Sorry it's been over a month since the last update! I hope this makes up for it!
Enjoy!
All around the Manor servants worked tirelessly to fastidiously restore the Manor to all its glory for the day ahead. Maids and serving boys rushed to their tasks, or more likely rushed away from them.
All in all the Manor was a very busy place during the mornings before the Lord and Ladies of the house were up and as fashionably coiffed as the Manor was immaculate, then the servants would melt away seamlessly into the background.
Lavi navigated her way through the corridors, doing her best to avoid eye contact without appearing rude. Common sense dictated that the servants were one group that she dare not alienate the servants so although for the most part her eyes were fixed forwards, Lavi squeezed out a smile and jovial 'good morning' wherever silence was not feasible.
Dressed as she was now, any onlooker would not fail to take her for just another worker passing through or on her- or rather his way to beg a morsel from the kitchens. The trousers, worn shirt and scuffed boots gave Lavi the illusion of a stable hand, an illusion that was more than readily accepted by the other servants of the Manor.
The guise of stable hand had been chosen for a reason; Sheril had given her the condition of staying away from male attention and how best to deflect such attention than to join their ranks.
Two parlour maids sat together at the bottom of the stairs under the guise of polishing the banister, a trio were quickly making their way ahead of Lavi and a scullion could be seen escorting his best girl down to the kitchens. All three small groups were chatting away happily as they went about their business, the sight of it all caused a dull pang somewhere inside Lavi's chest.
A part of Lavi envied them their idle conversations, the easy way in which they were able to be so open with each other. As Lady Lovely there was no one she could make conversation. She wondered if there was anyone who would want to make conversation with her. The Lady Kamelot whose home she had invaded? Little Road who could even bare to look at her?
Another much larger part was glad she chose not be so free with the others. There were no secrets amongst them and the secrets' of their masters was almost currency. She had more secrets than she was willing to share.
I wonder what they think of 'Lovely'? Lavi bowed her head, sighing audibly. She knew what they thought of Lovely. Kamelot's whore, the latest in a long line of whores...
Lavi had spent enough time among them in the last week that she had been playing the stable hand to know what exactly they thought of her. There were a number of different theories regarding her origins. The kitchen folk were certain that she was the thrown away daughter of a disgraced noble while the laundry room asserted that the girl was most definitely brought from one of the brothels Lord Kamelot frequented. The more outlandish ideas declared that she was a member of a gypsy caravan; captured and tamed. The wild red hair was surely a sign of a wild gypsy woman.
None were even close to the truth.
Lavi shook her head and kept walking; picking at a sore would only make it worse.
A door to her left was slightly ajar and the sounds of excited conversation flowed outwards as the occupants did not even try to hush their voices. Lavi slowed as she drew level with the door and came to a pause, resting against the wall just outside the room. Gossip was a commodity and any piece of interesting information could prove invaluable later.
"…with Cross Marian. I could've sworn it was Melia!" The first voice was squeaky and not immediately recognisable to Lavi. It could have belonged to a girl or a young boy.
"Melia? Are you sure?" The second voice came incredulous and clearly female even if ever so slightly.
"Yes! I saw her. With him! It had to be him there ain't any other red haired nobles." The first again. "And she didn't report to Matron this morning. You don't think she's still with him do you?"
Lavi inched closer to the door. Cross Marian was a name she had heard a few times already in her short time in the Manor, although she was yet to put a name to the face.
"Marian isn't actually a noble -"
"Who cares? He's rich enough." A new third voice cut the other off.
Outside in the corridor Lavi almost groaned out loud. That venomous voice most certainly belonged to Livia, a territorial scullery maid. Lavi was quick to note that she was definitely one to avoid; a clear leader of the young maids and one who had taken an instant dislike to the new woman in the household.
As if she ever had a chance of becoming a nobleman's mistress. Lavi found herself unconsciously thinking.
"That Melia's such a desperate little thing, always following him around the Manor like a lovesick puppy." Livia's voice sneered. "Tell you what though; I'm surprised he even stopped to give her a look."
Lavi assumed the other two voices must belong to Emmie and Martha, her ever present cronies, a look through the crack in the doorway confirmed that.
"Cross doesn't usually stay in those toff gatherings for too long so he probably took whatever escape plan presented itself." Livia's curling black hair moved across her back in time to the movement of her head as she postulated to the other girls.
"Are you sure you're not just jealous that he went with her instead of you?" Lavi internally celebrated the cynical tone of the taller blonde girl, Emmie. How Lavi wished she could've seen the look on that usually smug face. "Wasn't it you saying he would be calling on you next time he came up?"
"Just goes to show how much of tart she is. I don't want him anyway." Even to her followers Livia sounded impetuous and sulky. "The younger Kamelot brother is back. He doesn't bother with the trash."
Livia leaned closer to whisper something to the other girls, too low for Lavi to hear from the doorway. Martha clapped her hand to her mouth to barely conceal a high pitched squeal and Emmie's eyebrows retreated all the way to her hair line.
"Really? I saw him with her last night." Lavi's stomach clenched.
"What?" Livia demanded. Martha backed away slightly from the heat of Livia's wrath.
"What that you were saying about 'not bothering with the trash'?" A strong desire to smack the smirk of Emmie's face had to be suppressed.
"They were sitting on the window seat, real close-"
The conversation was abruptly cut off by a loud crash outside the door. All three girls rushed into the corridor to find a dishevelled stable boy on the floor, a small dark haired girl sprawled awkwardly on top of him.
In the moments before her discovery two children had rounded the corridor at speed and not seeing Lavi in their glee ran straight into her bowling her over. The boy, Lavi guessed was her brother as they shared the same dark hair, grabbed the girl's hand and dragged her up. The two completely disregarded Lavi in the way that only children could ignore an adult.
"Come on! She'll catch us!" Just as suddenly as they had entered the children exited the scene.
Lavi watched them turn a corner and then remembering where she was looked up to see three faces looking down at her suspiciously. She took a moment to seamlessly fall into character.
"Good morning ladies!" She stretched her mouth wide into a foolishly charming smile, "Didn't expect three damsels to jump to my rescue."
"Were you eavesdropping on us?" Livia always so upfront.
"Can't say I was," Lavi tried to remember how boys would talk to other girls, "but if I knew you were talking Livia I'd have hung on to your every word."
She even finished with a wink that lost its effect somewhat as her other eye was completely obscured.
To her dismay, Livia remained standing over him clearly distrusting.
"What's your name?"
"Oh now that's hurtful Livia, you've forgotten my name-"
"Erm… Lavi, why do you have a dress?" Squeaky little Martha peeked out from behind Emmie, pointing at the dress and ankle boots on the floor beside Lavi.
Lavi froze.
Quickly she tried to grab the offending items of clothing, but too late as Livia snatched up the dress. Smirking sinisterly.
"What's this? Does our new stable boy have a fetish for ladies' wear?" She raised a dark curved eyebrow at Lavi, lips curled mockingly.
"What! No! That's not mine." Lavi rubbed the back of her neck nervously. "What would I be doing with a dress?"
"Yes what would you be doing with a dress?" Livia moved closer. "It's a rather lovely thing too, I wonder what Lady Kamelot would have to say about a stable boy running around with such a fine dress. Don't you?"
"Livia! You found the dress!" Four heads whipped round to address the newcomer.
An out of breath frizzy haired blonde woman took the dress from Livia.
"Your dress?" Livia and Lavi simultaneously exclaimed. Thankfully for Lavi the other girls' attention was focused on the Manor's resident seamstress.
"Yes mine. Those kids are always snatching things from my workroom. Run off with my scissors last time!"
"Yeah they must've dropped this stuff when they crashed into me." Lavi pitched in. "Here are the shoes. I'll help you carry it all back to your room."
Mimicking Livia's smirk perfectly Lavi collected the boots and rose to her feet. Thanking anything and everything for the escape that just presented itself, Lavi ushered the woman along the corridor. They walked in silence until there was quite a bit of distance between them and the three harpies.
"Thanks Jonny, I thought Livia was going to tear me a new one back there."
"You should be more careful." Jonny said as she handed the dress back to Lavi. "Why are walking around carrying a dress anyway?"
Lavi sighed, "I've been summoned to breakfast."
"So… Why didn't you just change in your room?" Jonny shrugged as if pointing out the obvious.
Lavi turned sideways to look Jonny straight; Jonny, or Joanna the seamstress was the only person in the Manor excepting Lavi and Sheril who knew Lavi's true identity. In her role as the seamstress she had to work closely with Lavi to make clothes, both male and female. Such close contact meant that she also aware of the extent of the relationship between Lavi and the Lord of the Manor. There was a only so little the simple shift she wore when getting measured could hide.
"I didn't really want in there any longer than I had to this morning."
"Oh…" Jonny stopped at the door of her workroom. "You know you can come by whenever you want. If you want to talk or even if you just want to be away from it all for a while…"
Her gut tightened. It's odd how a thing can seem so much worse when you know someone pities you.
"I'll keep that in mind… Thanks."
Jonny smiled weakly, gently shutting the door behind her.
Lavi walked on, quicker now. She wanted nothing more than to get this breakfast appointment over and done with. Then she could escape to the stables, at least that place could provide some sanctuary even if only for a short time.
Her encounter with Livia's group had left a bitter taste in her mouth. It was not enough that she was already known as Sheril's plaything, but now to be linked with Tyki too. Gossip and rumour travelled the Manor faster than a plague and it was three times as dangerous. She calculated that before the end of breakfast it would be common knowledge that she and Tyki spoke privately.
She face palmed as she realised that the breakfast would only harm her further. Not a single member of the household would fail to notice that on the morning of Tyki Mikk's return, the Red Haired Lady is present at the family table for the first time.
Footsteps further up the corridor alerted her to the presence of another person. She was not keen on bumping into any more people this morning she ducked into an archway. Much to her surprise Tyki Mikk himself walked past her.
Even more surprisingly Lavi watched as he entered the male servants' baths. Why was a lord using a servants' bath? In his own home no less?
No time to spare to ponder the actions of the eccentric nobility, Lavi knocked on the door of the women's baths, certain that room was vacant she entered and promptly slipped the latch on the door.
As the copper bath filled, she inspected the collection of soaps that were available. Her own room was stocked with scented soaps and perfumes supplied by Sheril, a luxury she was not used to but had come to appreciate.
Am I becoming comfortable? The thought gave her pause. Will I really learn to live with this arrangement?
Unease crept into the far corners of her mind. Lavi shrugged off the disconcerting question to ponder another time.
The servant's baths did not provide much of a selection, although she did manage to find an expensive looking bottle of a citrusy liquid soap. The bottle was too frivolous to be a usual find in this part of the house but too garish a container to belong to anyone of style and tastes. Lavi gladly took the bottle, no doubt a gift to Livia from one of her many gentleman callers. In a play of childish one-up-man-ship Lavi used generous amounts of the soap on her hair and body.
Methodically she layered the petticoats and the high collared dress and then proceeded to wring out her hair and brush until her bright hair was straight and soft. The previous sets of clothing were folded and alongside the boots were tucked away into one of the cupboards to be retrieved later. Content that everything was hidden effectively, Lavi slipped out of the baths.
There was still some time until she would have to be present for breakfast and she wandered the corridors aimlessly to pass the time. She could always say that she lost her way around the Manor if anyone deigned to stop and ask her. Although that would be highly unlikely dressed as she was now, a noblewoman of the house she would not be obliged to speak to servants and could wander freely.
As she walked it struck her that she had the time to go to the hospital wing and began walking that route. Heels clicked and skirts ruffled with every step, the sounds began to annoy her so she gathered the skirts to mute the noise.
The material of the clothing was cool to the touch and slipped easily through her fingers. Tracing a line of simple embroidery Lavi mused how fine this dress was. What would he think if he saw her now? How would she explain her sudden fortune?
Head bowed she turned on her heel and continued in the opposite direction. Unfortunately she was not paying attention to her steps and for the second time that morning collided with another body. Head forward she impacted against a hard chest, the force of it causing her to fall over backwards.
Lavi sat on the floor trying to rub the starbursts out of her eyes. She vaguely registered a hand outstretched, which she gratefully took hold of.
"Thanks," She kept her eyes down, face already growing warm with embarrassment. "Sorry I wasn't looking where I was going."
"No it's my fault really. I'm sorry. Are you alright?" The voice was deep, cool, slightly concerned and immediately recognisable.
Of all people she had to collide with Tyki Mikk. "Dammit – I mean I think it's a little sore."
"Here let me have a look." He reached forward to touch her forehead, only to have it knocked away.
"No, no, it's all fine. No need to worry." Her face had to be fully red by now if the heat was anything to judge by. Lavi could have kicked herself. She spent the previous evening trying to make her appear sophisticated… Now here she was falling all over his feet. Stupid!
"I really should be going now. Excuse me." Just keep walking. Fast.
"Wait- ," quick footsteps followed her up the corridor. "Please?"
It was his earnest tone more than anything else that compelled Lavi to slow down and allow the nobleman to draw level with her. That and the fact that it would be downright suspicious, not to mention rude if she ignored him entirely.
"Here was me thinking I wouldn't get to see you again until the next ball." Somehow he sounded happier about this than she did.
"Here was me thinking I wouldn't have to see you again until the next ball." Lavi countered.
"I'm hurt," the grin on his face contradicting his words. "Positively heartbroken."
Lavi tried to keep a straight face as she wondered whether or not Tyki could see her mouth twitch as she barely restrained a grin of her own.
"I didn't think it was possible to be 'positively heartbroken'." Don't look at him.
"Well," Tyki came to a stop and regarded her slowly. "When one as exquisite as you takes the time to crush my lowly peasant heart, it can only be positive."
The tenacious noble even bent into a mock half bow. Idiot.
Clicking her tongue loudly Lavi walked on, calling behind her, "On your knees next time."
She made it to the next junction between corridors when she heard footsteps again. Surprised that he had let her get this far before chasing her, Lavi turned to meet him. It bothered how natural Tyki looked as he walked up to her. The expensive suit he wore was like a second skin, moving so easily with him. Lavi only hoped she looked half as comfortable in her dresses.
Tyki raised his hands, "Start again?"
The sardonic grin was muted to a more humble tone. Lavi crossed her arms and even allowed herself to give him a half smile.
"Alright, let's start again. Good morning Lord Mikk," her voice vapidly polite. "Did you rest well?"
Tyki's brow furrowed as if contemplating the question. Lavi shifted uneasily as a spark incongruous with his rakish demeanour, shrewd almost.
"No." The noble took a few steps closer shaking his head.
Lavi stood her ground, ignoring the shiver creeping up her spine. "No, you didn't sleep well?"
"No," he paused with inches to spare. "I don't like you this way. It's fake."
"All told we haven't spoken longer than an hour!" Exasperated Lavi looked the man in the eyes, "and you presume to know me?"
The thoughtful face was replaced by a laughing one, the transformation so smooth it served to only aggravate Lavi further.
"I definitely like you better this way!" At that moment she could have slapped him. Finally catching the murderous aura she was emitting he stopped, "Alright I'm sorry. Just try not to sound so… docile. And don't call me 'Lord'. It doesn't suit me or you."
"So how should I address you?" The coldness making it clear that there were a number of options she wanted to try.
Tyki replied nonchalantly, ignoring the hostility entirely, "Tyki is fine. But I might prefer-"
The sound of a door opening and the burst of conversation cut him off. Lavi only managed to see a flash of red before Tyki grabbed her and roughly pulled her into the adjacent corridor out of the sight of the new couple.
"What are you-? Get your hands off-!" Her mouth was promptly covered with a hand to silence her.
"Shh! Trust me just be quiet for a minute." Tyki spoke quietly but firmly. He gently repositioned them behind a conveniently placed bust of a renowned philosopher.
Lavi strained her ears to hear what exactly she was being hidden from. She could hear two voices: one female, one male. But both were too far away and speaking too quietly to distinguish what they were talking about. The door shut and the muffled cadence of boots on carpet came closer. The unknown body continued passed the junction completely missing the spot the two were hiding in. This time Lavi could see the person's long red hair and richly decorated coat.
The person was gone, leaving Lavi with a mild curiosity and pressing need to remove the body pinning her to the wall. Tapping him on the shoulder to gain his attention he looked down, noses barely an inch apart. An immediate blush lighted his face as he took in their compromising position.
"You smell nice. Oranges?" Lavi scowled at his attempt to defuse the awkwardness of the situation and pushed him off.
"Was there a reason for that? Other than you getting a chance to smell my hair?" Lavi crossed her arms, mustering the sternest glare she could manage. Tyki innocently dishevelled his jacket stylishly rather than look bear the force of her stare.
"Let's just say you have enough on your hands with me." He winked at her, "you don't want to end up on Cross' list. That would be troublesome."
"My God! Is there any man in this house who is not a lecherous old man?" Rubbing her temples with both hands. The situation was just getting worse and worse. The Manor was proving to be nothing more than a maze… a cage littered with obstacles designed to trip her up. And here she was conversing with the most dangerous trap.
Tyki leaned against the opposite wall. "You seem to find my brother well enough."
"What?" Lavi could not discern the emotion behind the statement. Was he angry, sullen? Jealous?
Tyki opened his mouth to speak but was once again cut off, this time by a small boy with glossy flaxen hair. He was dressed more elaborately than the servant boys, wearing the uniform of page boys.
"Lord Mikk! I've been looking for you everywhere!"
The two adults waited as the boy ran up the corridor, halting to a stop in front of Tyki.
"Lord Kamelot asks you to join him in his study before breakfast."
Tyki sighed, "what does he want?"
"I wouldn't know sir." The little boy shifted uncomfortably. "I think you might be late. I was looking for ages. I went to your room but…"
"Don't worry. I can deal with Sheril." Lightly ruffling the boy's hair and handed him a coin from his pocket. "You shouldn't work so hard."
Looking up he caught Lavi's eye, winked. "You have to be nice to the help. Keeps them sweet."
For the first time that morning, Lavi found herself approving of his actions even if they were for self-gain.
"My offer to dinner still stands you know." It was difficult not to find his grin endearing at that moment. Lavi had to remind herself that this was the person who had just pinned her to a wall and smelled her hair not too long ago.
She did however, return his grin. "I'm afraid you will have to make do with breakfast instead."
"I look forward to it."
Lavi was left in the corridor to determine a different way of spending the time before she would have to sit at the table of a family she did not belong in.
Hope you liked that!
Please let me know what you think. In particular would someone please please please give me constructive criticism on the dialogue-y bits!
Until next time. Bye bye!