Chapter Two: Budding Questions
When Eirika woke up, her stomach felt filled with stones.
She stayed still in her lush bed, hair tangled, body smelling slightly of sweat, kept company by her own thoughts. How could I behave like that? She thought. Her attitude had been so fowl, so disgusting that even Eirika, after her rage, had felt immensely upset.
Sitting up, Eirika threw her legs from beneath her duvet and stood up, feet tingling from the cold stone floor.
Knock, knock.
"Incoming!" The door flew open, and in a whirl of black skirts, a girl with bright blue eyes danced in, long black braids, bound into eight sections, bouncing behind her. She stepped lightly, mirth in each movement, as she clapped her hands together. "Ah, good morning, Queen Eirika! How are you?"
Suddenly, all the sleepiness Eirka felt fled her, leaving her wide awake. "Ah, Puck, I have need of you," Eirika said, eyes bright with concentration. "I want our guest to feel… welcomed. Order flowers from the florist in the arts' district, get a two dozen petit fours from the kitchen, and make sure breakfast is a luscious spread. Ah, and horse riding and a welcome feast! Arrange that for tonight, if you can."
The maid smiled, curtsying deep. "But of course, Your High-"
Eirika cleared her throat, crossing her arms. "Puck…"
"Oh, sorry, I mean, but of course, Eirika!" Puck smiled wide before dashing out the door.
Left to her own devices, Eirika drew herself a bath, warming the water over a small fire until it was comfortably hot. She bathed quickly, practically scrubbing what was necessary, before clambering out and rushing to her closet.
She'd dress practically today, her clothes more fitted to a man than any gentlewoman in the court: a dark brown tunic with loose sleeves, red belt, cream colored breeches, caramel colored boots, and a flashy yellow cape with a relaxed fold of fabric. Turning in her mirror, she felt stylish
Borrowing from the Chon'sin, she styled her hair into two controlled buns, accenting them with hairsticks gifted from a aristocrat that had travelled to the land. . "This should make a good impression," she muttered, sighing as she pulled the plug. The water drained onto the fire and down a hole, gurgling softly as it flowed through to the outside gardens.
Exiting her quarters, Eirika meandered down the hall. Fortunately for her, L'Arachel had been boarded on the floor above at the opposite end, leaving Eirika the ability to avoid her until their mutual breakfast.
"Ah, Your Highness!" a voice rang out. Eirika paused in her musing, turning over her shoulder. Puck ran at her, skirts hitched up.
"I just wanted to inform you that Lady L'Arachel is waiting in your personal dining rooms. Breakfast has been set, and she…"
"Yes?" Eirika waited, eyes wide.
"Well, she seems… a bit mad still," Puck finished, fiddling with her apron. "At you."
Eirika paused, shifting her weight. "Did she see the flowers?"
Puck nodded. "Yes, Eirika."
Eirika chewed her lip. "Then I don't understand. I sent them as a sigh of apology."
"If you'll allow me to be frank, ma'am, flowers aren't going to heal your poor behavior last night. You were no better than a child enraged over being denied a treat," Puck admonished. Quickly, her cheeks colored and she prostrated herself, head bent low. "Oh, Your Highness, I-"
Kneeling, Eirika dropped down just as low as Puck. "No, you're right," she said, smiling. Puck raised her head, braids flopping down next to her. She shifted so she was on her knees.
"Well, good then. Even Queen's can be daft, you know," Puck chirped. Eirike rolled her eyes playfully, smiling as they both made their way to her dinning hall.
L'Arachel was a sight to behold.
She sat amidst a luscious spread of food, ranging from acorn butter to fresh roasted goose to an array of pastries and tarts, and fresh carafes of milk and wine. Yet even the splendor of their shared meal couldn't compare to L'Arachel's outfit.
Her green hair was unpinned, leaving it to fall about her shoulders and brow. It framed her face well, making it seem softer and more mature. Her dress was simple: a white, sleeveless affair with high slit sides that reached up to where Eirika knew L'Arachel's undergarments were, and golden sandals. She accented the simple, yet elegant outfit with a brown scarf with a golden rose in it's middle. Gold chains kept the dress attached to her at her arms and hips.
It left little to Eirika's imagination, and to be honest, she wasn't sure what that meant.
Now, Eirika had never truly questioned her sexuality. She always assumed that she'd marry a prince or remain solitary. There was never a question of the why: she had assumed she'd perform her duty, as was best for Renais. The War of the Stones had romance or sexual dalliances: she had to focus on saving the world. On saving her world.
For her, that meant that even Seth, one of Renais' most loyal knights, and his advanced went unnoticed. Sure, she had felt something for Innes, the arrogant prince of neighbor Frelia, and she'd fantasized about Saleh and Forde, but the war constantly won out. Even on nights when she was left alone and could pleasure herself, she found her fingers stilling, the thoughts of the war to come and her longing for home effectively eradicating any sexual or romantic desire.
Yet as she sat across from L'Arachel, she felt her chest constrict, and she quickly reached for a flagon on wine, taking a large gulp. The dry drink rushed through her and she felt a bit more at ease. "Good morning," Eirika said.
L'Arachel's blinked slowly, and smiled. "Good morning, Queen Eirika. How do you do?"
"Ah, I'm well, and I assume you likewise. Also, Eirika will be just fine, L'Arachel," Eirika said. She crossed her legs, settling in.
"Ah, are you sure? Am I allowed to be less formal? Perhaps you would like for me to call you 'Your Highness' and bend over to kiss your shoes or your pert rump? Mayhaps I should pen you an ode to your great kindness?" L'Arachel's voice dropped an octave, betraying her growing anger.
Eirika's lips opened and closed. She quickly settled back into her seat. "I…"
"You embarrassed me!" L'Arachel said, cheeks filled with color. "I came all the way from my home only to be made a fool of, which I do not appreciate!"
"I-"
"No, Eirika, no 'I's'! You…" L'Arachel gave a closed mouth scream and slumped back in her seat, arms tightly crossed.
Eirika waited silently, barely shifting.
After a few tense moments, L'Arachel broke the silence."…Nice flowers by the way. I'm surprised you guessed at Liriconfancy. It's a powerful healing flower, you know. It's-"
"Good for the heart, correct? It can help dire heart problems and breathing problems, whe placed in an oil or a draught," Eirika answered, reaching for an apple tart.
L'Arachel's eyebrows arched up. "Impressive, Eirika," she mused. "You may surprise me yet."
Eirika laughed, and the tension dissipated. "Now, if I'm privileged, tell me about your travels?"
Breakfast, after that, went well. They sat around for two hours, chatting aimlessly and snacking on pastries and treats. Eirika had invited L'Arachel's maids to the meal, along with Puck, and as a group, they had all dinned on the succulent dishes.
Eirika found herself truly enjoying L'Arachel's company. She had wicked wit and was generally smart: it was clear why she was next in line to lead Rausten. Eirika's previous muddled feelings hadn't completely faded, but they'd lessened, allowing her to chat easily.
Puck, however, being Eirika's closest confidant inside the castle, took her cue and escorted the maids from the room. "I bid you good day, ladies. Perhaps you'd enjoy seeing our fair Castle Renais compound. The capital is truly grand," she finished, winking slyly at Eirika. Eirika's cheek colored and she motioned Puck away.
"Hmmm, I would like to see your home, Eirika. It'd be nice to see it outside the context of war," L'Arachel mused, standing. She shook, dress flairing out, breasts jiggling. Eirika's throat went dry and she took another gulp of wine, nodding.
"That'd be nice. Would you like to g-go on h-horseback?" she managed, surprised at her stuttering.
L'Arachel chuckled, extending a slender arm, decorated only by two gold bracelets. "Shall we, betrothed?"