Jumbadiway's palace
Dusk
Perriguin had already planned how she would go to the corner of her place in the quarters and cry away her pain but she was immersed in the warm flowing water in the carved bathtub of smooth rock. The adornment room was a cave of smooth stone. Everything in the room was carved beautifully and artistically. The rock was of a special type of stone that felt like ceramic. Beside the tub was a water proof bed for massage.
The warm water tickled her wounds, bringing them alive and fresh. Her hair, which was longer due to some treatments earlier was spread in the bathtub. The bathtub was special because it never went dry or contained stall water. Water flowed in and out of it every minute. The sound of flowing water echoed in the beautiful cave. She almost forgot herself in the water and slept off. The maids braided her hair into locks after washing and oiling it.
They placed her on the mattress and applied ointment on all parts of her body gently. They took care of the wounds and every other thing. They led her out of the room and then, she slept off. As she slept, tears fell from the edge of her eyes. Was Lamidat really gone?
In the night, while she was in the corner of her room, the duke showed up.
'You don't expect me to leave you hear, do you?'
Perriguin only looked.
'You were his best' he said. 'Take care of her' he said to the maids and walked away, full of sadness.
She wondered if it was that wicked man that forsook her in Noir, the kingdom that eventually came against him that was talking. A part of her hated him but she was still humble enough to know what she was- a maid.
The duke sent for Perriguin later. She was weak but she tried to compose herself.
She was dressed in a scarlet dress that stopped just above her knees that were black from the numerous experiences she had endured. Her shoulders were exposed as the dress was shoulderless. The belt around her waist gathered the large dress into shape. A pearl choker was around her long skinny neck and a longer one rested on her shoulders. A scarlet ring was placed on her head, making the locks fall. She was perfectly adorned like royalty. So full of questions was she while they dressed her up. Why was she being dressed so serious to see the duke? She could just put on a Shua.
Her brown skin glowed because the body ointments gave golden illusion. Everything was perfect except her eyes that were teary.
She was then walked into the duke's court by two maids. What was going on? Why were they walking her to the court? she wanted to scream, 'I'm Perriguin!' In case they had forgotten.
As they got there, she looked up and saw the officials all seated on their chairs. The duke's mother was the only exception. Her seat was empty.
'Was she going to seat with THEM?' She thought.
Everything got her startled but she was too sober to show her any reaction. She was led to a seat. Full of confusion , she sat down. She bent down her head as soon as she was seated. A letter landed on her thighs. It read;
'Perriguin,
My duchess, don't cry. Be strong for me. You look good'
Duke
She looked up and saw the duke staring at her intently. Immediately, she looked away and watched the letter wither away. She shut her eyes and pleaded with tears to go back. In disobedience, the tears fell down. She wiped her face and looked up quickly, hoping the duke was not looking. The Duchess of Lumbridimaway was directly opposite her, looking at her the normal way. Fear gripped Perriguin.
The duke started speaking.
'We all know what happened year. Whatever happened remains a secret in our midst. My mother must not have an idea about…'
'Where is Lamidat' a grey haired elder cut in.
The duke went quiet for a while. Then, he got up and walked to the elder.
'I respect you so much but…NEVER! Never cut into my speech! I'm the duke and no matter my age, you give respect!' He said authoritatively but calmly.
Perriguin was the only one that could understand perfectly. Of course, yelling at the elder was wrong but he was going through a lot.
The court became quiet. He did not sit, he kept on walking about.
'As I was saying, this remains confidential. Now, I called this meeting because of the safety of the kingdom' he began and then faced the Duchess of lumbridimaway. ' I respect you so much but you have to tell the court why you are here' he said, tightening his fist but looking calm.
The duchess was in her golden apenta, having her legs crossed. Her large crown was in place and her big round earrings too that followed with series of small earrings around her ears. Her looks spoke luxury and beauty but her heart spoke ugliness.
'Since when did visiting royalty become a crime?' She asked with a brow raised.
Perriguin was full of fear but for what the duchess said, she wanted to just walk up to her, give her a slap across her face and push her to the ground.
'I hate you' Perriguin muttered under her breath.
The duke stood in front of the duchess but some centimeters away.
'Of course not, it's not a crime. I've just not seen a duchess with dignity as minimal as this! Hovering around a man' he spat.
She stood up immediately.
'No! I'm not going to stand her and watch you insult my personality in front of your officials' she yelled.
'Where else, my bed room?' She scooffand moved away, leaving her standing.
'You are hosting the festival of a completed revolution, you should be in your kingdom' the duke said, walking to his throne.
'That's why I have my officials. We go for the festival together' she said.
The duchess gave that her wicked smile. Was she so shameless?
Perriguin wanted to leave that moment because everything about the duchess disgusted her. Because of her, Lamidat was gone.
'You can control your countless helpless slaves but not me!' the duke said firmly. 'You're inhumane. You don't care about people!'
Perriguin was not siding any of them that moment. They were both inhumane.
'I give you till dusk to be out of my kingdom…else'
The duke was too full of rage. He was really trying to compress all he wasn't ready to say. There was a lot to say to the duchess but the duke held back because he still had to keep Lamidats death a secret. He shot the duchess a smirk. Her hands were clutched into a fist and she was breathing heavily. She snapped her fingers and her guards came in. Her cape was let down and she walked out unapologetically. At the door, she turned and looked at the duke, then Perriguin.