“Sit up straight, Meyda,” Katelin said in a stern voice. Meyda was already a week in her lessons, and it was to describe it, a lot. The various etiquette, for addressing someone above you, below you, how to speak to servants. Drink tea, eat a simple biscuit, how to dress, which jewelry to wear to which event. If she wanted to hold a tea party, who to invite, who not to invite. What kind of tea there needs to be served, what kind of snacks to serve. Then there was the history behind each major house, a ‘brief’ lesson in the current politics, horseback ridding, archery, self defense and then at last the dance lessons. And Meyda doubted if she was able to remember all of it, it was so much and normally this all is learned over time. But she needed to learn all of this in a few weeks. Katelin shock her head in frustration, Meyda could only hope that it was not aimed at her. She was doing her best, even though she fought an up hill battle of information. “What was that old fox thinking. You are indeed smart there is no doubt about that, but sending towards a ball inside the Imperial Palace, were not only the nobility of the empire will be. But also guests from neighboring kingdoms.” Katelin placed her hands on her temples and started to rub them. Meyda gave her sister-in-law a sweet smile.
“Katelin Inaam, you are the Lady of the minor house Inaam, better known as the house of the stars. Your husband is not only the head of the house, but he is also responsible for the spice trade. That is why the Inaam estate is so close to the boarder of the Empire and the kingdom of Sodora. A kingdom well known for their spice industry, fabric’s. Your husband’s little brother is married to one of the princess to establish a better deal.” Meyda said, and Katelin nodded with a large grin on her face.
“That was pretty impressive. Do you know the name of my brother-in-law, and sister-in-law?” She asked. Meyda frowned slightly, she knew that Katelin told her this during the lesson earlier this week. But their names have slipped her mind. “It those not matter, because this piece of information gives you enough ground to start a conversation with someone inside the Inaam family. And if you remember as much about the other families, well your conversation fountain will never run dry.” Meyda looked towards the light blue carpet that lay on the floor. They were sitting in the lounge part of her bedroom, a space she hadn’t noticed in the first few days she lived here. Not until Katelin showed her, and it added a whole other layer to the room itself. “Alright that is one part of the long, checklist we can check off. But then there is the another mountain of other information we need to address. All what Meyda could do as a response was nod, it was indeed a lot that needed to be done.
“Shefi can you bring in some white lotus tea, with some nutty tarts. It is pretty warm outside.” Meyda said, also remembering that Katelin loved the nutty tarts of their cook. Katelin shook her head with a grin.
“Well, that is another thing we can cross of the list.” both of the women started to laugh. A knock landed on the door, and the door of the room opened. It was Ginat, who always popped up during the lessons. Just to check in, and to see the process Meyda was making with his own two eyes. “Ah, big brother I was already wondering when you would be dropping in.” Katelin said. “Your wife is in need of a dance partner, and I need you to teach her horseback riding.” Ginat’s gaze went towards his sister.
“You are know that I do not have a clue about how that thing you call a saddle works, why aren’t you teaching her?” Ginat asked, Meyda was wondering this as well. Katelin opened her mouth to answer, but was interrupted by the stream of servants entering the room with the tea and nutty tarts. She breathed out a sigh of relief when they were out of the room.
“I am not allowed on a horse for a couple of months,” Katelin said softly. “Doctors orders.” Meyda, and Ginat both narrowed their eyes. Why would a doctor tell her not to ride a horse? It didn’t make any sense in her mind. But then she gasped, when she was a bit younger she heard the doctor say the same thing to her stepmother when she was pregnant.
“Katelin, are you telling me that you are going to make me an auntie?” Meyda squealed. She knew that she would not be allowed to say such a thing if they where in another setting. But they were currently in the privacy of her own room, inside the Eldar manor. So she could act a little bit more freely. Katelin grinned at her, and slowly nodded. Meyda sighed, she was happy for her sister-in-law, a baby always was the beacon of new hope, a brand new beginning. Ginat sat down next to Meyda and looked a bit gloomy. Probably contemplating if he was going to congratulate his younger sister, or to kill her husband. He took a sip of the tea, and still hadn’t said anything. “Oh come on, she is a married woman. So she does not do anything different then we are.” He almost spit out tea. But Katelin started to chuckle loudly, and placed her hand on her lower abdomen.
“Big brother, did I already tell you how much I like your wife.” Katelin said, trying to calm herself down. “But let we drink our tea, and then transfer towards the dance lessons.”
******
“One, two, three, and one, two, three.” Katelin was repeating the rhythm from the comfort of the sofa. Even looking at the couple twisting and turning made her feel sick, but Ginat was not able to keep his eyes from Meyda. Who in Katelin’s mind was a beautiful and smart girl, a bit timed at times. But the remark about married couples activities, was funny and complete unappropriated. But the respect that she had for the girl only grew with every interaction. She was shocked at first when she saw the dark blue brushes on Meyda’s arms, one of the reasons why the girl was wearing long sleeves, even it was quiet warm. Then there were the scars on her back, an image that would never leave her mind, after she had seen them on Meyda’s wedding day. Katelin knew that her father wanted to install sympathy in the members of the other houses, to let them know that this girl was a victim of the Old Crow. And she believes with her whole heart that the reason why Meyda soaks up information, like a woolen cloth soaks up water was to escape a beating. Meyda stepped on Ginat’s foot, and started to apologische, another surviving tactic. Trying to do everything right, and admit a wrong doing right away. Which would be something she, Katelin, need to keep in mind and softly beat it out of her. Not literally beating her, but… she sighed. Does her father really think that it was only enough to educate this poor girl? There were some things that needed time to unlearn.
“Do not worry about it, my feet are used to it.” Ginat said. “Isn’t that right, Katelin.” She nodded and he started the dance once again. Katelin didn’t pay much attention towards the dance steps, and just watched Meyda’s posture. It was a bit to stiff, again the fear of making a mistake and risk a beating. Which made the risk of the mistakes more present. Katelin stood up and walked over towards the couple.
“Stop for a second,” she said, and gave Meyda a smile. “You are to tense, a waltz is not learned in one day. You will step on his toes, you will miss a step, in other words you will make a mistake. But it will becomes easier over time. And one more thing, it does not matter if you make a mistake, so long you keep on dancing. Follow Ginat, trust him and everything will be fine.” Meyda lowered her head, and Katelin could already heat the apology. But she lay a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “There is no need for that, you are here to learn. And I will not raise my hand to beat you, neither will Ginat, Mizamor, Dorian or our father.” Meyda raised her head slightly and Katelin saw the tears in the large pink eyes. So much trauma to unpack, and all of that takes time.
“Thank you,” Meyda whispered so softly that Katelin was almost not able to hear it. But she did and it made her own heart swell up. She was going to become a mother herself, and she couldn''t imaging that something like this would happen to her child. Even if she would die during childbirth, even if she gets sick a few years into her baby’s life. But now after Meyda entered her life, and after she found out that she was with child, it was the only thing she could think off. She will have a proper talk with her husband about this, during the evening and she will encourage her other sister-in-law, Princess Isabel of the Sodora Kingdom, to have this conversation as well.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
“It is alright, now from the beginning.” Katelin motioned towards her brother and he took the lead.
*******
Katelin was a gem, and Meyda really liked her more and more. After her whole speech about that it was alright if she made a mistake, helped her a lot and she was able to enjoy the dance more. Now that the need to do it right was gone, she even dared to smile and giggle about a joke that Ginat made during the dance. When he made a mistake on purpose, to show her that it was really alright. A knock landed on the door, and Shefi entered.
“My Lord, ladies. Mister has arrived with the dresses, and he wants to see if they all fit Lady Meyda.” Shefi said, while bowing. Meyda had completely forgotten about the whole ordeal of her not able to pick anything, before the Emperor barged into the room. She was curious what Mister came up with, she didn’t doubt that they would anything else then beautiful.
“Bring him in,” Meyda said, and Shefi did just that. Mister
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“ didn’t order the same dress. I am not a monster.” She exclaimed.
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