Lady Videlle looked back at Kyrin, face pinched. “I am to make it clear to you that, while relationships of any type between the staff here at Auréa are not expressly forbidden, it is not encouraged and must never interfere with your duties. Marriage and children are forbidden without the express approval of His Majesty. Should you, at any time, find yourself with child, you are required to see the palace physician to have it dealt with promptly, and it will be at your own expense.”
Kyrin almost tripped over herself, and her mouth dropped open again before she snapped it shut. Everyone knew women often took certain drugs to end their pregnancies, but they never openly discussed it at Tarvin Hall. She swallowed on the repugnance of it.
In a wide corridor, Lady Videlle paused and pushed open one of many doors. “This will be your quarters.”
Kyrin followed her into a room twice the size of the one she’d shared at Tarvin Hall, and her eyes rounded. Such finery! A large bed and wardrobe drew immediate attention. No more small, claustrophobic bunk or shared cabinet. A dressing table, writing desk, and several other, smaller furnishings filled the space—luxuries she’d never had before. Gold paper covered the walls, warmer than the stark and plain colors of a Tarvin Hall dorm, and a black and gold circular rug lay in the center of the dark wood floor. For the first time since childhood, she had a room to herself, and an impressive one at that.
“Far different from what you’re used to, isn’t it?”
Her attention shifted back to Lady Videlle at her first attempt at casual conversation. “Very much so.”
“Well, in a few days, it will begin to feel like home.”
Home. A twinge passed through Kyrin’s stomach, but she hid the discomfort behind a slight smile.
“Now, there is much to see to this morning,” Videlle went on. “Tonight you will meet the emperor and dine with him and his family, though typically, you will dine with the rest of us. Before that, however, you have a guest to see this afternoon.”
Guest? What guest? How could she have one already on her first day?
Videlle did not pause long enough for her to voice these questions.
“First things first, your appearance.” She faced Kyrin again, looking her up and down as an artist might scope out her canvas. Her thin, elegant eyebrows slowly dipped down, and Kyrin fidgeted.
“Well,” Videlle said at last. “You’re very plain.”
Kyrin winced. She’d learned years ago to be content without the flawless ivory skin, full lips, and rich, flowing curls so many girls seemed to have. Nonetheless, Videlle’s harsh assessment stung.
“Your hair will need work…”
Kyrin glanced at her dark, nut-brown braid resting over her shoulder. It certainly didn’t match the luxurious sheen of Videlle’s hair.
“…and you are slender enough, but you’re not the shapeliest girl. Perhaps you will fill out, but we shall see if our dressmaker can’t do something to enhance you in the meantime.”
Kyrin’s cheeks warmed. She had no desire to look like many of the women she regularly encountered with their revealing gowns and tightly cinched bodices.
“You do have pretty eyes,” Videlle added, almost as an afterthought. “Yes, we will try to draw more attention to them.”
No one had complimented Kyrin’s eyes before. Compared to Yara’s striking green or Meredith’s darker indigo hues, she never considered her dusty blue particularly attractive. But they were her father’s eyes, and that made them special to her.
Videlle crossed the room to the wardrobe. “I will help you this morning, but after this, Holly will assist you.” She gestured to the servant girl standing ready at the door.
Kyrin glanced at her again, and the young woman curtsied.
“She is familiar with the morning routine and will be your personal maid.”
Kyrin had to stop herself from gaping. First this extravagant room and now her own maid. Hadn’t she just been on her hands and knees scrubbing Tarvin Hall’s courtyard? She needed a moment to process this, but Videlle seemed determined to forge right ahead with her duties. She pushed back the wardrobe doors. Gold and black fabric filled the inside, but a few other splashes of rich color peeked out. She withdrew an article of clothing.
“Put this on first and we shall see to your hair and cosmetics.”
She handed the white linen shift to Holly, who helped Kyrin change out of her uniform and into the close-fitting, short-sleeved garment. Once it was laced rather tightly in the back, Lady Videlle indicated a chair at the dressing table. Kyrin took a seat, and Holly loosed her hair to brush out the tangles. Despite being in a braid most of the morning, it hung limp and straight.
Videlle held her elbow in her hand and tapped one finger against her chin. “Doesn’t look as though it will hold a curl well, does it?”
“No, ma’am,” Holly answered quietly.
“Well, you will just have to do your best with it.”
Kyrin almost laughed. The poor girl would have quite a challenge. She watched in the mirror as Holly reached for a tall glass bottle of clear liquid. She sprinkled a little of it into her hands and worked it through Kyrin’s hair. Whatever it was transformed the dull strands to a rich, shiny brown. So that’s how women did it.
Next came an abundance of hairpins and thin, flexible rollers, with which she arranged the top layer of Kyrin’s hair up around her head. She used heated rods on the bottom layer to create the perfect, long curls women so coveted. After all, long, elaborate hairstyles were the height of women’s fashion. To have it cut any shorter than waist length was a sign of terrible shame. Though Kyrin always found working with her hair a frustration, Holly turned it into what equated to a work of art.
As fascinating as it was to watch, Kyrin focused on Lady Videlle, who used this time to inform her about her position here at the palace. “You will be allowed to come and go as you please as long as you check with either myself or Holly. We will know the emperor’s schedule and whether or not you are required.”
Kyrin’s heart gave a leap. She would still get to see Kaden. Already she wanted to know when she’d have a bit of free time, but she refrained from interrupting.
“For your service, you will be paid a generous monthly sum based on the performance of your duties.”
“What, exactly, are my duties?” Kyrin asked as she looked at her in the mirror.
Lady Videlle frowned. “To read people, of course.”
“And how and when will I do this? What type of situations?”
“Well,” this seemed to be Videlle’s favorite way to begin a statement, “no one has ever held your position until now, but from what I understand you will be present at most of the emperor’s meetings and important gatherings. You will watch discreetly from the background and relay any pertinent information to the emperor’s assistant, who will then give that information to the emperor. Obviously, your main objective is to recognize any threat to His Majesty.”
Kyrin was about to nod, but thought better of it since it could mess up Holly’s work.
It took close to an hour before both Videlle and Holly found satisfaction with Kyrin’s hairstyle. Would they spend every morning in this manner? What a waste of time. But she didn’t dare breathe a word of this, of course.
Now Lady Videlle took over to show Holly what she had in mind for cosmetics. At this point, Kyrin could no longer watch the progress in the mirror as the women fussed over her face. Videlle applied generous amounts of cream and powder to Kyrin’s skin, much like an artist now with all her brushes and cosmetic palettes.
After a variety of colors and applications, Videlle stepped back to examine her handiwork. “There, you see that, Holly, how the blue and brown brings out her eyes as well as complements her hair?”
Holly nodded studiously.
“That’s what I want you to go for.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Can I see?” Kyrin asked. After all that painting and powdering, how must she look?
??
?Not just yet. Let’s first get you into your dress.”
Videlle went to the wardrobe again. This time she withdrew a long, gold linen gown similar to her own. It had an attractive cut, and the neckline was not too low, thankfully. Actually, it was quite plain except for the embroidered black ribbon sewn down the length of each sleeve and around the bottom hem.
Holly helped Kyrin into this dress and laced up the back. She also tightened laces on either side of the dress’s bodice so it fit as snugly as the shift. Over the dress went a fitted black, suede vest. Kyrin smoothed her hands down the front. She had only worn dresses on special occasions. This would take some getting used to, but the dress was pretty. Maybe dressing up would have its advantages.
This thought vanished the moment Lady Videlle produced a pair of black shoes. Heels. Her shoulders sagged. Only once had she ever worn heels, and it ended in disaster. Of course, it hadn’t been purely out of clumsiness. She had been tripped, deliberately, but still. She grimaced at the memory of the ensuing chaos when Kaden had jumped in to avenge her.
“Do I have to wear heels?”
Lady Videlle looked at her aghast. “Well, of course you must. What is a gown without appropriate footwear? Besides, it will add a couple of inches to your height, and that is always a good thing.”
Kyrin winced. Five foot seven was just fine. She didn’t need to be five foot ten. Now she understood why Videlle was so tall.
“Well, for pity’s sake, at least wear them today and when you’re with the emperor. If you wish to go without them on your own time, very well.”
Kyrin accepted this agreement and stepped into the shoes Videlle set on the floor. Holly buckled them, and Kyrin took a couple of uncertain steps. The instability made her nervous, but she had no choice.
With a final inspection, Lady Videlle smiled. “Well, considering what I had to work with, the outcome is quite satisfactory.” She gestured to the full-length mirror in the corner. “See for yourself.”
Kyrin stepped carefully to the mirror. She sucked in her breath at her reflection. No more plain, simple Kyrin. Layers of cream and powder smoothed and lightened her skin tone. The pale color brought out the deep crimson of her lip paint and the dusty blue and brown on her eyelids that did indeed draw attention to her eyes. She was beautiful, at least according to the standards of society. Despite how plain she’d been, Holly and Videlle had transformed her image into one any girl would envy.
And yet, Kyrin’s heart sank. This would now be expected of her—this painted girl in the mirror. Suddenly, she desired more than anything to be plain old Kyrin.
“I need a bodyguard?” Kyrin didn’t like the sound of that.
She struggled to keep up with Lady Videlle on their way to meet with Sir Aric, Emperor Daican’s head of security, and not fall flat on her face, or worse, break an ankle. The woman didn’t seem to notice.
“Yes, of course. Now as part of Auréa’s staff, the emperor’s enemies are your enemies. Many believe that to harm one of His Majesty’s aides or advisors will harm him.”
Kyrin’s pulse quickened. She’d never worried about her safety with her brother around.
“Now, don’t fear,” Lady Videlle said as she slowed just a bit. “Emperor Daican’s security force is the finest in Arcacia.”
A lot of good those words did, coming from a relative stranger. She’d rather have Kaden to protect her.
The two of them entered the meeting room, and Kyrin’s gaze did a quick sweep. Comfortable seating filled the spacious area. Lady Videlle said the palace aides often used it for congregating at the end of the day, but never mind the furnishings. Kyrin’s attention focused on two men standing proudly in their palace uniforms. The first man, a bit older than the other, stood tall and dark with a stern jaw set. A distinct air of authority surrounded him. The younger man waited to the side, his much lighter features a contrast to those of his superior.
“Sir Aric,” Videlle said as she approached the black-haired man. “Thank you for meeting us here.”
“Not a problem.” His voice was deep and all business.
Lady Videlle turned to Kyrin. “Here she is, Emperor Daican’s new observer, Kyrin Altair.”
Aric inclined his head politely. “My lady.”
“Sir Aric.” She studied his face. Though cool and collected, a spark of warmth in his gray-blue eyes hinted at a softer side.
He motioned to his right, and the younger man stepped forward. “This is Trev. He’s been part of the security force here at Auréa for three years now, and I’ve assigned him as your personal guard. He’ll be your escort whenever you have reason to leave the palace grounds.”
Kyrin eyed her new bodyguard. He reminded her somewhat of Collin in the way he held himself—confident, sure of his abilities—yet without possessing Collin’s arrogance. Just a quiet, reassuring confidence. Maybe he would be able to keep her safe. She managed a smile.
Trev met it with his own. “My lady.”
His quiet tone surprised her, but it was genuine and encouraging.
“Trev will be at your disposal whenever you should need him,” Lady Videlle told her. “Just send word through Holly.”
Kyrin nodded her understanding, but getting to know her bodyguard would have to wait. With barely a word of parting, Lady Videlle whisked her off for what she called a “brief” tour of the palace—through winding, turning halls, numerous sitting rooms, libraries, various ball and meeting rooms, up flights of stairs, and back down again. Even Kyrin’s head spun at the sheer size and complexity of Auréa’s marble and gilded interior.
By the time they finished inside the palace and toured the grounds, a deep ache throbbed just above Kyrin’s eyes. She resisted the urge to rub her forehead since it would smudge her cosmetics.
“Well.” Lady Videlle finally paused and sounded a bit winded. “Now you’ve seen all you need to of Auréa. I trust you will be able to find your way around.”
“Yes, my lady,” Kyrin replied, though to try to recall it now only intensified her headache.
“Right, then, this way. Lunch will soon be served. We don’t want to keep your guest waiting.”
And she was off again with that graceful but deceptively fast walk of hers. Thank Elôm that Kyrin had spent so much time wandering the city and at the training fields to have the stamina to keep up, though her heeled shoes fought her every step. If only Videlle would slow enough to allow her to question the identity of her mystery guest. She had no desire to meet anyone else. Between her headache and the new information spinning around in her head, she’d surely make a dreadful dining companion. In fact, the whole idea made her quite uneasy. Kaden was good with people, not her.
She took a couple of deep breaths to clear her mind of all unnecessary information. Dampness built up on her palms beneath her clenched fingers. How very unladylike. She grimaced and forced her hands open, willing them to dry before meeting her guest.
Lady Videlle stopped at the door to one of the parlors and opened it. Before Kyrin could do anything more to prepare herself, the woman ushered her into the room. Her eyes locked on the man dressed in a captain’s uniform who rose from the couch. Strong, dark features, dusty blue eyes—Kyrin took in these details in a heartbeat, and all the tension that had wound her so tightly released. Tears rushed to her eyes and a smile broke across her face.
“Father!”
Without a moment’s concern for formality, she ran into his arms and ignored Lady Videlle’s disapproving sniff. Nothing at all could steal the joy of this reunion. Lady Videlle, the palace—it all disappeared as Kyrin soaked in the warmth of her father’s strong, yet gentle embrace. The tears fell, no doubt smudging her eye shadow and leaving dark streaks down her face, but forget her appearance, forget everything. She had her father. It had been so long.
They parted, and Kyrin stared into his smiling face—so kind and handsome, his eyes sparkling with both tears and happiness.
William Altair wiped his thumbs across her face. “It’s so go
od to see you.”
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Kyrin breathed.
Off to the side, Lady Videlle exclaimed, “Goodness, child, no need to carry on so. Look at your face. Oh, this will never do!”
Kyrin wanted to ignore the woman, but she came with a napkin from the table and forced Kyrin back a step. She fussed and dabbed at Kyrin’s face like a mother would a young child. Giddiness bubbled up inside Kyrin, and she chuckled as she grinned at her father, further flustering Videlle. The woman shook her head and lamented over her ruined appearance.
“There’s no hope for it now. We will just have to redo it before you meet the emperor.” She stepped away, still shaking her head in dismay. “I will leave you now and inform the kitchen staff you are ready.”
Kyrin’s father smiled kindly at her. “Thank you, Lady Videlle.”
She gave a terse nod and cast one more exasperated glance at Kyrin on the way out.
Once the door had closed, Kyrin released a full laugh and hugged her father again. “I really can’t believe it. I knew you were in Valcré, but I never expected to see you here.”
“You can be sure I never would have left the city without making a point to see you and Kaden.” William held her at arm’s length and shook his head. “Look at you. How your mother would love to see you now.”
Kyrin’s smile wobbled at the lack of feeling that thoughts of her mother evoked. She should feel something, shouldn’t she? But her father’s presence cheered her again immediately.
“It’s been a long time,” she murmured.
“A very long time.”
“I’m just glad it’s you. I’m not sure how I would have handled someone else.”
With a sympathetic look, William asked, “How are you holding up?”
Tears pricked her eyes again. How could she adequately answer that question? But she refused to cry again. She swallowed and spoke through a rough voice, “It’s been…overwhelming.”