“You know my parents?”
“Quite well,” Salene nodded. “That is why I hoped to speak with you when I heard of your arrival to court. Are the rumors true? Are your parents to be placed on trial for crimes they have not committed?”
Kaori fell silent at the question. How could she possibly answer? After all the kindness Salene bestowed upon her, it felt criminal in itself to now admit the reason she had come to Eykanua. It was true. Her parents were being charged with the crimes of another. So how could she tell this woman that the person responsible for those crimes was her? “It is far more complicated than that.”
Carefully, Salene placed a rounded hand mirror made of polished silver in Kaori’s hand, the light reflecting off the metallic surface to provide an image of Kaori’s face. Further argument was impossible when she caught sight of herself in the smooth metal, awed by the work Salene had done. Her long ebon locks were partially pulled up, held in place by several pins decorated with shimmering gemstones to match the gown she wore while the adorned strands hung in a cascade of curls over her shoulders. Such a drastic shift from the lackadaisical attempt Kaori had made with her hair prior to leaving her room.
“I understand if you don’t want to talk about it,” Salene’s soft voice drifted into Kaori’s thoughts, distracting her from the reflection in the mirror, a reminder of the conversation she so desperately hoped to avoid. She didn’t know how to respond. After everything Salene had done, she deserved at least some kind of answer.
“I am sorry,” Kaori whispered, shaking her head in despair. “You are correct in the fact that my parents have been arrested for crimes they did not commit. What I cannot divulge are the specific details as to what the crime is, or who is responsible for them. Not until I have had a chance to speak with the Emperor.”
Disappointed, Salene gave a slight nod, retrieving the mirror from Kaori’s still trembling hands. “You do not have to apologize,” she replied with forced politeness, clearly disatisfied by Kaori’s unwillingness to talk. “You must know that your parents have a number of friends here at court who desire to see you succeed in clearing your family name. We cannot assist if you do not let us, though.”
“I know,” Kaori frowned. She knew it was true. Her parents had always been amongst the most respected courtiers. Still, it did nothing to change the truth. It wasn’t her parents she was ashamed of. It was herself. She was the one responsible for the humiliation her family endured. Her actions were the reason her parents were now in danger. It didn’t matter what those soldiers intended to do that night. She should have allowed Therek to help her back then rather than keeping such a terrible secret, knowing it had the potential of becoming the mess it was now.
Unable to bear Salene’s desperate gaze any longer, Kaori rose to her feet, staring miserably down at the floor. What more was there to say? Nothing would be gained by spilling the entire truth to a woman she had only just met. There wasn’t time. “I really should be going,” she whispered, praying Salene would hear the unspoken apology in her tone. “The Duke of Avishul informed me that he would attempt to arrange an audience with the Emperor after dinner. I imagine they will be done soon.”
“You should not tarry, then,” Salene nodded in agreement, setting the mirror on the desk, eyes averted from Kaori. She looked sad. Troubled by something Kaori couldn’t understand.
Hesitant, Kaori started to move toward the door, suddenly unsure about leaving. She hated to see Salene look so crestfallen. Staring down at the fine fabric of her borrowed gown, all Kaori could think about was the kindness which had been shown to her by this woman she barely knew and here she was, prepared to walk away without at least a proper expression of gratitude. Kaori owed Salene far more than that, but at the moment; it was the best she could offer. “I cannot thank you enough for helping me. Once I have had a chance to speak with the Emperor, I promise I will tell you more about what has happened.”
A hint of her usual smile twitched at the corner of Salene’s mouth. Lifting her eyes from the ground she gave a slight nod in Kaori’s direction, a glimmer of moisture on Salene’s lashes catching Kaori’s attention. How odd. What could there possibly be for her to cry about? “I will say a prayer for you and your parents,” Salene’s smile widened, appearing more forced than before. “Now go,” she urged, waving Kaori toward the door. “If His Grace has arranged an audience, it is certain the Emperor will not tolerate tardiness.”
Moving swiftly back toward the doors of the Great Hall, Kaori’s attention was constantly drawn to the worn fabric of her slippers, their design not quite matching the rest of her ensemble. Dirt remained embedded in the folds of the material. Remnants of the long journey she and Therek made from the north. Her only hope was that the Emperor wouldn’t take note of them from under the heavy skirt of Salene’s gown.
From inside the Great Hall the sound of music could be heard, drifting on the air to meet Kaori’s ears. Her heart pounded, fearful of how the Emperor would react if he saw her again. And Therek. He had told her not to go anywhere. What if he had noticed her missing? It was possible he might change his mind about helping her to obtain an audience with the Emperor.
Determined not to let fear hold her back, Kaori forced her legs into motion. One foot in front of the other. Her heart was racing. Hands trembling. This was her last chance. If the Emperor refused her again, there would be no hope for her parents. Failure wasn’t an option. She’d come too far. She was too close.
Attempting to appear nonchalant she made her way back to the corner where Therek had left her before. It was where he expected her to be; if he hadn’t already come looking. Conscious of the courtiers who filled the room, Kaori took note of the eyes upon her. The men appeared curious while the women watched her with disdain. She couldn’t bring herself to care. Her purpose in coming here wasn’t to befriend the haughty nobles. The only person she needed approval from was the Emperor.
Demure in her actions, she let her gaze drift toward the head table, curious to know if the Emperor remained seated there. She saw him immediately, his head tilted somewhat to one side, meeting her watchful stare with a steady eye. Afraid that she might offend him with her prying she quickly averted her gaze, staring down at the floor, softly scolding herself under her breath. Stupid! Why did she have to be such a bumbling fool when it came to etiquette? Her parents taught her enough in regards to simple manners that she shouldn’t make such juvenile errors.
She shifted uncomfortably under the unfamiliar fabric of her borrowed gown, her sudden lapse of confidence making her increasingly aware of the amount of skin which was bared for everyone to see. How did she ever think she could do this? She wasn’t prepared for adulthood. These people expected too much from her that she had no experience in how to provide. If anyone approached to make conversation, she feared her tongue would forget how to form words.
Just as she thought her heart couldn’t pound any harder against her chest, she heard a familiar voice speak from somewhere nearby, the sound barely above a whisper, sending a shiver down her spine at the sensation of a warm breath lightly blowing across her ear. “I thought I told you not to move.”
“Movement was necessary,” she exhaled, lifting her head nervously to find herself face-to-face with Therek’s confused expression. It was impossible to determine if he was pleased with what he saw or if he continued to hold some kind of resentment toward her for the spectacle she had made of herself earlier. “The Emperor would never have taken my requests seriously if I remained dressed as I was.”
“He may not take your requests seriously regardless of how you are clothed, though I am afraid to inquire as to where you found such a garment. You brought no such gown with you from Rothdara.”
“I fail to see how that is important. What matters is whether the Emperor has agreed to an audience. Tell me, Your Grace. Will I have an opportunity to present my case?”
They remained there, gazes locked, neither one speaking for several long moments. Therek looked
uncertain of how to respond while Kaori was too afraid to push the matter. She knew her earlier display had the potential of destroying any chance at speaking with the Emperor. Her appearance, though improved from before, would do little to provide the leverage she required to impress a man of his station.
Finally managing to tear his eyes from Kaori, Therek shook his head, releasing a heavy sigh. “The Emperor was disinclined to acquiesce your earlier request –”
“Your Grace, please!” Kaori interrupted, her hands instinctively latching onto the thick velvety sleeves of Therek’s doublet. “You must persuade him to change his mind. I cannot…”
Therek brought his hand up to silence her, the stern look in his eyes enough to force Kaori to back down, slowly releasing the hold she maintained on his arm. “Persuasion on my part is not necessary. If catching the Emperor’s eye was your aim when you chose the garment you now wear, then you are successful. Though I cannot say business is what he has in mind for the meeting, I have been ordered to escort you to the throne room for a private audience.”
Coherent thoughts weren’t possible. At the sound of Therek’s words, Kaori’s mind went into a frenzy. A private audience? It was too good to be true but she didn’t dare dwell on that fact. All that mattered was that he would allow her to speak her case. “Thank you,” she whispered, feeling moisture threaten at the corners of her eyes. She couldn’t allow herself to start crying. She needed to be perfectly composed when she arrived at the throne room.
She received no response to her expressions of gratitude, Therek’s eyes directed straight ahead, ignoring the salutations of the courtiers along the way. His demeanor remained stiff and unhappy. As if he continued to hold onto his earlier disapproval despite the Emperor’s change of heart. But she could worry about appeasing Therek later. Right now the only person who mattered was the Emperor. Kaori couldn’t bring herself to care about the watchful eyes and disdainful glares of the nobles. Once she convinced the Emperor to arrest her in exchange for the release of her parents, the others could say whatever they wanted about her. At least she would know she had done the right thing.
The sound of Therek’s footsteps echoed along the spacious halls as he led Kaori through the palace. He maneuvered the corridors with practiced ease, indicating a far more intensive knowledge of the layout than Kaori would have otherwise expected. With every step she fidgeted with her gown, making sure the fabric was settled just right, covering her skin sufficiently; or at least as sufficiently as she could. The garment was designed to place the wearer on display. There was little she could do to make it any more modest. She could only hope that she would have a chance to change out of the gown before her mother saw her.
By the time they reached the heavy arched door of the throne room, Kaori couldn’t hold onto the minor fears of her clothing or appearance. Once in front of the Emperor, her words were the most important thing for her to focus on. Her argument needed to be perfect – and cautious. One slip of the tongue was all it would take to lose the Emperor’s favor.
Motioning for Kaori to remain at the door, Therek moved gracefully through the open entryway, pausing a few feet inside the room, his footsteps muffled somewhat by the length of red carpet laid out to create a pathway toward a large gold-trimmed throne. “Your Majesty,” he announced, the sound of his voice more confident than Kaori remembered having heard before. “I present to you Lady Kaori Levadis, daughter of the Count and Countess of Rothdara.”
Seated upon the throne was the man Kaori had come to know as the Emperor, his brown hair still perfectly slicked against his head, no sign of imperfection despite the haste in which he must have utilized to reach the throne room before the others. Lifting his chin in a haughty display, the corners of his lips curved downward in a disapproving frown. “Lady Kaori, you say?” he repeated the name, almost scornful in his tone. “I assume this is the same girl you indicated to have no experience in public affairs of court?”
“She has not yet completed the rites of adulthood, Your Majesty. Knowledge of court functions is something she knows only from books, not experience.”
“That is unfortunate,” the Emperor’s frown deepened. “I suppose that prevents me from requesting a more private meeting with the girl, but if you would at least see her into the room. Let me take a look at the child.”
Child. Kaori hated the term used to describe her. She was no child. Her age was far beyond that of typical children amongst the Vor’shai. Her lowered status in the Emperor’s eyes was due solely to her mother’s refusal to accept that her daughter had come of age. At Therek’s beckoning she drew her shoulders back proudly, refusing to let her timidity show. With determined strides she made her way along the red carpet, coming to pause in front of the throne, dainty in her movements as she lowered to her knee in a formal curtsy, eyes downcast to the floor in a respectful gesture. “Your Majesty.”
A soft laugh could be heard from where the Emperor was seated, the rustle of fabric drawing Kaori’s attention to the fact that he had risen to his feet. “Please, my dear. Call me Sulel.”
“I… I could not, Your Majesty,” Kaori stammered, her confidence faltering at the sensation of the Emperor’s fingers lightly pressed under her chin, gently coaxing her to her feet. She was surprised to find that he was smiling, the earlier disapproval no longer visible within the darkened circles of his eyes.
“For a girl lacking in knowledge of my court, you certainly do have a firm grasp of proper social graces,” Sulel allowed another chuckle to escape his lips before directing his attention toward Therek once again. “I would ask you to leave, but due to the strange customs of your people, I cannot do so for the sake of the lady. If you would excuse yourself to a more suitable distance, at least. It is my understanding that Miss Kaori wished a private meeting.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Therek obediently stepped closer to the door, placing a greater length between himself and Kaori. She glanced over her shoulder at him, uncomfortable with the thought of him being so far away. Sulel had given no reason to fear him, yet for some reason their close proximity made her skin crawl.
Frozen, afraid to move, Kaori allowed the Emperor to walk around her, circling like a hawk preparing to strike. “So,” he mused, seemingly satisfied with what he observed. “I assume you have come here on behalf of the business with your parents.”
“I have, Sir,” Kaori responded instantly, not wanting to leave Sulel waiting for any answer he might require. Hesitant, she tried to decide if she should continue, knowing it would be considered rude to speak out of turn. To her relief Sulel pressed onward, giving no opportunity for a lengthy awkward silence.
“There are some questions which I would like to ask before I let you give – whatever argument you intend to give.” He paused, watching Kaori carefully. His hand extended, the tip of his index finger lightly trailing over the curve of Kaori’s neckline, sending her pulse into a more rapid rhythm. “You appear quite… mature. How old are you, Lady Kaori?”
“I am twenty-nine, Your Majesty.”
“Twenty-nine?” Sulel’s brow raised, inquisitive. “I thought it was customary for your people to complete the rites of adulthood at the age of twenty-five. Is there some reason your parents have sheltered you for so long?”
“It was my mother’s request, Sir,” Kaori swallowed hard. The Emperor was standing so close. She feared he might hear the steady beat of her heart, thudding loudly with her constant awareness of Sulel’s touch upon her skin. The location of his hand was far from appropriate. Were he any other man, she would have been inclined to slap his arm away. Instead, she was forced to endure the uncomfortable caress, her eyes lowering to watch his wandering hand with growing concern. “As the eldest child and daughter of my family, my mother wanted to make sure I was well-versed in my lessons before being introduced to society. I am heir to the family title and property. It is important that I am able to properly represent the Levadis name.”
“But you have been in the public
eye. I heard rumor of your presence at the celebration held by His Grace only recently. How do you explain this?”
“My father accepted the invitation without informing my mother. By the time she conceded to allow my attendance, there was no time to complete the rites before departure for Siundel.”
“If you had not completed the rites, why did your parents allow you to attend?”
“I…” Kaori let her eyes trail over to Therek once again, aware that the distance between them was not great enough to prevent him from hearing the words she spoke. The idea of letting Therek know the truth made her almost as uncomfortable as the Emperor’s touch. Disheartened, she realized there was no choice. With a long intake of breath she set her attention on the Emperor, frustrated by the noticeable tremor in her voice. “My father hoped that the Duke’s direct request for my presence might imply an interest in furthering a… more involved relationship with my family. Dismissal of the invitation might have been taken as an insult.”
Retracting his hand, Sulel smirked, clearly entertained by the notion. “So your parents knowingly flaunted you amongst society in hopes of arranging a fruitful marriage between yourself and His Grace?”
She wanted to crawl behind the Emperor’s throne and hide. “Yes,” she whispered, praying Therek wouldn’t hear the response. Unable to contain her curiosity, Kaori cast a hesitant look in Therek’s direction. He was impossible to read. The expression on his face revealed a hint of amusement though there was something underlying the creases on his angular features which indicated concern. Worry? Anger? Irritation?
“While I am entertained by the crimson in your cheeks, there are other questions I must ask,” Sulel completed another circle around Kaori, the smile on his face slowly fading. “The Duke’s celebration was not the first time you were seen outside the confines of your home in Rothdara. Is this true?”
“I was disallowed from attending any social activities prior to the ball in Siundel.”
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Four: In the Beginning Page 18
