "And why's she here?" "She's cleaning up the room", I replied rolling my eyes this time. He liked to ask obvious questions. 

   "No, I'm asking why she's here with you", he asked eyeing her warily. I turned to give him a sharp look. "I came to meet her here. What's your problem, frère?", I asked with a warning edge to my voice. He looked at me and suddenly laughed. Jeanette flushed.

   "Come on, Edùard. I was only joking", Edmondé said with a teasing smile. I hid my surprise at his smile and pretended to looked exasperated.

   He turned to Jeanette with a pleasant expression. "I am Edmondé Ricard Sherpard, Edùard's younger twin",he said with a kind smile. Jeanette curtseyed. "Jeanette Genevieve Mon Fitzgerald", she replied with a polite smile of her own.

 I felt this uncomfortable tingling seeing Edmondé smiling so widely at her. I needed to distract him. 

    "Why were you looking for me? I already told you I was going to get some rest?", I asked Edmondé walking away. He followed after.

    "Oh yeah about that. Madame Sherpard said lunch would be served in a few moments. She needs to make an announcement", he said, reverting to the emotionless Edmondé I knew. 

    "About?', I got alert. It had not even been twelve hours since we arrived. What was she up to? I wondered silently. "I don't know", he shrugged nonchalantly. "Let's go and get this over with", I said descending the stairs. 

    Edmondé glanced at the room where Jeanette was working in for the last time and followed me downstairs.

     When we got there, the table had already been set. A quick evaluation of the dishes and I knew Edmondé and I were not going to enjoy this. 

   Having spent years in the East, our tastes were now inclined towards bolder flavours. The Sherpard Madame did not even know our preferences in something as common as food. This depicted exactly how caring and attentive the old Sherpard couple were. After being sent away at such young ages, I didn't even know why I was expecting anything to change.

   Just then, speak of the devil and she appears in an extravagant dinner gown.

  Madame Sherpard walked in with a huge grimace- sorry, a huge smile. "Mes garçons, lunch is ready!",she announced. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and smiled back instead.

    I then noticed the woman who walked behind Madame Sherpard. She looked familiar yet I could not place her.

   As if he was reading my mind, Edmondé said behind me. "She looks like Jeanette". It then hit me. She was our old nanny, Tante Maria-Jean, also Jeanette's mother.

   "Madame Fitzgerald?", I asked. She looked up at me in surprise. "Yes, Jeune Maître Edùard", she replied, keeping her eyes down. Madame Sherpard, all this while, was trying her best to keep the grima- smile on her face even though it kept faltering.

    "It's been a long time. I hope you are doing well", I said feeling genuinely excited to see her. "Oui, Jeune Maître Edùard ", she replied barely managing to hide the hint of surprise in her voice. 

   "Come, let's eat", Madame Sherpard spoke up, dismissing Maria-Jean with a flick of her wrist. Edmondé and I sat opposite each other, two seats away from Madame Sherpard. 

  "Where's Father?", Edmondé asked suddenly. Madame Sherpard smiled apologetically.

   "He wouldn't be able to join us. He's very busy ", she replied. I merely shrugged. "Wouldn't be the first time", I said. He had always been busy, since our childhood. We said the Grace and began eating. Just as I thought, Edmondé began picking out the spicy dishes. I followed suit. 

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   "I'm full", I announced, dropping my cutlery. Madame Sherpard looked at me in surprise. "But you have barely eaten! Look, I made your favourite sweet rolls", she gestured to the said food. 

   "I'm okay, no thanks", I got up and left. Edmondé excused himself and followed me, not even bothering to spare her a glance. We walked silently into the gardens. "I knew it was a bad idea coming back", Edmondé spoke up. I nodded in agreement. 

    "It's not too late to go back", I said, picking a flower absentmindedly. "It's not, but I think I'd like to stay for a much needed vacation. Emperor Tibaz hardly gives me rest days", Edmondé remarked with a wry grin.

   I am reminded of Emperor Tzu Qing, my best friend and superior in Shufen Country. A smile unconsciously appeared on my lips.

    "I even have to perform a duty while on vacation here", I murmured in a faux grumbling tone. Edmondé turned to me with a curious eyebrow raised. "Classified. Confidential, frère", I said. Edmondé shook his head with a slight grin.

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  We went back to the main house after about an hour later. The table had been cleared and there was no sign of Madame Sherpard around. Edmondé went to the music room, leaving me in the large empty hallroom. 

    I went up the stairs to have some rest. My luggage had already been sent to my temporary room.  I approached and just as I moved to open the door, the door of the room down the corridor opened, and Jeanette walked out, tiny beads of sweat on her forehead and on top of her upper lip, a clear sign of exhaustion. She raised her head and noticed me. 

    She gave a little respectful curtsey and gracefully walked away. I was slightly puzzled at her behaviour. Why was she… ah well, what did I expect? The fact remained the same; I would forever be the Jeune Maître Edùard and she, the replaceable insignificant maidservant. There was no way a friendly relationship could be built between us. 

   I went to my room and undressed, changing into my silk dark blue pajamas. I laid on my bed, thinking about a lot of things; my achievements abroad which no native truly knew of, my strained relationship with my family, my lesser than few number of trustworthy friends and a very recent unusual friendship I had unconsciously created. 

   I drifted off to sleep, thinking of Shufen Country and all I had left behind.