Chapter 41 (Cora)

I fell into a peaceful sleep thinking about my new name. I loved the meaning behind it and the freedom it had given me. I was now Nareh not Elanora, I didn’t have to live up to the standards of Elanora.

After talking to Ara, I had a new goal besides getting my mother back. I wanted to become someone who my mother was proud of. She had always been a source of respect and admiration from those around her and I wanted to do the same.

Ara had let me know it was ok to do just that last night and something within me had seemed to snap into place last night. I was going to be the inferno that brought Emerson to his knees and just as Ara was probably going to use me, I wanted to use him.

When I awoke, I was in bed, he must have moved me. I turned to find myself alone. Ara was nowhere to be found. Wandering into the lounge area I found him asleep on the couch. It was quite a sight to see his big bulky frame trying to squish itself onto the small piece of furniture that seemed to be straining to hold all his weight.

After waking him, and deciding on our day together. He left to get himself dressed as Lydy made her way in to help me get ready. As I told Lydy of my plans for my outfit her eyes went wide. As she struggled not to argue with me about decorum, which I had appreciated. I had told her last night during our talk how suffocated I felt and had opened up more than I meant to, but she listened intently and gave her opinion only when it seemed fine to do so.

I could feel the eyes on me as I passed by servants on my way down to breakfast, but it was the bewildered face Ara made as his eyes roamed up and down me that I was starting to regret my decision for such a bold outfit.

His reaction to my explanation did not help in the slightest and I wanted to sink into my chair and disappear. He seemed to contemplate my reasoning and finally seemed to come to a silent answer with himself.

“If you wish to ride with me you will need your own steed. While riding doubles is good it’s not ideal for long travels.” he replied not even questioning me.

The maids came out with our plates and I dismissed Lydy so she could go eat her breakfast. The moment I looked down at my plate I was delightfully surprised. His plate was filled to the brim with eggs, a steak and potatoes with a side of toast and butter. My plate on the other hand had a boiled egg, a danish filled with cheese and jam, along with some fresh fruit. It was the same meal Maxi had made for me every morning at the annex after taking Elanora’s place. Looking down with it, I could feel Ara’s eyes on me as if waiting for my reaction.

“I had Roland take recipes from Maxi before we left, so you would eat things I knew you enjoyed. While away from your home.” he stated as I poked at the egg with my fork.

“Thank you, I really do appreciate it but I want to get used to the foods of my new home. I want to try all the things I never had.” I told him, not wanting to burden any of the cooks with making two different meals for us.

Taking a bite out of the danish, I almost wanted to cry. It tasted just like Maxi’s and I was hit by a feeling of homesickness. Ara let me eat silence as I enjoyed every last bite thankful for that moment of peace.

The maids came and cleared our plates once we had both cleaned our respective plates clean. Ara and I pleasantly chatted while sipping on the last few sips of our coffees when Lydy had silently slipped back into the room. We were just discussing what we should do with injured servants at that point.

“I had discussed this with Roland last night. What we thought was the best course of action would be to send the maids that came with you back to Befriel and continue on our way, but I wanted to hear your opinion as well.” Ara started, surprising me. I didn’t think he would care about my opinion on such a trivial matter.

Before I could respond I heard a whimper come from the corner that Lydy was standing in, both Ara and I turned to check on her. She was visibly shaking as she cried silently trying not to interrupt us.

“Lydy came here.” I commanded her. Watching as she did so hesitantly. “What upset you to the point of tears?” I questioned not wanting her to be upset.

“I don’t wish to go back. I thought I would have more time to prove myself to you, so that you would keep me with you.” she whimpered as her lip seemed to almost pucker into a pout. She rubbed at her eyes as she tried to stop her tears.

“You would be leaving your home for good if you stay with me.” I cautioned hoping she understood the gravity of her words.

“I don’t want to go back. The servants that came from the Andal palace say they get treated well. I don’t want to go back if I can stay with you. I want to.” she pressured as she tried to persuade me. I know how hard it was for those at the main palace but most of the servants loved their position and the prestige it brought them.

“He beats me. I don’t want to, please do not make me return.” Her tears started to pour down her face as she sniffled.

I got up to console the poor child, rubbing her back to help her calm herself down. Looking towards Ara, I silently begged him to let me keep her. I didn’t want to send her back to a place she didn’t want to go. He just silently nodded at me as I continued to console her, giving me the permission I was looking for.