Chapter 13
In a whirlwind of masks
Reniard
I shouldn't have come here. This thought has been on my mind for a couple of days now. I shouldn't have - and that's it. Fool! To whom and what did I want to prove? Lord? They don't care about any evidence. To yourself? Too stupid, because I myself was confused by my own desires. I wanted to leave, go to Ayordan immediately, and stay. The only thing that saved me from the shameful escape was pride. I told myself over and over again that I wouldn't give the lords such happiness to see me down. That's why the king's task of participating in the preparation of the masquerade was so pleasing. It was a great way to forget myself, to drive away unwanted thoughts and desires, because it was scary to admit to myself that I really want to win.
That's why I was so pleased with Cavernel's presence. The boy was distracting from his thoughts, asking some insignificant questions and worrying about the upcoming test. And I tried to understand not only the process of meeting the guests but also my own feelings.
In the morning I had to go up neither in the morning nor at dawn to follow the arrival of the first guests. As I suspected, it was worth opening the palace gates - and they reached for an endless string. At the entrance, they were met by servants in dark blue livery and escorted to their rooms. I decided that it was worthwhile to bring a highlight to the guests' arrival, so each lady was given a silver rose - fortunately, it was easy to create a magical one, and the men were given snuff-boxes with monograms of the royal house. Not so much for tobacco as for a status.
At first, everything went its course. The servants dragged numerous luggage as if a masquerade will last at least ten days. The guests walked to the rooms, the location of which was given to me by Elias yesterday. It got worse when the influx of newcomers increased. No one wanted to wait.
- Hey, my dear! - A lady called me out in a bright yellow dress. - How long do I have to wait until my luggage is done?
- A couple of minutes," I answered. - As soon as the previous guests are accommodated.
- I am Lady Ivina Kaselner, and I will not wait! - The blonde woman has stomped on her foot, wearing high heeled shoes.
- There were no free porters - I tried to keep politeness, though after such a morning she was left very little.
- And what's worse than that? Take this suitcase and that box. And don't drop it! It has a hat on it.
Despite all the upbringing, the words on his lips were not at all decent. Lady Kaselner was rescued by another lady, who also wanted to go to her chambers.
- Fi, Evelyn," she said, "you can't even convince the servant to carry your things. Sweetheart, my suitcases are over there in the crew, so take care of them immediately.
That's for me, of course. Anger was like a snake, and it raised its head.
- Lady, I explained to you a minute ago that there were no porters available," I said again in peace. - But if you show a little patience, you will all be placed properly.
- Do you have a hearing loss?! - Evelyn wailed. - Immediately! My suitcases! Otherwise, I will complain to His Majesty about you. What is your name?
- Lord Reniard Ayordan," he first dropped out, than thought. But you can't turn it around. The ladies froze with their mouths open. There was a dead silence. And I have already called myself a thousand times a dumbass in my mind.
- I'm sorry, Lord Ayordan," Iwina suddenly blurted out in a lousy smile. - It's so madly nice to meet you!
And she reached out to me with a hand tightened in my glove for a kiss. Her friend followed suit. I had to smile and kiss the ladies' pens until another scandal. At the same time, we had to pray that the servants would come back soon.
- Lord Ayordan, why do you meet the guests? - Ivina giggled.
- A state secret, lady," I answered. - Oh, here come the porters! Show Lady Kaselner and the lady off...
- Irina," the second one said with a smile.
- Lady Irina to his rooms.
The ladies passed by, giving me shark shards. The ladies reached for them. And behind the people there were long lines of suitcases. When will this morning be over? According to my list, there were still fifty guests left. To fail me. I forgot to remind about roses! But the servants worked clearly and, unlike me, did not forget anything. I plunged back into the ranks of names and surnames when suddenly Elias appeared. And I realized from the boy's face that something had happened.
- What was wrong? - I asked without further ado.
- The ladies are rebelling! - Cavern burnt out. - I don't know what happened. Either we were given the wrong information about their preferences, or I confused something, but some of them are not satisfied with their rooms at all. Wren, what to do?
- Let's go. - I took Elias into the maze of corridors.
The scandal was gaining momentum because the screams were heard after a dozen steps. There were three quarrels - two ladies and a gentleman with a gorgeous red mustache. I didn't remember their names, and I didn't try to remember them.
- This is an outrage! - On a high note, a brunette with a huge bust was pulling. - I asked for no flowers in the room.
- I'm allergic to aromatic oils," said another one.
- I demand to be moved immediately to other apartments - with windows to the south! - Moustache was the loudest mustache ever.
- Gentlemen, what was that noise? - I froze next to them.
All three turned to us and measured their eyes as if to decide whether or not they had such a fish in their teeth. Maybe we should have written on our forehead that we were the High Lords. Because as long as we are considered to be just managers, storms cannot be avoided. They are too accustomed to pushing everyone around and everywhere.
- Who will you be? - The brunette asked the maneuverable question.
- High Lords Ayordan and Cavernel," I answered for both of us.
The contestants were expected to be quiet, and only Elias' breath was intermittent.
- Any problems? - I asked.
- Oil...
- Flowers...
- Elias," I interrupted the new wave of indignation, "report to his majesty that these ladies and lords are not satisfied with the rest they have been given.
When the three of us heard that we were going to the king's house, the three of us were at a loss.
- What's the problem, exactly? - A brunette smiled. - You can just take the flowers out of my room.
- I am happy with everything. - The second lady turned around and left.
Moustache, leaning against us, rushed after her. Elias immediately called in the servant and ordered the vase to be taken out of the brunette room.
- Have a nice day, we both walked the brunette to her door. As soon as the door slammed shut, Elias clung to my hand:
- Wren, there was a sign with a different name on it. I remember exactly! Because this was the last room to be prepared.
- Maybe the servants got mixed up. - I assumed, already realizing that it was unlikely.
- Servants? - Elias stopped. - Why? If we hung up these signs together. No, Wren, someone wanted to mess with me. И…
- My lord! One of the men in charge flew into the hallway. - There arrived gentlemen who are not on the list. What to do?
I ran back to the door. Elias stayed. Hopefully, now that the conflict is over, the boy can handle himself. And I was already waiting for two respectable families who sprayed saliva and tried to swallow someone.