Iris awoke alone. It took her a moment to realize that what had happened yesterday had not been a dream. Nyx had left early in the morning.
Preparations, he had said and reminded her not to go out on her own. Not until she was officially his Queen.
She still found it hard to believe.
My vassal will guide you. He will knock on the door three times, then a fourth time. Don't open the door to anyone other than him, he instructed her rather strictly. When Iris' lips curled up a bit, he had sulkingly added: I know it's cheesy. I'm just too worried about you.
Iris had sent him off with a smile and a kiss on the forehead.
"I will be fine", she had reassured.
Iris' hands searched her surroundings. Traces of his warmth still lingered between the delicate threads of the cloth that enveloped her. It could not have been much time since then. Iris grabbed the nearest pillow and wrapped herself around it. His scent was wafting into her nose.
It was really a peculiar thing, time. It flowed completely differently in this room. Right now it seemed not to be moving at all, as if Nyx had taken it with him when he had left.
She could not leave here again. Not until somebody came to guide her.
She had to admit, she did not like it. Blind as she was, she was still able to find her way around the house and the woods. Going out everyday, she would keep track of every change, of every new sprout and new voice that resounded between the heaven and the earth of her dark and yet so rich world. It had become much narrower now, and less filled with life. She sighed deeply, letting the pillow muffle the sound.
I have to change this situation soon, she whispered to herself. It seemed like the task of a lifetime, but she was determined to memorize every inch of this castle as soon as possible. She could not imagine Nyx would be able to guide her through the halls every time. He could also not remove his servants again and again. It was a threat to safety and suspicious, after all. She had to do this on her own. The moon would have to accompany her instead.
What could Larentia be doing right now? Iris could only hope she was fine. She had not lived with anyone other than Iris for years, and now she was probably to share a room with other servants.
"I hope you are getting along well with them", Iris mumbled and dug her face into the pillow again. It was her responsibility, after all. Responsibility, not fault, she knew.
But still.
And yet, knowing her nurse, she would probably have the upper hand in any conflict that could possibly arise, so that was really nothing to worry about. She had also been appointed a rather high rank.
She was the Queen's lady-in-waiting, after all, she had said so herself. Iris could imagine her well, prowling up and down the servants' rooms, lecturing everyone present about how to do better. Iris grinned.
Then came a knock on the door.
And another two in subsequence. A pause. And a fourth knock.
The vassal! Iris jumped out of the large bed. She had gotten used to this room so much already, having nothing else to do but wander around it.
What was about to happen, she did not know, but she was craving a long bath by now. Would it be an insult to ask?
She fumbled with her dress and tried to get her hair into order briefly, then hurried to the heavy door. A moment of silence. She was not sure if she was supposed to open the door herself. It rather seemed like something she should refrain from, if she wanted to appear like a dignified lady.
Oh, to hell with it.
When she pressed down the knob, the door was suddenly pulled open with might. Iris only noticed now. There were two guards beside the gate.
"Look at you", a tiny and old voice resounded from around the height of her hips. She bent her neck. She had to keep up the act at all times, even around the vassal.
But this coarse voice did not belong to the vassal. Her heart started to beat a bit faster.
"My, my, you are a lovely sight, indeed", the voice continued. The person in front of her sounded rather amused, a mocking tinge always present in their tone. But Iris felt no malice in them, and relaxed again. They had known the right signal, too.
"Good, very good. Our fearsome King indeed has a good eye for women, too", they chuckled. "Come with me, child."
YOU ARE READING
Without Words, Without Sight
Fantasy"And in the distance between these eyes that did not see, and this voice that did not resound, he put the flowers and fruit he had picked to describe the scent she had to him. As he put them all into her arms, she understood with a graceful smile. P...
