The Clockwork Conspiracy: A Steampunk Fairytale

⚙3: Of Secretive Schemes and Silent Suffering⚙

Everything is terrible. I don't have the parts I need, Lady Elise has made it her mission in life to torment me, and I haven't seen Felix in two days. I'm beginning to wonder if he'll show up at all. It feels like so long ago. When did he say he'd return? It's terrible of me, but I've already forgotten. Never was too good at keeping figures in my head.

I push the thoughts away and focus my attentions on the piece in front of me. Today, I'm working on a mechanical sea serpent. It's one of the larger pieces I've made and with so many moving parts, I doubt I'll have it done in time for the Lady's next arrival.

A shiver of fear passes through me at the thought. Perhaps I did cause a little too much trouble last time. As far as she knew, she was the only person I had contact with. And that meant she had power over me.

But not if he returns.

The delicate metal gears slip from my grasp and start turning, taking part of my finger along with it. I yelp, yanking my finger away. "Damnations!" The curses tumble out as I nurse my finger. "Even my own creations are out to get me!"

Indeed, nothing is going as it should.

I'm so wrapped up my bubble of misery and tinkering I nearly miss the soft melody wafting up from below. My heart pounds as I listen to a few more chords, trying to discern if I'm just imagining it. No, it's real.

But who?

My mouth grows dry as I hear the lift start to ascend, and my hands shake so badly I drop the tools in front of me. Pushing it all away, I take a moment to smooth my hair and look down at my clothes.

Since when did I care about my appearance? Not that it matters, I look ragged as usual. My own form of rebellion against the Lady's persuasions. I wipe my hands and stand, fearing what I'll see next.

If it's the Lady, I'm about to have a dreadful time. If it's Felix...decidedly less so.

I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding as a tawny mop clears the window. Felix.

He's wearing a leather jacket today and has a pair of goggles hanging low around his neck. They remind me of the magnifying goggles I use when I'm working on the small parts for the Menagerie. I wonder why he needs them? For his herbal work? His face brightens as he sees me and waves heartily. "Alek!" His smile lights up the room as he steps it, a ray of hope in my clouds of despair. "How pleasant it is to see you again."

I can't help but smile back and give a little wave. It's amazing, somehow, that he never skips a beat when using my name. He didn't even think it was so odd when I told him I was a boy. He just sees...me. And that's something incredibly liberating.

"Hello there," I grin, trying not to look overeager. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't call on me after all."

"Ah, and miss the chance to call on such a charming young fellow?" Fellow. I was a fellow. The thought buoys me as he continues, "I wouldn't miss it for the world." His eyes latch on to mine, two globes of crystallized emerald, and hold me there. I'm breathless.

"I brought something for you," Felix beams, his face positively glowing with delight. "Even if you do have poor manners." He chuckles and the last of my resolve shatters. No one has ever brought me a gift before. My parents sure as hell didn't. Lady Elise brings me things, but they're mostly necessities or "guilt gifts", as I call them. Dresses, flowers, perfumes. Bless her pretty little heart, she tries, but none of that is going to change who I am inside.

This is different. A real gift. Electric sparks of excitement ignite in my spine and travel downwards, leaving every nerve alight. "What is it?" I breathe. This is a perfect moment. Speaking seems almost disrespectful.