Chapter 4: Falsehood of Peace (1)
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𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔉𝔞𝔩𝔰𝔢𝔥𝔬𝔬𝔡 𝔬𝔣 𝔓𝔢𝔞𝔠𝔢
"Sir Reynolds." She smiled, teeth pearly and white. Her spine was straight and erected, her head angled upright and stiff. "Welcome to the Sutherton manor."
"Lady Sutherton." He returned the scripted politeness with a bow of his head. "It is an honor."
"Thank you." Speaking cordial and prim, she clasped her hands together, positioning them precisely an inch from her pelvis and an inch from her rib cage. "I trust the journey was smooth?"
"Oh, most certainly! No road travelled was as safe as yours!"
"Wonderful to hear. Now, let us not waste the day. This way." With trained posture, she turned her head, the glow of morning sunlight glazing her thin smile.
They marched with coordinated feet, not a stomp too loud, and not a breath too rough.
The surrounding scenery sparkled with luster and opulence. The fluorescent green manicured flatlands were decorated with towering trees, shaped evergreen hedges, and blooming flower bushes. Romanesque buildings varying from gigantic to modest, sprouted from the ground, and deliberately placed around them were marble statues, fountains, and ponds with gazebos in the distance. In the presence of all the glory, they were mere specks compared to the manor's portrait of idyllic countryside beauty.
"What a lovely estate your husband owns," he said, his round bulbous head craning around to take it all in. "It is truly fitting of the Sutherton name." His deep baritone voice gleefully rose, the wrinkles on his skin intensifying. "Such perfection rivals' impossibility, I must say." Civil laughter sprung out from his belly as they walked.
She looked back at him with a formulated smile. "I appreciate your kind words, Sir Reynolds."
"Of course, my grace."
Briefly, there was silence as they continued pacing gradually along a pristine white stone pathway. They passed along a constructed pond bridge, their figures reflecting on the clear water's surface.
"I am indeed blessed to be in your presence, Lady Sutherton, but may I inquire why Lord Sutherton's attendance is missed?"
Unresponsive to him, she watched her reflection sway in the water; her bark-colored hair was pulled into a strict bun covered with a pearled mesh hair snood. Her long, brown, corseted dress wrapped rigidly around her, and her diamond jewelry hung heavy. Pigments of makeup dyed her bronze skin while hints of deeper wrinkles were just barely hidden beyond the powders.
"Lord Sutherton was quite busy with other matters. He will be sure to attend to you later." A loose tight curl of brown hair escaped, brushing past her cheeks.
"I see. Lord Sutherton is indeed a busy man. At least I am honored with the Magnificent One's wealth to have your presence as the wife of Lord Sutherton."
Her reflection was leaving as she dragged her feet away from the pond waters.
"You flatter me." There was a lack of enthusiasm in her voice. "But speaking on my husband, I would like to assure you that Lord Sutherton did want you to know that we shall make your stay here at our estate conducive to your work. We vow to it, and a Sutherton never breaks their vow."
"Most certainly, my grace." He eagerly bobbed his head and wagged the tail of his uniform. "Just as you are true to your word, I will be true to my duty and ensure not a single thing is improper during your departure to the Great Independence celebration so that you, your husband, and your daughter will find comfort in my services."
They neared their destination to the manor main entrance, before she paused suddenly and abruptly.
"My daughter, you say?"
"Yes. The Honorable---." A small chortle and a disbelieving stare from Lady Sutherton interrupted him. "--Lady Erina Sutherton...." He finished speaking with a puzzled look. "Is something the matter, Lady Sutherton?"
"No." She hurriedly shook her head. "Everything is fine. Erina---my daughter," she said, emphasizing without delight. "She's away right now. We had an incident a little while ago, so she won't be returning until after we come back from the Tricitadel."
"I wasn't aware your daughter was away. I must correct myself, for how silly of me to improperly speak on the matter. The Sutherton family deserves proper respect---."
"--It's fine. Really." She held up her hand to stop him from speaking. "In fact, it's better she's not here because…." She trailed to a stop, blankly staring.
"Lady Sutherton?"
She cut her eyes to his shoes. "Foot."
"Foot?"
She looked from his feet to his rounded face. "Yes. Pardon me, but your foot."
"My foot?"
"Move your foot!" she raised her voice.
Puzzled, he looked down at his black oxford clogs that were rooted on the stone walkway. "Is there something the matter, Lady Sutherton?"
"Yes." She stepped towards him. "You need to move your foot."
Mystified, he took a brief step away to the side as she approached. Bewilded, he watched as she crouched and plucked out a microscopic weed wedged between a crack in the stone pathway. It was a little slight weed, a detail he wouldn't have noticed even if he tried.
"Lady Sutherton, are you quite alright?"
She remained hunched for a few moments, peering at the crack in white stone. It was small and insignificant but she continued staring at the thin black fissures cut in the stone.
"Lady Sutherton?"
Slowly her head rose, glancing up at him and then back to the ground.
"Lady Sutherton? Is something the matter?"
Exhaling gradually, she stood back to full height, straightening her dress. "No. No. It was just a weed."
"I see." Confusion muddled his face.
"Yes. Weed." She brushed at her hair with her hands and cleared her throat. "Let us continue."
He nodded, following once more behind her as servants opened the main doors and allowed them inside.
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