Chapter 8

Ruby remained with Oswald for a good chunk of the morning. She rubbed his shaking back, encouraging him to eat. But the shock of Sasha - Sasha! - trying to seduce him had robbed him of his appetite. Afterwards, Ruby ran a bath for him. She hadn't done this since the day of his arrival. But today, especially after what she'd witnessed, the maid felt a need to shield Oswald. Comfort him. Try to help him forget.

As the hot water rose, slushing this way and that in its porcelain confines, Ruby took one of the white roses from the vase. Ever since that first day, which Oswald had ended with warm thanks for her, Ruby had taken it upon herself to always keep his flower vase perfect. The blossoms never wilted, the leaves never browned. And they were always white roses. Like swan feathers, or snowfall. Pure.

One by one, a rose shed its petals beneath Ruby's fingers. They landed lightly atop the soapy waves. Smiling, Ruby tossed the stem aside and fetched a bottle of rosewater from the drawer. Glancing back at Oswald, she saw that he was shivering and hugging himself. Ruby nearly emptied the cylinder in the bath tub. Smiling to him, she gestured. "Your bath is ready."

"Th-thank you, Ruby." Oswald was clinging to his bathrobe as tightly as one would a coat in the middle of a blizzard. Recognizing her cue, she bowed. "Rest assured," she said, "Sasha won't get away with this." Oswald's eyes popped open. The maid had barely made it out of the bathroom when a cool hand seized hers. Ruby spun around to see Oswald's pale, anxious face inches from hers. "What do you mean?" He didn't sound angry; simply fearful.

Ruby covered his hand with hers. "What Sasha did was simply unacceptable. Once I tell the Master, she'll be put back in her place."

"No!" Oswald shook his head quickly. "No, please don't. She's practically my...my sister! If you tell, Father might misunderstand!"

"What is there to misunderstand?" Ruby demanded. "She literally stripped before you and jumped on you like a dog in heat! She almost molested you. Oswald," she softened her tone, and allowed herself to place a hand on the young man's face, "you are the only other person besides Master that I truly serve. If any harm befalls you, I have to nip the issue at the bud."

"But no harm befell me." Oswald subconsciously leaned into Ruby's hand. "Please. I...I'm sure that she was just confused. Really, it won't happen again."

"It'd better not." Ruby growled. Then, as the red glint in her eye began to fade, she took a moment to observe Oswald. He was staring at her earnestly. Desperate to get through to her. His eyes were moist, still bloodshot from earlier, and his skin was the color of fresh milk. In that moment, Ruby wanted to protect him more than anything. But, as always, duty vanquished over desire. Oswald was the Master's son. That meant that if he wished for her to do something, then she had no choice but to obey.

That was why Ruby sighed, nodded, and retracted her hand from Oswald's cheek. "Okay." She held her hands up in surrender. "I won't tell."

Oswald sighed. Smiled thankfully at her. "I truly appreciate this, Ruby. Really."

Ruby smiled in return. "I know. I can feel it." Oswald blushed in spite of himself. Ruby cleared her throat, suddenly aware of the mood settling in, and bowed. "I'll leave you to your bath. Oh! And I ironed your suit, too. It's hanging just outside the door."

Oswald grinned. "Thank you." Ruby winked before taking her leave, bowing all the way.

The young man watched after her, his cheeks still aflame, before the sweet rosewater summoned him. He shed his robe and pyjamas all too readily. He quickly stepped into the water, sighing before he even lay down. It was perfect: not too hot, but not lukewarm. Smiling, Oswald rested his head on the tub's rim. Watched the white rose petals glide across the surface like silky little sailboats. With every movement he made, he sent small waves against the porcelain. Thin wisps of steam rose from the water like ghosts at nightfall. Smiling contently, Oswald grabbed the bar of soap and got to work.

Scrub. Rinse. Scrub.

As he covered his body in white, sweet-smelling foam, Oswald began to think. Why had he asked Ruby not to tell Father? This morning's event had scared the daylights out of him. Never in his life had he been in a similiar situation. Though Oswald had imagined it many times. However, he had never been able to decide if he'd wanted to partake in such an activity with a girl or a boy. Either one seemed thrilling, albeit in different ways. But were the two sexes really that different?
Well, it didn't matter. What Sasha had done had startled him. Even if he'd been the young, sexually-curious teenager of over a decade ago, he might have still panicked. But Oswald still hadn't damned Sasha. She was still his family now. And she'd been so nice to him since his arrival. True, she hadn't been as open and warm as Ruby, but she had still been pleasant. What had gotten into her head?

Well, it wouldn't happen again. Oswald could feel it. Must one really be judged for one lapse in kindness? If that were the case, he'd have been crucified long ago.

Oswald sighed, leaning his head back. His thoughts trailed back on the night before, and his doubts were washed away. Ruby knew everything now. He had withheld this information for so long, fearing that those kind smiles and friendliness would vanish if he revealed himself. But no. Ruby had listened, nodded occasionally, and actually hugged him at the end of it.

Oswald didn't realize he was crying for joy until the gentle plics reached his ears. He moved to wipe his eyes, then had a better idea. Closing his eyes, he plunged beneath the perfumed waters.

Ruby yawned, rubbing her eyes, as she collected the breakfast trays. Master was still sipping his coffee, reading the newspaper. Thankfully, Grace and her two ugly ducklings had already eaten and gone out shopping. Those three never wasted a chance to spend their abundant allowance. Master, on the other hand, always took things slow. He had...limited time, yes, but that didn't mean that he was going to hurry up. Old habits die hard.

Ruby yawned again.

Master glanced up from the papers. "My dear," he said gently, "are you alright?"

"Oh, yes, of course Master." Ruby bowed. "I just...I'm sorry, I...didn't get much sleep last night."

In a moment, Master was giving her all his attention. His inky eyes locked with hers. Above them, his bushy eyebrows met in the middle. "Oh, I'm sorry." He reached out and gently took her hand. "Is it the night terrors again?"

Ruby swallowed. "Those appear often enough, it's true. But," she shook her head, "no, not this time. I was...up, mostly."

Master gave a weak, mischievous smile. "Did you go to the library again? Or polish your jewels?"

Ruby shook her head, smiling back.

"Then," Master's eyes twinkled, "is it my son?" He might as well have slapped her in the face.

"Oh, God!" Ruby dropped the cup that she'd been holding. It began its rapid ascent to the hardwood floor. Ruby, without thinking, stuck her tongue out. It stretched out five feet long, and curled around the mug.

Shit. Ruby, whose face was on fire, turned to the Master. He was still smirking at her. Now, he seemed to be holding back laughter, too. Blushing furiously, Ruby retracted her tongue. But not before setting the mug on the table. Swallowing, wincing at the cold taste of porcelain, she muttered. "Sorry. The power...it thinks ahead of me, at times."

"No need to apologize, dear." Master assured her. "I find you an amazingly quaint young lady, power or not."

Ruby smiled, moved by this.

"Now," Master rested a hand on his cheek, "did anything occur between you two last night?"

"What?!" Ruby shook her head so quickly her vision blurred. "No no no, of course not! That would be irresponsible, and unethical! No, we just talked. Nothing more."

"Talked?" Master repeated coyly. Clearly teasing her.

"Yes. Talked." Ruby could feel steam bursting out of her ears. "Yesterday's events...well, they upset him. I heard him around here last night, and joined him for tea. That's all, I swear it." She realized that she was talking faster by the second, but she couldn't help it. All she could think about was Master convincing himself that she'd done something and-

"My darling, I believe you!" Master interjected, cutting off her thoughts. He smiled at her dumbfounded expression. "Ruby, I have known you for years now, and your record is spotless. I know you would never do anything inappropriate."

"No, sir." Ruby shook her head vigorously. "Never."

"But..."

Oh, God. Why does there always have to be a 'but'?

Master returned her eyes gently. "I have seen you two interact, and I can see a bond blooming."

Ruby blushed.

"All I ask is this." Master took her hand again and squeezed it. "Do not make the same error I made. Do not ignore your chance of loving." Master was deathly serious. Ruby could tell. Relief and nervousness intertwined within her. Master stared deeply into her eyes. "Do this, and I promise that I shall never punish you for that." Ruby didn't realize that she'd been on the brink of tears until her vision blurred. Keeping herself together, she bowed her head. "Thank you, Master." Master, in turn, smiled and let go of her hand. His expression grew concerned. "Now, you say that Oswald was upset last night?"

"Yes." Ruby nodded, grateful to change the subject. "Madame Grace...she pushed him too far."

"Ah, I know." Master nodded. "Grace can be difficult, but she is merely looking out for her loved ones. In time, she will accept Oswald."

Ruby knew better than to argue. Rather, she steered them in a different direction. "Why don't you two go get tailored suits together? You know, spend some father-son time together."

Master's face lit up like a birthday candle. "My dear, what a splendid idea! Of course, once Oswald comes down, I will propose the idea at once!"

That was when the footsteps resounded from the staircase.

Opera music streamed from the record player. Crackled in a comforting way. The sun's harsh rays were barred entrance by the blinds. The room was cool, smelt faintly of mothballs, and was all filled with fabrics. This was, in a sense, Elijiah's wardrobe. All of his finest suits were kept here, as were the fabrics that he kept aside for when he required more. A personal tailor was almost always there to fit him out. But today, it wasn't Elijiah who stood atop the stool, but Oswald. Surrounded by mirrors and fitted into a new jacket, he could barely contain himself.

"Do you like the fabric?" Elijiah asked. "It's Italian." He added with a proud flourish.

Oswald grinned. "I love it."

Elijiah patted his son on the back, still making sure the jacket fit right. "A man can say so much about himself by what he wears."

"I couldn't agree more." Oswald nodded earnestly.

Elijiah returned his son's smile before whipping out his magnifying glass. Peering at the stitching to ensure its perfection. When he was indeed certain, he looked up at his son. "I weep for today's casual youth." Gently, he took Oswald's thin shoulders and steered him towards the mirrors. Oswald lost his breath when he saw himself. He was wearing a beautiful, forest-green fabric that shimmered in the light, as though emeralds had been crushed and mixed in with the threads. Beneath, he wore a striped button-down shirt, a black vest, and dark pants. He looked nothing like the kingpin of crime. He looked...normal. Happy.

And he was.

Oswald reached for the hand resting on his shoulder. Squeezed. Elijiah returned the gesture with gusto. "I'm so glad Ruby suggested we do this. It's been so long." Oswald blushed faintly at the mention of the maid and nodded in agreement. He kept examining himself and, more importantly, his father right behind him. His father. The man he'd been wondering about his whole life, turning out to be the gentlest man on God's green earth. What he wanted more than anything was to save this moment, encapsulate it and keep it in his heart.

Behind him, Elijiah began to cough. It went from horrifying to heart-stopping. He hunched over, hands on his knees. Oswald spun around, grabbing his father's shoulders just as the older man's knees gave out. He crashed in a chair, and Oswald with him. "Father?!" But there was no answer. Panic fizzed in Oswald's gut like bubbles in a Sprite bottle. "Help!" He shouted. "Someone, please!" Tears filled his eyes. "Call for an ambulance!"

His shouts soon reached the ears of Grace. Frowning, she quickly hurried to her children. They'd been lounging, but the moment they saw her face, they rose.

"What did you do to Elijiah?" Grace demanded urgently. Sasha and Charles shared a clueless look before the latter answered, "Nothing!"

"HELP!" Oswald's shout crashed down like a shot bird.

"Coming, my dear!" Grace replied in a phony sweet voice before turning to her kids. "Clean up this mess. Call the doctor!"

A little while later, Elijiah's bedroom was as sombre as a funeral. The man of the house lay in bed, clad in clean blue pyjamas and drinking water. Ruby stood nearby, a jug of icy water in her hands. Her hair had been combed in front of her eyes to hide her tears. Grace stood idly by. The doctor, sighing, collected his things and rose. He faced Oswald, who had been knotting his tie for the past hour. The doctor's eyes were as flat as chunks of glass. "His condition has gotten worse." He said, getting right to the point. "The hole in his heart has gotten bigger, and now there's an infection."

In that moment, Elijiah coughed. Ruby quickly reached out and stroked his shoulder. Refilled his glass.

"I've given him antibiotics, but they'll be of little consequence." The doctor continued. "It's time for him to get his affairs in order. He may not have long." Oswald stared at him, wide-eyed. Stubbornly, the man's words did not change.

Ruby seemingly hiccuped. He turned to her.

"I..." Ruby set down the jug. "I have...to go." Her voice cracked. "I'm sorry!" She ran out of the room. Oswald's heart went out to her. He wanted to run after her, but his love for his father anchored him here. He nodded and thanked the doctor. Elijiah gave the man a passing, blank look. Grace stroked his hands, seemingly thoughtful, before saying, "I'm going to have them make you some nice chicken soup. You need your strength."

"How kind." Elijiah smiled lovingly at his wife as she rose and collected stray items. Oswald stood there, unable to speak, as the tears threatened to fall. Elijiah saw this, and his own heart lurched. He held a hand out. "Come here, my boy." Oswald obediently lurched forward. Sat down on the side of his bed. Elijiah smiled gently at the young man, trying to soothe the pain in his heart. "Don't listen to doctors, son. I've proved them wrong so many times, I've lost count." Oswald laughed in spite of himself. Wiped his eyes with his sleeve. "You and I will have many more years to spend together. Trust me." The way Elijiah watched him then, with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his lips, would have given faith to even the most stubborn of cynics.

"But perhaps," Elijiah spoke to Grace, "we should call my lawyer, dear. There are a few things I'd like to go over." He looked at Oswald as he spoke. "Much has changed in these past months."

"Of course." Grace smiled. "I'll have him right over." But the moment her back was turned, her smile turned into a sneer.