Wife of Shadows

Chapter 2 - Learning

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"Golan did tell you that you may need to break them apart," Annalise teased as she placed a pot of tea next to Eidel, following by filling her cup.

"Thank you," Eidel said smiling appreciatively at the warm drink before eyeing the mentioned pair who were emphatically scribbling on music sheets. Quickly followed by them trying different tempos with the songs they were familiar with.

"Yes, I fear I will have to break them apart with a hot iron rod from the fireplace sometime this afternoon. It's not even been a full day and they are already thick as thieves" Eidel hummed amused sipping her tea. The warm liquid warmed her up instantly to which she was greatly appreciative. Little goosebumps appeared on her skin and she tucked her shall a little tighter around her.

Annalise nodded sympathetically, "Mr. Montgomery loves children but is too busy with his work to have his own. I haven't personally seen any of his shows but I'm told he always loves to bring little ones up on stage before the show starts. Show them the instruments and such".

"Really?" Eidel lifted her brows up in surprise.

"I know and oh, eh, pardon me miss Eidel, I must be going," she said giving a quick bow and leaving.

Eidel looked around and spotted Golan standing in the open door eyeing Annalise, but soon he replaced her by Eidel's side.

"You chased away my conversation" she chuckled scribbling some notes for a lesson later on this afternoon. Mr. Mongomery and Elise both had convinced her that the lesson between the two of them should progress right to lunchtime. Eidel agreed, to lunch, but not after. After she would need to continue with her normal lessons, history, math, among others.

"She knows she is needed in other parts of the castle, Annalise is a hard worker but like someone," he said eyeing Mr. Mongomery. "They like to chat once you get them going" he sighed.

"And what about you" Eidel hummed a bit teasingly, "Aren't you needed in other parts of the castle?".

Easily catching onto her tone he gave her a grin, "I am exactly where I am needed, I was asked to give you a message from Lord Dastan" he said.

This got her attention and she turned giving him an interested stare.

"He wishes to say thank you for the gift, and he will see that it gets appropriately used during meals," he said.

"Appropriately used?" she tilted her head, she knew it was food but what kind she didn't know. "Did he not like the gift, or, oh no, could he not eat it?" she said clamoring to her own conclusion her hand covering her mouth in worry.

"Oh no, he was more than happy to receive it. His diet tends to be restricted, he took no offense" Golan reassured her with a serious expression.

This eased Eidel's conscious a bit, but it still didn't sit well with her. This man, a family friend, was doing all this to help the Black family and now again with Elise's schooling.

Now he couldn't even enjoy the gift they gave him. Her worry deepened when she thought of all the other things they traded with the lord that he possibly couldn't use. She had packed a few of the presents herself, this wouldn't do at all.

Eidel racked her brain even after Golan had left to attend to his other duties but not before reassuring her once more that it was all right. A solid twenty minutes had passed before her eyes lit up getting an idea.

After lunch, Elise was pulled from Mr. Montgomery's company. Luckily Eidel had mostly become immune to her famous large, pleading, dewy eyes that could bore into one's soul. The stare was one that got her many an extra dessert, especially from any staff member who couldn't resist the child.