The Fiery Crown Cycle: A Dragon's Rebirth

Chapter 54

Thea's gaze fell on the sleeping girl. A droplet of saliva trickled from the corner of her mouth.

She's sleeping so soundly.

Hah…

Thea raised a small, pale hand to cover a yawn. A pleasant lethargy always settled over her after a bath. I might as well take a nap.

The two maids behind her worked in tandem, drying her long, black hair. Ten minutes later, the task was complete.

“That will be all. You are dismissed,” Thea said with a wave of her hand.

Nora and Cora immediately turned and left the room. Normally, they would have helped her change into a nightgown, but their lady had given a command, and they could only obey.

Thea glanced at the bed. Isolde was still fast asleep.

She stood from her vanity chair, her feet sinking into fluffy slippers, and walked to the bed. Pulling back the covers, she slipped inside.

*****

“Mmm…”

Thea stretched and sat up, blinking in the bright light. The sun was high in the sky. It must be noon. She turned her gaze to the other side of the bed.

“What are you doing?”

Isolde was on her hands and knees, her small hands scrubbing furiously at the bedsheets. The sudden sound made her arch her back like a startled cat. Caught red-handed, she spun around, her cheeks flushed a deep red.

“Lady… Lady Thea.”

Her bright eyes were filled with anxiety and fear. Thea's gaze drifted down to the white sheet clutched in Isolde's hand. A noticeable patch was soaked through. A slow smile spread across Thea's lips, and her eyes narrowed playfully.

“Did you wet the bed?”

Two faint crimson patches bloomed on Isolde's wheat-colored cheeks. “N-no! It's not that!” she denied, flustered. “It's drool! Not… not that!”

Watching her frantic defense, Thea found her utterly adorable.

Pfft.

A giggle escaped her lips.

Seeing Lady Thea laugh, a strange sense of relief washed over Isolde. The knot of panic in her chest loosened. It seemed she wasn't angry. Calming herself, Isolde bowed her head in a formal apology.

“I'm so sorry, Lady Thea. I've dirtied your sheets.”

Thea covered her mouth, stifling her laughter. “It's fine. You made me laugh, and that is a rare thing. Consider it payment in full.”

“But how could that be enough?”

Thea pressed her index finger against Isolde's lips, silencing her. “Hush. My smiles are very expensive. Come, let's go eat.”

Giving Isolde no chance to protest, Thea grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her from the bed. Isolde had no choice but to follow. It was only then that Thea noticed they were both still in white nightgowns. Linda must have changed us.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Wait here a moment,” she instructed, letting go of Isolde's wrist.

She walked to the wardrobe and pulled the doors open, revealing an entire closet filled with magnificent black and white gowns. Black definitely suits Isolde best. She plucked a black dress from its hanger.

She returned and dangled the dress in front of her. “This will be perfect for you.”

It was an exquisite dress, made of a black, gossamer-like fabric that Isolde had never seen before. For me? Isolde's eyes went wide. Did she mean for her to wear it?

While Isolde was still reeling from the shock, Thea stepped forward and began to undo the ribbons on her nightgown.

“Wait!” Isolde's small hand shot out and grabbed Thea's wrist, stopping her.

“What is it?”

“This feels… strange,” Isolde said, her voice trembling slightly. “Lady Thea, why are you being so good to me? I'm just a commoner.”

Thea met her gaze. It seems she truly has no idea she's sitting on a gold mine.

Thea leaned in close, invading Isolde's space. “I've already told you, haven't I?”

They were so close now that Isolde could feel the whisper of Thea's breath on her cheek. Her face was so small, so perfect. Her skin was the color of fresh milk. A pleasant scent drifted into her nose, something vaguely familiar. An image of a yellow fruit surfaced in her memory—one her aunt would sometimes buy for Lorcan. Its peel had given off this same, clean fragrance.

“I want to be friends with Isolde,” Thea murmured, her voice a silken thread. “The best… the closest… friends who will never be parted.”

Isolde took two steps back. She'd never had a friend before. But the look in those black eyes was so clear, so sincere. Thea wasn't lying. Still, it was all too sudden. This talk of being best friends… it felt deeply unsettling.

Thea watched her, reading the surprise and hesitation in her eyes. This will have to be done slowly, then.

“I know it must seem sudden,” Thea said, her tone softening. “But we can take our time. Time will prove my sincerity.”

Isolde remained silent.

Growl.

An inopportune sound broke the quiet. Thea covered her mouth to hide a smile, her eyes darting to Isolde's stomach. Noticing her gaze, Isolde looked down, her face burning with humiliation.

“Let me help you change,” Thea said gently. “I'll treat you to a feast.”

“Lady Thea, could I… could I change by myself?”

“Call me Thea. Friends should call each other by name.” Thea held the dress behind her back, a playful smile on her face. It was clear she wouldn't hand it over until Isolde complied.

Isolde bit her lip. “Thea.”

She looked up, meeting her gaze.

“No,” Thea chirped. “You won't be able to put it on properly by yourself. So, I will have to help.” The best way to deepen a bond is to break down the walls of shame. And interaction is key.

“You—!” Isolde's cheeks puffed out. “You went back on your word!” This smiling girl is a complete liar.

With Thea's help, Isolde was soon changed into the long black dress.

“Now, give me a twirl.”

Isolde obediently spun around, the black lace hem flaring out.

“You see? It suits you perfectly.”

“Thea… how many gold coins is this dress worth?”

“Oh? Are you offering to pay?”

Isolde had no money, but she believed she would someday. “I will pay you back in the future.”

So, she has a strong sense of pride.

“Well,” Thea said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “I have worn it once. So, we can consider it used. Let's just put it down as… two hundred gold coins.”

“—!” The world went dark for a moment. “How… how much?”

“The original price was five hundred gold coins,” Thea said, a crafty glint in her eyes. “I'm only charging you two hundred. That's a friendship price, you know.”

“You're not thinking of not paying me back, are you?”

“No!” Isolde said through gritted teeth. “I'll pay it back!”

Clack. The sound of her teeth grinding was audible.

“Wonderful,” Thea beamed. “I'll mark it down.”

She stepped forward and took Isolde's hand, lacing their fingers together. “Now, let's go. We need to fill our stomachs.”

The light had gone out of Isolde's eyes. She nodded numbly. Two hundred gold coins. Her uncle's salary was only three hundred for an entire year. How could she ever repay such a sum? Her future suddenly felt bleak, a life of endless toil just to pay off a single dress.

She let herself be led away. When she came to her senses, she was already seated at a dining table. Her eyes scanned her surroundings. The table was impossibly long.

A maid pushed a serving cart to their side and lifted a large silver dome. On the platter beneath was an enormous roasted leg of meat, still steaming. Two maids worked together to lift the heavy platter and place it on the table in front of Isolde.

The aroma was divine. Her eyes were glued to the glistening roast. Saliva pooled in her mouth.

Let's just put it down as two hundred gold coins.

The words echoed in her mind. Her vision cleared instantly. In that moment, her appetite vanished. She couldn't even feel the hunger in her stomach anymore.