A cool breeze sends a shiver through me. Or maybe fear is making me feel colder. I pull my shawl tighter around me. Though there are guards posted and protection spells, I can't help but check around me for an intruder. If I wasn't so sick of being inside, I wouldn't bother venturing out. But staying indoors has been hard.
Stopping in front of the biggest water feature in the garden, I scan the area for signs of trouble. When none appear, I let myself relax a bit. There's been no further sign of problems. Maybe Chancellor Zade took care of them.
The pond is decorated with fish and lily pads. Flowers are blooming all around, just like the rest of the garden. With a bit of work, in two months it will be a beautiful sight and hopefully fall won't be too cool for our guests to enjoy.
I debate if I'm brave enough to go further into the garden when I hear the clomp of footsteps. I whirl toward the direction the sound comes from. Am I about to be attacked again? There's no way to ring for a servant out here. If I scream, will a guard be close enough to hear? Or will the attacker cast a spell to keep anyone from hearing my cries for help?
The sound moves closer. What should I do? Before I decide, Chancellor Zade strides around the hedge. Most of the tension drains away. Not an intruder, just the Chancellor. He's most improperly attired without his coat. Though I find myself not wanting to, I avert my gaze anyway. He doesn't look angry. Maybe he's not upset about the dresses. Or perhaps he didn't even open them.
“Enjoying the garden this morning?” His causal question eases my worries over Katherine and the dresses.
“Yes, it'll be a fine addition to our party.” My eyes drift back to him and I hurry to look away. “Aren't you cold?”
He laughs. “I'm hot. That's why I'm not wearing my jacket. I live in the mountains back home and it's always much colder than this.”
“Oh.” I wonder what mountains are like.
“I can run back to my room and get my jacket, if it'd make you more comfortable. I was working in my study. Didn't think to see you this morning, but something came for you.”
I think about his offer. I'm not sure more comfortable is the right description. It would be easier to look at him without feeling...different. “What came for me?”
“Well, it came for me, but it's really for you.” He holds out a letter, his face impassive. “It's from your Father.”
From the lack of emotion on his face, I can't tell if it will hold good or bad news. My hand quivers as I take the note. “Have you read it yet?”
“It was addressed to me, so yes I did.”
“Is it about Bethany?”
“Yes.”
It takes me a couple of tries before I'm able to open it.
Envadi Zade,
I received your request for Bethany's aid in addition to Cynthia's for planning your upcoming ball. It is a very hard request to comply with since the two older girls are already with you. But upon consideration, I realized you can't possibly manage without more help.
I must inform you that at times Bethany can be willful. You have my permission to punish her at will. She should need it often as Serena does. Expect her this afternoon.
If you have any further need, let me know and I will assist in any way that I can.
Councilman Stephen
Before rolling the paper up, I brush my fingers across the words. I hand it back and sit on a nearby bench.
“I thought you would be more excited to hear,” Chancellor Zade says. “Are you unhappy?”
When I stay silent, he sits next to me. I glance at the letter he still holds.
“It's not that. I'm pleased she's coming.” But hearing about liberal punishments is too much. Chancellor Zade hasn't done much to me yet, but he could. Father obviously thinks he should. Now the Chancellor holds that power over my sister, as well.
“Are you upset over my power to punish her?”
I clench my fingers together and say nothing.
“If it is, I can assure you she'll come to no harm, just as I haven't punished you.”
I should stay silent. Bethany would be shaking her head at me right now if she was here. “Yet, you have punished me once. I'm sure you have plans for more.”
“You must be confusing me with someone else. I've never lifted hand nor hex to you.”
“You didn't have to. Punishment was delivered all the same.”
He squeezes the bridge of his nose. “Sorry if I've offended you in some way. If you don't mind me asking, how did I do it?”
“How can you forget something so cruel?”
He jumps from the bench. His words harsh. “Forgive me if I remember doing nothing cruel. Please feel free to remind me.”
“Your false congratulations over my new baby sister. Taunting me with the note of her birth and insisting I share it with Cynthia. I would have preferred the customary beating for another sister instead of your false words.”
He spins to face me, dropping his hands to the side. After a moment, he says, “You thought that was cruel?”