A strong hand lay on her shoulder.
“You wouldn't have stopped him.”
“I know. Yet, I could have tried.”
“You couldn't have. Lilian, don't think that everyone is less clever than you are.” It was an insolent comment, but Hans could let himself say what he really thought. “He was going to get killed anyway. His death is a great grief, but it kept you out of serious trouble.”
“They could still track me down and figure out that I was involved.”
“How?”
“Pastor Vopler.”
“Do you mean his seal? I can melt its surface. Nobody would be able to identify whose seal it is. Who else?”
“Lons tried not to let himself be known.”
“Lons is a common name in these parts. Besides, it was hard to identify him with a beard. Have you ever told anyone about his existence?”
“No.”
“Lilian, how long have you known about his chosen one?”
“Long enough. That’s why he was trying to hide.”
“He realized that it put his life in danger and that it could also end badly for you. I’m sure they wouldn't be able to track you down. Nobody would think that you might be involved.”
Lilian nodded. If Hans said that she was safe, that was the case.
“Hans, tell me, what would happen if they find out about Anna?”
“A scandal.”
“No, I mean if the princess and the prince—”
“They would most likely break off the engagement.”
“What would happen to Anna?”
“They would send her to a nunnery.”
Lily bit her lip. She had heard a lot of unpleasant things about the local nunneries.
“She deserves it. How would it influence our relationship with Gardwig?”
“Not in a positive way, but we could always come to a mutual agreement, especially if we don’t publicize what happened.”
“I remember him having other daughters.”
“Yes, but the next one is around two years younger than Anna. She will reach marriageable age in about a year.”
Lily nodded.
“When are you going to deliver the confession letter?”
“Either today or tomorrow.”
“My husband invited me to the ball.”
“I wish you to have a very good time, My Lady.”
Lily made a funny grimace. Hans returned her smile in the mirror. Both of them knew that the countess would prefer a quiet evening next to the fireplace with her daughter, her dogs, and a book. Hans himself enjoyed such evenings. He remembered how, in Earton, everyone used to gather in the sitting room after dinner and set about their own business. Some preferred to read, others enjoyed talking with each other. The Virman women would usually be weaving lace. Lily was always busy writing something, getting now and then distracted by a joke or a conversation. The pastor often debated with Leif, and the children liked to sit on the floor covered with bear skins and play with puppies. Everything was so calm and comfortable. Sometimes it was noisy and fun, sometimes, quiet and peaceful. Such evenings were rare in the city, and Hans missed them.
“You have to go, My Lady.”
“I have to go,” echoed Lily. She stood up from her desk.
“I put my hopes in you, Hans.”
***
Jess knew that his wife was a beautiful woman, but not to that extent. He saw a beautiful vision descending the staircase. Gorgeous breasts, long hair, mysterious green eyes. Lily’s dress looked expensive and teased the eye, emphasizing the stunning figure of its wearer.
The man involuntarily bowed only to hide the gleam in his eyes.
“Lilian, you are lovely.”
Lily replied with a bow of her head.
“May I—”
There was a tiny bracelet with emeralds in his hand. It wasn’t as heavy and bulky as the titular bracelet. It was a light, elegant bezel, adorned with a rainbow made of stones and pearls. Lily held out her wrist, and Jess put the bracelet on it and touched her perfumed skin with his lips.
“Thank you for the present, my dear husband.”
“They are as bright as your eyes.”
“You flatter me.”
“No, I flatter the emeralds.”
Lily let Jess put a shawl on her shoulders and lead her to the carriage. She gave him a radiant smile. The earl was going to go by horse. Jess didn’t want to scare off his prey. Why didn’t she look like that at the wedding?
***
Beauties, lackeys, cadets, Schubert’s waltzes and the crunch of French bread. That’s how Lily used to imagine balls.
In reality, the beauties’ dresses roamed with fleas, the knights scratched their genitals, dogs wandered under the guest's feet, and the music was out of tune. On any other day, Lily would have treated the ball like an amusing adventure. She walked with the noble earl and greeted the people around her. She could hear them speaking about her behind her back: whether they had reconciled or slept together, her unfeminine profession and his promiscuity. She could hear the courtiers’ whispering. Lily could tell which ladies had had a romance with her husband. Some tried to touch his sleeve or batted their eyelashes, others even attempted to slip a little note into his palm or drop a handkerchief. Silly goats!
She was a new face at court. They must think if Jess cheated on me before, why would he not be cheating now? Everyone thought her the same person as at the wedding. All of them wondered why her husband locked her up in the estate and strayed. Lily was fuming, but she concealed it well. She spoke politely to the king about the state of his health and curtsied to Gardwig, who was in a good mood since his leg hurt him less. He sent Jess off to dance with the princess and invited Lilian to sit down for a private conversation.
He still had a long way to recovery. Attending balls and long voyages weren’t good for his leg. Lily wielded the matter in high speeches, implying that the king should rest more. The king replied that he was happy to cut down on formal visits and dances, only to treat his ulcer. He knew that his illness could be fatal.
Lily herself realized that the local medicine had no solution against such ulcers, no matter their cause. The only thing they had figured out was that it caused “the burning of blood.” It wasn't surprising, considering their poor hygiene.
Blood poisoning, gangrene, death—Lily was going to fight against all three. She had already managed to soothe Gardwig’s pain. Tahir took great care of the king’s ulcer, and Gardwig felt a lot better. He even expressed his favor toward Lily and invited her to the embassy and to Wellster.
“You and your husband are a beautiful couple.”
Jerisson took his leave from the princess and went to speak to Edward. A minute later, Prince Amir joined them, and the three disappeared to a more private setting.
I am sure it’s about Miranda. Since there is no way I could overhear the discussion I need to focus on work. The woman politely smiled at Gardwig. She wished she was twenty years older and had met him before. Very powerful charisma! Although he changes wives like gloves, that doesn't cancel his fine looks. After five minutes, Prince Amir Gulim approached Lily and asked Gardwig to excuse them.
“His Majesty agreed to my marriage with Miranda.”
“I am happy for you.”
“Your husband agreed, too.”
Lily smiled. Miranda was almost a grown-up woman.
What will happen next? I want my own children, at least five, to keep my husband busy.
Lily was surprised at her own thoughts. Devil! He’s good, and he knows what a woman wants.
***
“Finally!”
“Richard, I want to introduce you to my wife.”
“Please do. I am going to marry soon and still don’t know your wife.”
“What does one have to do with the other?”
“What if I want to cuckold you?” chuckled Richard, but Jess flashed his eyes.
“Be careful with what you say!”
&
nbsp; The prince looked at his friend with curiosity.
“Are you jealous?”
“I am protective.”
“Don’t be protective with me. You better take care of the rest.”
“Every other man looks at her.”
“You are even then. Look at Ticia. She would jump out of her dress to get a drop of your attention.”
Jess looked. The petite brunette was ready for anything. Yet she didn’t invoke the same emotions as before. Jess used to think his type was slender, short brunettes. He now realized he preferred tall, curvy blondes.
“Forget about her. How are you, Richard?”
“I will tell Anna today that I wish to ask Gardwig for her hand.”
“What about Lydia?”
“Wellster is our neighboring country, you know. A big dowry, peace, and lastly, have you seen her? Would you lie in bed with that dried oyster?”
Jess shook his head, remembering Lydia.
“I had enough of my cow.”
“You were wrong about your cow.”
“Are you scared that you might also be making the wrong decision?”
“Yes, I am. But I have no choice. Anna, it is.”
“Let Aldonai help you. Let’s go, I will introduce you to Lilian.”
“Fine. Where is she?”
Jess looked for a white dress and found it next to the princesses. Angelina and Joliette were dressed in gorgeous gowns and talking to his wife. Lilian cheerfully replied to them and laughed, and the girls giggled in reply. The whole trio looked like they were having fun.
“She’s with your sisters.”
“Great, let’s go. By the way, invite the little ones for a dance. They will be pleased.”
“Okay, I will.”
***
“Your Highness Angelina, Your Highness Joliette,”
Jess bowed to the princesses, while a tall blonde man dressed in white and gold bowed to Lilian.
“Dear Countess, let me introduce myself. I am Richard, an old friend of your husband.”
A thin diadem in his golden hair marked the man’s title.
“I am glad to meet you, Your Highness.”
“Me too, Countess.”
Jess smiled and invited Angelina for a dance. Some duke invited Joliette, and Lily stayed one on one with the prince.
Oh yes, it’s any girl’s dream to stay alone with the prince. He had a perfect build, golden hair, gray eyes, and a face inspired with emotion. The women were melting, but not Lily.
I’d rather go and iron my shoelaces. She continued to observe the prince. He was a handsome boy. Jess and Richard looked like complete opposites.
“What are you thinking about, Countess?”
“You and my husband look good together, white-gold and black. The girls must be thrilled!”
Richard was taken aback by such honesty. Lily remained calm.
It was hard to say whether Lily was trying to be offensive or calculating. She needed to break the misleading impression created by Jess. Second, she wanted Richard to treat her as a friend, not as a woman. Third, she wished to show her eccentricity and make Richard get used to it. Lily realized her uniqueness. Edward and Gardwig endured her oddities because they needed treatment, whereas Richard was in perfect health. Lily needed to make the future king her close friend, so she decided to take a step back.
“Please forgive my audacity, Your Highness. It is hard to talk with people after a day of reading.”
“Do you like to read?” His gray eyes sparked with curiosity.
“Among ghost candles and evening prayers…”
Richard sharpened his ear.
“Is it poetry?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I have never heard such poems before.”
“Do you want me to recite them from memory?”
Richard was happy to listen. Lilian recited a few poems about love and about children. In her other life, Lily’s housemate had admired the songs of Vladimir Vysotsky, and Lily was now reciting them as poems. Richard also recited a few couplets, and they began a discussion about rhythmic couplets. Half an hour later, Jess pulled them away and asked the prince to attend to his sisters. Richard’s eyes flashed, but he followed the duty of courtesy. Jess turned to his wife.
“I can see you and the prince got along.”
“He also likes reading.”
“Did you like him?”
Lily looked at her husband. Is he angry or jealous? Lily decided to reassure him straight away.
“I have no interest in him as a man.” Jess carefully inspected her face. All he could see was cold indifference, and it cheered him up.
“I brought you a present. It’s some scrolls…I will bring them tomorrow.”
“What scrolls?”
“You will see for yourself.”
It had been a while since Jess had wheedled the scrolls out of his cousin, but he hadn’t found the time to give them to Lily. The story with the presents is a total failure!
***
Although Anna wasn’t cruel in nature, she couldn’t resist giving Lydia the evil eye. She thought her a pale, tall mole, who looked pathetic next to her. Lydia also gave an evil look to the rival princess, but with far less success. Although Lydia repeatedly told herself that her mind and soul were her main assets, she realized perfectly well that she was losing to Anna. It bothered her greatly. The other princess greatly enjoyed herself. She was dancing and laughing. Richard had already danced with Anna twice. Not once had he approached Lydia. The preferences of the prince were clear to everyone. Thus, all the courtiers swirled around Anna while Lydia stood alone in the corner. Even her brothers were distracted by other girls. Princes were rare in these parts.
Lydia would have been just fine had Anna not tried to feed her ego at the expense of her rival.
“Sweet Lydia, why are you all alone?” said Anna in a singing voice. She approached Lydia in the break between two dances and waved her hand to one of the courtiers. “Bring me some wine; I am tired.” She turned back to Lydia. “So much dancing, my legs are buzzing! I’m like that girl in a fairytale, who made holes in her shoes from dancing. Why don’t you dance?”
“I don’t want to,” Lydia bluntly answered.
“I will definitely tell off Richard for not inviting you. There are certain rules of hospitality, after all. He’s a host; he must pay attention to you.”
“His Majesty Edward is the host.”
It seemed impolite to send Anna to Maldonaya. She wasn’t openly rude. And yet, Lydia had no strength to endure it longer.
“When Richard and I host our own ball—”
“Why are you so sure that Richard is going to choose you?” Lydia made a last effort to fight back.
“He told me himself. And it is not surprising. I am young, beautiful, with a big dowry…”
Lydia could read the rest in Anna’s eyes: “You are a rat, Lydia, without a penny to your name!”
Lydia couldn't stand it any longer.
“Excuse me, I need to fix my stocking.”
She stormed out of the room and ran looking for a spare bedroom. I don't want to do this anymore! Aldonai take me away from here!
Anna triumphantly watched her rival leave and forgot about Lydia as soon as she saw Richard.
Maybe he will propose to me tonight! I cannot wait.
***
After a pleasant and relaxing conversation with Lilian, Richard was going to devote his time to his future wife. Why not? She is pretty, jolly, a bit silly, but the last is of secondary importance. It was nice to meet a clever woman, but a man needed rest. Lilian also decided to take a break from conversations. She was tired from the noise and the hassle of the ball. The garter on her stocking began to drop down. She left the hall and went looking for a secluded place.
***
Lily slipped down the corridor and turned the corner. She wanted to find a spare room and get some rest. I want to sit down for a second. I’m exhausted. I need quiet.
Finally, she found an open room. She wanted to enter but heard someone sobbing. Someone in the room was crying desperately. Lily’s heart broke from hearing such miserable cries.
Don’t stick your nose into every hole! Nobody asked you, Lily thought. Nevertheless, she went inside and began looking for the sufferer, who turned out to be a young woman in a simple white dress. She buried her face in the pillows and wailed so much that Lily’s heart sank. It seemed like the girl had lost all joy in life, no hope for happiness.
Lily sat next to her and touched the girl’s shoulder.
“Do you need any help?”
“Go away!” screamed the girl without looking. Lily stroked her soft hair.
“Do you need my help, sweetheart?”
It was Lydia. She turned around, and her eyes shone. She didn’t expect to see a tall blonde who looked at her with quiet interest. Lily hadn’t been present at Lydia’s introduction, and she was seeing her for the first time. The diamonds on her ring were hidden by the cuffs of her dress. She looked like an ordinary young woman. She was pretty, but not in a typical way. Nobody here would consider her beautiful.
Lily assessed the girl’s looks. Her hair was ash brown. Some called it a mousy color. Her eyes were gray and big, but her eyebrows needed plucking and dying. They were too wide and too transparent. Although her chin was a bit too large and her face was slightly elongated, it could be hidden by makeup and hairstyle. Her body was good. In this world, men preferred big women, but this one was almost a twenty-first-century model. She was a classic hanger for clothes, yet any woman’s look depended on presentation. Lily handed the crying girl a handkerchief.
“Do you want to blow your nose, or you need help?”
Lydia shook her head, slightly overwhelmed.
“Who are you?”
“Lilian. And you?”
“L-Lydia.”
“Why are you crying, Lydia?”
Meanwhile, Lily took a pretty linen handkerchief out of her purse and deftly grabbed the girl by her nose, in the same motherly way she would grab Mirrie’s.
“Come on, blow your nose, breathe out!”
The Price of Happiness: A Strong Woman in the Middle Ages (A Medieval Tale Book 5) Page 29
