Second-Hand Dresses

Chapter 4: Manor Rose

Tarsan has many queens. They aren't the glorious rules on a throne but simply mistresses of each of the grand houses. They rule with an iron fists and a capaciousness that would rival any country.

—No Greater Sorrow, Act II, Scene IV

Manor Rose was a beautiful sprawling house on the southern side of the grand city of Spire's Point. After the fire nine years ago destroyed most of the east wing, Lily's mother had it rebuilt with newer architectural designs that brought out the manor's namesake in a pervasive theme: carved roses topped the pillars, the steps were inlaid with mosaics of every color in the current season, and even the smell of roses that permeated everything. The outside of the house glowed a faint pale pink throughout the night, thanks to an alchemical glaze from inlands.

Most of the outlying buildings had no additional lights burning outside. It would be two weeks before the next social event, a dinner and dance, so there was no rush to prepare everything. Instead, it was a moment of stillness before the storm Lily knew would come.

Despite the late hour and her yawns, her heart quickened slightly at the sight of the main entrance of the house. Coming home was a comfort to her, a place of stability and control when the rest of her life had become harried and functional.

The carriage rolled to a stop in front of the double doors. Pale yellow light shone across the inside the carriage. It mixed with the flickers of green as Tabithas hopped off the bench and came around next to a doorman who was already opening the door.

Lily scooped up the bag with the dress and handed it to the doorman. "To my room, please?"

"Of course, Bedame dea Kasin." Like Tabithas, the doorman always spoke formally even though Lily had grown up with both of them for her entire life.

The doorman stepped away as Tabithas held out her gloved hand.

Lily took it and stepped out of the carriage. She breathed in the rose scent that surrounded the house and smiled. She was home.

"Tadame da Kasin will be in her library," said Tabithas.

"She is expecting me?"

"Your presence was requested, Bedame dea Kasin."

"Thank you."

Lily headed up the marble stairs leading into the house and into the grand entrance of Manor Rose. True to its name, the manor's decorations were mostly pink marble and intricate decorations of roses, vines, and other beautiful flowers. The tips of each petal was subtly colored to match the flower's natural beauty and it gave Lily the impression of walking into a timeless garden each time she came home.

Knowing that her mother expected her, Lily headed straight up the stairs and into her mother's private wing. The décor changed slightly. On both sides of the hallway, paintings of the Kasin family were intermixed with pastoral scenes of the surrounding countryside. Lily's eyes were drawn to the scenes with her in them, usually as a little girl with so much promise before everything fell around her. At the far end of the hall was a single empty place by her mother's library door; it would have been Lily's when she took over the household, but a spinster couldn't be the mistress of any family.

Seeing the empty spot, she twisted her face in frustration and looked away. She continued down the hall with the thick carpet tugged on her shoes before stopping in front of her mother's den.

After taking an effort to bring a smile to her lips, she knocked on the door.

"Come in." Her mother spoke functionality, which meant she was reading or doing accounting.