The Death of a Tyrant's Concubine

CHAPTER 32 - Dancer's Advantage

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【𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐉𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐄】

"How are you not cold?" Virella asked as we hauled heavy burlap sacks through the castle corridors.

Peony might have been better staffed than Clover or Daisy, but it still lacked enough hands to manage the endless tasks of winter preparation. I wasn't about to let precious supplies rot by the castle doors while frost clawed its way across the stone.

I glanced at Virella, swathed in a heavy gown of dark pink, trimmed with golden rabbit fur. In contrast, I wore a thin pink dress I'd stolen from Skye upon leaving Drakfjord.

"It's still two weeks until winter," I replied, shifting the sack to ease the ache in my arms.

Virella huffed, her breath misting in the cold air.

"I simply cannot fathom the two of you."

Sireen, walking beside us with an equally heavy burlap sack, hummed dreamily.

"In Vrostvale, it's always snowing. White dunes stretch endlessly. I miss that."

Virella cast a pointed look at Sireen's thin dress.

"You're both mad," she said, tugging her fur-lined collar tighter. "The windows are already frosting over in the mornings."

I shrugged.

"In Drakfjord, we don't mind the cold. Our dance festivals are best when it rains. We even have a special dance during winter. You should see the women perform amidst the snowfall. It's magical."

Virella shivered.

"I'll stick to summer and sun, thank you. You should visit Driftwoode instead. There's a Tidal Festival where men swim out to the Isle of Azure to bring back jeweled clams for the women they fancy. I received more than a few in my time."

"How many years ago was that?" I teased, smirking.

Her glare was sharp enough to cut.

"That's very romantic," Sireen said, sighing wistfully. "In Vrostvale, men hunt sea lions for their beloved. They skin them on the shore, and if the woman accepts his advances, she wears the pelt while it's still warm."

Virella and I exchanged glances.

"That's... certainly an interesting tradition," I said cautiously.

Virella shifted uncomfortably.

"I wouldn't turn down a pelt right now," she muttered.

The kitchen doors creaked open ahead of us, releasing a wave of warm air thick with the savory aroma of roasted meat and spiced broth. Inside, the two cooks moved franticly, their faces flushed from the heat of the flames. They paused only long enough to nod their thanks before returning to their work.

We set to sorting the grain, the repetitive task a welcome routine. As usual, Virella was the one to break the silence.

"Please tell me once we reach Lavender these tasks will come to an end," she groaned.

"It will," I assured her with a chuckle.

"Good," she sighed. "I'm positive our gift to His Majesty will earn our promotion. We have all been practicing so much."

"As long as the Nightshades don't try anything, it should be guaranteed," I said. "Though we still need some more dresses tailored. The emperor's birthday will last for an entire month."

"Perhaps we could earn more than one promotion then," Virella smiled.

"Perhaps," I agreed.

Though not before I stop those letters regarding the sea snake first.