Chapter 29: Assignment
Waking up and concluding her mundane routine, Marlowe sat facing the mirror. The shudders upon her recollection of last night's dinner are still prominent.
It was a miracle how she was able to elude the inquiries of her laid down hair when she returned.
And to her delight, the dinner ended quickly, with the Queen Dowager retiring in exhaustion.
Still, the woman had refused to address her case. In fact, she hadn't even looked at her again after that initial blank glare.
Marlowe inwardly praised her for her strong abilities to mask expressions—if only she knew her son was worse.
A knock echoed on the door, startling her, because it was not long before Merkin excused herself.
"Come in," her smooth and delicate velvety voice responded absentmindedly.
Series of footfalls resonated in rhythm after the door was opened and shut.
Marlowe didn't turn until the familiar figure stood smiling at her in the mirror.
Astounded, Marlowe swerved to behold the sight of the third Princess of Valcresh.
Her surprise was strongly visible.
Yet it was met with a simple smile from the latter.
"Greetings, sister-in-law," Marionette's voice, full of cheer, filled the silent chamber.
"Greetings," Marlowe replied in an audible whisper.
"Please, take a seat," it took a few seconds before she realized that they were both standing and awkwardly staring at each other.
Stretching out her hand in a gesture to the mini visit place she had, she invited the Princess, who is also her husband's sister, to have a seat with her.
Luckily, there was still warm liquid in the tea kettle and two tiny cups available.
"Do you care for tea, Your Highness?" Marlowe asked.
"I'll spare you the stress, sister," Marionette replied, saying it like she had been addressing Marlowe in that way forever.
"Oh…" a stiff smile plastered her face.
"What brings the third Princess here?"
The silence was awkwardly ugly, and she had to ask.
She spied a fluctuation in Marionette's expression before she answered, "To have a chat with you, of course," she smiled. Widely.
"Okay…" Marlowe nodded.
"It's pretty lonely in the Castle, especially if you have no one. I'm just like you, so I thought we should share our company with each other, don't you think so too?" Marionette divulged with the same smile fixed on her face.
Not sure how to respond, Marlowe stared at her.
Vividly recalling the Princess has two more sisters, two mysterious brothers, and one baffling cousin.
Marlowe was quite apprehensive at first, because sitting right in front of her was a Vampire, a one with Royal blood for that matter.
But she decided to not let her fear show.
"Her Highness has siblings to keep her a much worthy company, I on the other hand, lack such knowledge on what will interest the Princess," Marlowe reiterated, in the most polite of ways ever used.
Just as she thought, a frown got fixed on the Princess's face upon her response, but it wasn't a frown of displeasure, but…pall?
"Step," Marionette mumbled, "step siblings," she vocalized in a dropped tone.
Her grey eyes clashed with Marlowe's sparkling green ones.
"I am the daughter of Claudia, the late King's fourth concubine, and her only child." Marionette went deeper to explain.
"So you see? I'm just like you. Alone." she mused dejectedly.
Marlowe blinked.
It dawned on her that Princess Oriana, and Princess Claire were blood related.
They were sisters of Arius, Lady Lauren's children.
Something in Marionette's soft orbs told Marlowe that the Vampiress meant no harm. None at all.
Even in last night's dinner, Princess Marionette barely spoke a word except when necessary.
She was surprised that there was such division in the Royal family too.
They are separated, and not one.
"But we can both be each other's companions, we can be friends," Marionette unexpectedly proposed, her dull eyes directly turning vibrant. Once again reflecting with cheerfulness.
Marlowe was evidently tongue tied by the Princess's straight-up words.
"Ahhh…" she struggled for a couple of words to form plausible assertions.
"If Her Highness like i—"
"Great!" Marionette promptly yelled in glee, cutting Marlowe off completing her statement. "We are friends then," she said in one quick breath.
Giggling like a child.
Chuckling along, Marlowe nodded in uncertainty to herself, while pondering if she had just inadvertently gotten herself into another game she wouldn't be able to play.
From the look of things, nothing will ever go well with her in the Royal Castle of Valcresh.
Judging by the point she had already gotten into the King's mother's bad side without even having seen her before.
Just because she belongs to the weaker race.
Isn't that pitiful?
"By the way…" Marionette's sudden unconcluded statement snatched her back to reality. "how is brother treating you? I mean the King, His Majesty,"
Marionette asked, her gaze brimming with girlishness.
At one glance, it was very obvious that she was ready for a round of gossip.
Unfortunately, Marlowe will have to burst her bubble.
But what if…that is what she was anticipating?
"Sorry?" overly perplexed, Marlowe's brows bent slightly downward while she probed.
Perhaps she couldn't have heard her well enough.
"Come on, don't be shy," Marionette drew in a little closer. "I'm speaking about you and my brother.
I know this marriage was not all sunshine and stuff. It was so impromptu, we don't even know why except the Queen and the cold Lord, but I'm sure you're not finding it that bad right?...I mean, you two aren't that bad right?"
Marionette hastily rephrased. The hidden look of curiosity buried by her womanly yearn for gossip.
Well…that was all Marlowe who couldn't see the bad in people, could see.
On her part, Marlowe was extremely confused with where the discussion was headed.
Even her face couldn't mask that emotion.
Damned confused!
She didn't know…was she supposed to see the King?
Well, yeah! She married him, how is she not supposed to see him?
She's literally a member of the Royal family now; judging from the rules.
"No. I haven't seen the King," Marlowe dropped the bump on Marionette immediately, making the girl's heart dance to a merry tune.
Her assignment wasn't so hard after all.
Unfortunate Marionette regretted ever having that particular thought.
Ever!
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