unexpected
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summary: Since a tender age, you have been raised to be the perfect noble lady. You yearned for a different life, to be free, but it wasn't possible, your destiny was to be married to the best suitor. Still, you could hope for something different. it could never happen to you, could it?
warnings: manwha/novel spoilers. unrealistic (and cute) bird behaviour.
Chapter 2 : Amity.
A few days had passed since you had brought your unexpected guest home.
“You are so cute, aren’t you? So lovely!”
The maids' voices mingled over each other, their high pitch echoing on the room's walls. All of them stood around a little table, surrounding it, and in the middle of the table stood the little bird, gazing at the maids while occasionally chirping.
You smiled at the scene, almost tempted to join the maids in their cooing.
A few days had passed since you had brought your unexpected guest home. The start had been rocky, but everything was going smoothly. The bird was now responsive, moving around their cage. When you let her out of it, she moved with what you would call curiosity, jumping from place to place, looking at you with her large black eyes. Her presence alone would lift your mood significantly, something which also applies to the home staff.
All of sudden, your room needed much more cleaning than usual, because in the little time the bird had been here, half of the maids had taken to “cleaning” your room. They spent most of their time fawning over your little guest rather than cleaning, though.
You sat back in your chair, hearing the maids discuss something animatedly, and looked back at the book in your lap.
After wondering for days, your question about the bird’s species was soon answered after a look through ‘The Birds of the Western Kingdom’. Even though the book might be a little old (judging by the word kingdom instead of empire on the cover) its contents were still reliable. The grayish-blue color of its feathers and plump, round body had already given you an idea, but now it was confirmed. The species of the bird was a bluebird, a fitting name for your small friend. Additionally, the book had also revealed that your little friend was, in fact, a little lady, something that had delighted you greatly.
The maids also seemed delighted in the company of the bird, constantly cooing over her. Things were going well, the peace and warmness in the house was something that you could get used to.
“My lady?” The voice of one of the maids interrupted your thinking. It was Elli. She had been in the service of the manor ever since you arrived in the capital, and you were more than used to her, even considering her a friend. She cleared her throat, clasping her hands in front of her.
“Well, my lady. The rest of the maids and I were wondering…” She trailed off slightly, looking to the side. “Have you thought of naming the bird?”
That got you off guard. In the time you had with the bluebird, you hadn’t thought of giving it a name. It surprised you hadn’t thought one, but you supposed that in your worry, it didn’t even cross your mind.
“Erm, not... really? I hadn't considered it,” you confessed, standing up from your chair. The maids looked at each other excitedly.
“Then, what if we name it now? I mean, if you approve, my lady!” Elli was quick to calm herself, but she seemed as excited as the rest of the maids. You smiled, and walked towards the group, while the maids giggled.
“Yes, that is a good idea.”
You stood between the maids, looking towards the little blue bird on the table. The bird looked back at you, moving its head to the side and back to the front.
“Um, I can’t think of anything…what do you have in mind?” You asked, looking at the group around you. The maids quickly sprang into action.
“Let’s name it Betty!”
“I think Marian it's sweet-sounding, perfect for such a cute bird!”
“Well, I think Blue could be a nice name!”
“Blue? Isn’t that a little obvious?”
“Could you think something better?”
“Hey!”
The voices of the maids sounded on top of each other while they discussed, the bickering growing louder and louder.
“Now, now, no need for that!” You tried calming the maids, but to no avail, since they continued arguing over names. “Hey, listen a second!... Please? Girls! HEY!” You clapped as loudly as you could, the sound echoing loudly in the room. All the maids stopped in the middle of their arguing and bowed their heads while apologizing.
“What am I going to do with you all?” you sighted, rubbing between your eyes. The maids continued apologizing while you did so, but one little voice made you raise your head.
“Excuse me, my lady?” From the back, one of the maids spoke up. The other ones stepped aside, revealing a young maid. She seemed nervous, shuffling in place. You gave her the chance to speak.
“Well, my lady, I was thinking…” she started, her freckled cheeks turning red with all the attention on her. “That, um, maybe we could call the bird.. er, Amity?
“Amity?” That name picked your interest, so you curiously asked her what she meant.
“Well, yes, it’s a word I learned the other day,” she smiled, sheepishly rubbing the back of her neck. “I thought it would be nice fit, since, well… things have gotten better, my lady. And this bird is the representation of that, isn’t it? I mean, we could still name it anything else, it --“ She started rambling, obviously nervous.
“No, no! Don’t be sorry, I think is perfect,” you stopped her, sending a reassuring smile her way. The rest of the maids nodded, accepting the name as well. ” But most importantly… what do you think, Amity?”
You picked up the bird in your palm, holding it close. For a moment, the bird only watched you, but then it jumped, chirping loudly and dancing in your palm. The maids and you laughed at the reaction, caressing the little bird.
“Well, I think that means she likes it!”
The rest of the evening was spent cooing over Amity, with the number of maids eventually descending, until only you and a handful remained. You were putting books back on the shelf when Elli interrupted you.
“Shall I prepare a dress beforehand, my lady?” Elli stood close to the closet, already opening it and rummaging through the clothes.
“A dress?” You turned to face her, not understanding what she meant. She turned and looked at you, confused for a moment before answering.
“For the tea party tomorrow, my lady.”
Oh.
There was going to be a tea party in the palace, a reunion between noble ladies before the ball was held in some days. Lady Nevea had specially reserved a place within the palace to host it, so it would be rude of you to not attend. Amity seemed to be doing well enough as it was, and you had the help of the maids, so it wouldn’t be a bother. Besides, you could use the reunion to enjoy yourself, and being honest, eating the pastries was also high on your list of reasons to go.
“Yes, of course. Please get the dress ready for tomorrow Elli. Thanks.”
The tea party had been pleasant. The place had been decorated in beautiful white cloths that shone with the afternoon light. The mood at the place was warm and cheerful, with most of the nobles having a good time.
All kinds of delicacies were served at the tables, from puddings to cookies and cakes, and you had your fill. You met with your friends and chatted the evening away, laughing and enjoying the food. Everyone had enjoyed themselves so much that the party lasted until the sun had gone down.
By the time it was over, you were glad you had attended instead of staying home, even though your mind kept wandering to thoughts of Amity during the gathering.
You walked the halls, moving towards the entrance so you could go to your home. The afternoon sun had long since set, and the candles shone dimly in the dark hallway. You looked out of the window, watching the moon rise in the night sky. You were distracted, but the sound of another pair of footsteps made you turn.
At first glance, you didn’t realize who he was. Between the tiredness clouding your mind and the darkness, there was nothing you could pinpoint about them. You didn’t recognize the face of the man walking down the hall, mistaking him as just another noble who was going their way. But once you had gotten closer to him, you noticed.
The moonlight streaming from the windows enhanced his grayish hair and the golden-brown skin, his expression was firm and serious but what you noticed were those clear, sharp eyes posed straight ahead. Then, you realized that it was him, the man from days ago, the one you had – literally - run into.
The two of you were getting nearer with every step, and the increasing closeness only helped to increase your nerves. Did he recognize you? He didn’t seem to do so; he didn’t seem to have noticed you at all with the way his gaze was straight ahead. Ignoring him would be rude, but if he hadn’t noticed you, then apologizing wasn’t needed. If you just passed by and none of you interacted, it would be alright, maybe you wouldn’t have to---
His gaze was on you now.
This was it, there was no escaping. He was looking at you now and by how he was doing it you were sure he remembered you. You steeled yourself and tried to ignore the embarrassment you were beginning to feel, if you were quick then the shame you felt would be gone by the end of it and the incident with the stranger would be solved.
“Em, excuse me, sir?” You stopped yourself in front of him, cringing internally at the sound of your shaky voice. He had too stopped walking, staring firmly at you and that only served to make you hesitate.
“I’m not sure if you remember,” Your gaze moved to the floor on its own, unable to hold his gaze, but you forced yourself to look into his eyes once again. ”But the other day I accidentally ran into you … I just wanted to apologize properly for doing that…” You gave a bow. “I- I’m really sorry for doing that, sir. I hope it wasn’t an inconvenience for you,”
You waited for his reaction, half expecting him to be mad at you or mock you in some way, but unexpectedly, he didn’t say anything at all, all he did was stare at you for some incredibly long seconds. You thought your legs would give out in any second.
“It’s alright.”
He gave a slight nod, and just with those few words, he continued along his way until he turned a corner and disappeared from your view. You almost fainted right there, but instead, you turned around and continued on your way home.
Somehow, that had been even more embarrassing than crashing into him.
When you arrived home, you went straight to your room and threw yourself face-first into the pillows. You were sure that Amity was looking at you strangely from inside the cage.
The ball had been a day expected by most, a major holiday that most looked up to during the year. This had been barely your second attendance, and you had been just as excited.
You arrived at the palace in the dress you had prepared weeks prior, the color was a pretty shade, giving you confidence. You walk to one of the groups where your friends are and start talking. The themes were simple, talking about the dresses, which person was here and the plans some of the nobles had. You were chatting with a young countess, who talked animatedly about the trip she was to take soon. However, your chat was cut short by the sound of loud trumpets.
Everyone turned to the entrance of the room, where the Empress and Emperor were making their entrance. Both looked radiant together, their arms linked together with golden crowns in their heads. Empress Navier looked astonishing, her signature red enhancing her regal aura. They walked together to their thrones and once they sat down, the nobles returned to their talks. The murmur of the crowd returned.
The theme changed, the most recent affairs concerning the royals conquering your talk. The heirs were healthy and the empire was thriving, an era of peace seemed to have begun. The diplomatic relations were prospering as well, with the empire as head with various trading deals. You listened as the nobles praised the reign as if they hadn’t ever judged the emperor or empress in their lives.
You looked back towards the emperors, only to notice someone walking over to meet them. Walking up the stairs to where their seats were being none other than the man you had run into. He approached the pair, and after giving a bow, he talked with them. The talk was natural, flowing between them without the stiffness of pleasantries. You could have even said the empress looked pleased. They all seemed to know each other, and that surprised you greatly. Who was this man?
The countess followed your gaze to where the three of them chatted, and as if realizing your question, she began, “Grand Duke Kaufman is back in the Empire.” She watched the three of them. ”The trade agreement between Luipt and the empire seems to be going well, maybe he came to discuss that? Either way, their majesties and him are close, aren’t they?” She looked over to you, and you nodded. She turned back to the nobleman by her side and resumed talking, but you were still looking over the direction the three were at.
…Grand Duke Kaufman!?
