Ch. 9

Again, everyone had to get used to each other now in formal clothes. When Oreldo saw Stecchin appear he could hardly believe his eyes. No longer did Lily look like a child, or like some band nerd who somehow stumbled into the army. Indeed, if she hadn't been giggling from excitement, he might've wondered if the Stecchin he had come to know had somehow vanished completely. He also saw how she looked at Mr. Alan, how they walked in arm-in arm, with Mr. Alan's free gloved hand covering hers. Oreldo scowled and went to Martis.

"Don't you think those two are getting just a little too chummy?" he asked.

Martis looked them over with a critical eye. "Wow, she looks great," he said, and shrugged. "She looks happy to me, and he hasn't done anything improper as far as I can tell."

"Improper?" Oreldo hissed. "What about the attack on the train? He didn't even come to our cabins to investigate!"

"I know," Martis replied, "and that might be weird, but he did come up with a perfectly plausible explanation." He watched as Oreldo fumed. He cocked an eyebrow. "Wait…you're not…jealous, are you?"

Oreldo snorted so hard he started coughing. Stecchin and Mr. Alan looked at him for a moment, then resumed their idle chatter.

"Jealous?" Oreldo said. "Me? Did the heat get to you or something?"

Martis snickered. "Sorry, Oreldo, but I don't see what the problem is."

"My problem, as you so succinctly put it, is that arrogant jack-ass of a mercenary. Or did you forget he did almost chop off the head of our section leader?"

"Of course not, but maybe you forgot that was a formal duel, with rules he agreed to. He didn't stray from those rules. He lost fair and square."

"And maybe he holds a grudge," Oreldo grumbled, "did you think of that? We are talking about a Rodelian's sense of honor, after all."

He shook his head. "I may not have fought in the war directly, but I've been in a lot of street fights. I'd like to think I know the mind of a fighter or a warrior. He's a trained killer, old friend. He could kill us all and not bat an eye. He's fooling us."

Martis didn't speak for a moment. When he did, it was in a subdued tone.

"You know…I thought the same thing," he said.

"Glad to know you're finally seeing it my way!" Oreldo began, but Martis interrupted him.

"No, you moron! It wasn't about him!"

"No? Who, then?"

"Corporal Oland. Think about it. He was a trained killer, too."

Oreldo let that sink in for a moment.

"Oh…" was all he could say.

Alice addressed the rest of her team in the foyer.

"All right," she began, "I want to remind everyone to be on their best behavior. This is a formal dinner, but I don't want you to worry. Just remember a few things: you are not to eat until Her Highness eats, and you are not to drink until she does first. If you are unsure of which utensil to use, the easiest answer is to start on the outside and work your way in. If you have any questions, just ask either I or Master Taylor."

Lionel grinned in response and nodded.

He said, "Just do what you normally do, just a little quieter and a little more neatly. Really, that's all there is to it."

"What's so hard about using a fork and a spoon?" Oreldo asked. Alice gave him a sardonic smile.

"You'll see, Sub-Lieutenant." She turned and continued her instructions.

"Also, wait until your tester gives you the go ahead. Do not be afraid, for they are very proficient. Still, if any of you feel suspicious, or has any strange symptoms, just discreetly spit into your napkin, and inform your tester quietly."

At that, Stecchin gulped and shivered, suddenly breaking into a cold sweat. Alan patted her hand. Oreldo continued to watch them and frowned.

"Be at ease, my lady," Alan said to her softly. "We haven't had a poisoning in several years. Her Highness has been most careful in her selection of chefs, servants and testers."

Stecchin looked to Alice and tried to imitate her expression of quiet dignity.

"Thank you, Mr. Alan," she said, "I think I will be all right."

Alan smiled. "Then I hope you will enjoy yourself this evening."

Stecchin looked up at him, surprised. "Aren't…aren't you joining us?"

Alan almost laughed but chose not to, reminding himself that a commoner simply wouldn't know any better. As they followed the rest into the dining hall, he turned to face her, still holding her hand, bowing low once more.

"I am sorry, my lady, but no, I will not. I am here as your guard and chaperone, not as your comrade."

Stecchin blushed scarlet and looked away. "Oh, of course. Please forgive my familiarity."

"No," he said, giving her hand a slight squeeze. He dropped to one knee and lowered his head, blushing as well. "Please do not be embarrassed. I am most honored that you considered me as such."

He raised his head slowly, looking at her dainty gloved fingers. He suddenly didn't want to let go. At the last, possible moment he graced her hand with a light kiss so fast Stecchin almost missed it. She gasped but he kept his head bent, blushing harder.

"I…" he stuttered, "If it's…if I'm not being too forward…I would be most pleased if I may call upon you…when the mission is complete. Would…would that be agreeable to you, my lady?"

Before she could answer, Oreldo decided he had seen enough.

"All right, can it, Romeo," he said, taking Stecchin by the elbow and carting her away into the dining hall. "Let's go, Lily. I will escort you."

Stecchin was furious and protested loudly, unmindful of how inappropriate her actions were. Fortunately, the rest of the party was already inside busily being seated.

"Oreldo!" Stecchin cried. "You jerk! What are you doing?"

"Saving you from a big mistake, that's what. Pipe down, will ya?"

"Mistake? What mistake? He was being a perfect gentleman, unlike some people I know!"

"Lily, just trust me. I'm doing this for your own good!"

Stecchin huffed, feeling both petty and confused. She almost started to cry.

"Since when do you care?" she sniffed. "You don't even like me!"

Oreldo's jaw dropped in shock. Stecchin took her chance and practically stomped into the dining hall.

Oreldo groaned, bringing a hand to his face. Well, that certainly didn't go as well as planned. Before he entered the dining hall, he paused and looked at Alan, who hadn't moved from his kneeling position.

"You do anything like that again," Oreldo muttered, "and you and I will have a problem. A big one. I don't care how well-trained you are. Understood?"

"Your threats are unnecessary," Alan replied, but he couldn't help but sneer, "sir."

Oreldo almost said something else but the noise in the dining hall distracted him and he decided to let it go. He entered the hall and left Alan, who finally looked up and watched as Stecchin was seated by Jacques.

"Lily…"he whispered, daring to test her name. "Not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed as one of these."

Ah, l'amour... ;) I keep trying to dig into the plot, but these two are so cute! ^^ Not to worry, I will get down to business in next chapter! Stay tuned, true believers!