Chapter 6

Very Much 6: What has Colette done…?

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‘S

o, what’s your name?’ Eugene asked.

‘…’

‘Even if you keep silent I canstill find out.’

There were on their way to Lionel,and the Captain of the White Eagle Knights was interrogating her. His voice wasgentle, but with a chilling undercurrent. He badgered Colette. Colette wasrather weak,

‘I’m Colette…’

‘Good Colette. I’m Eugene.’ He saidwith a smile, but his eyes were not smiling. His hawk-like gaze watched Colette,making her frightened. His tone appeared sweet and friendly, but she couldsense the venom underneath.

‘I am surprised that Lionel was dallyingwith a woman that was not his fiancée, the daughter of the Earl Karriss. Whatdo you think would happen if the Lady hears of this? That her fiancé isengaging in an affair with a mere maid before their wedding.’

‘…’

‘The Lady Karriss would go crazy with jealousyand possibly postpone the ceremony. How would Lionel face the King if such athing happens; it would become a serious thing, wouldn’t it?’  (Zuben: You’re weaving quite a fantasy talethere, Eugene. Hold your celebration till after you win whatever it is you’retrying to win)

He looked absolutely gleeful. Therewas no reason to tell her such things. Colette bit her lip and remained silent.She tried to let his words wash over her, but they got through and stabbed herheart.

‘So, were you his only partner orwhere there other women? Do you know, Colette?’

‘…’

She did not know, but she wasgetting used to his taunts so she kept silent. She knew there was a time limit,and they both had fiancés. Yet, Eugene’s words hurt her. She did not know howthings would go, tears of anxiety blurred her eyes and she could not see well.

Eugene continued to talk happily,‘If I claimed Colette, how do you think Lionel would react?’

‘…’

He did not wait for an answer.

‘Maybe he would answer that hedoesn’t know you. Haha, it would be awful but that would be the best answer. Ifhe acknowledges his relationship with you what would the Earl say? Such atrespass before marriage into his family would echo in the couple’s lifeafterwards.’

Colette remained silent.

‘This union is by His Majesty’sdecree. But Colette may be Lionel’s first lover and mistress; this would beunacceptable to the bride to know that Colette is important to him. So shewould get married knowing there is someone more important to Lionel than sheis. That would also be terrible as well.’

Colette’s tears being to fall. Shetripped and fell, but Eugene looked at her with a gleeful smile on his face.

‘For me, Lionel cancelling hisengagement and choosing you would be the best outcome. He would be a disappointmentto everyone, and it would cause his downfall. If would be a fun development.’

He was truly a bad man, making agirl cry on purpose and being happy about it (Zuben: You really don’t know manymen). People really aren’t what they appear to be. Compared to Eugene, Lionelwas a much better person. While thinking, she moved mechanically. Soon theywere at the doors of the Black Dragon Barracks.

They were met by Ethan, ‘Halt!White Eagle Knights, what is your business here? What rights do you have to behere?’ he asked harshly.

‘I have in my possession a broochthat supposedly belongs to Lionel, and this lady. Our reason to be here is todeliver private property. She was lonely and we accompanied her, didn’t we Colette?’

She wanted to shake her head innegative but tears spilled instead.

‘…I will get our Commander. Pleasewait here.’

‘No need, she will guide us toLionel.’ Eugene said, gently urging Colette onward. (Zuben: What is Lionelgoing to do?!)

‘If we stand here too long, youwill attract more people and the rumours would get bigger.’

Ethan was at an impasse. He noddedand all the other Knights who had come to see what was happening parted theway. Colette silently went on.

She arrived at Lionel’s room andknocked three times timidly. As usual, ‘Come,’ he called.

Colette opened the door andentered, but before she could speak Eugene spoke loudly,

‘Lionel-kun, I’ve come to deliveran item.’

Lionel rose from his chair as they enteredinto his office.  He looked at Eugene andthen Colette. He raised his hand and pulled Colette to his side,

‘What have you done to Colette?’Lionel bellowed. It was the first time she’s every heard him speak loudly. Thefirst time she ever saw him angry. She felt her heart breaking because shedidn’t want Lionel situation to get worse because of her. But she rested herhead on Lionel’s chest and cried. (Zuben: My dear, how is crying going tohelp?)

Eugene smiled satisfactorily atLionel’s reaction,

‘It’s because of you that she iscrying,’ Eugene replied mockingly, ‘when I told her about your situation shewas rather shocked. If someone told me my lover was going to marry anothergirl, I would cry too.’

That was not true, she wasn’tcrying because of that. But she could not say it out loud; her head and heartwere off kilter.

‘It is none of your business. Getout.’

‘Not yet,’ Eugene countered waving Colette’sbasket in Lionel’s face, ‘she was walking late at night with this expensivejewellery. It was a fool hardy thing to do. How can you make a woman walk aloneat night, even if she’s being abandoned? It is a rather careless thing to do,isn’t it?

‘Why you…?’ Lionel said throughgritted teeth, like he was holding his rage back. Eugene smiled mockingly atLionel’s expression of impotent anger and got even more garrulous,

‘This is the first time I’ve everseen you so desperate and for a commoner maid no less. She must have been easyto get into your bed. Don’t get too excited, I don’t want to see you pull outyour sword. This nuisance will leave now.’

Eugene slowly put down the basketand strolled out of the room. The door closed, and only the two of them wereleft in the room.

‘I’m sorry…It was all my fault. I’msorry I got you into trouble.’ She cried.

Lionel hugged her but the tears didnot stop. Because of her inadequacy, she tarnished Lionel’s honour. (Zuben:Lionel’s honour would most likely be fine)

Lionel led Colette to a sofa in theoffice and sat her down. He put her head on his sturdy chest. With that feelingof security, Colette burst into tears again.

‘Don’t cry, Colette, please don’tcry. I’m the bad one. As he said, I neglected to pick you up. But I didn’t wantto force you to make up your mind to come. I’m sorry,’

His voice was filled with emotion, desperatelyfighting passion. It seemed that Colette was important to him. With just that, Colettewas happy. She was happy to have someone think of her that way. At the sametime, it was already good enough.

‘Please don’t apologise, it’s notyour fault I cried, it was because he was saying such mean things to me. Icouldn’t bear it.’

‘That son of a…’ he cursed as hehugged her even closer. He patted her head and muttered sweet nothings. It wasrestful and delightful. (Zuben: This is where you should be dear.) He gave herlittle pecks on her cheeks, her hair her lips. Colette’s tears stopped. Aftershe calmed down, she thought it was the right time to do what she needed to do,

‘I came to say goodbye.’

‘Colette, no.’

‘I cannot do this anymore. I heardthat your marriage has been decided by the King,’

‘That is separate from us. I’vebeen working to break the engagement for a long time, even before I went towar.’

Colette shook her head to refusehis explanation. There was no reason for him to do such a thing. A marriagebetween noble houses was not a simple thing. With the foreboding that thecancelling of the engagement would make everyone unhappy…she couldn’t believein him.

‘It is useless. That is…’

‘Colette, please listen to my sideof things,’

Until now, when they spent timetogether there was the overwhelming need to touch each other they never talkedproperly, they never talked about their personal lives. Now that therelationship was at an end, it was strange they were talking instead ofpleasuring each other one last time. (Zuben: Is that what you wanted, Colette?)

‘Eight years ago, I was betrothedto my fiancée. I was nineteen, she was ten. When we met for the first time, shesaw me and she fainted. It seems I scared her terribly.’ (Zuben: Christ on a cracker, that is young)

‘Oh no…’

Certainly, his face was a bit scaryand he had the aura of an unsheathed sword, but as she got to know him, she didnot feel afraid of him. She's come to find that he was a very thoughtful and kind person.

‘They said that as we get to knoweach other more it would get better. But it never did. When I meet her, shewould get so afraid, she’d run away. I really can’t contemplate marryingsomeone who is that afraid of me. Even now, I hear she has someone that shelikes.’

There was no way such a marriagewould be a content one from the start. But the engagement had been set up for along time, and dissolution would be messy. Lionel had neglected to break theengagement from his side and left it too long. The King got tired of it andforced a wedding date.

‘The best condition to break theengagement is if I have someone else I want to marry, because my fiancée is tootimid and her parents don’t want to refuse.’

Tension hummed through Colette.Lionel put a hand under her jaw and raised her face to look at him; he had asweet expression on his face,

‘Marry me, Colette. I will removeall your insecurity and protect you with all my power. Betting on my all, Iswear to make you happy. I want us to be together.’ (Zuben: Kyaaaaa! How sweet,but there’s her fiancé to consider.)

‘…that is impossible.’

‘Colette…’ Lionel said with hurt inhis eyes. He looked sad. She knew she hurt him, but it was impossible. Eventhough she did not have to, she thought it was better if she explained herside,

‘I like being with you Lionel and Ithink I love you,’ (Zuben: When did this happen, Colette?)

‘That’s great Colette…I like you, Ilove you.’ (Zuben: Lionel was as obvious as a rhino)

‘But I can’t just be with you. Myengagement is also tied to my family’s business; it isn’t just about me and myfiancé.  It is a marriage and a mergerbetween our two families that has been decided for a long time. I am reallysorry; I just can’t disappoint my family like this.’

He hugged Colette tightly as thoughhe could not let her go. He felt so lonesome. When she first crashed into theroom, she thought he looked pale as well.

‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered againand again as he hugged her and kissed her. He made her so happy, but tonightwas the end. She kissed him one last time and rose from the sofa,

‘I want to return to my dormitory now;can you escort me, please?’

‘Of course,’

Lionel took her hand, and theywalked out of the barracks together in silence. There was no conversation, but Colettewas happy just like this, in their last moments together.

When they got to her dormitory, sheslowly let go of his hand. She felt like she was throwing his love back in hisface, but her heart didn’t hurt, it was paralysed.

Colette lowered her head and said,‘For everything until now, thank you. I will never forget you. Please behappy.’

Lionel looked at her silently.(Zuben: This crafty guy is planning something)

Colette turned away and walked intothe hall without looking back.

She could not take the dead weighther heart had become, she felt like she was drowning. (Zuben: There there now)

When she had been talking to Roseearlier in the afternoon, she had been so adamant and sure of her feelings. Butnow…it had been a strange break up. She felt empty.

♙

The next morning at the dininghall, Rose came to sit beside Colette like it was the most natural thing to do,and asked,

‘Good morning, Colette…has therebeen any progress?’

‘Yes.’

‘You went there last night?’ sheasked in a shocked whisper.

Surprisingly, Colette answered in aclear calm voice,

‘Yes,’

‘What happened?’

‘I returned the brooch and told himit was over.’

‘Is that all? He accepted it, justlike that?’

For some reason, Colette wasirritated. She didn’t want to apologise because there was nothing to apologisefor, and if she started apologising both Colette and Rose would get angry witheach other.

Instead she changed the subject,

‘I may leave the castle before myterm in complete.’

‘Eh! Why?’

She didn’t want to say because shebroke up with Lionel and he was getting married soon,

‘To tell you the truth, I ran intothe Captain of the White Eagle Knights yesterday. Just so you know, they arepatrolling the castle and its grounds at night.’

If Rose had know she would havetold her, but Colette may not have been listening properly to that part of theconversation, and then she went out without thinking about it properly.

‘They are. So did they see you withthe brooch and think you stole it? But then they wanted to know the owner…itwas bad, wasn’t it?’ Rose deduced the situation quickly and understood.

Colette nodded, ‘Yes, I wasconstantly berated and mocked by the White Eagle Captain. So I was forced totake a stance because of my stupidity.’

‘…just wait a little, I will makesure!’

Rose ran off. She bet it was to goand gather information from around the castle. Well that would keep her busyfor today. Colette finished her meal and took care of Rose’s dishes as well.

♘

After cleaning one of the rooms inthe castle, Colette walked down the corridor to her next assigned task. A manin a white cloak appeared in front of her. Colette kept her head down, apologisedand tried to continue on her way but she was blocked and a firm hand held herjaw and pulled Colette’s face up,

‘Hello Colette. Your eyes don’tseem to be swollen. I was worried that they would be after all that cryingyesterday,’

Eugene, the Captain of the WhiteEagle Knights, seeing his seductive face in daylight only made Colette detesthim more. Colette stepped out of his grip,

‘Thank you for your concern,’ shesaid extremely politely, ‘I am well. If you will pardon me, I need to go to mynext assignment.’

‘Don’t take it too badly, let’shave a chat. I think you know something I want to know.’

‘No I do not. Thank you.’

Rules of society dictated that Colettecould not leave before he did, so she lowered her head and stood to the sidewaiting for him to take the hint and leave. But he brought her head forcefullyup to meet his gaze again. Colette stepped back, but now she was up against thewall, her only escape route was sideways, but he boxed her in with his arms.Eugene’s eyes were sparking with excitement at this situation, he was enjoyinghimself. Colette turned away but he firmly turned her back to him. She felt thetears start flowing again, (Zuben: Don’t cry in front of this arse hole!)

‘You’re a bad girl to treat himthis way. It’s like you want him to be bullied.’

‘I am sorry but that is not myintention.’

‘Hmmm? You have such a conceitedmouth;’

‘Lord Eugene, you seem to have alot of time on your hands to be bothering a maid in such a place.’  A female voice said behind him. Eugene steppedaway from Colette reluctantly. (Zuben: He wants to eat Colette-cake too)

Colette gave a sigh of relief.

‘I was only trying to investigatethe situation,’ he said

‘I will take over the‘investigation’ from now.’ The woman said. She looked to be in her thirties(Zuben: Thirties is not middle age, author!) with a very upright posture, herhair was held back in a tight bun, and she wore a simple navy blue dress(Zuben: Matilda?). She was slender and had a beautiful face. It seemed that thelady may have a higher position than Eugene, maybe she was a high ranking ladyin waiting.

‘Colette, it is serious! I heard a lot ofthings…’ Rose cried as she ran up to them, breaking the stand-off.

Colette, the lady and Eugene turnedto the new arrival. Rose stopped short and curtseyed to the lady. Seeing that, Colettethought that the lady was definitely a higher rank than Eugene,

‘You’re looking well, Lady of theCourt Adan.’

‘Yes, well enough. Please return toyour duties. Colette Folk, come with me.’

What? Why? Where? Who is this Ladyof the Court? There were many questions running around in Colette’s head, butRose whispered - shooing her off, ‘Go quickly,’ so Colette obediently wentafter the lady.

A lower maid like Colette was beingguided through the castle to an area she’d never been before. Where is shetaking me? Colette wondered.

They came to a luxuriouslyappointed door; painted white with gilded accents. Lady Adan knocked on thedoor,

‘We have come,’ she said, and thenopened the door. Colette followed the lady through and the door closed behindthem. The room was very beautiful, extravagantly decorated but tasteful. Abeautiful young lady sat on a sofa before her was a table laden with tea andsnacks. She had lovely brown hair and her countenance was something Colettewould describe as ephemeral. (Zuben: Fiancée?)

The lady had a fragile quality toher. She had slim shoulders with an even slimmer waist that would not need acorset. When she handled fabrics at her parents shop, she saw very slenderdresses being made, and she wondered how which sort of woman could wear such adress. But she now thought this woman would be comfortable in that kind ofdress. Even thought the lady was slender, she was not scrawny. (Zuben: Couldget carried away in a light breeze)

The beautiful person took a sip ofher tea elegantly. She must be a very high ranking nobility for the Lady of theCourt who outranked a Knight Captain to be serving her. She began to wonderwhat she was doing there, when the woman spoke,

‘Miss Colette, please have a seat.’

Her voice was clear and sweet likea bell. Of course, she had been taught elocution as a noble, but her tone wasmore natural than Rose’s. Colette looked in askance at Lady Adan, whoencouraged her to sit with a small nod. So Colette gingerly took a seat in ahigh back chair and tried to look as elegantly as she could muster.

‘Are you really Lionel’s lover?’the lady asked.

Perhaps, this person was Lionel’sfiancée. No, Colette had been told she was an Earl’s daughter, so the Lady ofthe Court would not be serving her in the more private areas of the royalpalace.

‘No, it’s over already.’ Coletteanswered in a small voice.

‘But, Lionel is fighting for yoursake, going against his Majesty to cancel the engagement.’ The lady said; herexpression full of anguish. Even her sad expressions looked beautiful. Colettedid not know what to reply for she was perplexed. The woman continued,

‘I have always envied him. Ourhusband prefers to spend time with him than with me. Our husband only everthinks of him first. His most reliable retainer, his best friend…There is nogap that one could slip through between my husband and that person. They aretogether almost constantly.’ (Zuben: Doesn’t Lionel have his own shit to do? Hewas away at war for about three months they were not together then.)

Colette did not know who thisperson was. What on earth was she talking about? Who is her husband? Colettehad a puzzled expression on her face, but the noblewoman continued,

‘It may seem like I am crazy but Iwanted to meet you, Colette. I want you to tell me the method you used to makethat block of wood guy crazy about you. Because no matter what I do, I can’tkeep my husband from choosing his friends over me. Please tell me,’ the ladysaid as a tear rolled down her face, elegantly. (Zuben: Well, Colette doesn’tlook like she’ll break if you touch her.)

The lady found a handkerchief anddabbed at the tears, her delicate fingers holding it tightly. Colette felt forher. At that moment, she remembered some of the gossip that Rose was tellingher,

“You know the king and queen arenewly married. The queen really wants to spend some time with the king but theking would rather go hunting or hanging out in the smoking room with hisfriends…” Rose had also told her that Lionel was the King’s best friend. Thismeant that this ephemeral beauty crying prettily in front of her was…the Queen?(Zuben: He probably is afraid that he would break her if he touches you.)

‘Are you the Queen?’ Colette askedin shock

‘Yes, you can call me Eliza, pleaseColette give me guidance. How can I gain his Majesty’s favour?’

She did not understand this situation.She did not know what to say but the Queen was expecting an answer from Colette.Colette gulped as panic filled her mind…

It has become a serious thing…(Zuben: Hmm…meh)

Thanks for reading. Hope you're well wherever you are.

♙