novelraw Chapter 49
Chapter 49
A small head peeked out from the carriage doorway.
“Linda, bring her aboard at once.” The tone was an order, not a request. It was her lady's command.
Linda bent down, sliding her arms beneath the small girl's body. Her clothes were dry. With a surge of strength, Linda stood up. The girl's body was intensely hot, a warmth that could be felt even through the layers of clothing.
She turned and walked back to the carriage. Bending her knees slightly, she sprang up, landing effortlessly inside.
Watching her attendant leap aboard, Thea craned her long, slender neck. Now she could see clearly. The girl in Linda's arms was Isolde.
A brilliant smile bloomed on her delicate face. What a fortunate day!
“Quickly, bring her in!” Thea beckoned to Linda with a rapid wave of her small hand.
Seeing her lady's eagerness, Linda glanced down at the girl in her arms. It seemed this child was very important to her lady. Linda stepped fully into the carriage.
“Place her here,” Thea said, patting the long seat beside her.
Linda was now certain. This girl was of paramount importance to her lady. She knew that even when young lords and ladies of other noble houses rode with them, they were never permitted to sit on the main seats; at most, they were offered a cushion on the floor. The carriage seat was long enough that the girl could lie down with ample space. Linda gently placed her down.
“My lady, shall I resume driving?” Linda asked.
“Yes, go on.” Thea's eyes were fixed on the figure lying on the seat.
Linda turned and left the carriage without another word. She closed the door, sat down, and took up the reins again. She cracked the whip.
Snap!
The draft horses, stung, began to move once more.
Clop, clop… clop, clop…
The carriage wheels began to turn.
…
[Discovered by the heir of House Valerius]
The quill recorded the event, then stopped.
…
Inside the carriage, Thea stared at the unconscious Isolde. Her skin was sallow and unhealthy. Thea reached out and gently pinched her arm. So thin. But her body temperature was so high. Thea's gaze drifted slowly to Isolde's right hand.
It was covered in small, black-lined cuts, the hand of someone used to rough labor. Even the hands of the servants in her own manor were not so coarse. Thea's eyes moved up, to the contract mark glowing with a soft, red light. She could feel an oppressive aura emanating from it.
Has it advanced again? What a terrifying magical beast. And what a lucky girl, this Isolde.
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A partner contract, the bond a summoner could only forge once in their lifetime. When the partner advanced, the master would receive a portion of that power as feedback. What kind of feedback will she receive? Thea thought, a flicker of envy in her eyes. The feedback from such a formidable magical beast must be immense.
…
Clop, clop…
The carriage came to a halt. The knights guarding the iron gates were long familiar with this carriage. It belonged to their lady. And the one driving it was, as always, Linda, the head butler.
Two knights in heavy silver armor pulled open the great iron gates, then bowed their heads. Knights bowed only to their masters. The one in this carriage was Thea Valerius, the future heir of House Valerius. As their young mistress, they owed her their deference.
The gates were open.
Snap!
The whip cracked against the horses' rumps, and the carriage rolled forward onto the long, neat driveway of the estate. The manor was built atop a small hill, so there was still some distance to go. The grounds were silent; this entire hill was the property of the Valerius family, and no outsiders were permitted.
Inside the carriage, Thea idly twisted a lock of Isolde's soft, golden hair around her finger. She looked toward the carriage door.
“Linda.”
“Yes, my lady?”
“Has my father returned from the royal capital?”
Some time ago, a noble levy had been issued from the royal capital. As a noble lord, Thea's father had been among those summoned. Half a month had already passed.
“No, my lady.”
He has not? Half a month, and not a single letter has returned. My dear father, it seems you have run into some trouble. A faint, knowing smile played on Thea's delicate lips.
The carriage continued its ascent. Soon, the silhouette of the manor on the hilltop came into view. It was a grand, two-story estate. If it were not the Deep Winter, the manor would be surrounded by blooming flowers.
The main doors of the manor were already open, standing wide. Two rows of maids were lined up, stretching from the entrance into the main square, awaiting her arrival.
Clop, clop…
Linda pulled back on the reins. The carriage swayed once and then came to a complete stop. She turned and opened the carriage door.
Inside, her lady was lying on the seat, her back to the door. Her magnificent long, black hair was spread across her back, and her pale, slender fingers were still toying with a lock of golden hair. Her lady seems very happy. Is it because of that girl?
Linda bowed her head. “My lady, we have arrived.”
Thea's fingers stopped their twirling. “Very well. I know.”
She stood up, briefly smoothing the wrinkles on her black gossamer gown that had formed while she was lying down, and stepped toward the exit. At the sight of their mistress, all the maids lowered their heads.
Linda hopped down from the driver's seat and extended a gloved hand toward her lady. Thea placed her hand in Linda's. Leaning forward slightly, she was half-supported, half-escorted to the ground, her feet landing softly.
“Linda, bring her.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Linda hopped back into the carriage. As she did, a maid with distinct crow's feet around her eyes stepped forward.
“Welcome home, my lady,” she said with a practiced smile that made the lines on her face deepen. This was Ruth, the head maid of House Valerius.
Thea gave a slight nod in response.
“My lady, shall we proceed as usual for the evening?”
“No. We will not dine just yet,” Thea said, her eyes fixed on the carriage. “I wish to bathe first. Have the maids prepare hot water immediately.”
“But my lady,” Ruth protested gently, “the Madam and the young masters and ladies are all waiting for you to begin the meal.”
As a noble house, there were rules. In House Valerius, no one could touch their food until the head of the house was seated. With the patriarch away at the royal capital, all matters of the house fell to Thea, the heir. The seat at the head of the table, representing the master of the house, was hers to occupy.
Thea turned and looked at the head maid. She said nothing. An oppressive aura, one Ruth was familiar with—the same aura the master of the house possessed—rolled off her in waves.
Ruth realized her mistake at once. She quickly bowed her head.
Thea watched her. “Ruth, you are an old servant,” she said, her voice cold. “There will not be a next time.”
“Yes… thank you for your mercy, my lady.”
Because Ruth's head was bowed, Thea could not see her expression. Not that she cared. She was just a servant, even if she was the head maid. If Thea wished it, she could be replaced at any time. People always make mistakes. One only had to find a reason, and Ruth could be dealt with.
Just now, Ruth had crossed the line. A servant's duty was to obey their master's commands, not to offer their own unsolicited advice.