Chapter Twenty-Three

Harmony had never been to Lady Coodly's Naewauld manor. Underdeveloped as a staff member for the task, and with the matriarch mostly staying in Hazeldown to shepherd Tyler’s Growth, the choice to expand her contract to allow her to work in both locations hadn't been a priority. With the consideration of taking over as the woman’s personal maid, she knew that would have changed. In another life, where she hadn’t caught the dungeon’s attention or been elevated to a lady, this is where she’d be serving. It was very pretty.

In a city known for overgrown plants and bushes that defied logic, the grounds had a healthy, manicured organization to them. The Hazeldown estate had a similar taste but the opposite problem, as it was difficult to grow healthy-looking plants and deal with pests like gnomes and spiders that plagued the area. This is a testament to the skilled staff the matriarch hired.

Tyler still had control over the staff uniforms though. The maids were all nearly falling out of their fabric-deficient outfits. Not that they didn’t fit, often too tight in some places. Plenty of memories of Harmony’s own struggles surfaced watching them. A full contingent of staff stood proudly along the walkway to the entrance. By her count, many of them were off shift, or even should be on their day off. So many familiar faces. Many of the smiles were genuine, and unsupported by skills.

Never did get to say a proper goodbye to many of them. Harmony wrote letters, but it’s not the same as doing it face to face. Such was the chaos after the drama at the Colosseum, and the stress of her burdens. Fel’s eyes twinkled. Yorick had grown a couple inches. Stu put on more weight. She ached to break protocol and give hugs, ask how things were going, and for a tour of all the best spots to slack off at. But that would have spooked her new bodyguards, and been insulting to the host and her friend's efforts. It was a surreal homecoming to a place that wasn’t quite home.

Astel stood at the door in a suit. A major uniform change from her time as Lady Coodly’s personal maid. Her previously slightly sour demeanor was replaced by a strong confident satisfaction. Harmony knew that sourness was mostly because Astel mistakenly thought she’d been actively trying to replace the maid. The former personal maid swung the large door open with ease. “Welcome to Coodly Manor Naewauld.” The greeting, the act, and the presentation were all very familiar. It looked like they had found Bates' replacement to manage the staff.

“An honor,” Harmony responded as the voice of her ensemble. Ambrosia quietly walked by her side. Bodyguards similarly tried to act absent.

She’d considered bringing Prince Adric, but he hadn’t been listed on the invitation. Nor was there any subtle hint she should bring her “pet”. Hyacinth would have been welcome as a guest’s familiar, but he was sleeping deeply as he was far too prone to do. The level had been supposed to help. Max also took some of the burden. Why wasn't he better?

Lady Coodly waited inside, a new maid Harmony didn’t recognize assisting her. The matriarch was done up how she loved, a bit ostentatiously. Raspberry hair in a spiral, make-up contrasting pale skin and sparkling blue color under her eyes. Pins however helped hold the hair, and it was stiff with some kind of product supporting the shape and adding color. The make-up was heavy to hide age lines and the shape of her face was not as flatteringly as [Beautician] nudged Harmony that it should be. “Welcome, Lady White. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you as a peer. I must apologize for the short notice.”

With an off-hand Harmony dismissed that apology. “Circumstances have freed me up, and there is no one I’d rather see. You’ve always been good to me.”

Sure she’d gotten assigned many of the worst jobs in the manor. That had more to do with seniority and seeing what she could do with her skills. The truth is they hadn’t needed to hire her at all. Taking a risk on a work contract for a maid who was also a necromancer. Wasn’t even up to Tyler’s aesthetic standards, as she had to grow into that.

There was a spike of relief that the young lord wasn’t here. Not that he usually attended his Grands meetings with guests. He’d probably make an exception for her.

“Kind of you to say so, but I can’t help but feel like it is different with us meeting with equal footing. Come, tea and cake are ready and waiting in the garden.”

Harmony took advantage of the walk to look around. Familiar paintings on the walls showed how much of the household they’d moved here. Time in Hazeldown had been for Lord Tyler’s growth and they’d been there since the young man made his initial choice. The family wasn’t small, but he was the presumptive heir. The manor there probably has been sealed up, waiting for the next time the family needs it.

The garden outside was perfectly shaped and stylized. Not a single weed to be seen. If this wasn’t done in the nearest hours before her visit Harmony would be shocked. Keeping Naewauld’s green under control was a full-time job. Even walking in the more well-to-do districts she’d seen how wild it could get. “Such pristine landscaping.” She blurted out.

“We do have the best gardener.” Lady Coodly beamed with pride.

If only she could have such plant-taming skills for the dungeon. Then she’d…. “After tea, I’d love to meet them if you don’t mind sharing a little. I could use advice on how to tame a garden.”

“No problem at all.” Coodly answered sitting down.

The personal maids poured the tea. Tiny cakes made to look like fruit decorated a serving tray. Harmony took a lemon one. It was a favorite, as she and the rest of the staff had sampled Renee’s “mistakes” when she’d baked this type of thing before.

“How are you adjusting to aristocracy?”

There were lots of answers akin to discussing the weather. And she’d used those in other social situations with people who didn’t know her before the events at the Colosseum. While she’d never fully let walls down as an employee, the old woman was right that their relationship is unique now. She’d seen her a few times after bleeding, dirty, or exhausted from a particularly hard task, even if coincidentally in the Hazeldown manor.

“It’s been hard. Managing the stipend. The unique political situation with my pet. The pressures of it were something I wasn’t fully ready for. And now I have to evolve to keep obligations.”

“I remember when I wished I could have run away. But it never really lets you go, that authority. Even now after old age has caused distance. I heard about the games, but I suspect that isn’t the only pressure you have. Situations like yours are not unique, just rare. I can’t gift you that mark of progress, but I can be a friend.”

“I appreciate that. How has the household been?”

“Besides needing to replace three of my best staff? Astel has stepped into her new role, but finding good maids is hard. I even braved approaching that society group, talking about what you could do with your necromancy and they looked at me like I was crazy. But I’m making do. Tyler has stepped up in a way I’m mostly proud of.”

Harmony's seen the physical changes, more muscle to his frame. The effort to do that would be new. But the rest of it she had her doubts. [Poise and Bearing] hid those doubts. “That’s good for him.”

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“It really is. I’ve been worried he’d lose his noblesse upon evolution. I can’t hold on forever. Now he merely needs the right support to carry on the future of this family.”

Everyone needs the right support. Tyler would need more than others. The Lady has indulged him too much. Not that it would be appropriate to point that out. Exactly how would this be relevant to…. “Oh.” She responded mid-bite. It took effort not to spit out the bite of cake in her mouth.

“I understand your political situation is precarious, but I have decades of experience in that wasp-infested garden.”

“Until I reach the games, politics is the last thing on my mind. As for a guiding hand, as a friend, meeting the requirements to open the games will take all my time and risk. I doubt you need to put any effort into me.” Why do people ignore the possibility of dying when going into a dungeon?

“Oh. I have faith and patience with you. There are ways I can help with all of that. Tyler is sowing his oats anyway.” That was an image Harmony did not want to think about. “As for politics, as much as you want to ignore them, they don’t ignore you. No pressure, this is merely something I want you to consider.”

Bones and bruises, no. This wasn’t a path she could cave in, nor did Harmony want to. The gentlest way is to let time erode the consideration. It was almost a relief to realize she could be dead and this would all be moot. “Clearly we have to see how both our evolutions go. And the Ascendant Games, we mustn't forget about those.”

“Oh to be young, with so many things distracting you from living life. One can’t miss out on love, just because one is busy.”

Gods above and below, old women talking of love. She’d helped serve these kinds of tea parties. They’d never talked of Tyler in their match-making schemes, so she hadn’t realized that was a risk today. This had been so much easier when one was meant to stay a piece of the scenery. It was very hard to not shoot Ambrosia a look.

“The games will be at the peak of summer, Lady Coodly. Everything will be clearer then. I promise not to forget Tyler with all my distractions.” This was definitely an example of politics not ignoring her. Please send something to distract this conversation.

“Hey!” Not that! Tyler’s voice cut through what had been a quiet atmosphere perfect for conversation.

“Move or be moved.” Not her. Jessica’s heated voice came up too.

Both exclamations forced Harmony to look. Two of her gifted bodyguards stood in front of the pair trying to make their way into the meeting. For the second time, she was grateful for their presence, which was why she was regretful about what she had to do next. “It’s okay. I know them.”

Even as the bodyguards parted, Lady Coodly was less enthused about the presence, actually rising from her seat. “This is a private tea party. You and your guest were not invited.”

At least someone else had issues with Jessica.

That still didn’t stop the interlopers, “You’ve never barred me from… “ The rest of his words fell from his mouth as he saw the guest. “Harmony? Why didn’t you tell me?” He demanded of Lady Coodly.

Jessica snaked her arm around Tyler’s waist possessively. “My lord, we clearly have more important tasks to do.”

The old fire user wasn’t in her maid’s uniform. Though the outfit was even more revealing, going with a style that Tyler’s influence could clearly be seen in its selection in the way so much skin was revealed. It also strained Harmony to admit that she wasn’t old anymore. You hear about how evolution changes people in Hazeldown but rarely see it. Considering most accomplish that feat while still in the flush of youth, the change is rarely so dramatic. Only a single streak of gray sat in the former sun priestess’s hair.

“Lady White’s acceptance was on short notice. Surely you’ve heard of The Ascendant Games by now. It's been the talk in all social circles since last night’s break of the news and Harmony barely has a moment to spare even for me. You’ve been busy. And this is still my Manor, where I choose how to entertain my guests.”

“I was celebrating! You could have still sent a servant to rouse me.” Tyler complained petulantly. “I formed my own skill.”

Needing support indeed. This isn’t the time or the place for him to have his complaints with Lady Coodly. This is where the servants would unobtrusively leave to allow for a private conversation. But Harmony was here as a guest, not a servant. It wouldn’t be shocking if Lord Tyler had forgotten that. The mention of ‘barely a moment’ did give an out, but it would be improper to look like she’d been scared away. It wasn’t like she could stride away this time anyway without leaving her dress behind.

“That is a noteworthy achievement, lord Tyler. One you should feel proud of, but the lady is right that my time is short, as I have challenges to face.”

“I can…” The words failed him. It’s not like he could offer to get her through those challenges. Jessica also gave him a berserker charged yank, interrupting him and shifting him into her curves.

Harmony also continued as though he hadn’t spoken. “Lady Coodly, it’s been delightful to see you again. I’ve cherished the space you gave me to develop my skills and profession. May I touch up your appearance for old times sakes before I go?”

The foundation on Lady Coodly’s face had cracked a little in her exchange with Tyler. [Beautician] and the maid aspect of Harmony's profession had been wearing on her in the background since arriving. Habit, experience, and pride that she knew she could do better all called on the Lady Maid.

“If you don’t think that is beneath…”

Harmony waved away that complaint. “I’m still a maid and have a profession to maintain.”

“Of course then.” The old Matriarch answered.

Harmony called upon her magic. The first thing was to get rid of that foundation and make-up. It was all powders and pastes, ground of stone, plant, and other materials designed to smooth out lines and add color. In other words, carefully selected and produced [Dust]. The skill grabbed at those particulates and freed them from her former employer's face. Even as that was pealed off [Manipulate Dead] and [Beautician] were synergizing to smooth her face out using what was naturally there.

It might have only been months since she’d done work on Lady Coodly, but Harmony had gained levels. Maxing out the skills in an attempt to sate the turmoil inside of her. She’d done all the make-up for Songstress and the Flows, with all their dance moves and sweating, and sometimes overactive extracurricular socializing. The necromancer had learned some tricks. Even remembered aspects of what surprised her when she’d gained [Recall] and reflected on turning Sir Maxwell’s hair a persistent pink. While she couldn’t permanently make some changes last, she could now surprise her former employer with how long this one will.

[Renew Spirit] synergized with [Cold Touch] to help lock in a more life-like appearance and add bits of color. Small bits of knowledge gained from preserving the flowers in her new manor inspired more advancement.

Satisfied, Harmony turned to the hair, similarly knocking out all the outside materials added to cover up the aging and damaged hair. [Mend] added to her work there, fixing any frays and scuffs to the hair, working in tandem with [Manipulate Dead]. The new, brighter, healthier-looking color should stay as well, safe from any washings and most time-related fading.

A spiteful part of her wanted to demonstrate that she could make Lady Coodly look younger and healthier than Jessica, but that gave way to honoring her host and using [Recall] to remember all the little details about what she liked about all the previous times harmony had worked on the matriarch.

“I hope this pleases you.” Harmony finished

Lady Coodly touched her face, then looked toward her maid. Barely a few moments later one of the houseboys was there with a mirror for her. The staff probably had someone run for one the moment they saw what was going on. Lady Coodly inspected her face. “Astounding work as always. And thank you for your visit. Jones will show you out.“

The footman gave a short bow.

Yes, it was an odd way to assert dominance over Lord Tyler's interruption. But it satisfied her profession nicely. Standing up, Harmony moved to exit, in her departure she could see the bodyguards move to block Lord Tyler’s view, an unexpected advantage of having them. Being forced out, even unintentionally, was a tad annoying. She had wanted to talk to that gardener. Maybe a future visit if no solution presents itself?