19 Lady and Her Maid:
Through the open heavy curtained window of the carriage, the trees that lined the streets were dyed in the colours of autumn. It was late fall, and the effects of the cooling weather could be seen in the changing attire of the citizens of the royal city. In the carriage travelling down the boulevard from the royal palace into the city, Iris yawned.
‘Lady Iris, if you’re feeling sleepy, why don’t you shut your eyes for a few minutes? I will let you know before we arrive at Mrs Macy’s shop.’
‘Ah, alright…’ Iris replied vaguely to her maid who was sitting opposite her. She felt like being a cat who slept out in garden where the sun was warmest. The late autumn climate induced a gentle drowsiness exacerbated by the strenuous activities she performed every night. And in the early morning, she took the chance to complete her lace work before she had to do other things, so the tiredness accumulated.
So sleepy…
She tried to fight the sleepiness, her eyelids slid down her violet eyes only to open, and then close again. Just as she was about to fall asleep, something was casually thrown across her knees.
‘Hm?’
She sleepily felt for the thing on her knees. The soft fluffy texture made her smile unconsciously, and its presence warmed her knees very comfortably.
Ah!
This fluffiness was a blanket. It must be her favourite polar bear blanket which she had left back home.
‘Thank you, Katri…’ she said sleepily, laughing like a young child. Katri’s eyes narrowed gently,
‘My pleasure, Lady Iris.’
‘Eh?’
‘Thank you for asking me to attend to you again.’ Katri said bowing to eyes. Iris rubbed her eyes.
Surprised by her maid’s strange behaviour, Eris shook her head to blow away the sleepiness.
‘No, I must say thank you to you.’ Iris replied, managing to win the battle against sleepiness, sat upright, ‘Thank you Katri, I am happy that you will be attending to me again.’
‘Lady Iris, if you say such nice things to your maid, I am apt to cry from happiness.’ Katri said.
Was it a joke full of emotional expression? Rather, it looked like Katri’s eyes were a bit misty. Katri blinked her eyes, and then started to laugh.
‘Katri is exaggerating as usual.’
‘Lady Iris is as stern as ever.’
‘Although, I think I will lose to Katri.’
The two women paused for a beat then broke out in a smile. (Zuben: *snore)
Katrina has been her maid since Iris was a young girl. For Iris who lost her mother due to illness, Katrina had become kind of a substitute mother.
‘But is it really alright?’
‘What, Lady?’
‘Your husband, is he alright with you being away?’
Katri’s husband was the Reinfeldt chef. Katri had been living with him in the servants’ quarters. Her husband is the proud chef who made Iris’ favourite lemon curd. But now, for Iris, Katri now lived in the royal palace. Although the Reinfeldt house isn’t far from the Royal Palace, but Iris was not comfortable separating the two of them even though they were not that far away from each other.
Katri smiled brightly at Iris’ worry, ‘You don’t need to worry, Lady Iris. I am happy to be by the side of the young lady I have brought up. Naturally, my husband encouraged me to be with you enthusiastically.’ Katri said cheerfully (Zuben: bigger pay - better retirement)
At her warm reassuring words, Iris smiled, relieved.
‘Then I am happy too. Katri is a like a mother to me.’
‘Oh my! You’re so good at making my cry, Lady Iris.’ Katri said as she reached for her handkerchief and dabbed her eyes with it.
Ernest had arranged for Katri to be her personal maid in the palace. Being able to reunite with her beloved maid to support her in her new life as Queen, Iris’ days were more peaceful than before.
This was probably evidence that the effect of the love potion was continuous.
Matthias had said it was eternal, but in truth, no one really knew. Ernest thought it was simple sweets and kept eating it while looking at other people. There was a possibility that a new love will occur. (Zuben: He’s trying to tell you something but you’re too dense to understand) The feeling of guilt built within Iris whenever she thought of how she got Ernest to love her. But lately, that guilt was transforming to anxiety. She hoped the love potion will last. It had been a month since that fateful night, and Iris heart had begun to hold helpless anxiety.
‘Lady Iris, I am so happy you’re getting married.’
‘Katr...i’
‘I think you have finally met a wonderful man. A wedding in February would be really fun; I can’t help but be excited.’ Katri said with a happy smile.
Katri did not know about the love potion, so she just saw pure pleasure and love in the marriage between Iris and Ernest.
And in the short time she had arrived, Katri had even been consulted by Rosemary on how to capture Sirius’ heart.
And Ernes, who was under the effects of the love potion, listens to Katri’s voice calling Iris’ name with love and respect.(Zuben: Shrug)
Why was there always a pain in her chest? She should know why but it seemed that Iris wanted to escape from the answer. Iris sighed unconsciously (Zuben: Does this girl do anything consciously?)
‘Lady Iris, are you alright?’
Iris nodded gently to appease Katri.
‘Really?’
‘It’s really nothing.’ Iris reiterated with a vague smile. Katri gave her a warm look as she said,
‘You’re more expressive than you used to be.’
‘Hm? Is that so?’
‘Yes, I really think so. I have been with you for many years, and I have certainly noticed a change in this last few weeks.’ (Zuben: Must be all that eye widening)
Really? She wondered, Iris had been unaware.
Katri nodded,
‘While you were at home, you may have smiled but not truly.’
‘Well...that may have been the case…’ Her very keen maid may be right. While she was at home, she tried to keep her emotions under wraps as much as she could. For she feared, should Leticia be aware of any fragility she harboured, Leticia would somehow use it against her. She never wanted to show any weakness even though inside she was in turmoil.
Although this was the first time Katri had pointed it out. Katri had been by her side for many years and would notice Iris’ wry smiles.
‘I wonder if it was truly alright. You would not try to be honest with Countess Leticia, saying that her heart was kind. When in truth, it is you who is too sweet to the enemy…’
‘I’m sorry to disappoint you.’ Iris replied with a bitter smile.
It was Katri who had been waiting for her in the carriage that night. Iris had confessed all that happened at the royal ball to Katri. Katri was still angry, after all this time, with Leticia who had taken her sister’s love without even knowing. (Zuben: What is worse; doing it knowingly or unknowingly?)
However, even if she wanted to fight with her elder sister who was maliciously non-malicious, Iris felt that she would be the one in pain as a result. It would all be in vain. Because Katri knew she hadn’t ever thought of any sort of revenge, Katri believe that Iris had a kind heart. But would a truly kind person decide so easily to use a love potion to manipulate a person in a quest for peace of mind.
Iris gave a bitter smile; she could not tell the truth of her self-indulgence.
‘But these changes in you are surely due to His Majesty.’ Katri said with a soft smile.
♔♔♔
20 The Lady’s Anxiety:
‘Thanks to Ernest…?’ What did she mean by thanks to Ernest? What had they been talking about?
‘What do you mean, Katri?’ she asked.
Katri looked at her calmly and said, ‘You are more expressive than you used to be, Lady Iris.’
‘Really?’
‘You usually had an expression of sorrow.’
‘An expression of sorrow…’
Was it because she was sad about using the love potion? As a result she was depressed and it showed on her face to the point that Iris looked strange? If so, she had to be more careful, otherwise Katri will begin to notice that something was wrong. She could not decide if the was mortified or pathetic, Iris lowered her eyes.
However, contrary to her mistress’ thought, Katri said, ‘My lady, I think the you now is much better.’
‘Why?’
‘Although you are strong, you’re still only twenty years old. While I respect the fact that you’re not overly emotional, you will get tired someday from suppressing yourself.’
‘Sometimes, you also need to depend on someone. I think it was very hard for you back home.’ Katri said sadly, but then she continued, ‘Now, I am very happy with you now. You have begun to be freed from your protective shell little by little as you spend more time with the King.’
Katri, who deeply cared for her mistress, cried a little.
‘Thank you, Katri.’ Iris said. She really was like a mother to her; her existence warmed Iris’ aching heart.
Katri wiped tears hanging from her eyes and gave a sigh, ‘When the Countess said she would decide your husband, it made my heart cold.’
‘I’m sorry I worried you, Katri.’
‘No, it’s fine. As a result, you were able to meet your perfect match. So the end is really better than anything else.’
Before the royal ball a month ago, before he took the love potion, Ernest had been a distant figure; the King who ruled over all. Now Katri was saying that he was the best match for Iris. Yet, Iris felt someone like Ernest, who had the highest status, handsome and intelligent would be the best possible match for woman on those conditions alone.
Maybe that was not what Katri was trying to say. She must truly believe Ernest was the best partner for Iris.
‘Seems so…’ Iris replied with a small smile and turned her gaze out the window at the scenery flowing by.
It was as Katri said; Ernest under the influence of the love potion was Iris’ ideal man. He did not mind her stern look, or was never contemptuous when she wasn’t obedient or when she retorted to something he said.
He did not care she worked for her money by making lace. When she showed him her creations, he praised her effusively sometimes patting her head making her blush. Above all, he wanted her to rely on him more, teaching her every night. (Zuben: That’s not all he was teaching her)
He was the one who had brought her the peace she had sought.
Suddenly realising it, Iris’ face crumpled into tears; she suddenly felt very thankful to Ernest.
Even though, he cherished Iris because of the effect of the love potion, in the time she had spent with him, Iris had started to think that maybe even after the love potion wore off, he would treat her with the same kindness and understanding as he did now. Even if he returned to his previous version - not good with women; she felt that she would continue to live a peaceful life protected by his kindness.
But this kindness would not include a deep love for Iris. Why did that thought make her want to cry?
It wasn’t like her to be so weepy. She took deep breaths and chewed on her lip, desperately trying to calm her mind. She stared out the window not really seeing the autumn trees flowing by.
Katri’s soft plump hand covered hers,
‘It’s alright, Lady Iris.’
‘Katri…’
‘He loves you so much; I don’t believe it will ever turn to the situation you fear. I’m sure his feeling won’t change at the ball either.’
Iris gave her a broken smile; she couldn’t tell Katri the true cause of her anxiety was the love potion.
But...the monthly royal ball was in a week.
At the ball, Iris’ engagement to Ernest will be officially announced.
Leticia will be coming, of course; she was Iris’ sister and Matthias’ wife.
She hadn’t seen Leticia since the last ball.
Katri must think that Iris feared Ernest will lose his mind to Leticia like Damian did a year and a half ago.
But Ernest was under the effects of the love potion. As long as that was continues, he would not fall in love with Leticia. Even if with Leticia’s sweet and cute appearance, even with her tendency to induce a desire for protection, she could never steal Ernest’s love for Iris.
How ironic…
Although, Iris feared that the love potion would wear off, she was glad of its effects if it meant Ernest will not be taken away by her sister. When Iris realised she was being selfish, she gave a self mocking scoff. (Zuben: Well, since she is Matthias’ wife, he would have met her many times before, but okay)
But on Iris’ face it looked like a tearful smile.
‘Lady Iris, let me tell you something,’ Katri said wrapping Iris’ slender hand in her soft ones.
‘What is it?’
‘In my experience, not all men in the world are idiots.’
She told Iris of her own experience with men, as she spoke Katri’s eyes took on a glamorous brilliance.
‘...So Lady Iris, you should be calm and smile as a lady who is the most proud and most beautiful.’
Iris wondered why; maybe it was because Iris was a clumsy person. (Zuben: Facepalm)
But it seems like there are a lot of black-bellied people around Iris. While she was appalled, she was also relieved. She smiled as the carriage pulled to a stop at their destination; Mrs Macy’s tailoring shop.
Index ♔