CASSEN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Good evening, Lady Ethel,” said Cassen.

Ethel performed a diminutive but elegant curtsey. “Duchess Cassen, how pleasant to see you again.”

Cassen studied her face. You hide your hatred for me better than your mother.

“I hope my presence is not scaring off too many potential suitors, but my taste for the exquisite makes it difficult for me to avoid going straight for the most radiant diamond when I see it.” Cassen found there was no better way to win the trust of a young highborn girl than with embellished compliments, but in this case it was almost sincere.

“If I did not know better, I would assume you were pursuing my hand in marriage, if not at the very least a dance,” said Ethel.

“No, I am afraid I am not built properly for either of those tasks,” Cassen said with a false simper. “The best I can do is drape myself with silks and hope their buoyant grace will somehow distract from my lack thereof.” Ethel did not seem to find his self-deprecation as humorous as most noble girls, always eager to consort in some form of derogation. “So do tell me, why is it that you, in all your loveliness, stand here alone, bereft of any suitors bearing proper equipment?”

“I had pegged you for a smarter man, Cassen. It no doubt has something to do with my birth parents, the details of which escape my mind at the moment. Was it on my mother’s side or the side of my father? I can never quite remember.”

Ethel’s ditzy girl charade was entertaining to Cassen despite the fact that she referred to him as a man. The ones who see me as a man are the ones that must be watched the closest.

“Then they are fools. Had I a son, I would instruct him to pursue you to the edges of the realm.” Cassen made a dismissive gesture with his hand toward a group of young men who loitered in a corner.

“It makes no difference to me. Most of them are arrogant fools that I would have no interest in.”

Now there is a lie.

“Ah, but arrogant confidence is more oft rewarded with success than is humble indecision.” Cassen hoped to get her to disagree on account of principle.

“Fultaer?”

“I beg your pardon?” Cassen asked, somewhat in disbelief.

“Are you in the habit of quoting others to impress young girls at such events?” Ethel's own confidence was near offputting.

“I did not know young girls were taught philosophy in schools of manners.”

“Young girls can read books the same as old men.”

“And do you agree with that which I have plagiarized?” You can remember the words, but can you comprehend them?

Ethel’s response was delayed as she surveyed the room. “It certainly looks as though it is the most arrogant and cocksure of the men, both young and old, that woo my fellow debutantes.”

Ethel suddenly looked as radiant as the diamond he had originally accused her of being. I will make you an ally, or at the very least I will keep you contained.

“How perceptive you are, my young lady. And please forgive my rudeness for not having yet introduced my own ladies. With me tonight are the young ladies Amalee, Mollie, and Annora.”

The three lady servants curtsied in turn when their names were said. Now to convince you that you need one. And to think, if I am successful, how it will anger your mother. Perhaps she will break another vase atop Alther’s head. Cassen’s pleased expression was more for the thought than for his pride in his ladies’ graceful display.

“I am honored,” Ethel said to the ladies. “It is known throughout the kingdom how coveted your services are. It is much to the Throne’s detriment that such services are only available in Eastport.” Ethel had dropped her sardonic tone, pleasing Cassen to know she may be speaking with honesty.

“Yes, that is normally the case, as it is known that the ladies must return to my care and protection shortly after dark. But it is not without precedent that a lady servant could remain in the service of a fellow lady of nobility, provided she were living in the absence of men.” Would that interest our little friendless bookworm?

“It would have to be Annora.” Ethel seemed to shock even herself with her forwardness as Cassen observed she moved to put her hand over her mouth and stopped mid-gesture.

How did I know one diamond would seek the other?

“I am afraid that most likely cannot be arranged.” Cassen delivered the words with feigned reluctance. “Annora currently has a patron, you see.”

“It must be her,” said Ethel, this time with conviction. She may not be like most of the debutantes here, but Cassen knew stubbornness was bred into all highborn girls.

“You put me in a terrible spot.” Cassen did his best to look troubled. “I will see what I can do—as a favor to you and your family—but I cannot make any promises. All I ask in return is that you put in a good word for me with your mother. I fear she despises me without cause, and I am powerless to correct it.”

“I will,” said Ethel. “That I promise you.”

“Very well. Annora must return with me tonight, but you two can dawdle in the meantime.”

Ethel did another quick curtsey and motioned for her new servant friend to come join her. Annora looked to Cassen, and he nodded his approval. Cassen watched what he believed to be the second and third most beautiful gems of the kingdom make their way toward the delicacy tables.