Chapter 41
When we exited the house, a strange sight stood before us. Kaira, Zusa, Nanny and what appeared to be every person that worked in our household were lined up in rows, kneeling down on the ground; maids, gardeners, cooks, cleaners, attendants - all knelt with their heads resting on their hands that were laid flat down on the ground.
Tugging on Liam’s hand and my brow furrowed in confusion, I asked him, “What is this? What are they doing?” But when I looked at him, his expression was as confused as my own.
Letting go of his hand, I went to Nanny and crouched down in front of her. Grabbing her gently on the upper arms, I helped her to stand. “Nanny, what is the matter? Why have you all assembled here?”
She lifted her head and I saw unshed tears shimmering in her faded blue eyes. “We have heard that Tae Han has been called to appear before the king. There are whispers…” A tear slipped down her wrinkled cheek. “There are whispers that he is to be punished and that you…” A stifled sob shook her frame and she reached for my hands and held them in her own weathered, gnarled ones.
She cleared her throat and made a visible effort to rein in her emotions. “We have not known you for long, but you have been kind and courteous to us lowly ones. You have treated us with respect and as Kin rather than as mongrels in the street. We are grateful for that and…” she squeezed my hands as she once again choked back a sob. “And I am thankful that you have shown such love for Tae Han. I’ve not seen him this happy since he was a little boy and that warms this old woman’s heart.”
She bent her head and rested her forehead against my hands as if in benediction.
“May Selene bless and protect you, Xia Wind Song. Return to this home and grace us with your presence once more.”
I couldn’t speak for a moment as I fought back my own tears. I urged her to stand up straight and gave her a soft kiss on one wrinkled cheek. With a sad smile, I told her, “I will try, Nanny. If for no other reason than to make sure you scold Liam for all the ways he will certainly misbehave.”
She laughed and cried at the same time and pulled me into a fierce hug. “Come home soon, lass.”
I stepped back from Nanny and let my gaze run over each person assembled. Some I had gotten to know a little, but many were just faces I’d seen in passing since I’d been here for such a short time. I wished that I’d had more time with all of them, but especially with Nanny, Kaira and Zusa.
With a shaky voice and tears welling up in my eyes, I told them, “Thank you all so much. You took care of me when you knew it might be taboo to do so. You risked yourselves because of your loyalty to Tae Han and words cannot express how thankful I am for that. I hope to see all of you again soon, but if fate decides that’s not to be, please look after Tae Han for he will need you more than ever.”
I turned to go back to Liam’s side but stopped mid-motion as Zusa called my name. “My lady, if I may be impertinent?” She stood and I saw that she had Clementine cradled in her arms. I went to Zusa and reached out a trembling hand to pet the orange ball of fluff, giving her tiny cheek a gentle rub. As a purr rumbled out of the wee little kitten, I could no longer hold back my tears and they flowed down my face.
My voice was choked with sorrow as I told Zusa, “Thank you for bringing her. That was very kind of you.”
I leaned in close to her ear and in the barest whisper so that Liam might not hear, I added, “Make sure he spends time with her. It will be good for him.”
She bent her head in a deep bow. “It shall be as you say, nim.”
I turned to Kaira who was still kneeling on the ground. I could see that her shoulders were shaking as she silently sobbed. Crouching next to her, I laid a hand on her head and stroked her hair. “Thank you for all the wonderful food, Kaira. One day, you will cook for a king and the world will envy him and beg for seats at his table.”
A wail came from her mouth and she flung herself at me, nearly knocking me over as she wrapped her arms around me, holding on like a drowning man that clings to a raft. She cried for several minutes and I patted her back gently, trying to comfort her without words as there was nothing I could truly say or do to ease the sweet lass’ suffering.
Finally, Nanny gently took hold of Kaira’s arms and pulled her off of me, turning Kaira around until it was Nanny’s arms that held her and rocked her, trying to soothe the young woman who cried as if her heart was broken.
I stood and finally returned to Liam’s side and saw that he, too, had tears in his eyes, but more importantly, there was a look of fierce pride on his face as he gazed at his household.
In a gruff voice thick with emotion, he said, “You have done me a great honor this day. Thank you for showing respect and love to my wife. I will never forget this moment for as long as I live.”
In almost perfect unison, the entire assemblage intoned, “Tae Han, you honor us.”