The next day I traveled back to Dwarkaa Capital, to Krishay Estate, and arrived mid-afternoon. Akiko met me in the entrance and assisted me to my bed chamber to help me change.
“Have you forgotten about the ball?” she asked as soon as we entered my room.
“No. Of course not.”
“What took you so long?”
I turned to glare at her. “I had business to attend to. What’s the problem?”
“Daegel sent a messenger this morning requesting you to join him for afternoon tea at his estate and for the two of you to head to the ball from there.”
“Well, I guess that won’t happen now, will it?”
“The messenger was not impressed. He kept asking me where you were.”
“And, did you tell him?”
“Yes. But he didn’t believe me. He insisted that this couldn’t be. Fine ladies don’t go traipsing off like this when they have servants to do their bidding. He demanded that I find you and bring you to the foyer immediately.”
Placing my hands on my hips, I stared at Akiko. “What is wrong with that man?”
“Perhaps we should align more with the rules of the hierarchy, so we draw less attention.”
“I will do what I must as part of this revolution. If I am to meet the leaders, I will meet the leaders and no one will stop me. If I’m called on to travel to Venilia to strategize with this movement then that is what I will do.” Lowering my arms, I asked, “Did Daegel’s servant eventually leave?”
“Yes, but he looked afraid. He insisted that Master Daegel would not be pleased.”
Raising my arms and lowering them, I said, “So what? I am not here to bend and jump to his every request. I already told Daegel that I will lead my own life. If he can’t accept that now, while he is attempting to court me, then I will simply reject him.”
“And abdicate your mission?”
“I’m sure there is another fine man within High Society that would be willing to cover me.”
“But none would be as important or in higher standing than Daegel. He is to be your mission.”
Akiko began to undo my frock’s many buttons at my back. She had already hung an elaborate peach colored gown on the dressing hook beside my mirror. A matching hat sat on a side table, as well as white gloves, leg wrappings, shoes, glittering jewelry and a shawl.
“Let’s hope my so-called beauty and wealth will be enough for him. I refuse to lose every freedom at the expense of becoming his wife. I will not agree to this arrangement otherwise.”
Akiko bit her lip.
“Are you too well fed and losing your resolve? Are you growing soft with this cushy mission?” I asked her.
“No. I am not.”
“Then what is bothering you?”
“A fellow servant of yours is very afraid for this messenger who came.”
“Which of my servants and why?”
“Azubah. I found out that the two are romantically involved. She is terrified that she will never see him again, that Daegel will kill him.”
“What’s his name, this servant of Daegel’s?”
“Osman.”
“I will find out.”
“Be careful, Viveka. Don’t draw attention.”
“I will be discreet.”
When Akiko had helped me dress, she went to summon Azubah. The girl did another amazing job on my tresses and managed to make me look glamorous and stunning. I watched her carefully and thought she looked more worried than usual.
When she finished inserting the last pin, setting the last gem-encrusted comb and attaching the small hat with its fluffy feather, she looked at me and asked, “Do you like it, Lady Tamasa?”
“It is lovely. Thank you Azubah.”
She smiled for the first time and curtsied.
“That will be all. Check to see if Daegel and his carriage have arrived.”
“I will ask the Footman.” Azubah curtsied again and left the room.
As I stood, Akiko reentered and said, “You look fabulous. Daegel will be impressed along with all the other men at the ball. How will you keep them all at bay?”
“I don’t know,” I said, standing before the mirror to study my reflection. “I am more concerned about gaining the trust of the women I will meet. I hear they are a difficult breed to endear to oneself.”
“I’ve heard they are rather snobbish, especially to a new comer.”
“Then I will need to work extra hard to gain their friendship.”
“How do you plan to do that?”
“I will flatter them endlessly. That should help puff up their already overly inflated images of themselves. Vanora tells me that it is the quickest way to gain the acceptance among the High Society women. They are habitually vain and their egos have an overbearing need to be constantly stroked in praise.”
“It sounds laborious and dull.”
“Just be glad you will not be in attendance.”
Akiko smiled. “I’ll be in my room, sharpening my weapons.”
“I wish I could join you.”
“Not in that frippery gown. Now it’s time you get going. Daegel is waiting.”
I stared at her, “His carriage has arrived?”
“Yes. His Coachman came to the door some time ago.”
Taking one more look at my image, I grabbed the shawl, placed it over my shoulders and left my room.
My Footman bowed low as I approached the foyer, straightened and opened the door for me. Daegel’s carriage was elaborate. His Coachman bowed, opened the carriage door for me and prepared to assist me. I was surprised that Daegel had not disembarked to great me personally.
With the Coachman’s help into the carriage, I took a seat opposite Daegel and nodded. He looked somewhat stiff and cold.
“Hello Daegel. It’s nice to see you again.”
The carriage jerked slightly as we began our journey toward the Grand Ball Room.
“Hello,” Daegel said with a grimace. “I had hoped to be graced with your company this afternoon.”
“Yes. I was told of this. I was away on some business.”
“Something your servants could not have looked after?”
“I wanted to deal with it personally.”
“When you become my coverling, these jaunts will end.” His eyes blazed with warning.
I pondered this before responding. “So I take it that you are no longer interested in covering me.” I knocked loudly on the side of the carriage and it came to a gradual stop.
“What are you doing?” Daegel looked angry. Pounding the side of the carriage with a fist, he said, “Answer me!”
I ignored him and waited. The Coachman took some time but soon the door opened and he asked. “Yes, what is it?”
“Take me back home. I am no longer accompanying Daegel to the ball.”
“No!” Daegel shouted. “Lady Tamasa is joining me.” Daegel looked extremely agitated and asked, “What do you mean by this?”
“I will not consider being your coverling under these circumstances. You are showing your hand very early in this relationship and from what I have seen so far, I am not interested in becoming your wife.”
Daegel used great restraint in curbing his volatile feelings. Breathing in deep gulps, his chest rising and falling with the effort, he finally said, “I’m sorry. I should not have responded with anger. Please, stay and accompany me to the ball. I insist.”
“I’ll agree only if you promise to behave yourself. Having you erupt in fury is not my idea of a good evening.”
“I promise. I will be the perfect gentleman.”
I looked at the Coachman and nodded. He closed the door and we continued the trip to the Grand Ball Room. Although our words to each other were few and clipped, Daegel did not voice another word of frustration.
When the carriage stopped and we exited, I was awestruck at the lavishly decorated building before us. The entire white-washed face of it was lit up by innumerable torches and lantern lit posts situated all along the front.
Daegel stood at my side and said, “It is a splendid venue for grand functions. This, your first view of it, has rendered you speechless.”
I wanted to say his anger had rendered me speechless but I pushed down the urge and nodded. “Yes, it is remarkable.”
Taking my elbow, Daegel led me up the steps and through the large double doors. The entrance was grand and awe inspiring, with lighted fixtures hung from the ceiling, all ablaze with hundreds of candles. The walls were white-washed so that they shone and the finest woods were used for embellishments. I even saw some precious metals used as building material in various places which caused the whole space to appear garish and ostentatious. The lavishness of the space was so beyond my upbringing that I found it glaring and pretentious.
The room was filled with the hierarchy of Dwarkaa Capital. I stopped on the landing before the elaborate stairway leading down to the ball room floor. The women’s colorful gowns appeared like a flower garden in motion and I watched as the wealthy and glamorous milled about. The drone and echo of thousands of voices overwhelmed me for a moment.
Daegel pulled at my elbow, encouraging me to move. I allowed him to assist me down the stairway and, when we reached the floor, he immediately began to introduce me to those of the highest ranks. The lower ranked men and their women he completely ignored.
I noticed how the women all gave me a thorough examining, from head to foot, as Daegel led me from couple to couple. Never giving them the satisfaction of knowing I saw their looks, I kept track of their scrutiny in my peripheral vision. These women were a tough bunch but nothing that intimidated me. I knew the art of manipulation well.
Taking note of the names of the most influential women, I determined to seek them out and speak with them later. After all the introductions were said, Daegel excused himself and went to get us glasses of mead. Returning, he handed me one and led me to a fine looking couple who were just entering.
Daegel bowed slightly and said, “Grand Admiral Strutz, it’s so good to see you again. And this must be your lovely wife, Mitza.”
She smiled provocatively and lifted a gloved hand. Daegel took it and lifted it to his lips. “As lovely a specimen as I expected for a mighty man like Grand Admiral Strutz.”
“You flatter me,” Mitza said as she studied Daegel from head to toe.
Grand Admiral Strutz said, “Thank you. I must agree with you. My new wife is a great upgrade indeed.” His eyes drifted toward me and he seemed taken aback. “And who is this delightful creature?”
Daegel placed his hand on my elbow and said, “This is Lady Tamasa, the new owner of Krishay Estate, with all its property and wealth. As you can see, she is a prize in every way imaginable.”
“Yes, I do see that.”
His eyes roamed too freely for my liking but I stayed gracious, gave a slight curtsy and smiled in respect.
The admiral turned to Daegel and said, “It seems like you were the winner of the suitors lined up for Lady Tamasa’s hand.” Looking back at me, his eyes struggling to lift from my ample cleavage, said “I was told that the new heiress of Krishay Manor was a great beauty and the tales I was told clearly didn’t tell the half of it. You are truly a stunning masterpiece, Lady Tamasa.”
Mitza didn’t look impressed. She moved her weight from one foot to the other and cleared her throat obsessively.
I curtsied, lowered my eyes and lifted them to meet the Admiral’s. “But I don’t compare to the magnificent flower you have managed to pick from the vast fields of eligible maidens. Mitza certainly puts all of the women in this grand facility to shame. Her beauty outshines us all by far.”
Mitza stopped fidgeting and stared at me, a slow smile spreading across her face. “You are too kind, Tamasa. I must say that your beauty is comparable.”
I gave her a slight nod and quietly congratulated myself for my quick response and ability to deflect the women’s antagonism. I’d surely gained a friend.
Word must have spread that the heiress of Krishay Manor was in attendance and I was soon surrounded by some very powerful men, those of Casimer’s Inner Circle, his advisors. They introduced themselves and all expressed deep condolences on the death of my uncle and what a fine man he was. Their coverlings, six in total, were gathered in a cluster further back but they all turned and watched as their husband’s surrounded me.
I nodded graciously and thanked the men for their kind words. Their names were indelibly imprinted on my memory, Chardy, Furud, Kevalan, Monar, Xion and Omere; six men who were the closest to that despot, Casimer. Omere was the newest member, the man who replaced my uncle, Krishay. These men were reputed to be just as vile, cruel and power hungry as the god of this world. Although temptation seized me to remove my weapons and make a quick end to their miserable lives, I restrained myself and instead gave them a coquettish smile and placed a hand to my buxom bosom.
All six seemed flustered at my movements and slowly excused themselves and headed to the drink table. I glanced at the women still studying me. The women of the six men curtsied slightly and smiled stiffly. They didn’t look fascinated in the least.
Daegel looked down at me and said, “You did well. You seem quite capable of twisting the most powerful around your pinky and playing them like a fine tuned instrument. How do you do this so easily?”
Looking up at him, I gave a small shrug and said, “I don’t know what you mean. I am simply being the gracious woman I always am.”
“Your charms far surpass my initial observation.” He looked a little worried. “Do try to behave yourself. I feel that I will have some competition tonight. I have no desire to lose my prize when I am still attempting to secure it.”
“Don’t worry so, Daegel. You are the finest specimen I have encountered till this point.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.” He lifted his eyes to the young men of power scattered about the room whose gazes were glued in our direction, on me specifically. “I would like to speak to a few of my colleagues before the dinner begins. Will you be okay on your own for a short while?”
“Of course.” I’d been longing for him to leave my side so that I could work the room to my advantage. I watched him wander off to speak to some of the important players of Casimer’s regime.
Releasing a sigh of relief, I walked toward the six powerful women in deep conversation. Before I reached them, a man stepped in front of me and bowed.
“Good evening. May I?” he asked as he held out a hand.
I lifted my gloved hand for him to place a light kiss on it.
“My name is Struble. I have heard of your entrance into Dwarkaa’s High Society. I feel so privileged to be one of the first to welcome you here.”
“Thank you. Dwarkaa City is quite impressive and I am finding it warm and inviting.”
“Someone with such great beauty would always be welcomed in hearty fashion.”
“Especially by the eligible males?” I asked.
“Especially,” he grinned broadly. “Tell me, would I have any chance at pursuing such a rare treasure.”
“That all depends on your rank and position.”
“Oh yes, of course. You are a very wealthy and important woman. I don’t think I truly stand a chance but if you are interested, please let me know. I will be there at your side in a moment’s notice.”
I nodded and extricated myself from his presence and continued my trajectory to the women. Before I reached them, another man stepped toward me and bowed. Groaning inwardly, I nodded politely and said, “Yes?”
“My, you are like the jewels of Takara, rare and priceless indeed. What an exquisite beauty you are.”
“Thank you.” I felt impatient to be done with all this frippery praise and incessant commendations.
After allowing him to raise my hand and kiss it, he said, “My name is Ragmag. I work directly for Casimer on his Royal Grounds.” He smiled wide as though I’d be impressed.
“How wonderful for you.” I felt immediate interest, but only in his position, although I hid it well. Knowing that he was so close to the inner workings of Casimer’s Kingdom, I was tempted to pick his brain, regardless of how unattractive or repulsive he appeared to be.
