Susanna stands just behind the door to the foyer, peeking out through the crack of the double door. She looks behind her and sees the hallway leading to Orpheus's room. Turning back, observing the empty foyer. She stands there with a keen eye, patiently waiting for something to occur. A few minutes go by, and the door on the other side of the foyer leading to the king and queen begins to jostle.
Witnessing this, she quickly shuts the door, waiting for a few moments, listening to the faint voices on the other side. "Thank your majesty I will begin my investigation immediately." Tiephinne's voice can be heard from the other side along with queen Lysia.
"Very well, good luck Tiff." The queen replies softly.
"Please your majesty, can you refrain from calling me that?" Tiephinne replies with an exhaustive tone of voice. As if she had uttered these words many times before.
Susanna hears their voices and quickly opens the two doors meeting the gazes of Lysia and Tiephinne. The two women are next to each other just in front of the opposite doorway. The king is with five steel-clad soldiers standing next to him.
"No, I don't think I will." Lysia states firmly and sarcastically as Tiephinne nods in embarrassment but ultimately caves to her wishes.
"Then I shall take my leave. Your majesty, your highness." She bows deeply to both the king and queen with her left arm pressed against her chest, a show of respect. She then turns and heads towards the front door exiting the building.
"Stop right there and state your business!" Two soldiers notice and quickly move towards Susanna as she enters. One of them demands her intentions in a stern tone.
"No, it is fine she is a friend." Lysia chimes in quickly as the two soldiers return to defend the king and queen. "Susanna what a pleasant surprise." She speaks while waving to her. Susanna turns to close the door and walks over. "What are you doing out here I thought you would prefer some alone time with dear Orpheus?" Exuding a lecherous gaze and clear innuendos dripping from every word.
"I have explained before there is no romantic aspect to our association." Susanna corrects her, in her usual cold manner.
"If you say so. Where are you going by the way?" She asks curiously and with a slight smile.
"Well, I just realised I don't actually have clothes. Since we may be staying here a while, I was thinking of attending the market to purchase some." Susanna replies with her mechanical voice as if reading out a list.
"Oh well If it's clothing you are after look no further, my personal tailor will be able to set you up nicely. If you wouldn't mind if I tag along?" Lysia's eyes light up with joy, she takes Susanna under her arm and directs her to the exit. "Dear husband I'm taking a trip to my dressmaker Olivea, you don't mind, do you?" She explains with a mild flirtatious tone gaining the king's attention.
"Yes, dear wife I don't mind, but take some guards with you this time." He responds to her flirtation with sarcasm, gesturing the two soldiers to follow the queen.
"As you wish." Lysia nods to her husband with a cheeky grin, turning to the exit and gesturing for Susanna to accompany her. The two walk next to each other towards the door, and the soldiers follow a few paces behind. They both exit and descend the stairwell to the front garden area, traversing the pathway towards the open gate.
"So how long have you known Orpheus?" Lysia asks with a curious expression, her gaze fixed.
"Not very long." Susanna quickly states shutting down the potential conversation the queen was alluding to.
"Oh, I see." Lysia says softly, almost disappointed.
Witnessing her reaction of a mildly saddened face. Susanna's eyebrows curve ever so slightly, growing concerned. She observes the ever-evolving disappointment streaming from Lysia's expression, causing her to ponder the situation. "I responded too rashly; it is clear she was attempting to strike up a conversation. I think the best course of action is to share something personal to lay the groundwork hmm... I've got it." She thinks about the subject, forming a plan of attack. Gazing at Lysia, she witnesses her pensive expression. "Actually, he saved my life." She states out loud, in order to bring the conversation back.
Lysia turns her gaze to meet hers with fascination in her eyes. "Really, how heroic of him." She replies with a grin. Soon they reach the opened gate with a carriage waiting for them. The carriage is the same one that Susanna and Orpheus had arrived in. It was still waiting patiently just outside. They open the carriage door, leading Lysia and Susanna to step in, seating themselves and shutting the door behind them.
The guards move over behind the carriage, each grabbing the reins of two saddled horses one jet black the other brown. They both seat themselves, guiding their horses to follow the carriage. The sound of a sudden whipping and the carriage thumps into action. Whilst on the move, the pair are seated next to each other. They are situated on the opposite seat to the front of the carriage. Lysia on the right and Susanna on the left are seated quite close to each other.
"So, tell me everything about our little hero." Lysia turns to her with a gleeful expression.
"I should tell her truth with a few details omitted." She thinks to herself as Lysia waits eagerly.
"Before I met Orpheus I was held as a prisoner of a rough band of goblins." Susanna begins explaining her tale with a slight note of sadness in her voice, accompanied by fear of the associated memories.
"Such a terrible fate to be tormented by those savages." Lysia interjects with utter disdain in her voice at the mere mention of the species. "Please go on, unless it is too painful a memory." She further adds while caressing Susanna's right arm.
Susanna's gaze drops to her hand and then back to her, she ponders her next statement. "She is attempting to console me best to show an emotional response." Her thoughts churn, prompting her body to obey. She puts the mask back on, the one she had always leaned on in the past. She nods her head, in an attempt to feign sadness. Doubts flicker in her mind about whether the sadness revealed on the surface is truly a ruse or what she feels deep down.
"It's okay you don't need to tell me." Lysia continues to caress her arm, leaning her body slightly towards hers.
"It's fine such things are in the past, ever since Orpheus defeated them and rescued me, I have been with him since." As she speaks to Lysia, her mind begins to wander to past memories as nostalgia takes hold and whisks her mind to a distinct but brutal memory.
Susanna was seated on the floor clothed in rags, Aria to the left of her and Yvette covered in blood having slain her oppressor. Her gaze is fixed solely on the ground as she trembles in fear. Lifting her head, she hears the consecutive thump of Orpheus stomping forward to the enthralled goblins. Her fear becomes all-consuming as she barely can restrain her trembling. Just as her fear reaches its peak, she witnesses Orpheus draws his blade. Readying the weapon to strike the two stationary men held by his magic.
His sword rises above his head, the goblins are unable to even move. Her eyes widen ever larger at the sheer glee she sees in his eyes. That was the face of someone with power. Someone who no longer has anything to fear. How did he get there, what did he have to sacrifice to obtain such ferocity? More importantly, what does she need to do to obtain the same?
The sword propels and twirls in the air straight for the goblin's neck. Departing each of them from their shoulders one after the other. As their severed heads descend to the ground her fear exhausts like a fire, lacking oxygen and leaving nothing but an exalted feeling. Seeing the blood dripping from his blade and the fire in his eyes. Her fear and isolated thoughts vanish into nothingness leaving a voided heart no longer trembling.
The fear she had was gone, now replaced with a cold gaze and a sharp mind witnessing the utter destruction of her own pain made manifest. The sight was odd, there was no worship of her saviour nor gratitude for his efforts. She could see how her life was a minor thing, allowed only because someone else allowed it to be. So, at that moment she chose to harden her heart and not let any weakness show.
"We're here!" A voice rings out from the front of the carriage, and it abruptly stops.
"Here we are Susie, can I call you Susie?" Lysia asks with a slight grin.
"Sure... But don't tell Orpheus." She replied with a mischievous grin, shrugging away the memories of the past.
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"Deal, now come on I have got so many dresses for you to try." She says with a high note of glee in her voice.
Lysia and Susanna exit just as the two guards descend from their horses. They position themselves next to the carriage, offering their hands in assistance. They both accept the chivalry and each grasps their hands, stepping down onto the street. Moving a few paces forward they are greeted by a small shop with a blue door. To the right side is a window revealing the interior. They both walk to the door, and one of the guards opens it for them, gesturing them inside.
The interior is a small shop with a dressing room on the right side, next to a desk. The desk is occupied by a man dressed in a dark blue doublet with a standing collar and matching hose. He is roughly five and a half feet tall, with dark short hair and green eyes. He stands just behind the desk, patiently waiting, his hands cupped together.
"Ah, your highness it is truly a magnificent day to be graced by your presence." The man flamboyantly raises both his hands, his words are refined, and his tone is higher and more exaggerated.
"Oh, Olivea, stop it you will make me blush." Lysia states, her hands crossed each other pressing against her chest. An exaggerated gesture of embarrassment.
"I truly apologise your highness, but such command I simply cannot obey, as that complexion does wonders for those rosy cheeks of yours." Olivea replies, travelling from the desk and making his way towards them.
"Oh, Olivea you're such a flirt." Lysia replies with a slight smile, gaze dropping down and then back up. Susanna witnessing this simply stands there with little to no reaction. Only a curious expression at the current view.
Olivea reaches Lysia and they enter into a close embrace, kissing both cheeks, a quick and affectionate greeting. "I have missed you my dear, may I ask who is the fetching creature at your side?" His gaze turns to Susanna, only for a single moment before returning to Lysia.
"This is a friend of mine; she is in need of your assistance." Lysia states just as Susanna cuts in towards the end.
"Actually, I just need some clothes... Maybe a few dresses and..." Interjecting, she lists her modest needs.
Olivea moves swiftly towards her, takes up her left hand and begins to speak. "Do not worry about such things milady, Olivea will provide all that you need." He says with absolute confidence in his eyes. His posture exudes a gentle, yet insisting presence that is difficult for Susanna to turn down. In the end, she nods anxiously. "Very well let us begin. Come with me." Olivea takes her by the hand and guides her to the dressing room. Opening the curtains, he gently pulls her towards a large mirror.
Lysia seats herself on a small chair just next to the exit. Crossing her legs and watching curiously with a grin.
"Please step forward my dear. Wait there for a moment while I return with some samples." Guiding his customer to the staging area, he then swiftly glides to the back room.
Susanna steps forward right in front of the mirror. "What am I doing here I don't need any custom clothing?" She states, peering into the reflection, noticing Lysia seated behind her.
"Of course, you do Susie, trust me the moment you see yourself in that dress. You will understand." Lysia explains with a gleeful smile, switching her crossed legs from left to right.
"If you say so." Susanna begrudgingly replies.
Olivea finally emerges from his backroom with a few different pieces of fabric layered on top of each other. He moves swiftly to Susanna’s side and places one of them on her shoulder. The fabric rests neatly to test whether it fits her appearance. "How does this look?" He queries.
The piece of cloth draped over her is light blue. He muses on the colour before flashing a dissatisfied expression and quickly taking it off. Replacing it with a piece of lavender fabric. The sight gives him a smile, his right-hand touching his chin. He puckers his lips from side to side and then removes the cloth. "No these do not reflect your immaculate beauty." Olivea announces in a soft tone. She looks down at him, thoroughly confused. He then flicks up his last piece of fabric, draping it over her shoulder. It is a dark hibiscus made entirely of silk.
He stares at her reflection witnessing a perfect blend of colour, directly matching her aura and presence. Witnessing the artistic beauty, a wide smile breaks out. "Perfect, don't you think so my dear?" He asks expecting praise for his selection.
Susanna looks down at the fabric, caressing it with her left hand. "It's nice." She says with an air of indifference concealing her joy at the vision of wearing such a beautiful dress. Soon a thought occurs and she quickly queries the man. “Your accent, it is unfamiliar to me, from where in the kingdom do you hail?” Glancing curiously, her mind continues to sort through many accents she has heard over the years.
The moment those words were up in the air. They spurned both the queen and the tailor to chuckle. Confused, Susanna eyed them anxiously, keeping her apathetic expression. Soon the joyful chuckling ended before someone spoke.
Olivea chimed in, shaking his head to calm himself. “I am sorry my darling, I had never been mistaken for a Theavalian before.” Pointing to himself, he over-emphasises his foreign accent. “I am from Valintiya my dear girl, I hail from a humble port town in the north called Haran.” His words exude pride and a certain nationalistic zeal.
Susanna shares a glance with the queen, who nods with a smile. Turning back to the foreigner, she queries him more intently. “Valintiya, I have heard many tales from such a land, is it true it was founded by pirates?” Asking her question, a slight note of glee broke through her apathy.
Olivea snorted in response, quickly reclaiming his dignified posture. “My dear girl, of course not. Our esteemed founder was branded a pirate yes, but she was a rebel first.” His eyes turned glassy as he recounts a tale in his head. “Lady Amarisa was a great sailor and self-proclaimed queen of the parting gulf, the very same that separates our two nations.” He pauses for a moment as if for effect. “It is said she won the heart of Yaldir, God of the seas and patron to sailors. With his patronage did she lead many refugees across the gulf to new lands.” The pride in his voice wavered a moment as if he just realised where he was. "Well, ah yes. Now my dear would you allow me to take your measurements?" He quickly changes the subject.
"Sure." Susanna replies with a smile, casting a glance at Lysia.
Olivea walks around behind his desk, picks up a measuring tape from a cupboard and returns to Susanna. "Arm up please." He directs the measuring tape near the right arm. She complies and raises her arm. Draping the tape across, he presses his thumb. "Thirty and three quarters." He moves the tape down to her waist and wraps it around her with practised ease.
The tape constricts, causing her to breathe heavily as a wave of fear washes over her. Pressing his thumb around her waist, she recalls troubling memories of a dark past. The experience of being measured transforms into tugging and compressing hands. Constricting her body in a brutish fashion, the experience changes suddenly as more horrific memories begin to surface.
"Twenty-eight and a half." The voice rings in her ears as he moves his hands away reducing the fear just before quickly returning. She raises her head to gaze at the roof desperately keeping her composure. Her heart beats faster as Olivea moves to her hips, once again wrapping the tape around her. "Thirty-eight and a half." He says out loud, she gulps at his proximity. He continues further upwards towards her chest and wraps the tape around her one last time. "And lastly thirty-six." Susanna's composure crumbles leading to hyperventilating. Soon enough he removes the measuring tape. Once free she quickly turns, and walks towards the door, opening and exiting with one swift motion.
As she leaves, Lysia stands up, startled by the suddenness. "Susie, what's wrong?" She asks, worried for her.
She doesn't answer before exiting, she turns left. The guards look with confusion, their gazes track her movements. As she passes down the street, she moves further and further away. Lysia exits and turns left, seeing a bustling street with many carriages and people traversing.
Down the side street, she spots Susanna desperately moving away, her left hand scraping a wall for support. "Susie where are you going?" She yells, her new friend moving further away.
"I just need some air, don't worry." She spits out, adjusting her stance, moving her right hand to support herself. Waving to them with her left to signify she is fine. She was waiting for a moment before continuing on as Lysia gestured for her soldiers to stand by.
She calms her breathing, hearing a voice call out to her. "Milady, are you alright?" The voice asks, with an uneven tone of sincerity.
She turns her head noticing a bedraggled man wearing a dirty tunic and hood covering his face. "I'm fine you needn't worry." She replies as the stranger flashes a slight smile from under his hood.
His right hand draws closer to her back as if to comfort her. "Truth, is I don't care." The stranger corrects with a malevolent smile. Quickly he pulls the pouch of gold tied to her side, sprinting away. Making hast down the street, gold in hand. Susanna pulled from her fear follows close behind running as fast as she can without thought.
They both set out on a fast-paced race as Lysia spots the commotion and gestures for her guards to follow. "Guards seize him!" The guards follow without question, slightly slower as their plate armour clanks with their shuffling movement.
Just as the thief reaches an alleyway, he pushes a female bystander to the ground. His forceful act injures her before sprinting down the alley. Susanna witnesses this, and quickly contemplates what to do but ultimately aids the woman by reflex. She stretches her hand out and lifts her up, seeing no injuries. She reassures the women's safety before turning down the alley and making haste.
Came upon a filthy alley just a few meters wide and in between two stone buildings. On the left side is a number of random barrels. Towards the end of the alley is another street. Cautiously she treads, feeling uneasy upon his sudden disappearance. Walking past the midway point, the thief suddenly jumps out from behind the barrels. Knife in his right hand, he slashes her furiously.
Unable to react in time she sustains a deep cut on her face. A moderate amount of blood spouts from the wound. By instinct, she presses her right hand against it. Stepping back, he pounces once more. Just as he brings his knife to bear, she lunges, fuelled by wrath and pain.
Grabbing his wrist, she guides the knife away from her body. Leaning into a sloppy punch with her right fist. Despite the uncoordinated strike, the blow drew a small amount of blood from his nose.
She is eventually pushed back, pressing his foot against her right thigh, forcing her away. "You bitch!" Hey roars as she falls back clutching her face. He lifts himself up and raises his knife.
Soon the guards arrive brandishing their swords. "You there, submit yourself or be cut down in the name of his majesty!" One of the soldiers' bellows, his blade glistens in the sunlight ready to pierce the villain's heart.
The thief realising, he is outmatched, flees with great haste down the alleyway. One of the soldiers gives chase and the other is accompanied by Lysia.
"We need a healer, you bring one, anyone, to me at once!" She commands the soldier to do her bidding, he leaves without question. "It's going to be fine." Lysia reassures as she helps her compress the wound. Seeing as the blood seeps through her fingers. She tears a piece of cloth from the bottom of her dress. Wrapping the cloth around her hand she places it on her wound.
Susanna stares with a blank expression as if no pain exists, she ponders a singular thought. "I should have kicked him in the balls.”