Bonds (3)

"My lady, I was so worried!" Mary ran towards them as her mistress was climbing on her horse.

"When the sun started lowering under the horizon and your grace has not come back, I thought something might have happened and prepared to send the knights to search the forest."

"The knights? There is no need for that, Mary." Iris tried to assure her maid, but the look in the woman's eyes while she was putting a thick cape on the lady's shoulders was so determined that Iris was sure the whole imperial army would shortly arrive to search for her. She instead turned to say goodbye to Elisabeth.

"See you tomorrow, Ellie! We'll have a quick luncheon before going to the festival tomorrow."

"Can't wait to see the festival with you! But go now and don't make your maid more worried than she already is."

Sir Lewis, the knight

Mary showed her the way inside where, to their surprise the butler was waiting.

Upon seeing his lady, he greeted her with a deep bow citing urgent business.

"Walk with me William and tell me about this urgent business."

"Not too long ago your grace gave me the task to find some missing pages from the ledgers. So, I looked for them in the old study, in the archive and the library and everywhere I could think of."

He paused looking for a sign to continue when Iris nodded to go on.

"There are no signs of any ledgers. I checked myself twice and there were no such papers anywhere."

"Is there any other place where they could be?"

"The only place I didn't look is my lord's study as I do not dare to."

"Of course, William, you shouldn't do such a thing!" Although she was astonished that the butler even brought up such a crime, Iris was more worried about those missing documents. They were old, almost two years old, but she felt she had to find them to solve some sort of puzzle.

"Is there any other place you could check?"

"I'm afraid not, your grace."

The butler paused and seemed to fret before continuing.

"If I may, my lady."

"Is something the matter, William?"

"Some problems are not to be carried alone, your grace. Not sharing them with someone else might be too much even for the sturdiest people."

"But I'm sharing this to you, as you can well see."

The butler smiler serene at her scolding.

"I deeply appreciate your trust, your grace, but as my lady can see, I am not much of a help on the matter."

"And who might help me?"

"Lord Walter, my lady."

"My lord husband already send me all the ledgers. Do you insinuate he lied and hid some papers?"

"Not at all, your grace. I would not dare. This job is all thanks to my lord."

"What do you mean then, William?"

"That sharing some burdens with your significant other may just be the answer. The ledgers might as well be lost, but I don't think you grace will be content with such an outcome. So it's better to hear it from my lord."

"And how did you become an expert in relationships?"

"An expert is far-fetched my lady, but I have been married for the last 23 years. It is only natural to pick up some things on such a long way."

"23 years? I thought you were only a few years older than my husband."

"You flatter me, my lady."

"I will think about your words, William. I am truly lucky to have such attentive people around me."

"I am at your service, my lady. And will always be as long as that is your grace's wish."

"You are dismissed for tonight, William, don't let your wife wait too long for you!"

"Goodnight, my lady."

The way to her chamber seemed longer than usual due to the chilly air and her aching body but she knew a warm bath would wait for her inside. As soon as she reached their destination, Mary called Daisy to help undress their mistress, work done faster than expected.

In no time Iris was relaxing in the hot water, every bit of her body carefully scrubbed. The warmth relaxed her body and healed the wounds on her thighs and which she didn't feel before. The day had been so entertaining that such small things didn't even hurt.

The maids wanted to know everything about her day so they talked and laughed until the water turned lukewarm and Mary declared it was time to get out. She prepared fine nightgowns that were comfortable and soft. The two clothed their lady before brushing her hair and Iris decided to have her late dinner on the balcony upon seeing the moon shining outside.

After the meal was prepared, Iris sat and took a sip of wine first, bathing in the silver light. Like always, this filled her with energy and calmed her heart. She always found tranquillity in staying in the moon's light ever since she was young. Now she associated it with her mother and the stories she told her and her brother when they were young.

"I am fine, mother. I am happy to be here." She whispered to assure the duchess wherever she was.

A thick blanket landed soft on her shoulder and another one on her knees. They were brought by Mary who massaged her shoulders quickly to put the blood into motion.

"My lady, you should be careful not to catch a cold. The evening air is still chilly."

She looked at her mistress with a serious, stern look meant to scold her, but Iris smiled back at her. The smile seemed to smelt the fiery air from her face.

"You should take more care of yourself, my lady."

"Why would I when I have you. The only thing I have to do is keep you nearby."

"Even if I am near there might be things that I can't prevent or help with."

"Well, I can't think of any."

Iris looked at the young maid and wondered what she did good in this life or a past one to deserve her. She was almost as attentive and protective of her as her old nanny back home in Tomis. But her nanny raised her as a second mother, while her maid was in her service for less than a year.

"I am truly lucky to have you, Mary."

The maid smiled warmly at her.

"It is my duty to serve you, your grace. But it also became a pleasure."

Iris grabbed her hand and squeezed it. The maid's hand was as small as hers, but it lacked the smoothness, the skin was rough and covered in small scars.

"Thank you, Mary!"

The maid bowed before bidding her mistress goodnight.

Left alone on the balcony, Iris thought about her discussion with Ellie earlier that day. She didn't lie. She was indeed happy there, especially as she was surrounded by such wonderful people.