Chapter 31: The Lady In Waiting

At the sound of screaming, Tilda erupted into Cosaria's room.

"Co-! Cosaria!" Tilda rushed to her side. 

Cosaria awoke, breathing heavily and trembling. She was looking at something far away with contracted pupils. Tilda wrapped her arms around Cosaria, like she would for a small, troubled child. She began to sing:

"Over in Killarney, many years ago

My Mother sang a song to me

in tones so sweet and low,

Just a simple little ditty,

in her good old country way,

And I'd give the world

if she could sing

That song to me this day.

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,

Too-ra-loo-ra-li,

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,

Hush now don't you cry!

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,

Too-ra-loo-ra-li,

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,

That's a Country lullaby."

Listening to Tilda's sweet, but plain voice, Cosaria's aura found a calm serenity. 

Patting Cosaria's head, Tilda said, "All better now." 

Cosaria blinked sleepily, "I had a terrible dream."

"Oh?"

"I… I died," Cosaria said, "I was living a normal life as an average office worker in Korea. My name was Park Si-Young. And this whole world, everything, it was all in the story. I read it in a manhwa. I read about you, Tilda, and about Cosaria's tragic past. She's the main character of the story, you see. You were just an insignificant side character, constantly doting on the lady."

"That sounds… interesting," Tilda said skeptically. And slightly offended. 

Cosaria continued, "It's heartbreaking. That poor passive girl, she was married to a tyrant."

Tilda thought, What's with the third person? Isn't that just her life?

Although suspicious, Tilda played along and asked, "What was the name of the story?"

"'The Divine Maiden Marries a Tyrant'"

Well that's a stupid title, Tilda thought, But at least it's not something generic like 'A Duke's Magical Marriage' or 'The Lady's Maid'.

Tilda asked, "Did you read how the story ended?"

Cosaria blinked in confusion. She said, "The newest chapter hadn't updated yet. I was on my way to the company work party at the local bar when truck-kun ran a red light. I avoided the bus, but then I was hit by a car and died. It was so scary."

Tears started flowing from Cosaria's eyes as Tilda patted her head.

"There there," Tilda said, "It was all a dream."

I have no idea what she is talking about.

As her tears dried, Cosaria asked, "Will you sing to me again?"

"Of course."

As Tilda tucked Cosaria back into bed, she sang the song she used to sing with her sister.

"Oft in dreams I wander

To that cot again,

I feel her arms a-huggin' me

As when she held me then.

And I hear her voice a-hummin'

To me as in days of yore,

When she used to rock me fast asleep

Outside the cabin door.

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,

Too-ra-loo-ra-li,

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,

Hush now don't you cry!

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,

Too-ra-loo-ra-li,

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,

That's a Country lullaby."

The rest of the night passed by uneventfully.

༻✧༺

When morning came, Tilda walked into Cosaria's room and said, "Rise and shine!"

Cosaria was sitting on her bed, looking out the window, spacing out. She didn't acknowledge that Tilda had even entered.

Tilda sat on the bed next to Cosaria and asked, "Are you still thinking about that dream?"

"What dream?"

"…That one dream. About Korea, or something…" Tilda reminded her.

"Oh, I've already forgotten about it."

And she's back to normal, Tilda thought.

Tilda patted Cosaria and then went to the closet as she said, "Alright, then let's get going. We've got a busy day ahead." 

Cosaria said, "Really? Why?"

"Today you're learning how to do the reports." 

Cosaria groaned and flopped onto the bed. 

༻✧༺

Cosaria and Tilda sat under the gazebo drinking tea and going through papers. The tutor was a 'learn it yourself' type of person. They had written out instructions, assigned homework, and left. Tilda knew Cosaria would need more in-depth teaching than that, so she sat with Cosaria to help her learn.

Tilda pointed at the sheets saying, "See here, this is the budget. You need to audit the number to make sure they're correct and that the receipts, these over here, match the information here."

Cosaria nodded with the determination of a stern rabbit. She scribbled a few numbers down then gave Tilda the paper. 

"Like this?"

Tilda looked over the paper and shook her head. She said, "No. This is wrong. Here, here and here, that's all wrong." 

Cosaria deflated as she said, "I'm no good at this." 

"That's why I'm here helping you. Let's try it again." 

Cosaria pouted, "Why do I even need to learn this?"

Tilda explained, "You're the Lady of the castle. When the Duke is off on business you'll be in charge of running the house, which includes managing the budgets and receiving all the reports. It's part of the job."

"Can't I just have someone else do it?"

"You could, but in a year's time you'll have your own estate and you'll need to be in charge of your own accounts. It's important stuff to learn. For your future." 

A heavy rain cloud seemed to fall over Cosaria as she expressed, "Oh… right." 

As Tilda contemplated Cosaria's glum mood, Nelly, one of the youngest castle maids, called, "Miss Tilda!"

Tilda turned to Nelly, saying, "What?"

"Gordana is looking for you," Nelly said. Nelly was a jittery girl of thirteen with a short bob that was very becoming on her dark hair.

Tilda said, "Tell her I'm busy serving Lady Cosaria." 

Nelly pushed, "She said it's urgent." 

"Tell her I'm busy."

"She said it's something only you know how to do."

Tilda sighed. Gordana, the head maid, probably wanted Tilda to help fix that old kettle that they kept in the kitchen. It could be tough being a blacksmith's daughter.

Cosaria said, "You have so many people who need you. I'm sorry, I'm taking you away from your work."

"No Lady Cosaria, you are my priority," then Tilda turned to Nelly and said, "Go tell that to Gordana."

Cosaria said, "But they need your help."

"So do you." 

Cosaria looked down, saying, "Oh… right."

Nelly fidgeted, saying, "What should I tell the head maid then?"

Tilda said, "Tell her that I'm busy with Lady Cosaria and that if she's worried about the old kettle, it can wait."

Nelly kicked the ground, not looking forward to the conversation. She said, "Okay," then left.

Tilda sat back and stretched the tension out of her shoulders.

Cosaria said, "I'm sorry." 

Frowning, Tilda studied Cosaria. It was true that Tilda was extremely busy and trying to take care of Cosaria by herself was taxing. Finally, Tilda said, "Lady Cosaria, what do you think about getting a lady in waiting?"

"A lady in waiting?" Cosaria wondered.

"Yeah," Tilda explained, "A nobleman's daughter for an attendant. She could help you with stuff like this."

"I can do that?"

Tilda refrained from palming her forehead as she said, "Yeah. You can. You just need to find the right person."

"How do I do that?"

Tilda grinned as she said, "Leave that to me." 

༻✧༺

In the library, Cosaria read while Tilda wrote furiously. Lots of reference books and papers were sprawled out on the table in front of her.

Cosaria asked, "What are you doing?"

Tilda said, "I'm preparing the tests for the potential ladies in waiting."

Cosaria tilted her head, asking, "They need to be tested?"

"Yes. The girl who becomes your lady in waiting must be perfect. I'd rather have no one at all than to have the wrong person." 

Cosaria said, "But nobody is perfect." 

Tilda clarified herself, saying, "Not perfect, they just need to have very specific qualities."

"Like what?"

Tilda was glad Cosaria asked as she had been making a mental list for days. She said, "They can't be too greedy,"

Or they'll try to steal Cosaria's diamond mine, leaving her with nothing, Tilda thought.

Continuing, Tilda said, "They can't be too stupid,"

Or they'll advise her to make stupid decisions.

"They can't be stuck up,"

Or they won't listen to me, a commoner.

"They have to adore you Lady Cosaria,"

Which isn't hard but they will also have to put up with her childish tantrums.

"They will need to have a title," 

So that they will be taken seriously in high society.

"They will need to be brave," 

In case they need to stand up against the Duke.

"And they will need to be loyal," 

To keep all of Lady Cosaria's secrets.

Cosaria's head was reeling at all the necessary qualities her lady in waiting must have. It seemed a bit excessive. She asked, "How do we find someone like that?"

Grinning slyly, Tilda said, "We mold them. And who is more malleable than the young and innocent? I've picked all the young ladies from families with titles and I've created a series of tests. The girl who can pass them, or gets close, will be the one chosen."

"Wow, you've really thought this through." 

"Of course I have. This is your future we are talking about."

Smiling her brilliant, heartstopping smile, Cosaria said, "You're amazing."

With her heart melting, Tilda hugged Cosaria as she exclaimed, "I just adore you!"

༻✧༺

On a following day, Delrik barged into the dining room as Cosaria was eating lunch at the table alone. 

Delrik said, "Is it true, what I've heard?"

Cosaria looked up curiously.

Delrik continued, "You're inviting candidates to the estate to be interviewed as your new lady in waiting?"

Feeling like she had been caught doing something bad, Cosaria said, "Oh. Yes. I… uh… It's uh. I should have asked you about it. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to, I just didn't think." 

She's so cute when she's flustered, Delrik thought.

With a flick of his hand Delrik said, "It's no matter. I'll be going to the capital and won't be back for a few days."

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes, just a simple meeting of the Lords." 

Cosaria fidgeted, "But… the curse…"

"I'll take some holy water with me, if you would be so generous as to produce it."

"Of course."

"Excellent," Delrik said, then he turned to Tilda, who had been waiting in the servant's spot by the wall to be called on. "See that enough holy water be made for my trip. Have it delivered to Felux by this evening."

Tilda bowed, saying, "Yes, your grace." 

With a flourish of his jacket, Delrik left the room. He had to admit that it was quite handy to have a servant other than Felux know about his curse. 

༻✧༺

Felux looked over the last items packed for the trip as Tilda rolled a barrel over to him. As the barrel came to a stop, Tilda asked, "You think this'll be enough?"

It was a barrel full of Cosaria-grade holy water.

Felux said, "Holy wow! This's really it?" He had never seen so much holy water in one place.

"Yup, it's the good stuff."

Nodding, Felux said, "She's really grown."

"Yeah."

Fixating his eyes on Tilda, Felux held out his hand as he said, "Your hand?"

Tilda held up her hand as Felux put a beaded butterfly bracelet on her wrist. 

Tilda brightened, saying, "You fixed it!"

"It's taken me longer than I'd thought." 

"I love it. Thank you!"

Tilda wrapped her arm around him in a hug and pecked him on the cheek.

Felux held her warmly, saying, "I'll miss you."

Tilda broke the hug so she could look in Felux's eyes. She said, "It's only for a couple of days."

With a pout on his lips and a sadness in his eyes, Felux said, "I'll really miss you."

Tilda poked his face at the place where she pecked him, saying, "You going to miss me or my kisses?"

Felux smiled slyly and said, "Both."

"Not if you take one to go."

"And how'd I do that?"

Her hand moving to the back of his neck, Tilda brought her lips to his and kissed him. He wrapped himself deeper around her and inhaled her affection. As Tilda's fingers ran through his hair, he was lost in her touch and hoped to never be found. He pulled her tighter to him in an attempt to lock their bodies together. 

Breathless and blushing, Tilda pulled away, "There, now you'll have a fresh imprint of my kiss to take with you."

Blinking, Felux said, "There's trouble."

With raised eyebrows, Tilda asked, "What?" 

"Seems I've forgotten it already."

Then he pulled her close once again, and passionately kissed her.

Unbeknownst to either of the love birds, little maid Nelly had seen their private displays of affection. Blushing, she thought to herself, Sir Felux is kissing Miss Tilda! I have to tell everyone!

༻✧༺

Delrik and Felux stood by their coach. Everything was ready to go, the barrel and supplies were packed in the back and the coachman had already taken his seat. 

Cosaria approached Delrik as Tilda stood back politely.

Delrik fingered a strand of Cosaria's long wavy hair. With devious eyes he asked, "You're not going to miss me, are you?"

Blushing, Cosaria said, "Please be safe."

Before Delrik got in the carriage, he kissed the strand of hair, saying, "Till next we meet." 

Winking at Tilda, Felux mounted his horse as Tilda rolled her eyes. Unable to resist, Felux brought the horse towards Tilda. He tapped his lips as he said, "I think I'll need another reminder." 

Tilda said, "How could you forget? I accidentally bit you." 

Felux touched the tender and swollen part of his lip. He couldn't deny that he wanted more. With feigned anguish Felux said, "Aye, how it hurts." He leaned down towards Tilda and with a mischievous grin asked, "Kiss it better?"

Tilda pushed his face away, saying, "Get out of here." 

Felux laughed as the coach pulled away. Tilda turned to Cosaria saying, "Let's go inside."

Cosaria's puppydog longing face looked like it was about to cry.

༻✧༺

In the servant's commons, Nelly was gathered around a table with a bunch of other servants. She had just spilled the beans about what she saw between Tilda and Felux. She defended her claims saying, "It's true!"

Deborah said, "There is no way Felux is interested in anyone, let alone Tilda. She's just so-"

The room went silent when Tilda walked in carrying a big bundle of sheets in her arms. The eyes of the servants all but pretended not to see her. Tilda stopped. With bright, roguish eyes, she dropped her bundle and joined the group.

Excitedly, Tilda asked, "What're you all gossipping about!?"

Deborah folded her arms saying, "Nelly here thinks you and Felux are courting."

Tilda frowned, "You haven't heard yet?"

Bess said, "Heard what?"

Tilda said, "We were totally french kissing inside the barn the other day."

"WHAT!?!?" Exclaimed the group.

Bess couldn't believe it, saying, "It's true?!?"

Deborah said, "But… but… what about his forbidden love?" Her favorite daydream was about romanticizing the relationship between Felux and Delrik.

Nelly said, "I told you so."

All eyes turned as they heard the commanding voice of the head maid Gordana. She said, "So… that is where you've all been shirking off to." 

Their expectations depreciated and a few servants groaned. With Gordana here, that meant they would have to all get to work.

With calm posture, Bess said, "Ma'am, it turns out, Tilda and Sir Felux are counting."

"Well, well, well…" Gordana said as she took the head of the table. Seating herself on the bench, she turned to Tilda and said, "Tell us everything!"

Smiles and howlers broke out as expectations redoubled. Tilda was glad to brag about her relationship with Felux and now, all the maids at the castle would know to stay away from her man.