Chapter Text
Avalie
The presence of Aurora Kasmarek, widow to Baron Ulysse Kasmarek, as a Revairean delegate at a major international Peace Summit for the Seven Kingdoms may have surprised some, but Lady Avalie knew better. What could be more natural? After all, this year, both the royal Revairean offspring were also to be delegates. The presence of a not-so-young widow who met the criteria as a delegate for Revaire was a boon for them. She was less likely to upstage the Princess Gisette, and her relative age and marital status meant that Crown Prince Jarrod was less likely to cast eyes at her. She would just be filling up numbers without providing any competition; after all, it would not do for the princess to be upstaged by a minor noblewoman.
Unfortunately for Princess Gisette, it appeared as though she was well and truly outclassed by Lady Aurora. After all, the lady had made a wonderful introduction during the introductory week, then subsequently established herself as an exemplary hostess, solved a murder and thus proved her defendant’s innocence, and also proved to be a wonderful actress during the theatrical staged by the delegates.
It was, therefore, very disappointing that she had not found herself a suitable suitor from among the many delegates, Avalie thought.
“Don’t meddle,” Duke Lyon – the unfortunate man she ended up partnering during dinner tonight – warned.
She pouted.
“Are you not the least bit curious, though? Why would a lady – a widow, moreover – who is impoverished come to a summit designed to matchmake one with another partner, and then end up not having a match? And don’t give me that nonsense about no partners around; I know for a fact that Earl Emmett worships the ground she walks on. If she were more receptive, their names would have been announced, I am positive.”
“Are you?”
“Or maybe you, Your Grace?” she continued, ignoring his disinterested interjection.
Duke Lyon was stonily quiet. Avalie grinned.
“Well, perhaps she did not know how to choose between her suitors.”
“I wonder why you are wasting your time on such subjects,” the duke remarked, maintaining nonchalance. “One would think a woman of your intellect would find more stimulating conversation other than gossip.”
“Why, my duke, how can you say so? Especially when you know – as well as I do – that the point of matchmaking during the summit is a matter of international security.”
“I rather regret coming downstairs for dinner now,” Duke Lyon commented. “For you are wilfully misunderstanding me, and you know, as well as I do, that you have an ulterior motive in such conversations. I refuse to be party to whatever scheme you are cooking up, Lady Avalie,” he said, finishing the last bites of his meal, before waving over a servant to make his excuses and swiftly standing up from the table. The servant – a Vail Isle native – nodded understanding, and in the next minute, Lady Avalie found herself without her original partner.
A brief moment of irritation crossed her face. Duke Lyon, as always, had been intelligent enough to see through her conversation for what it was: an attempt to seek information about Lady Aurora Kasmarek. For a moment, she was concerned; what could the Duke Lyon know about her plans, and – more importantly – what would he do if he did?
She dismissed the thought quickly. After all, Duke Lyon was hardly the kind of gentleman who would try to play people as though they were pawns in an Onvu set.
She looked over towards the other woman, who was seated at a distance. She had dressed with care, as she ate quietly, making appropriate nods and replies when required, as she conversed with her dinner partners. When she finished her meal not long after she began, she smiled and bid her dinner partners farewell, before she lifted her hand in attention. A young (looking) man, with a shock of shoulder-length platinum blonde hair – which appeared almost white, as characterised many of the Vail Isle natives – acknowledged her and assisted her from her seat, extending a gloved hand to her.
Lady Avalie had seen enough of Lady Aurora’s retinue to recognise the handsome, seemingly ageless man as one of the many butlers assigned to delegates; Lady Aurora’s personal butler. He was far more handsome than the standard, Lady Avalie mused and then chuckled softly to herself. The interaction had been wonderfully innocent, but Lady Avalie's imagination decided to run rampant. What if Lady Aurora fell in love with her butler, and then threw away all the many opportunities she would have for marrying well a second time? She shook her head. If Lady Aurora did something as asinine as throw away all the political advantages of a marriage during the summit for a man who was a nobody in the real world, then Lady Aurora would be far from the intelligent rival Lady Avalie thought she was, and yet another disappointment she would have to endure.
Sayra
Sayra was sharper than most people – particularly the hoity-toity lords and ladies that visited the Island for the summit – thought her to be. The self-important nobles had taught themselves to act as though they were the centre of the universe, given their rank in society and their wealth.
Perhaps Lady Aurora was kind because she did not find herself in the trappings of wealth despite being of noble stock. Sayra often wondered what Lady Aurora would be like if she married well and became rich. Hopefully she wouldn’t change; after all, Lady Aurora had married once before, to an elderly and infirm lord many years her senior. By all accounts, he was as rich as Croesus, and yet Lady Aurora remained as kind as ever.
Her rather democratic and liberal ideals were not unusual in themselves; plenty of nobles also sympathised with them. Perhaps, what set Lady Aurora apart was merely her unconventionality and her insistence on not seeing rank. She was the only one of her delegates who insisted that her entire household – servants, chambermaids, and all – join her for breakfast when she had no visitors in the morning.
Her colleague, Ria, was in awe, and was simultaneously grateful and not-grateful for the overture. “I’ve gained so much weight,” she complained. “Never before have I had such rich food; I may need to start skipping meals. How does Lady Aurora eat such, and remain so slim?”
In all honesty, Sayra was rather worried. Ria – young, innocent naïf that she was – looked infatuated with her young mistress. The absolute look of longing and adoration on Ria’s face whenever she saw Lady Aurora was rather disconcerting, and Sayra did not want Ria hurt.
Truth be told, it was rather unsurprising to Sayra. How many could look at such an incandescent creature like Lady Aurora, full of beauty, and kindness, and grace, and not fall in love? Even the Matchmaker had fallen for Lady Aurora’s fae spell, and it went unannounced that the Matchmaker had high hopes for the young widow, even if she had not found a love match.
She told Jasper this one day. His lips turned upwards at the corners, in a vague facsimile of a smile.
“You are worried, because your friend is in love?”
“I am not worried about who she is infatuated with. Both you and I know that Lady Aurora is one of the kindest women alive. But Ria is so young, and not used at all to such feelings. I worry she will pine away for her.”
“As opposed to her ladyship’s other admirers?” The smile widened and turned wry.
“I do not know who her ladyship’s other admirers are besides Ria.”
“That is a lie, and you know it.”
“You’ve caught me,” Sayra replied easily. “But the truth is, I do not particularly care for gentlemen and ladies who I do not know. I care about my friends, and I care about Lady Aurora and Ria. Ria knows herself, that her love is hopeless; it would be a scandal, and no one would ever countenance such a relationship. Lady Aurora would be laughed out of polite society if she ever fell in love with an employee, even if gender was irrelevant in this case. Our society is classist, more than anything. Ria knows this, and still she hopes. It is frustrating. I can only hope she outgrows this.”
There was a pregnant pause. “And if she doesn’t?” Jasper asked, his voice carefully modulated and curiously devoid of tonal expression; as though he was trying to prevent divulging his own personal thoughts.
“Let us not think of what may happen,” Sayra remarked sagely, and the matter was dropped between them.
Ria
One of Ria’s favourite tasks was assisting Lady Aurora in her wardrobe and toilette. Lady Aurora had always been beautiful, Ria thought. She had seen pictures and paintings of Lady Aurora when she was a child, then a teenager, and then in her early twenties, and even now, the more contemporary images of her were an accurate representation of her features. In all of them, Lady Aurora had always been picturesque. The delicate features, the boldness of her gaze, the dramatic arch of her eyebrows, the perfect cupid bow lips… She was a diamond of the first water, in the same tier as Princess Gisette and Lady Avalie, but far better, for she was kind and thoughtful.
Ria had not heard much that was good about Princess Gisette, and she had heard plenty of unpleasantness about her and her brother. As for Lady Avalie, her servants whispered how nervous they were of her. She was not unkind, but with her hard, knowing glance, which seemed to read into every secret, none of her servants were ever comfortable in her presence.
Ria had definitely lucked out in terms of the delegate she worked for.
Perhaps, in another life, she could have been like Princess Anaele, who fearlessly admired Lady Aurora. Even if Lady Aurora did not feel the same for Princess Anaele, it would be nice for her to be able to be free to express herself and her hopeless infatuation without having to worry what society thought.
She saw Jasper arranging tea for Lady Aurora in the chambers. He was carefully arranging a tray with a teapot, two sets of tea utensils and some delectable afternoon tea treats at the coffee table. “I can help you with that, Jasper!”
As unflappable as ever, Jasper did not react to the sudden break of silence, but only turned around with a kind smile. “Thank you, Ria, but it is unnecessary. It is no trouble at all.”
“I did not realise that Lady Aurora had called for tea,” Ria commented. “Is she having tea with anyone?”
“She is not going to be having any visitors, if that is what you are worried about, Ria. I do not think she will be requiring you to assist with changing her dress.”
“I would never be worried about her asking me for my assistance. It would be an honour! She is so beautiful already, and so kind, that it is such a pleasure to help and spend time with her.” Ria sighed, as she observed Jasper deftly arranging the cutlery. She caught sight of some Vail wildflowers, arranged beautifully in a vase. “Oh, how lovely! I wonder which of Lady Aurora’s admirers sent her this arrangement; I had not thought any of the nobles knew much about our flora! Well, except for perhaps Earl Emmett,” she added hastily. “But some of these are particularly rare; it would be difficult for any but a local to know where to find them!”
It was at this point that the door to Lady Aurora’s chambers flew open, and that august lady swept in gracefully. “Ria, Jasper, good afternoon!”
“Good afternoon, my lady.”
“Good afternoon!” Ria managed to say, heart pounding. She was graced with a beatific smile by Lady Aurora, as Jasper stepped forward to assist her in removing her outercoat and hat, which she had worn during her ride.
“Your tea is ready, my lady,” Jasper added, shortly after.
“Oh, thank you, Jasper, you are a saint!”
“I’d best be looking to your garments, my lady,” Ria curtseyed and made her excuses before leaving Lady Aurora alone with Jasper.
It was only later that she wondered why Jasper had arranged for two sets of tea utensils at the coffee table, when he had told her that Lady Aurora would not be having any visitors.
She shook her head. Jasper had his excuses. Besides, what if one of Lady Aurora’s ‘not-suitors’ turned up again, unexpectedly? Maybe Earl Emmett, or Lord Clarmont, or Duke Lyon, or Prince Lisle, or Prince Zarad, or that rakishly handsome pirate prince Hamin of Hise…? Maybe Princess Anaele… but the Princess hated tea and would be more comfortable sparring.
Just because Lady Aurora had not fallen in love with the other delegates then did not mean she would not, or was incapable of falling in love, after all. Ria had always hoped that even if her affections for her were destined to remain unrequited, Lady Aurora would find someone worthy. She deserved to.
Jasper
The afternoon sunlight filled the sitting room adjoining the entrance to Lady Aurora’s chambers. It had been a serviceable room before, but all of Lady Aurora’s little touches and decorations had transformed it into an elegant and lovely one, despite being as inexpensive as they were. Lady Aurora was well-known to have come from a rather impoverished family prior to her marriage, and yet anyone with any semblance of taste would not argue as to how wonderfully furnished it was. His favourite decorations were the stained glass artworks that she had brought over from her home in Revaire, some of which she had made herself. It had been a relatively inexpensive hobby, her hometown having been famed throughout Revaire for its glass, and there had been many glassworkers to learn from. It had therefore been one accomplishment that did not require much funding, as compared to music lessons and more formal painting sessions, and so she took it up.
It brought to mind a young girl, serious and mindful of her duty to her family. How many times had she had to sacrifice what she wanted for others?
Her entry so suddenly, as he was conversing with Ria while setting up her tea, nearly startled him, would have startled him, if he had been much younger. She appeared like a fairy in a dream; graceful, lovely, and elegant. Perhaps part of it was her attire; it may not have been the most fashionable style, but it set off her figure beautifully. As he abandoned arranging the tea set and helped her remove her outerwear, it was impossible for him not to touch her as he helped her peel off her coat. He tried to not dwell on it; tried not to keep in physical contact for any longer than necessary. The longer he did, the longer he would wonder what it would be like if his hands lingered for a bit more, if he could caress the graceful lines of her shoulder rather than perfunctorily touch her as he removed her coat.
That line of thinking was dangerous, though.
Ria hastily made her excuses and disappeared after a curtsey; it was all Jasper could do to focus on the situation at hand, rather than being distracted by his thoughts. Lady Aurora turned around, eyes glittering – he now understood why the pirate prince took to calling her Glitter – and lips dancing in a smile. She had enjoyed her ride with Prince Lisle and Princess Penelope today.
(His mind raced as he thought about the last time she was on a horse; how she had nearly lost her life during her third week because of Kade, and his jaw clenched, his fists balled up, the knuckles turning even whiter than they were already…)
“Jasper, are you all right?” came Lady Aurora’s concerned voice. She was now looking at him, her bright eyes all full of concern.
(They did not glitter when she was worried; instead they become pools of concern in which one could drown in…)
He shook his head, as if to clear it from all his thoughts, and smiled softly at her. “I am, my lady.”
She laughed. “Always so polite! How many times have I told you to call me just Aurora?”
“Etiquette must be maintained,” was his rejoinder. Lady Aurora only sighed.
“I had hoped that we had become friends by now. One does not spend over a month with a group of people without befriending them.”
“Or antagonising them, I suppose,” he pointed out. She looked scandalised.
“Heaven forbid!”
“Indeed.”
“But you’ll join me, won’t you, Jasper?” she turned suddenly towards him, once they stopped in front of the coffee table. Her delicate hand touched his forearm, and he could feel her touch burn his skin through his coat. Her eyes were pleading.
“It is not quite –”
“I don’t care if it is the done thing,” she said softly, but he could hear the steel in her tone, the resolve in her voice.
She dropped her hand as she strode towards the sofa and sat down. “I am glad, at least, that you set out two sets this time,” she said, as she settled her skirts, before picking up the tea pot and pouring the tea. The fragrant smell of chamomile hit the air, floral and comforting. She nodded to the seat next to her on the sofa, and his body moved there, almost of its own volition, to sit next to her. She passed him the steaming cup of tea with a brilliant smile that had him spellbound. “You must have been quite cross at me when I kept ransacking the cupboards looking for a cup for you.”
“I could never be cross at you,” was his soft reply. Her face became quite rosy, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Even when I get up to shenanigans with Prince Hamin?” was her cheeky response.
He tried to prevent the surge of jealousy that raced through him, and was unsure if he was successful or not. “While I do need to counsel you on the appropriateness of such behaviour, no, not even then.”
She looked away, and her eyes caught sight of the bouquet. Her eyes lit up. “Jasper, the flowers are lovely!” She looked at him with doe-like eyes. “I wish I knew more about flowers,” she said, as she caressed the petals of the floral arrangement. “What are they?”
“Besides the roses? Gardenias, baby’s breath, camellias, calla lilies, and acacia blossoms.”
“You arranged it beautifully,” she said softly after he pointed out the setup of pink, white and red flowers; red and white roses, pink and red camellias, white acacia blossoms, red and white gardenias. “You’ve made all this effort for me… Gathering the flowers, arranging them, setting up tea.”
“I gathered the flowers?”
“Did you not?”
He could not lie to her. “No, you are right,” he said, and he sipped his tea. "I did so earlier in the morning, while I was passing through the greenhouses near the gardens."
She looked as though she wanted to say something more, but shook her head. “You are too kind to me,” she said softly, as she poured herself a cup to sip.
“On the contrary, you are too kind to everyone. I have not forgotten the first time you made me share tea with you.”
She smiled softly at the memory. “I could do no less for you. You worried so much about me…”
“You had many great responsibilities then,” he pointed out. The memory of poor, innocent Imogen’s trial was still fresh in his mind. It was strange how though it had only been a few weeks ago, it felt both like it was yesterday and a million years ago.
“And you… You cared for me, enough to notice all the little things. Please do not think that I did not appreciate it! I was so very grateful…”
The conversation lapsed into silence, as both silently drank their tea. When he finished, he stood up and thanked her for the tea.
“I should be thanking you,” she started.
“Not at all,” he told her. “I am, after all, your butler and humble servant.” At this, she turned her face away from him, her graceful neck on view, but he could not see her face, her beautiful eyes… They were turned out towards the window, with the calm, peaceful sea on view.
If only his own feelings could be as serene as the view from her windows.