The Devils Deep Blue

Chapter 1- SILLIMANITE.

I was awoken by the intrusive yet calming songs of the cheerful Gold Finches perched upon my window sill, bathing in the warmth of the smooth stone . The birds that lingered around the castle where of a substantially larger size as opposed to the few that fed in the village, most likely because of Naidas kindness towards them. The rays of sun that shone through my open window, directed itself onto me and only me, as if to remind me to take charge of the day. At least thats the way I saw it.

I lifted myself up carefully, placing my feet onto the delicacy of the carefully crafted rich red carpet. I examined the garden in which my window looked out on, and was delighted to see James amusing the cooks children, the youngest one, Vincent noticed me in the window and, with excitement plastered all over his face, began to tug on the bottom of James' dark blue coat, they exchanged a few quick words, and James' eyes slowly began to trail up the castle, leaving me enough time to escape, in a panic no less,  from eyesight.

"Velma!" I shouted, knowing she enjoys wondering around the halls before any of the women have awoken. She was a new, beautiful, servant who seemed to be less nervous around us than the others. She entered in a careless manner, and lowered her head when she became aware I was only half dressed.

Her voice was quiet yet smooth. She spoke softly, "Yes Lady Fayre, how may I assist ?"

I noticed her eyes subtly looking around the large room, as if to find something that may fascinate her. I've noticed the servants, at least the objectively confident ones, tended to do that a lot, but yet never spoke of anything they saw. They knew everything, and spoke of nothing. Just like a goldfinch.

"I never understood that" I said rather loudly. Her large dear like eyes finally lifted to meet mine, and I could tell she was taken by surprise that I was saying anything other than a demand. She hesitated before speaking, but not in a nervous way, as if she was addressing in her head how to respond properly. Her eyes shifted again, not to search but in attempt to detach herself from my attention.

"I'm afraid that I am not sure what you mean, Lady Fayre" As she responded I detected a note of restraint in her voice. That restraint was not fear, but resentment. Not many people would notice it though, the tone was very subdued. But I could still spot it without the slightest struggle. And in an odd way her disrespect made me respect her more. I made sure to look her in her eyes before speaking again, knowing eventually she would have to return the same physical acknowledgement, and alas she did. I smiled at her, "That." I said, "your eyes are always lingering, you may look me in the eyes, I assure you, you will not turn to stone"

She nodded, and her mouth slightly lifted into a half sincere smile. "Noted, Lady Fayre. May I ask why you called upon me?"

I smirked slightly as I looked out the window, "Help me with my corset please.", I sat back down on the edge of my bed facing the wall away from Velma. I began to gently stroke my long brown hair with my brush.

She gently placed the corset around my waist and began to tighten it, as a small gasp escaped my mouth from shock.

"Too tight?" Velma asked, as she stopped tugging on the strings.

"No, its quite alright." I said, my voice slightly weaker. "I never understood these ratchet things" I said with a laugh in which was soon harmonized by Velma's, I was glad she was beginning to become more comfortable.

She was finished with my corset, so I turned around to face her. She was quite small but had a strength to her and that made her much larger. I saw her struggling to avoid the light, "It is very rarely bright out compared to the normal morning, Isn't it? " I said.

She nodded, "Its blinding." She said, shielding her eyes.

"The sign of a good day, darling" I replied with gusto, "Pass me the gown hanging up beside my wardrobe, please."