snick away

The Duchess looked around at the Madams and Ladies in the tent then glanced back at Larisa.

The people got the hint, they started to excuse themselves one by one, Larisa sent Lifar and Selah out seeing that the Duchess seemed to have something she wanted to speak to her about.

"Duchess please take a sit," Larisa offered, gesturing to the empty space beside her on the chair that was big enough to be a bed.

Larisa sat up straighter and gently folded her hands on her lap in the most dignified position she has learnt from her etiquette teacher as the Duchess sat beside her.

"Duchess, is there something you wish to speak to me about,"

The Duchess slowly nodded, she paused and just observed Larisa, she took Larisa's hands in her own and patted them with a melancholic sigh. "You look more and more like your mother,"

Larisa's smile froze on her face, "Duchess knew my mother?" she asked as she held the Duchess's hands back.

"We were the best of friends," The Duchess chuckled, "I'm actually here because of a mission she left to me before she died,"

Larisa watched expectantly as a jewellery box was pulled out of a pouch on the Duchess's waist and handed to her.

Tentatively opening the box, a necklace and a key were revealed inside. The necklace's pendant seemed to be made of a material like sapphire but not, the blue of the pendant was too light when compared to the deep blue of a sapphire, what gem stone was it made of?

"She asked me to give these to you when you turn 15," the Duchess started to explain, "She said you should wear the necklace and not take it off, she said it will help you to cool down and….the key," the Duchess thought for a bit before she said, "Ah! She said you should use it to open your story."

Larisa was confused, "Cool me down? Open my story? What does that mean?" she voiced her doubts.

"I don't know either, she said you would understand eventually," Duchess answered as she got up and gave a small bow to Larisa, "my job is done, I will take my leave Princess."

Larisa could only hum in response as she watched the Duchess leave. Selah was nervously waiting outside the tent, when the Duchess came out she curtseyed and greeted her.

The Duchess looked her up and down, left to right, then she scoffed and left with her servants without looking at her again. Selah got up from her bowing position after she left, what does she care if the Duchess likes her or not? She doesn't need her to be pleased with her.

Selah entered the tent after hearing Larisa giving her permission to enter. She had been reminded of the imminent attack a month later after hearing about the war that broke out. She had come up with a way after seeing the Duchess just no.

she remembers that the Princess grew up together with the young lord who is away to send provisions. She also remembers that the young lord was attacked on the way but news failed to reach the capital, the princess must care for her childhood friend and will definitely want to go and check up on him herself if she knows he may be hurt right?

She found Larisa putting on a familiar blue necklace when she reached her side.

Larisa glanced at Selah through the mirror, "it's good you are here, help me put on this necklace,"

Selah took hold of the necklace, she lightly touched the shining blue pendant before she pulled her hand away as if she had been burned, it was as cold as ice. She lightly held the necklace making sure not to touch the pendant again as she placed it securely around the princess's neck.

"Thank you," said Larisa with a smile as she admired the necklace in the mirror.

"Princess, this necklace?"

"It's something my mother left for me, isn't it beautiful?" Larisa looked at her expectantly.

"It is," Selah agreed, "Does princess feel uncomfortable after wearing it?" Selah asked sceptically.

"Why would I?" asked Larisa in confusion.

"Oh! It's because princess doesn't usually wear necklaces so I thought you would be uncomfortable,"

Larisa was doubtful about this, how would she know she doesn't wear necklaces when they have only known each other for less than five days. But she just pushed it to the back of her mind, maybe she just likes the necklace too and just wanted to say something about it.

Larisa frowned, with a pair of sisters like hers. She must have not gotten a lot of good things, she doesn't even have a mother to take care of her. Larisa may not have a mother too, but she has never lacked anything in life and has always been given the best.

She reached out to take some of the gifts she received today and handed it to Selah.

Selah hesitantly to the headdress, bracelets, earrings and necklace as she asked, "What are these for Princess."

"You can have them, I have too many anyway." Larisa said nonchalantly.

"But these were gifts, won't the givers feel aggrieved that you gave them away?"

Larisa explained slowly , "It's the thought that counts not the gift, these gifts were given with no thought of me in mind," she smiled at Selah, "They are worthless,"

Selah smiled in agreement, "true, only gives from the heart should be valued enough to be kept by one's side, then I thank princess for these."

Larisa hummed. Selah put the things in her hands to the side before speaking in a serious tone, "Princess, there is something I wish to say."

"Speak, you don't have to be reserved with me,"

"Princess, I heard a rumour that the young lord had been attacked on the way to the Chiradzulu,"

Larisa froze up for a second, her heart skipped a bit, she asked in a shaky voice, "Is the news true?"

Selah was overjoyed that Larisa seemed to believe her that she didn't notice the slight change in the princess's voice as she went on, "Princess, smoke does not appear without a fire, I would believe it is true."

Larisa's hands clenched up, the necklace around her neck started to turn a small shade of red at the bottom of the oval stone but non-of them noticed as they sank into their own thoughts.

Selah seeing the worried look on her face continued with a sigh, "I don't know how he young lord must be right now, is he seriously injured, does he need help?.... princess why don't we go and check on him."

Larisa looked at Selah, "But father would never allow me to go."

"We can snick away in the evening, I know the routes to the border, I can lead the way."

Larisa pandered over it for only a second before agreeing, there was a sudden call at the door, Larisa called for the person to come in and it was Lifar with Brennon following behind her.