It had been a wonderful week at Blythewick thus far. Zelenia could not have wished for more...until today. She knew in great detail the event the hall would host today. The whole house had been a buzz over it for the week the countess and she had been there. So she could only assume it'd been even longer in planning. Yet, it didn't make Zelenia any more excited with the elevated energy of the house around her. They had even erected a tent, blanketed with lush red felt and tassels adorned for her to give readings to those who wished it. And even this prospect...this luscious amazing thing falling in her lap didn't ease her discomfort. It would feel like walking into a lions den. And the thought of that left a wide pit in her stomach that only increased the last few days.
Her benefactor had woke hours ago and thanks to one of the maids she stopped in the halls, she knew exactly where she was located. The Countess had found herself in one of the many drawing rooms of the large house, and Zelenia particularly liked this room due to the way the window was shaped at the center of the large space. It was built around a small sitting nook that one could easily curl up into and soak up the sun in the afternoon. Its bright walls were painted the color of the clear blue sky and it made Zelenia feel a little more relaxed when she entered the room.
The countess was in the very spot Zelenia loved. The woman had a book resting in her lap and she idly twisted a lock of hair around her hand as she seemed to be scanning the pages in her lap.The now widowed Countess had been fairly good to her these past few months. She'd had it better, but she'd had it way worse. The red faded haired woman before her at least bought her pretty things and helped her meet interesting people, like those she'd encountered at Blythewick. Zelenia knew if she played it well, she might even become a fixture in the great house. The daughter of the great house was gentle, sweet, and someone Zelenia felt she could become close to in possible befit to the both of them. But until the invitation was extended and her place secured here she needed to keep at it with the countess. So when the middle aged woman looked up from her book she was reading Zelenia was all smiles. Beaming at the woman, she approached with her arms extending to her.
"My dear Countess, how are we this morning? " She purred.
The countess smiled back at her, their hands touching as the woman squeezed in response. " Oh Zelenia! I am well, I've been distracting myself with this wonderful book in hopes to pass the time before the festivities."
As the woman prattled on about the book in her hands Zelenia placed herself in the shaped window seat next to her. She scooted closer to the woman and gestured at the book title. The woman lifted it to show it was indeed the book she'd been explaining. Zelenia smirked. It was a novel they'd been discussing the last few days with the other ladies in the house. It was full of intrigue and mystery that had them all guessing what would happen next. Zelenia herself had finished the copy two nights before. She'd let the candle burn down to the holder finishing it. The young woman scooted closer to the countess, extending her palm to her the countess passed the book to her. The young woman knew exactly how to make the countess feel confided in, and important. And that was imperative to the countess. She loved to feel needed. So that's what Zelenia would do. Make her feel needed.
"I can see the excitement in your face! How lively you look this morning! "
The countess shrugged her off, insisting she was just being kind. Zelenia assured her was mistaken, and the woman beamed even brighter.
"Shall I read it aloud?"
The Countess agreed. And so Zelenia began. She had spent hours reading aloud to the Countes. Emphasizing the dramatic passages and even acting the really exciting parts out. The countess never turned down a reading. So Zelenia performed. She gave her most dramatic voices and exaggerated expressions in an attempt to entertain. Nearly thirty minutes passed of Zelenia reading aloud before her eyes suddenly welled up with tears. Since her attention had been on the girl already the countess was quick to notice the change in her face,
"Oh child, what is it? You've been in such good spirits theses few days. What could possible have you so down?'
Zelenia shook her head, keeping her gaze on the floor.The countess was often a reserved woman. Kind, and helpful... well, just as long as you were helpful to her. When you no longer became useful to her, it made no difference to discard you from her life. Which is why Zelenia had to tread lightly. She knew the Countess had been eager for a larger social event than their typical party the last week. And she knew even more so how the woman liked to flaunt her fortune teller in the company she kept. As though she had some great control over the world. It was not unusual for her to be ushered around an event and placed in front of any willing participant to show off just how interesting the countess was. After time with the woman, Zelenia knew she had to tread lightly. Wanting to avoid the crowds today would not curry favor with the Countess so she had to really convince her.
” Just now... I remembered while reading. Today was the anniversary of my grandmothers passing. And I...This novel reminded me..." The brunette lifted her hand to cover her lips as she felt warm tears slide down her cheeks.
” I do not feel I can keep up my promise to our hosts...you see I feel very poorly today..."
The countess pulled the book from her hands, closing it and resting it between them. She then clasped her hands around her own.
” I know the trouble put into setting up that splendid tent, I just do not feel well. I wonder if I might- "
" You will do no honor to your grandmother by breaking your word." The woman stated.
Zelenia opened her mouth to protest, but was cut off.
"I have spoke about you for days to the guests we've met, and you will not disappoint me." A gentle reminder, laced with something that made the feeling in her stomach swell.
"Oh dear child. Put this aside, and focus on being amiable when I require you.Your grandmother is at rest and does not need your tears on such an important day!"
Zelenia hesitated pushing forward with this ruse. A few more tears trickled down her cheeks before the Countess brushed them off her face. Her own face stoic, and somehow soft? The countess continued,
"Perhaps you would feel better after you dress and get some fresh air? How about you explore the grounds alone before guests arrive? "
Zelenia forced a smile, brushing her own cheek off of excess tears.
” As usual, Countess I think you are right. I believe the fresh air would do me well. "
With that, Zelenia rose from her seat and gave the countess a quick goodbye. Exiting the room, the woman could feel that pit in her stomach growing even larger. When the door closed behind her with a feint click she impatiently brushes away a tear that had no business falling.
That didn't go the way she had intended.
Usually she could bend the countess to her wishes with a display of emotions but this time? When it really counted? Zelenia was not pleased.She did not trust the police force. Every time she'd been in the company of an officer things ended badly. And those events made her cry real tears. Not the kind she could summon on whim to aid her story weaving. No. The last time she'd encountered a cop... the gypsy woman shivered.She wanted nothing to do with this day and yet she seemed entirely trapped. From the window she stood near, she could see some guests already circling the grounds. Several of them were in their uniforms. From where she stood she could count at least three from the upper level of the hall. She followed one in particular for a long while, watching him in his navy uniform greet another, and they walked from one section of the garden to the next. It was then Zelenia could feel a warm tear flow down her face. This time, it was real. This time that feeling in her stomach finally burst and she couldn't hold it in any longer. Her mind raced with the image of a man with dark hair and dimples as wide as a gorge. A man who whenever his thoughts butted up against an intractable problem, he would simply ride over it with blinkered and dogged determination. He would find a way to brighten any situation at any time with just a smile. That deep whole hearted smile of his was etched into her memory so strong that she couldn't escape it.
The last time she saw him was also etched into her memory. Seeing these men walk so freely in their police attire made the whole thing seem fresh. As if she could see it happen right before her, the very day the police dragged him from her. The memory of him shouting and grasping so desperately at her made the woman want to collapse right there.His promises to her echoed in her mind making her whole body feel weak. Instead, Zelenia steadied herself on the windowsill, watching another group of officers enter the vast and sprawling grounds. She had discovered in the last few years that her heart was a tender and nervous object, wrapped in a shroud of silence. Even now, she found it hard to explain herself to....well, herself. And this left an ominous feeling that even Blythewick and all it's glamour, might not keep her afloat.
Her eyes followed more and more people as they filed into the garden space, each one of them unaware of what they celebrated. That these men were not the "heroes" they praised, no. She had never met a police one who was in the profession to help those in need. The words echoed in her mind again, and it took all of her energy to focus back on the present. The spralling hallway she was standing in was empty, but she was not sure she'd be alone for much longer. She did not want to encounter any nosy residents asking questions. So it was time to be on her way. She assured herself He would be fine. And in the meantime she must keep herself occupied. Distracted. To make sure she was also fine for the day he returned to her. And currently she supposed this was the best way to do just that. Perhaps the Countess was right after all and all she needed was some fresh air.
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