The Half-Class by Kayvion Lewis
Chapter Forty-Two
Bridgette fumbled with the laces of my dress. “Goddamn it.”. Her fingers poked and pressed against the back of my bodice. “Many things have I envied of the upper class in Ryland, but these ridiculous ensnarements they call dresses are not one of them.”
I smirked. “I’m glad someone in this castle agrees.”
Such a distinct change I’d seen in Bridgette since she revealed herself to me. The shy servant girl I met that day in the library was long gone. Instead, I found myself with a hot-tempered, rough-handed maid who couldn’t go more than ten minutes without damning something to hell. The old Bridgette only reappeared in the presence of others like Cassian or the courtiers who so loved to visit me unannounced. Then, she was all meek sentences and glances at the floor. I much preferred this version of Bridgette.
My gaze turned to the window. The night had just been born, and the last of the carriages had arrived no less than an hour ago. Most of Ryland was on its way to Morra. Everyone that mattered to the king, at least. Everyone that was already here, I’d meet tonight, most for the first and last time.
“What do you know about my fellow dinner guests?” I asked. “Anything I should know beforehand?”
“They’re all loyalist snobs, and I won’t miss them after they’re dead.”
“Alright, I’ll be sure to address them as such.”
Bridgette laughed. “You know, I might actually miss you after tomorrow’s event comes to an end. Never thought I’d say that about anyone dwelling in the upper floors.”
“What are you going to do after? I don’t think the palace will be in need of maids after tomorrow if all goes according to plan.”
“I haven’t a damn clue.”
“You could always stay here, in Morra.”
“Ha!” Bridgette threw her head back. “And what, become a farmer? A shopkeeper’s wife?” She shook her head. “Ryland has its problems and even more to come, but I’d sooner become a beggar than abandon life in the capitol for a Morran country life. I’m a Rylander at heart. That will never change.”
“Yet you’re fighting on Morra’s side.”
“I’m fighting against the King, not Ryland,” she said. “I don’t have to love my king to love my country.”
Bridgette finished lacing the back of my bodice. My waist cinched as she tied it off. She grabbed my shoulders and turned me towards the mirror. “Nice work, huh?” she smiled, resting her hands on her hips.
I’d let Bridgette pick my attire for the night, and she’d chosen very well.
A blood-red gown made entirely of lace flared out from my hips and wrapped its way up my chest. The crimson lace covered my arms from the edges of my shoulders to my wrists. The same ruby hairpins Geane had brought to the apartment nearly a week ago pushed back my curls, letting them rain behind my shoulders and down my lace-covered back.
I couldn’t help but think how perfect my ruby engagement ring would match with this outfit. I pinched my ring finger. Although I was done with Cassian now, and even though I’d hadn’t outright told Luke such, I didn’t think I’d ever be putting that ring back on. It didn’t fit on me, and after the world changed tomorrow, there shouldn’t be a reason for me to. I wouldn’t have to choose between marriage and working the barn.
“You’ve outdone yourself, Bridgette,” I told her, watching my reflection.
“Excluding the disaster that will be tomorrow, this is the last time you’ll get to wear a Ryland gown. Might as well go out with a bang.”
I turned back to face her. “I think that will come tomorrow.”
A knock sounded at my door. A heavy, weighted pounding. I grimaced. Since I saw Luke a week ago, every minute I spent with Cassian disgusted me.
His smiles were smug, his eyes were invading, his touch was violating, and his kisses were numbing. But I kept up my facade through it all. On occasion, I’d slip slightly, and he’d frown and ask what was wrong, but I’d smile and brush it away, becoming the perfect companion once again. Even if I wanted to vomit the moment I was alone again.
Bridgette put her own mask back on and pulled open the door.
King Dreux, clad in a coat of the deepest green, strode in without invitation.
“Miss Evelyn.” He looked me over, his eyes examining every inch of my body. “Stunning, absolutely stunning.”
His hand reached for mine. The same hand he’d nearly broken before. I instinctively jerked it back, but with a warning glare from him, I reluctantly let him take it. He brought my hand up to his lips and kissed it. The pain in my hand had subsided a couple days ago, but under his kiss, something equally disturbing swelled in my fingers.
“Where’s Cassian?” I asked.
“Downstairs with the others. I wanted to escort you myself.” He pulled my hand into his arm and led me out of the room. Bridgette had disappeared, so we were left to make our way down the hallway alone.
The corridor, though empty, teemed with remnants of visitors. Lights shone from under closed doors. With so many guests, with even more on the way, the entire castle was in use. I’d heard a few of my new neighbors bustling about before but didn’t dare venture out of my room. Despite having changed feelings towards Cassian and some of the others, these new guests were strangers. Knowing that most had only hours to live weighed on me in a way I hadn’t expected.
“Miss Evelyn, I think we’ve had a rough start,” the king said. He led us down the hall at a pace too leisurely for my comfort.
“I don’t disagree.” I swallowed. “But I understand your hesitance to trust me. After all, we’ve known each other for so little time.”
“My thoughts exactly. But that doesn’t matter now. We’ll have so much time to get to know each other better in the weeks to come. Tomorrow marks a new start for all of us, and I want to make sure you and I are beginning in the right place.”
He had no idea the new start waiting tomorrow. For me, at least. For him and Cassian, it was only an end.
I swallowed my pride for the sake of simplicity. “If you’re still worried about me, I promise it’s in vain, Your Majesty. I haven’t forgotten our last private conversation.” My hand twitched in his arm.
“I didn’t think you had. But that’s not what I meant. Not this time.”
I furrowed my brow. So, he hadn’t come to layer me with vague threats the night before our departure. What other reason on earth could he possibly have to talk to me?
“I don’t understand.”
“I don’t want to hate you, Evelyn,” he said. “No more than I want to hate my own son. If we’re going to be living together, I think it would be easier for both of us, all of us, if we could be friends.”
“Friends?” The word slipped out of my mouth.
“Or cordial with each other, at the very least.”
I struggled not to laugh. How could anyone in their right mind imagine that I, or any girl, would want to be friendly with him after what he put me through?
“Life will be a lot more pleasant if we like each other. Don’t give me any reason not to like you, and I’ll treat you pleasantly for however long you stay around. Does that sound fair to you?”
That’s what this was, a proposal of his own. The same agreement he and Cassian lived by, no doubt. Be obedient, be sweet, stay on his good side, and I’d have all my heart desired. If I were any other girl, and if he were any other man, maybe I would have been tempted.
I smiled and nodded up to him. “Very fair. So let us start over. As friends.”
He grinned. Something that almost made him look human.
We made it to the edge of the staircase. I was ready to step down, but he stopped me.
“This is for you then.” The king dropped my hand and slipped his inside his coat. From it, he drew out a gold-lined bracelet comprised of emerald jewels and linking gold circlets.
“This was my wife’s.” He wrapped the piece around my wrist and pressed the tiny clasp closed. The bracelet fit snugly around my wrist, wrapping in it a row of sparkling gold and emeralds. “It’s one of the lesser pieces from her collection. I told her the emeralds reminded me of her eyes.”
“It’s gorgeous.” Never before had I seen a more perfectly crafted work of jewelry. This was his peace offering, and it was a beautiful one.
“She never wore it as much as I would have liked, but I’m sure you’ll appreciate it more.”
He held his arm back out to me, and I slipped my emerald-adorned hand back into it. “I’ll wear it tomorrow.”
“I’d hoped you’d say that,” he said. “Now, on to dinner. Don’t disappoint me.”