Upon returning from the city, Iver sent Ester to hand over the crystal to Ro. He then left the premises as a stylist arrived arrived from the city to take Ro's measurement.
She would need more Lispan clothing.
Ro barely paid attention to the array of dresses and designs the stylist laid out before her. Even after the stylist left, the uneasiness did not go away. This was real. She would be wedded to this man the following week. Ro did not have to spend long in the city to know that blending in with the Lispans would be impossible. If she escaped and fled to the city, she would stand out. Heading to the woods would be an option, but that would be impossible too.
Ro had learnt from Ester that the woods were like a second home to the wolves, especially in their beastly forms. They knew every inch of the area, and their senses were keen. Far keener than Ro could ever imagine. She would be caught. And more importantly, she had to account for other wild creatures the forests contained.
Even if she wanted to escape by boat, she would still have to make her way through the woods.
Despite all this, she still thought of how she could escape.
Every passing day drummed in the reality of her situation.
But the more she delayed this, the more disastrous it would be.
Worst of all, she still did not know who killed her.
But one strange thing she had noticed from rejuvenating herself in Iver's garden was the fact that her essence was far stronger than it had ever been.
She would have to look into what happened, how, and why. For now, her top priority was escaping. And doing it without getting caught because that would make things even worse.
The next week was slowly rolling by. She knew all the servants by name. She knew their lives. She knew the grounds of the castle. After the wedding, she would be granted a tutor to fully learn about Lispa's customs.
This was going to be her new reality. Her new prison.
It could not be. Iver seemed nice, patient, understanding...
Ro knew better than to just sink into such conformity. She did not know all sides of this man, and it had only been a few days. This was a noble that had nearly killed someone before her eyes. It astounded her how the person survived that.
Ro couldn't fully trust anyone. She still had to find a way out.
And she was tired. Tired of being sold off from one man to the next.
__________
The weekend before the fateful week arrived with dreadful news.
Envoys were coming from Erzi for the wedding ceremony.
Even with the delicious meals presented to her that morning and afternoon, a bitter taste still lingered on her tongue, affecting her appetite. She was not looking forward to seeing any of them.
'Then again, I am curious. How was I conscious when I was dead?'
Even if she were to ask, she doubted she would get an answer. Even if one of the nymphs held the answer, they would withhold the information from her out of spite. However, Ro still remained cautious. Someone wanted her dead. They had succeeded. What if they tried again?
__________
The dining hall had been decorated with fine overhanging fabrics. The large chandelier glowed a brilliant white, accompanied by ornate lamps hanging along the walls. Evening sky filtered through the windows and added warmth to the bright lights.
The carpeted blue walls stood rich against the dark marble flooring that matched the rest of the castle. The hall seemed almost welcoming. Completely different from the bleak space Ro had seen the day before.
Three servants were arranging the covered dishes and bowls on the table, making sure the cutlery was in place. Tyre, a male attendant, oversaw the arrangement, and Ro watched, absorbing it all in.
She felt oddly calm.
Her eyes shifted to the two seats at the head of the table. Hers and Ivers. The seats were identical. One didn't dwarf the other in a sole declaration of superiority.
It felt strange.
Even though she'd despised Erzi's customs. The hierarchy, and the constant reminders of a woman's worth and where she stood in society. This sense of equality unsettled her. The others would be uneasy too, and that thought almost made her smile.
One of the double doors opened, catching everyone's attention. No one was supposed to be here yet.
A small nymph walked in, garbed in fine pink linen. Her wavy brown hair was packed into tight bundles held in place by white ornaments. A testament to how straight hair was more favoured in Erzi.
The young woman's blue eyes held a regal gleam that made Ro stare.
She hardly ever came across women like that.
The woman acknowledged the servants and Tyre with slight bows. Then, she made a straight path towards Ro, a tiny grey box in hand.
Ro spoke up before the woman came close, "Good day, I hope you had a lovely journey here."
The woman smiled and curtsied. "Thank you, it was splendid. I congratulate you on the upcoming union. I am happy to see this step towards a new relationship between both nations."
"Thank you." Ro offered a small smile. "I apologise, I do not know your name. I am—"
"I know who you are, Lady. I am Willow, from Urma. Regrettably, I am the only delegate from our house, so I hope you do not take any offence."
'She just purposefully refused to mention my name, why?'
Ro immediately shook her head, raising her hands in front of her. "No, not at all."
Still, she was surprised. Willow likely came with servants. Or under the wing of another envoy. The men in that family must have either been too busy to make the time, or this was simply another form of their disrespect.
This journey must have been too unimportant for them to arrive.
"I appreciate you coming." Ro glanced between the table and Willow. "I had hoped you would rest a bit till you were called."
"That is fine." Willow slightly raised the box. "I brought you a gift. A small token. From one woman to another, I believe it would help."
Willow opened the lid of the box to reveal a small brown bead. Ro's eyes widened.
"This..." she whispered, unable to let out any more words as Willow closed the lid and placed the box in Ro's hands.
'A sand stone!'
"How— I can't accept this," Ro's words came out in a rush.
"Please, I insist. It was not easy to come across. You are lucky to be here."
Ro raised her head, taking her attention off the box. Her muscles were stiff, stunned. Willow had said that last sentence in a hushed tone.
This was all strange. The fact that she was presented with a sand stone meant Willow knew about her affinity with the earth. But what did she mean by those last words?
Ro lightly frowned, and the doors opened once more just as she was about to speak.