Chapter Text
Free DLC for Fortune Lover has been released. It’s a special side chapter. All the characters go to the city of Shorehaven at the coast. It’s a chance to earn some more relationship bonus points, or if you’re one of those weirdos who aim for the Friendship Ending, there’s a special scene and CG just for you.
It’s a beach episode. Not much else to say about it. You’d think that mean we’d get to see everyone in swimsuits but this is where Dokimeki Software shows their evil side. What you get for free are the old style, full body swimsuits, for both the men and women. They look fine, but if you want bikinis and bare chests that’s going to cost you 500 yen. Microtransactions, is there no game you leave unscathed?
Other than that it’s fine, if a bit undramatic. You meet one new character for one scene and she never shows up again. Still, it is free so there’s no reason not to get it.
- -
“Umph!” Katarina woke up as their carriage hit another hard bump. “Are we there yet?” She asked as she yawned.
“No, sister.” Keith sighed. “We won’t be to Shorehaven for at least another couple of hours.”
“Bleh.” Katarina stuck out her tongue in distaste. “Why couldn’t we have flown? We could have been there two days ago!”
“The Academy doesn’t have an aircraft,” Keith said. “And even if it did, I doubt that they’d let us use it to ferry everyone to the shore and back.”
“Yes, but the Stuarts have one.” Katarina said. “We could have used theirs.”
“Yes, but Gerard is the only one who knows how to fly it. If you went with him, you’d be there alone with him for two days waiting for the rest of us.” Keith said.
“Hmm? Why? Do you think that he wouldn’t be able to fly back to get the rest of you? The winds aren’t that bad at Shorehaven, are they? Gerard’s flown in tough winds before.” Katarina said.
“Oh, sister.” Keith sighed. “You seemed more excited about this when we started out.”
“That was before we spent two days in this bumpy carriage.” Katarina said. “The others must be just as stir crazy as we are.”
“We didn’t have to come at all.” Keith said. “You were the one who got everyone excited about going to the beach. They’re just inaugurating a new ship into the royal fleet. Gerard was the only one who was expected, and even he was looking for a way to skip it.”
“But I haven’t been to the beach since ever!” Katarina whined.
“What was wrong with the lake?” Keith asked, going through the same argument the siblings had been having for the past two days.
“Nothing, but it’s not the same!” Katarina said. “I want to run in the surf in a swimsuit, I want to build a sandcastle, and wear a blindfold trying to smash a watermelon! It’s the beach!”
“You have the singular strangest imagination in Sorcier.” Keith sighed. “How would that watermelon thing even work? Wouldn’t it get full of sand?”
“You just don’t get it, Keith.” Katarina said. “I’m going to try to go back to sleep, wake me when we’re there.”
Keith sighed, but there was a smile on his face as he watched his sister try to squeeze herself into the corner of the carriage, her eyes shut. He was looking forward to the beach actually. Katarina’s itinerary of things to do kept growing longer and longer each time she thought about it. This was going to be fun. Also, the girls had all gotten swimsuits at Katarina’s insistence. That mental image was enough to make him turn red. In a perfect world, it would be just him and Katarina. However, it was Gerard who was the reason they were going out there, he tried to make it so it was just him and Katarina going on this ‘family business.’ He would have gotten away with it, but Anne was still faithful to the Claes household and let Keith know.
Keith was long wise to Gerard’s tricks, so if Katarina was going, so was he. That would have been the end of it, if Alan hadn’t talked about it to Mary. True to form, Mary had invited herself, and Alan along. However, she had forgotten that you couldn’t drop your guard around the Ascarts. Thus they invited themselves along as well, citing that the prime minister should have a presence. At that point, it had become a typical Katarina party, which meant his sister invited Maria and Raphael along as well.
Today was a minor victory though. The past few days everyone had been swapping carriages, trying to spend time with Katarina. Today she said she wanted to try getting some sleep on the road, so it was just her and him. Albeit rather boring.
The other carriages were a bit more lively. The other boys were playing cards in their carriage, Nicol having brought a pack with him. The girls in their own carriage were getting a crash course in protocol and the particulars of the noble landscape of Shorehaven from Mary.
“Normally they’re the rough outsiders, but now we’re the outsiders and that lack of roughness is now a lack of character.” Mary said. “You have to remember that nearly all of the heads Shorehaven’s houses have either been, or still are, captains of at least one ship, if not more. It’s considered a rite of passage for their children to serve a year at sea.”
“Even the girls?” Maria asked.
“They’re taught how to sail small boats, not the big ships. There’s something called a regatta, a race, where all the ladies compete. Actually, what really is a point of pride of Shorehaven Ladies is their ability in the kitchen.” Mary said.
“They do the cooking themselves?” Sophia asked.
“Well, not every day. It’s from when Shorehaven was just a fishing village, before they joined Sorcier.” Mary said. “The men would come home with the fish, and the women would cook it. It got to be a tradition, every Shorehaven noblewoman has at least one dish they can cook themselves. Usually fish, and most often for guests.”
“You know so many things, Mary.” Maria said.
“Well, I try to stay in front of these things.” Mary said. “Someone among us needs to remember the difference between the salad fork and the dessert spoon.”
The girls all giggled, but that was an old joke of Mary’s that they had all heard before. The truth was that they all knew that despite one of their member’s distinct (yet beloved) lack of tact, grace, and composition, most of their strange little group of friends would have been cut to ribbons by the hidden knives of high society if it weren’t for Mary.
“Is there anything we need to know about the dedication?” Maria asked.
“No. Gerard makes a speech, Katarina smashes a champagne bottle against the hull.” Mary shrugged. “Our job is to just stand there and look impressed at the big ship as it sails out into the sea. Oh, and ALWAYS call it a ship, never a boat. Then afterwards, we all go to Duke Semmel’s for luncheon and tea.”
“This should be fun.” Sophia said.
- -
“This was a disaster.” Sophia groaned as the group of them walked along the dock.
“I’m sorry!” Katarina said. “I gave it a good hard chuck! How was I to know the bottle would bounce?!”
“They say that’s bad luck for the ship.” Nicol said.
“Worse luck for Duke Semmel.” Raphael said. “Katarina’s bottle nailed him right in the face!”
“We know.” Keith groaned. “Mother is going to kill us when we get back.”
“Augh!” Katarina groaned. “Let’s never go back! Let’s all run away and become pirates! They don’t have champagne bottles on the open ocean!”
Alan couldn’t hold it in any more. He just started laughing. Gerard, who had been rather quiet since the incident, started chuckling too. It was infectious, soon everyone but Katarina was laughing. It was kind of funny. Gerard had finished a very impressive speech, and nodded at Katarina. She grinned, wound up her snake pitching arm and…
“Honestly it was a one in a million shot.” Raphael said. “The bottle bouncing was rare enough.”
“Well, at least Katarina got us out of another boring tea party.” Mary said. It was made clear by Duchess Semmel that the ‘Academy Students’ were NOT welcome as long as her husband was freely bleeding from his face. Socially they weren’t dead to Shorehaven, Maria had healed the Duke’s nose, and a lot of people did think it was funny. With enough time it would be written off as a joke. Provided that suitable apologies were given to the right people. However, those apologies would have to wait until after Duke Semmel’s nose was not black and blue.
So the group were just walking along the docks, taking in the sights of all the ships. The rest of their scheduled events having gone up in smoke.
A loud buzzing noise made them all look up and behind them. Above their heads a large shape passed over them. It soared through the air, before banking to the right and coming down to a landing on a fenced off area of beach in the distance.
“Was that an aircraft?” Maria asked.
“I think it was.” Alan said. “Mary, who’s beach is that?”
“That would be Earl Billings. Although, out here he uses the title of Count.” Mary said.
“Oh, that’s Frederick’s fiancee’s family, isn’t it?” Katarina said. “We should go say hello!”
A survey of the group found that an agreeable idea to doing nothing and the group set out towards the Billings’ estate.
They arrived at the gate at just before noon.
“Prince Gerard, Prince Alan.” The bowing gate guard was up to date on the royal family. That made things simpler.
“Hello.” Gerard said. “We’re here to pay a visit to Master Frederick Garish. He’s staying here?”
“Yes. He is.” The guard said. “However,” He frowned and looked at the large party before him. “Lord and Lady Billings are not here at the moment. They’re out on a voyage and not expected to return until next week.”
“What kind of a voyage?” Katarina asked.
“They’re at the Ilse de Cosette.” The guard said. “It’s their anniversary.”
“For a whole week?” Alan blurted out.
“They took a slow ship.” The guard said. “I’m sure Lady Helena will be happy to greet you in their stead.”
“Well…good for them.” Gerard said. “We’ll visit Master Garish first, he’s at the workshop with the aircraft, I suspect?” He pointed at the large building in the distance that was set by the large runway on the beach.
The guard nodded. “Yes, your highness. I’ll have someone inform Lady Helena so she can properly greet you when you go to the manor.”
“Very good.” Gerard nodded at the Guard as he opened the gates to the Billings’ estate, the group walked through, he closed the gates and then took off towards the manor house.
“What’s so special about that island?” Katarina asked.
“Ilse de Cosette is the most romantic spot in Sorcier.” Sophia said. “They have fresh coconuts you can drink from right off the trees, beautiful beaches, and they say two people who proclaim their love at sunset there will have a happy marriage! The old legends say that it was the place where a goddess of love first landed on Earth when she descended from Heaven and…” Sophia sighed just keeping herself from going into full Romance Novel Mode. “I’ve always wanted to go there with someone special.”
“You know…I don’t think I’ve ever had coconut milk.” Katarina said. She scanned her memories not just of her life, but from Before as well. “Yeah, it was always too expensive. Well, maybe it’s worth a visit. HIII!” She yelled as the group entered the hangar. “FREDERICK! ARE YOU HERE? WE CAME TO SEE YOU!”
“Who’s shouting?” A voice said. “People are trying to-Lady Katarina, Maria! Oh, it’s everyone! Hello!” A young man with short black hair, arms smudged with oil, dressed in a shirt with rolled up sleeves, orange bow-tie, suspenders, and a pair of goggles on his head walked out from behind one of the large aircraft.
He walked up to the group. Maria and Frederick embraced for a quick moment, and he gave a polite bow to the rest of the crew.
“You I don’t know.” Frederick said, pointing at the ninth member of the group.
“Raphael Walt, attache of the Ministry of Magic.” Raphael said. “I was at the launch of your first aircraft, you probably don’t remember me.”
“Well, welcome to Shorehaven and Billings Field.” He gestured to the large hanger and the aircraft that were stored within it. “Over there we have our Marias, we just brought in one from our weekly Capital run. Over here are the Katarinas. We just finished our second one.”
“They’re much bigger than the Maria.” Katarina said.
“They have to be. The islands are nearly twice the distance from here to the Capital. Plus, they can carry up to four people at once. We have a senior wind mage from the ministry working with us on this project. I think he’s doing it so he can stay at the beach instead of dealing with the Capital.” Frederick said.
“I can see the appeal.” Raphael said.
“So,” Keith said. “Things are going well?”
“Yes, very. Work’s going good. We finished the second Katarina, which means fleet production’s next, and now we’re working on something that’ll reach the clouds!” Frederick beamed. “Have a good crew too, some people from here who’re tired of boats. A couple of fifth and sixth sons from the capital who want to make a name for themselves. Sometimes they give me a bit of grief, for my age or just being a commoner, but Count Billings usually sorts that nonsense out before it gets too bad.”
“And you’re engaged to his daughter too!” Katerina said. “He must be really invested if he’s willing to let you do that.”
“Lord Billings is a very good man, with great aspirations. He wants the Billings name to outlast him. I think he’s expecting me to give up the name Garish when I marry Helena.” Frederick said.
“Will you?” Raphael asked.
“Not sure. I mean, it’s my name, but if it means becoming a full part of the nobility…eh.” He shrugged. “Wedding’s not until summer, I have time to think about it. Helena’s going to keep her name, and any kids we have will be Billings, no question there. You just have to wonder if your name is worth your pride. Still, there are worse problems to have.”
“Marrying into nobility has its challenges.” Gerard said. He was idly looking at the aircraft in the hangar as the group talked to the inventor. “Lady Billings is happy about it, I trust?”
“Yeah. Yeah…real happy.” Frederick said.
“Frederick,” Maria said. “Is there something wrong?”
“No. No…well…maybe?” Frederick said. “You see she keeps-“
“Lady Helena Billings will see you now.” A voice cut through the air.
The group turned to see what had to be the estate’s butler standing there. “She has also asked me to see if you have had lunch.”
“Actually, we have not.” Keith said.
“Excellent, then it pleases me to say that Lady Helena will prepare a lunch for you, in Shorehaven tradition.” The butler said. “Please follow me.”
“Frederick?” Maria asked, still concerned.
“It can wait until after lunch.” Frederick said. “You’re in for a treat, Helena’s an amazing cook.”
- -
Lady Helena was very pretty, although oddly dressed for the beach. She was wearing a black dress with a few dark indigo highlights. She had long, straight, dark hair that she left hang in front of her face, making it look like she was wearing a veil. Katarina was reminded of the ghost girls from the horror movies she would stay up late and watch with Acchan. She greeted them in the parlor of the Billings’ Manor.
“Your Highnesses, Lords, Ladies. Welcome to the Billings Manor.” She said in a calm voice as she curtsied. “We are at your service.”
“You do us the honor of allowing us to visit at such short notice.” Gerard said as he and the other boys bowed.
“Your home is lovely.” Mary said as the rest of the girls curtsied.
“Thank you.” Lady Helena said. She gave them all a weak smile now that the standard niceties had been completed. “I’m sure you’re all quite hungry, please, our staff has prepared drinks and appetizers for you. I’ll personally serve you in just a few moments.”
Everyone swept into the dining room, where a long table was set up, and on each table there was prepared…
“Satay chicken skewers!” Katarina said as she sat down. “I haven’t had these since ever! And they’re all yellow, and oh oh! Is that brown stuff in the sauce cup the peanut sauce?”
The staff gave each other surprised looks.
“Has her Ladyship had island cuisine before?” The maid next to Katarina asked.
“Well, I uhhh like trying new things?” Katarina said as she sat down at the table with the others.
Frederick gave Keith a questioning look. Keith just sighed, shrugged, and shook his head. This was just another ‘Katarina Thing,’ the best thing was to roll with it.
It was nice that Katarina was able to explain to everyone the right way to eat chicken skewers, and that the peanut sauce was best applied liberally to bring out the best flavors. Although Keith did have to subtly grab Katarina’s hand to keep her from rubbing her finger through the sauce and licking it.
Once everyone was done, the doors to the kitchen opened, and Lady Helena walked in, and took her chair next to Frederick. Everyone noticed how, while she was still in hostess mode, she didn’t look at or touch her fiancee.
“Your highnesses, Lords, Ladies.” Lady Helena began. “I present to you my efforts in two courses. They’re rather simple things, but I gladly hold them up against Shorehaven’s finest. The first course, Shorehaven Salad.”
A pair of staff came out with a cart of dishes, and placed plates in front of everyone. Everyone else stared at what was before them. It certainly resembled a salad in that it was green and was made of plants. However, they were used to leaves and stalks with assorted vegetables, not a tangly mass that smelled strongly of vinegar.
Frederick took a breath and was about to give a explanation/defense for the salad when he was interrupted.
“Seaweed Salad?!” Katarina gasped in joy. “Oh, and you even have sesame seeds! Oh, this is just…” Everyone stared as Katarina stabbed a wad of the salad and swallowed it. She scrunched her eyes and her mouth together and beat a fist against the table. “Helena! You are AMAZING. It tastes PERFECT! The feel of the seaweed, the sting of the vinegar, and how it cleanses your mouth and your soul! You HAVE to give the recipe for me to take home. I thought I'd never get to experience this again ever. You’re the best!”
Katarina then began, and no other word can be used, shoveling the seaweed salad into her mouth.
The rest of the group blinked, and then carefully tried the salad themselves. It was…different. However, Katarina’s enjoyment leaked over to them, so it was a good different. Lady Helena just stared at Katarina as she asked the staff for a second helping. Her eyes blinking and being just rather stunned at what had entered her life. People had complemented her on her cooking before but never like this.
After everyone was finished with their salads, Lady Helena nodded at the staff and they went back into the kitchen, and after a few moments came out with a new array of dishes. They began to serve them to the table.
“This next dish is Iruvian. They serve it with rice.” Lady Helena said. “I have to warn you, it’s very heavily spiced.”
“Curry!” Katarina exclaimed. “This just became the greatest meal ever! I haven’t had curry since…” Katarina paused and then grinned. “Well, since a long long time.” She sniffed the brown sauce that had floating bits of vegetables, potato and meat in it. Then she frowned and looked disappointed.
“Is something wrong?” Lady Helena said.
“No. Nothing.” Katarina said. “Juuuuust…it doesn’t smell very spicy. It’s like a one star out of five?”
“Well,” Lady Helena said, slightly narrowing her eyes. “I assumed you and your guests weren’t accustomed to hotter fare. How many ‘stars’ do you normally have Miss Claes?”
Katarina grinned and her face took on a villainous glare. “How hot can you make it?”
Lady Helena pursed her lips. She really shouldn’t be rising to this, but this bizarre woman was not only impinging on the quality of a Shorehaven Girl’s cooking, but on a dish that was one of Helena’s pride and joys. So, the mainlander wanted spicy? FINE. She was going to get it!
Lady Helena, not saying a word, stood up from her seat, and walked over to Katarina’s place, where she took her plate, with a large smile on her face. Then she and a member of the staff went into the kitchen.
Everyone looked at Katarina. Keith tapped her on the shoulder and leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Maybe you should apologize to Lady Helena and Frederick.”
“That’s amazing.” Frederick said. Everyone looked at him. “I’ve never seen Helena so…animated. Usually she just sits at the table and does protocol manners.” He grinned and smiled at Katarina. “She loves being challenged.”
After a few moments, Lady Helena came out of the kitchen, holding Katarina’s plate. The curry had changed. Gone was the warm brown coloring, and smell of mixed spices. Something black, and actively bubbling, was on Katarina’s plate now. When Lady Helena placed the plate down in front of her, Keith and Mary, who were sitting on each side of her, began coughing and blinking their eyes.
Katarina inhaled a deep breath over it, as Lady Helena took her seat. She gave a slight cough. Then she grinned, “Alright, now that smells like a star filled curry!” She took her spoon, scooped up a clump of rice, and topped it with a heaping pile of black sauce and what might have been a lump of either potato or meat, and she swallowed the whole thing in one bite.
Katarina sat there, she waved her free hand wildly, winced her eyes tight, And clutched her spoon hand in a fist so tight it was a wonder the utensil didn’t bend. She swallowed, and opened her eyes, tears running down her cheeks.
“Helena, I love you.” She said in a high voice. “This is amazing. You have to be the greatest cook in Shorehaven. I’d come visit every weekend if I could. The texture, the taste, how you made the spice part of the dish, and didn’t just dump it in to give it a jolt. You’re an artist.”
Helena didn’t know what to feel. She thought that this was just another mainlander, but this was someone who…understood her. She saw her forays into other culture’s cooking and didn’t mock her or think it bizarre. She knew the value of her efforts, and anyone who could eat her Death Curry and know that it was still good…she gave Frederick a small look.
“I warned you about her.” Frederick said quietly.
“Thank you, Lady Claes.” Helena said. “You’re welcome at my table, any time.”
The moment over, everyone else began to eat their curry. ‘One Star’ was fine for the rest of the group. Who again, found the dish to be unusual but rather good. Almost.
“I think I might like it a little spicier.” Alan said, quietly.
“Ssh. Just eat. Your stomach acts up when you eat Katarina’s bell peppers.” Mary hushed him.
“No, I think I can handle this. Hey, Katarina.” Alan said.
“Hmm?” Katarina looked at the younger prince.
“Pass your plate over, I wanna try it. It can’t be that spicy.” Alan said.
“Oh no no no. This stuff it’s…it’s not for beginners.” Katarina said.
“Oh, I’m a beginner, am I?” Alan said. “Is that a challenge?”
“No no! I didn’t mean beginners, I mean first timers. This is REALLY spicy.” Katarina said.
“Yeah, well. We’ll see.” Alan said, as he got up from his seat and walked over to Katarina’s place. (Past Mary who looked like she was two seconds away from stabbing her fiancee with a fork.) He took his fork, stabbed a potato bit, dripping in sauce, and popped it into his mouth.
There was a moment, Alan remained perfectly still. Anyone close to him could see his face slowly growing redder, and the sweat staring to drip down his forehead. His hands were shaking.
Helena cleared her throat. “The bathroom’s right out that door, third on the left.”
There was a muffled sound that might have been a ‘thank you’ said through gritted teeth, as Alan hurriedly staggered out of the room, tears running down his face.
There was a pause, after a moment Alan walked back into the dining room. It was clear that he had splashed some water on his face. He nodded at Helena and went back to his own curry without a word. The rest of the group went back to their own food and quiet small talk with Helena and Frederick.
Finally everyone finished their meal. “That was wonderful, Helena! Ooh! Can we use your beach?” Katarina said.
“I’m sorry?” Helena asked.
“Well, we had plans to get out with our swimsuits and enjoy the beach but we can’t exactly go back to the estate we were supposed to have that big group swim at. However, you have such a beautiful beach, would it be a bother if we spent the day here? Please?” Katarina said.
“I…ummm…it’s an honor if you’d…” Helena sighed and gave up. “Our beach isn’t pretty like the Semmel Shore. We’ve converted most of it to make room for Frederick’s runway.”
“There’s no tide pools, or sand bars.” Frederick said. “Just blank sand and then a hard drop into the ocean. The waves get pretty strong.”
“Well that sounds wonderful!” Katarina said. “We can all go swimming!”
“Katarina has had her heart set on this ever since we set out.” Prince Gerard said. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. We can have out things delivered from our carriages in a few minutes.”
Helena shrugged and surrendered once more to the will of Katarina Claes. She almost looked happy. “My house is your house, and my beach is your beach.”
“Yay! Swimsuit time!” Katarina cried out.
- -
Sophia quietly poked through the Billings Manor. She wasn’t snooping. That was unladylike. She was exploring. Also she was killing time while the others had fun on the beach. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go swimming, it’s just that if she did, no matter how much her swimsuit covered her, she’d end up redder than a cooked lobster. Albinos and mid-day sun didn’t mix well.
Her eyes widened and she smiled when she entered what turned out to be the Billings Library. It wasn’t as big as hers, of course, but still books were books. Also, she felt her heart flutter with a little excitement as she looked over the titles. Island legends, and Iruvian Tales! The histories and lore of exotic worlds that brushed up against Shorehaven. She’d be sad forever if she missed getting to see this.
Sophia took off the shelf a book that had the cover illustration of an Iruvian Prince and Princess in an embrace, and hungrily opened it. She pouted in dismay when she saw that it was in Iruvian Script. That was a shame, foreign romances remained a mystery. She put the book back where she found it when the last few shelves in the library caught her eye.
It was down at the bottom, and they had curtains in front of them. The same dark blue that Lady Helena liked to wear. Sophia pushed the curtains aside and saw rows of title-less books. Curious, she took one out. She recognized what it was. A cheap journal. Stores sold them to merchants who needed to keep records. They were all the same. Were these shipping longs for the Billings’ ships? Sophia undid the clasp holding it closed and opened it to a random page.
Red sings to Blue in the Free Sky
I soar on Thermals and embrace them both
Our cries grow in magnitude as we go higher
Our lips caress each other and I kiss Red’s-
Sophia shut the book her eyes wide and her cheeks red. This was…this was…really good. Sophia considered herself an expert on romantic literature, and she knew good stuff when she saw it. She just wasn’t used to seeing it so…detailed.
Sophia flipped through the journal. It was filled cover to cover with that stuff, all of it hand written. She checked the front cover, and on then inside she saw something that made her eyebrows go up.
Lady Helena Billings, Age 13, Volume 18. ‘An Ode To A Robin And Thrush.’
Did Lady Helena write all of this? Sophia thought to herself. She sat in one of the library’s chairs, opened the journal again and started reading from the beginning. This time Sophia lasted seven pages before she had to stop. She was breathing heavily and her entire face was as red as her eyes. Lady Helena…REALLY loved those birds. It really felt like you were flying with them, seeing the world with them, and then…well…Sophia took a handkerchief out from an inner pocket of her dress, and dove back in.
When she was finished, she had used the handkerchief to stop her nose from bleeding onto Helena’s wonderful book. She gently put the book away where it belonged and checked out the windows. The sun had dipped below the cliff line, so maybe she could go out to the beach with the others now.
Lady Helena’s poetry was still there though…maybe…one more quick read wouldn’t hurt. She’d just peek at the title. See if it was interesting. Then she’d go out with the others. Sophia picked out one of the later books. She made a small noise when she saw the title:
Lady Helena Billings, Age 14, Volume 29 ‘Ode to the Devilish Count’
THUS we BEGIN with force
I demand of the Prince his passion
He supplies my hunger and my want
I lean forward and my tongue searches for-
Sophia was delayed for a while. Also she would need a new handkerchief.
- -
“It’s such a shame, Sophia helped pick out our swimsuits too.” Maria said.
Nicol shrugged. “I’ll get her when the sun’s a little less direct.”
“WAHOOOO!” Katarina cried out once again as she ran into the water and jumped into it. Frederick wasn’t kidding about the drop off, a few feet of sand and then just deep, cool, ocean. Katarina bobbed her head up as she treaded water. “Come on in everyone. It’s great!”
Everyone else lacking Katarina’s skill in the water, or desire to plunge into cold temperatures, just waved at her from the shallows. Katarina puffed her cheeks and grumbled with her head underwater. It turned out she didn’t like the swimsuits of this world too much either.
It didn’t matter if you were a boy or a girl. They covered enough of your body that you might as well be wearing a jumpsuit. The boys’ suits were all striped and had big buttons, and the girl’s had frilly, sewn-in ruffles. They were designed for getting close to water, not in it. Katarina thought that was unfair. She wanted to see they boys in shorts with their bare chests, and the girls in cute one-pieces and bikinis. She was at the beach damnit, she was supposed to see something nice!
She swam up to the small sandbar and pulled herself up, her dripping swimsuit hanging off her, feeling like it weighed an extra twenty pounds.
“Where did you learn to swim so well?” Frederick, still dressed in his shirt, slacks, and suspenders, but standing barefoot in the surf, asked.
“Just something I picked up as a child.” Katarina said. She left out exactly which childhood it had been. She nodded a thank you at Gerard as he had gotten to Katarina with a towel first.
“Anyway,” Maria frowned and looked at Frederick. “Frederick you have to tell us what’s wrong between you and Lady Helena.”
“What?” Frederick said.
“You two barely looked at each other during lunch.” Mary said. “Let alone talked. You just hang around like a ghost, and allow Helena to have the full run of the manor. Do you even take meals together, or do you spend all your time in your hangar with your aircraft?”
“Not…all the time.” Frederick said.
“Why did you agree to marry her then?” Alan asked.
“That was more her father’s idea than mine.” Frederick said. “I think it’s a combination of him wanting to keep Billings Aircraft in the family business along with his shipping company. Also, I don’t know why but apparently no-one in Shorehaven wants to become engaged to Helena, not even fourth or fifth sons.”
“Is there something wrong?” Gerard asked.
“Well, it isn’t like I dislike her.” Frederick sighed. “She’s just been…distant. I’ve done all the proper things. I’ve tried to get to know her, but she…” He shrugged. “She’s gotten worse in the past few days. She’ll barely be in the same room with me before she starts to cry.”
“Cry?” Katarina asked.
“Yeah, and I thought things had changed. I took her flying and she loved it. We went to Ilse de Cosette and spent the day there. We talked about actual things, had a nice time, drank coconut milk, had beach barbecue chicken for dinner, and flew back here the next morning.” Frederick said. “For a week after, we were connecting, she said she was writing a poem for me, and then boom. She starts avoiding me, and starts crying when I do the usual courting things, to keep her parents happy.”
“Is she against the engagement?” Maria asked.
“Maybe?” Frederick said. “I know there’s something wrong, but she won’t tell me. If she said something, maybe I could figure out someway to wiggle out of it. Her parents seem rather dead set on it.”
“Really?” Keith said. “No offense, but you’re still a commoner. Air craft or no.”
“I know. That’s half the reason I can’t just back out of it. A commoner breaking off an engagement with an Earl’s daughter? Let’s not start with the fact that I’d be exiled, and all my work would be thrown away forever. The damage to the Billings’ reputation would be catastrophic.” Frederick shrugged. “I’m stuck.”
“Well, there’s one way to find out what’s going on.” Katarina said.
“She won’t talk to me. I’ve asked the staff to see if they could find out or have any idea but that didn’t get anywhere either.” Frederick said.
“Well, looks like there’s only one thing we can do.” Mary said.
“What?” Raphael asked.
“Help with dinner.” Mary said.
- -
The kitchen was a hive of activity. Staff were all about, gutting fish, chopping vegetables, and putting things in ovens or taken them off of stoves. The only unique thing was that in the center of the kitchen was Lady Helena. She was standing in front of a large bowl, and scattered about were lots of bottles and small jars. She kept jumping from bottle to bottle, pouring things in, shaking new spices, and tasting her creation with a small spoon.
Since the boys would be out of place in this world, it was just the girls. The others had joined up with Sophia and briefed her on their plans.
“What is that, Lady Helena?” Maria asked.
“The marinade for tonight’s fish. I’m trying to keep it simple, but since Prince Alan and Lady Katarina seemed so…adventurous, I’d thought I’d adjust it a little.” Lady Helena tasted the concoction with her small spoon and frowned. “A little more salt.” She grabbed a jar of it and shook in a small amount.
“Helena, are you…are you happy?” Katarina asked.
Helena paused, not looking at the girls. “Why wouldn’t I be? I have a beautiful home, my family is secure, I love the beach and the ocean, my future isn’t in doubt. Sometimes I wish I had magic, but then I’d have to leave Shorehaven.”
“And what about Frederick?” Maria asked.
“He’s my fiancee. He’s a good man, brilliant even.” Helena said, her hands balling into fists. “I’m sorry but I have to get this marinade finished so it can be served tonight. Please leave.”
Sophia frowned. “You really don’t seem like the same person who wrote all those wonderful poems.”
“What? You read my po-“ Helena started.
“Only a person of such deep passion and energy could put out such words. The ferocity and the drive behind each stanza.” Sophia went on. “How you talk about…” She cleared her throat. “That kind of person wouldn’t let herself be stuck in a loveless arrangement and resigned to making marinade, she’d storm out onto the beach and declare to the world that she was unhappy!”
“Sophia.” Mary quietly said.
“You really think that much of me from my silly little poems?” Helena said.
“You’re the best poet I’ve read in years.” Sophia said. “Do you not want to be married to Frederick?”
“No, he’s fine. It’s just…Frederick is going to die.” Helena said.
“What?” Katarina said.
“Yes,” Helena tightened her hands further. “I’m going to kill him.”
“WHAT?!” Everyone said.
Helena dropped to her knees, crying.