Free Web NovelChapter 49: Perfume and Filth
Chapter 48: Perfume and Filth
Lyria’s POV
By the time I finished the last stall, my arms trembled faintly from the effort.
The stables were quieter now. Evening light spilled through the high slats in long golden bars, turning dust into drifting sparks. The horses had settled, their earlier restlessness fading into the slow rhythm of hooves shifting against straw and the soft huff of breath.
I leaned my weight against the wooden partition for a moment and flexed my fingers.
They were stiff. That was not surprising.
Cleaning stalls, hauling water, scrubbing tack, and brushing down temperamental geldings was hardly gentle work. The scent of hay clung to my clothes, but it was the sharper smell beneath it—horse, sweat, and the faint sourness of the muck heap—that truly claimed me.
Jacinta may have punished me, but... I could not quite suppress the small smile that tugged at the corner of my mouth.
I hadn’t seen her face for hours after all. That was a good thing on my part.
And thankfully, no one had said anything about the snacks.
I had half expected someone to comment on it—the absurdity of a stable girl accepting treats from Lord Thorncrest and Lord Hawthorne of all people. But if anyone had seen, they had kept their thoughts to themselves.
For that alone, I felt grateful.
I wiped my hands against the already ruined apron tied about my waist and straightened slowly.
Without lingering, I hurried from the stables, my boots leaving faint dusty prints across the stone.
I moved straight to my chambers, where I picked up the ribbon Jacinta had instructed I return to her in the evening.
I tucked the ribbon carefully into my palm and left my chambers at once. I had no time to wash up or change. I was certain if I wasted too much time, Jacinta would certainly claim that I had disobeyed her.
The palace corridors were cooler now, though the scent of the stables clung stubbornly to me like a second skin.
I tried not to think about it as servants passed me.
A few glanced at me, their expressions ones of disgust. At least some things stayed the same even when covered in filth. One maid paused for half a breath as I hurried by, her nose twitching ever so slightly before she quickly looked away.
I had nearly reached the corridor that led to Jacinta’s chambers when a familiar figure stepped into my path.
She was one of the Queen’s maids, a tall woman with severe posture and eyes that missed nothing.
She stopped directly in front of me.
"Lyria."
I halted and dipped my head slightly.
"Madam."
"The Queen has summoned you."
My brows pulled together.
"You must respond with immediate effect," she said to me.
I glanced toward the corridor that led to Jacinta’s chambers, then back at the maid.
"I was just on my way to Her Highness."
The maid’s expression did not change.
"Her Majesty requires your presence first."
Something about the way she said it left no room for argument.
I hesitated only a moment before nodding.
"As you wish."
The maid turned without another word, clearly expecting me to follow.
So I did.
The walk to the Queen’s chambers felt longer than usual.
Perhaps it was my imagination.
Or perhaps it was something else... like the thought surrounding the reason why the Queen would summon me.
Two guards stood outside the tall double doors. Their armor gleamed beneath the corridor lamps.
As I approached, one of them looked down at me.
Then wrinkled his nose in visible disgust.
The other guard shifted subtly, his expression tightening.
Neither spoke to me.
They simply exchanged a brief glance before one of them reached forward and opened the door.
I stepped inside immediately.
The Queen’s chambers were vast compared to the narrow servant quarters. Velvet curtains framed tall windows, and the air smelled faintly of roses and some expensive incense I could not name.
The contrast between that delicate perfume and the scent I carried with me was... unfortunate.
The Queen sat upon a chaise near the center of the room.
Jacinta stood beside her.
I had barely taken three steps inside when the Queen’s face twisted.
She drew back slightly, her nose wrinkling as though she had suddenly encountered something unpleasant.
"What is that awful smell?"
For a heartbeat, silence hung thick in the air.
The Queen waved one jeweled hand in front of her face.
"Great moon above," she muttered. "Where is that dreadful stench coming from?"
She turned her head toward Jacinta.
"Do you perceive it as well?"
Jacinta did not hesitate.
"Yes, Mother."
Her eyes slid to me.
"It came with her."
The Queen followed Jacinta’s gaze. She did an awful job of pretending like she had no idea I was in her chambers already.
Her eyes landed on me with displeasure.
"Get out." The command snapped through the room. "You are poisoning my nose."
Inside, something quiet and wicked unfurled. I smiled to myself discreetly, then bowed my head respectfully.
"Your Majesty summoned me," I told her. "I was told you required my presence immediately. I therefore came at once."
"You did not have the time to wash up?" Jacinta asked in disgust.
I shook my head. "You gave me instructions to get you the ribbon immediately after I was done with the punishment you gave me."
Jacinta’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"I apologize for the stench," I continued calmly, "but I could not delay when Your Highness and Your Majesty had called for me."
The Queen made a sound of clear disgust.
"Enough. Out."
She waved her hand toward the door.
"Leave this instant."
I inclined my head again.
"Of course, Your Majesty."
Then I lifted the ribbon.
"What of the ribbon?"
The Queen blinked.
"The ribbon?"
I held it up carefully.
"Her Highness requested that I return it. It belongs to her."
The Queen frowned faintly, clearly irritated by the continued conversation.
"Throw it away," Jacinta said to me.
"It would smell exactly as you do now," she said coldly as she continued. "And I refuse to have such a thing near me."
For a moment, I simply stared at it. Then I lifted my eyes back to her.
"Your Highness is certain?"
Jacinta nodded once.
"Completely."
She flicked her hand toward the door.
"Leave. And wash yourself before coming back here."
Her gaze slid over me with clear distaste.
"Only when you are presentable should you return."
I see.
Very well.
I dipped into a deep, proper bow.
First to the Queen.
Then to Jacinta.
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
"As you wish, Your Highness."
I straightened slowly.
"I shall wash at once and return when I am presentable."
Neither of them replied as I turned and walked out the door, the ribbon still resting lightly in my hand.
