Chapter 7: Strange liaison
During the following week Iris took a tour of the castle and became accustomed to the people there. Alutus castle was big, maybe bigger than her father's, for new parts were added the past two years. The older building, considered the main one, was also renovated, but its charm was preserved, and it was where their bedrooms and studies were. Here could the kitchen and the main hall be found, as well as the little ballroom. On the outside, its red walls were imbued with painted glass and the two narrow towers were situated on each side of the construction. From each tower, new strong walls were recently built of white stone and clear glass to connect to two new buildings, each displaying four strong towers, double the height of the others, in a combination of grace and strength. There were dozens of chambers there, as well as a new, bigger and more beautiful ballroom.
Two gardens, filled with beautiful flowers and small trees were in the middle of the newer walls. But the old castle had a little alley only which led to the forest behind where a large tree and a few wild animals could be found. Golden benches were scattered there along the stoned path and in the middle a great fontaine portraying the Mother and the Father was recently raised.
The whole castle was a wonder to look at, a result of combining old with new, grace with strength, decorative with functional. But Iris was walking those paths alone, accompanied only by the butler who knew the history of the castle very well and her maid Mary who was just as curious as her lady. She wanted to see the castle with her husband and although William's knowledge was welcomed, the warmth of her loved one was missed. For Benjamin had locked himself in his study the day after their arrival and had only come out to have dinner with her twice.
"There is much to prepare for the winter and the crown prince asks for my opinion on many things. I understand you are lonely, but just bear with it until everything is in its place." Benjamin explained one evening during dinner.
"I just wanted to spend more time together as newlyweds."
"Soon, my darling, soon."
Iris had no other alternative than to wait for him to make time for her, but she couldn't help feeling jealous of the others who met him. The three commanders of the army were seen every morning walking the stairs to the main building to receive orders for the day. She was told that everyday they train new recruits and patrol the castle and the city, but they still had to check with their leader beforehand. Their visits were short, but Iris wanted so badly to be her who was going in that study.
The other man who was almost always with her husband was a man named Luke whom she was briefly introduced to a few days ago when he arrived at the castle from some sort of mission. What mission, Iris had no idea. But that seemed to be the reason for some of her husband's worries as the next time she saw him, he was very agitated and on edge. He reasoned that he hadn't had enough sleep and when Iris asked him whether it was because of Luke, he started laughing and explained that Luke is like his brother and his most trusted adviser, so she needn't worry about him.
The maids, including a new one named Daisy who became her personal maid alongside the other two, told her that Luke Humming was the son of a lesser lord In Buri whose father was a loyal subject of the old lord of Alutus. The two boys were raised together since they were very young. When Iris asked Gilda about their youth as the maid knew her husband the longest, she recollected how the two became inseparable after they started learning swordsmanship together and that not even a brother could be more devoted to Lord Walter. Iris could only agree, thinking about the two princes who are always at loggerheads with each other. In the end, the maids repeated what her husband said before, that she needn't worry about Luke.
So, she did exactly that. But she could not help worrying about Lady Rose who, similar to Luke, was almost always in her husband's study. She was also an adviser and childhood friend of the lord and, although she expressed her desire to become close to her ladyship, not once did she visit or contact Iris in any way. In the end, Iris just wanted to be a part of their group, to be included. She thought a few times to ask Gilda about Lady Rose as well, but was afraid that the maid, and afterwards her husband, would think she is jealous. The thought made her shivers. She didn't want to come out as desperate as those ladies who became a disgrace to their husband by trying everything to get their attention. From revealing dresses and obscene jewels to flirting with every person of the opposite sex, they would try it and demeaned themselves in the process. Their husbands instead grew only more distant and even began meeting others, fanning the already dangerous fire. This would end in divorce most times.
But Benjamin never showed any attention to other girls when they were courting and even less, if possible, when they were betrothed. Feelings of desire filled Iris and she wanted to go to her husband but thought better.
"A letter Your Grace," Mary interrupted her thoughts.
Iris reached for the letter and was surprised to see the royal sigil on it, but upon reading the contents, a smile formed on her lips. It was from the second prince, Prince Alwyn, an old friend whom she played many times during her childhood. He was the offspring of his majesty, the king, and the second empress who was loved both by her husband and by the people but died tragically when the prince was only five years old because of her weak heart. It was then Iris first met him and after that they would often play together at the palace or at her own home. After her mother's death, her father didn't take her to the palace anymore and the prince only visited when he could. They remained friends and sent each other letters when they could. She herself sent a letter just before getting married, so his response boosted her mood.
The letter was mostly filled with congratulations and best wishes to her and her new family, but also with regrets for not being able to attend the wedding. It was understandable that he, the second prince of this country, would not be able to attend a wedding planned so quickly, even if the bride was a duke's daughter. The end of the letter only contained more remorse to not meet her before the wedding as if Prince Alwyn thought she was forced to marry in any way, and he couldn't do anything for his dear friend.
"Mary, bring me some fine paper. I will send a response."
"At once, Your Grace."
Before Mary could return, the butler, William, knocked on the door to announce the arrival of the new mage named Ray.
"Only Ray?" Iris asked, confused.
"After finishing their training, mages take simple names to make it easier for them and their new lords to adjust to each other. Of course, it is known that some mages take more grande names, but that only after greatly contributing to the kingdom," the butler explained.
"I understand. Tell him I'll meet him soon."
"Yes, Your Grace."
"The paper, My Lady."
"Thank you, Mary."
She wrote a letter to her friend and assured him that this wedding made her incredibly happy and that she is fortunate to have Lord Walter as her husband. The prince's absence was felt, but she understood the situation. The letter concluded with her kindest regards to his highness and the wish to meet in the near future.
"Send this as soon as possible, Mary. It's to a good friend. And call Daisy to take me to the mage."
"Yes, Your Grace."
After Daisy's arrival, they went to the mage's workshop at the top of the right tower in the main building. Going up the many stairs made Iris tired, and she was panting when she arrived there. A wooden door was open and inside the mage awaited her nervously.
Ray was younger than she expected, around 18 of age, but still taller than her, having a bigger frame all together, but slender. His long silver hair gathered behind his head and his light blue eyes were impatient. As soon as he saw her, he hurried forward.
"Your Grace, it is a pleasure to meet the lady of Alutus. My name is Ray and I have been designated to serve the great lords of Buri." He clumsily bowed in front of her.
"You're welcomed, Ray. And I hope your talents will be of help to both us and our people."
"It would be my honour, Your Grace."
"Do you like your accommodation here?"
"The rooms are clean and warm. It is more than I could wish for." He looked at the room and Iris followed his eyes.
The room was big with all kinds of cabinets and a desk near the tall window, near a library that stretched along half the walls. It was full of books and parchments, jars, bottler and some instruments Iris didn't recognize. There was also another door, smaller than the one she just entered, which probably led to the bedroom.
"Is there something you need in order to do your job properly? I'm unsure when was the last time a mage resided here." Iris knew that most of the staff were let go a year or two ago, shortly after her husband came back from the forest.
"I'll have to do an inventory of what herbs and potions are here first, Your Grace."
"When you are ready, send a list and I'll make sure to get everything on the list before winter."
"Thank you, Your Grace."
"If there isn't anything else, I'll take my leave."
Ray seemed hesitant but didn't say anything more but bowed again while Iris left the room. She wanted to go to her husband, but when she inquired of his location, the answer stopped her. He was still having a meeting with Lord Luke and Lady Rose. Iris went to her room that evening, ate alone and before going to bed, looked outside in hope of clear skies, but the dark clouds were hovering over the castle. She slept alone again.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone