Vesi sat on a cushioned bench beside the vanity, idly turning a book over in her hands—'On the Qualities of Kingship'. One of the last in her current pile, though it seemed a little heavy to start the day.
She didn't open it.
Instead, her eyes flicked to her reflection in the polished glass. Her long hair was slightly tangled, spilling over her shoulders. She'd tied it up the night before but sleep had undone her efforts. She reached up, running fingers through a loose strand. She could do with a brush, probably.
A quiet shuffle of footsteps made her glance toward the corner, where her maid for the day—Lumière, or perhaps Etoile—had stepped forward. With any luck, the maids were the last group whose names she still hadn't learned fully. They never introduced themselves though and it seemed rude to ask now, so Vesi did her best to glance at their schedule and listen when anyone else said a name. She'd know them all soon. 'They're going to look up to you, so treat them with love.' Whoever the girl was, she now stood with impeccable posture right beside Vesi with a silver-handled brush in hand.
"Are you ready to be fitted for the day, Lady Vesi?" the maid asked gently, voice practiced, poised.
Vesi paused for a moment, fingers twitching against the book's edge. Then she gave a small nod.
"Yes, I suppose it is. I'd appreciate your help."
The maid brightened at the answer, her expression softening in a way that was impossible to miss. She approached with a touch more energy, lifting the brush as though it were a small honor rather than a duty. Her strokes were patient and even, starting from the ends and steadily moving upwards. There was an ease to her rhythm, as if the simple act of being allowed this closeness brought her delight.
It was… odd, letting someone do this. Vesi didn't dislike it. She just didn't know how to feel about it. The sensation of another's hand in her hair wasn't unpleasant. In fact, it reminded her vaguely of something—someone from long ago. But the thought slipped away before she could place it. Three neat raps at the door stole her attention.
Vesi's spine straightened slightly. Not out of alarm, just reflex. She was still learning how to relax here. A part of her was already working to draw those mental lines, ready to shift from comfortable to composed when needed.
"Excuse me, I'll go see who it is."
Her maid promptly set the brush on the vanity and left to greet the visitor. As the maid moved away to the door, Vesi took the brush from the vanity and tugged a few strands of her hair forward, fixing them into the more gibbous shape she preferred. Shifting more of it to the right into something a little more familiar.
The maid reappeared with Demiurge behind her, his appearance as polished as ever. Tailored coat, leather gloves, and his usual wide grin.
"Good morning, Lady Vesi," he said with a polite bow. "I won't be intruding much today. I simply came to let you know that I'll be away for most of the day."
Demiurge could never be an intrusion, but that's not what drew her attention at the moment. "Away?"
He nodded. "Yes. Unfortunately, I failed to inspect the farm properly the last time I visited," Demiurge took a brief pause to adjust his glasses. "I believe the southern greenhouse in particular is in need of work. It's been some time since I was last able to give it my full attention."
Oh, right. He had taken her to a farm before—but Vesi hadn't realized he was the one running it. The images didn't really match, a straightlaced man that always wore a suit doing back-breaking labor on a farm. It made her smile.
"That sounds important, I'm glad someone as meticulous as you is managing it."
Demiurge's smile widened at the compliment, the sharp edge of a fang just barely visible at the corner of his mouth, the grin stretching a little further than usual. Vesi caught herself thinking it looked adorable, though she figured it wise to keep that to herself.
"It is an honor for me to be entrusted with such a task." Then his voice took on a softer tone. "But not more important than your comfort. I simply believe the need to hover has passed. However, if you require anything at all, do not hesitate to call upon me. I will immediately come back to your side."
There it was. The first day he wouldn't be within arm's reach.
And that was fine. It was slightly disconcerting, but Vesi wouldn't resent him for it. His advice and mere presence these past few days had been helpful, but he only lingered this long to ensure she could acclimate, to step in if she stumbled. Though she hadn't so far. She was still here and it was silly to expect him to work out of her front room until she was fully ready. If he did, she might never reach 'ready' at all.
And she had to admit that living in a palace filled with loyal servants wasn't the hardest trial in the world. If he felt she was ready to be left alone, then she probably was. He seemed to know better on most everything so far. The thought settled in her chest like a calm, quiet weight.
"Well I'll miss you, but I'm glad things will be returning to normal," Vesi said. "Go do your work. I'll be fine."
Demiurge stilled. His tail that had been leisurely swaying behind him went completely rigid. For once, his ever-present composure flickered—subtle, but there. She hadn't said something offensive, had she?
"I thank you for such kind words."
He inclined his head, but didn't leave immediately. His eyes held hers for a second longer than was strictly necessary. His expression was always unreadable, and without his tail to gauge him, she felt unmoored.
"Take care, then," Vesi added, trying to sweeten her timbre to make up for any slight she might have caused. "Come home soon."
The corners of his mouth curled slightly, putting Vesi at ease.
"As you wish, my lady."
He turned and swiftly left.
The door shut behind him, and the stillness returned. Not quite empty—but different. Like a room with the window cracked open, the air moving just a little more freely.
Vesi looked down at the book again, and this time, she opened it.
[Philian Apolesai]
The door clicked shut behind him, the soft sound hanging in the corridor. Demiurge did not move away immediately.
I'll miss you.
The words circled back through his mind, refusing to let go. An innocuous thing to say, perhaps. A courtesy, even. But her voice held a genuine touch that had to go beyond basic niceties.
A light smile crept onto his face, slow, but certain. It was a quiet sort of triumph, the kind that didn't demand boasting.
He adjusted the cuff of his glove, smoothing the leather perfectly against his fingers, though it hadn't needed fixing.
He might not need to boast, but that didn't mean he couldn't savor those words.
She would miss him.
A soft breath escaped him, almost a quiet laugh. Of course she would miss him. He had worked hard these past days to position himself as her greatest asset. But hearing it aloud, so simply given, that was another matter entirely.
It was a small thing. But small things had a way of growing.
He adjusted his glasses, the motion slower than usual, letting the pads of his fingers linger against the frame as if grounding himself.
How fortunate, he thought, that he'd already chosen her. It wouldn't be long now before he was truly the Supreme Ones' most trusted servant. All to be of even greater assistance to them.
His smile deepened, hand instinctively rising to cover it despite no one being there to see.
How rare it was to be so blatantly wanted.
And how perfectly it fit.
Every move, every word—each one had brought him closer to this. Closer to her. Closer to the future he was crafting.
A tempting thought — that she might agree with his plans. But such approval was only ever a pleasant illusion. The path had already been laid, mercifully arranged by his masters long before this moment. He had only to follow where they led.
[Philian Apolesai]
Hi!
I wanted to say thank you to everyone that took the time to say their opinion on chapter lengths. The results were basically "I like things how they are" with a lean to longer chapters which makes sense but I appreciate everyone who gave their opinion. I know this chapter wasn't very long despite those results but this was just set up for a day alone, dw abt it.
Thank you for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!