Sun and Emily spent much of the afternoon discussing their new project. There was a lot to work out, and of course, it all depended on whether or not Sun could find the money. She hadn't paid too much attention to the Illusen finances beyond making sure the staff were paid and had everything they needed to do their jobs.
Then there was the fact they would have to do this in secret; it couldn't become common knowledge, and those on the receiving end would need to have it made clear to them they couldn't share this information with anyone.
And neither the Illusens nor the Intrieris could take any kind of credit for this—which, though it didn't deter Emily, did disappoint her. The wealthy liked to laud their good deeds for all to see in an attempt to draw praise and favour. It was also a way for them to flaunt their wealth—look how much we have to spare!
At least Emily had been blunt about explaining it because Sun never would have understood it. It seemed so ridiculous to her, but it was apparently the norm to everyone else in this world.
When she was returned to the Illusen manor, she was practically dragged straight into the chair for Mika to start working on her in preparation for tonight.
Emily was still excited for the event, her first official night in the King's court. She'd gushed about the dress she would be wearing and how she wanted her hair. When she asked Sun questions about her own dress, Sun had drawn a blank and admitted she had no idea what she was wearing. Her handmaid picked out all her dresses and styled her. She knew better than Sun about that stuff.
Emily had been positively aghast at Sun's less-than-enthusiastic attitude about the event, but at least it hadn't come with a side of judgement. She seemed to take it as one of Sun's quirks, as if Sun was the quirky one.
All in all, though, it had been a productive afternoon, and she liked the idea of doing something to help the people in the slums that needed it. When she had met those kids the other day and caught up with Elyra - she was a whore now! Couldn't say Sun didn't see that coming, but it had still been a shock—she'd learnt that things were getting worse out there. There was even less to go around now than there had been when Sun had lived there.
Mika asked Sun questions about her afternoon and how she got along with Emily. Apparently Kalys was pleased Sun would make friends with someone of the same station—that Emily might be a good influence on her. Sun could only roll her eyes at that.
When the sun started to set, Mika finally finished with her, having her stand up to get a look at herself in the full-length mirror. Sun had seen the dress when she'd put it on and had been a little uncomfortable in it. It was gorgeous and shimmered when she moved, layered in shades of blue, some so dark they were almost black, crushed gems sewn into the bodice, more dangling on short delicate chains from the off-the-shoulder straps on her arms. It just seemed so... big. Lots of layers. It was by far the most intricate dress she'd been put in and lower cut than she was accustomed to. She had cleavage! She hadn't been overly fond of the way Mika had had to adjust her breasts to get them to sit right in the dress, but it certainly did the trick. And that was the source of her discomfort; she wasn't accustomed to so much of her being on display. It wasn't as revealing as what she'd seen whores in a brothel wear, but still...
Her makeup was darker and more bold than she usually had as well, and though most of her hair was down, it was scattered with braids and accessories throughout. She looked like a princess, but there was still something... unrefined about her. There always had been, and Sun was relieved Mika wasn't trying to hide it. If she could, Sun would march into that ballroom with her swords on her back and her feet bare.
Her arm was still in its cast, but Mika had taken away the sling and decorated her cast, painting it blue and accessorising it to match her dress. It was still obviously a cast, but a lot less noticeably so. Aside from the cast, it was the first time she thought she looked beautiful. Uncomfortable, but beautiful.
Mika pronounced her finished, and as per the norm, her brother collected her from her room. When he saw her in the doorway, his eyes shot to Mika for a moment.
"Perhaps a shawl would go nicely," it sounded less like a suggestion and more like an order.
"She doesn't have one, my Lord," Mika replied.
Sun noticed a very subtle shift in Kalys's jaw, but he offered his arm for her to take and led her away.
"You don't like the way I look?" She asked softly, maybe even with a little disappointment.
"You're perfect, Sun," he replied, just as softly but without even casting a glance her way.
There had been... something in his tone that shot straight to her core and sent a thrill up her spine. She'd never heard that tone from him before. But when she looked at his face, he was as implacable as ever. Had she misheard? Heard what she wanted to hear? And she was well aware she shouldn't want to hear that from him, but the desire was there all the same.
Seeing him in her doorway had nearly frozen her, her mouth going dry. This must have been a special occasion because he looked even more flawless than usual. He'd even tied his hair, half of it up, wisps falling and framing his face.
She really needed to do something about this; suppressing it might have just been making it worse. Of course, she would never act on it. Distance. Distance would help. Once she became a Revenant and chose her division, she might be able to get herself stationed elsewhere for long periods of time.
The thought didn't bring her as much comfort as it used to.
-
Kalys sat in the carriage with Sun alone. Their grandfather would be joining them there, with last-minute affairs to attend to. He hadn't explained what they might have been. Jinn could be an intensely private person, a trait Kalys had picked up from him.
He would just be glad when this was over and they could return to Kolver. He imagined the pile of paperwork that would be waiting for him with a growing pit of dread in his stomach. As reliable as his lieutenant was, he couldn't handle everything; much of it required a Commander's authorisation.
Being back in the capital, being back at court, reminded him how out of touch it tended to be. The situation to the North seemed more like an afterthought and had barely been mentioned despite the deterioration. It was difficult to get up-to-date information on it here, but Reeves was sending what he could when he had it, and Kalys was having his men start preparing for mobilisation. He could see them needing to head north shortly after his return, if not immediately upon it.
Which meant Sun would be at the manor alone. Mika would be there, of course, but he would ask his grandfather to stay with her as well. In his absence, she would need to pick up more of his own duties for their family affairs. Jinn would be able to help her with that. And keep an eye on her; help keep her safe.
Bringing her to court hadn't been his first choice, but he could not avoid it forever. He believed enough time had passed since she'd been acknowledged and accepted into the family that she would hardly be a source of gossip anymore. He had been wrong. A shock to his system, he so rarely was. Since he'd been here, everyone he came across seemed to have an opinion on his actions. Some were more vocal about it than others. Some of the more disapproving people had then offered marriage proposals in the same breath, for themselves or on behalf of family members. As if her being baseborn meant he would lower her value enough to match her with some bratty lordling who couldn't buckle his own coat without a maid. Or with anyone who thought so lowly of her for the circumstances of her birth.
His gaze drifted across the carriage to where she sat, looking out the window but clearly lost in thought. She did look stunning, carrying herself with a dignity that belied the years she'd spent living in survival mode. His fingers itched to unlace her dress, let it slide down her body—
"How was your afternoon with Lady Intrieri?" He asked her, half from curiosity and half to force his thoughts from the path they had taken.
"Interesting," she replied, her brow furrowing just a bit.
This was a friendship he wanted to encourage. The girl was a credit to her family, and she could be a guiding influence for Sun.
"We plan to keep in touch once we return to Kolver. When will that be?"
"Tomorrow afternoon."
"Before we go, can I go back to the slums, to the clearing?"
Kalys nodded, fully intending to join her for that. Even in broad daylight he would not be sending her out there alone.
"And this thing we're going to, it'll be like Emily's birthday?"
"For the most part. We will be announced as we enter; we'll circulate as we did last night. Some time after that, the women of the season will be introduced, marking their entry into the marriage market."
Sun cringed. "Ew, is that what it's called?"
"Unofficially," he replied, faint amusement colouring his tone.
The whole spectacle was something he found distasteful as well. It was one of the reasons he had decided against Sun going through the process. As well as the fact she was in no way ready for marriage. While other girls her age or younger went through it, they had been raised to do so and grew up knowing it was coming. He knew enough about Sun to know she would fight a marriage she did not want despite whatever benefits may come with it.
He was aware he had not seen the spiteful depths she was capable of, merely caught glimpses at times. Strangely enough, it was one of the things he had come to like about her.
"Please don't ever do that to me," she said, her eyes boring into his.
He wouldn't dare. "You have my word."
She still looked worried, and it... stung that she didn't entirely trust him at his word just yet. Much like their grandfather, her opinion of him had come to matter. He realised the mistakes he'd made in the beginning of their acquaintance and was trying to give her a bit more latitude now to make up for it.
"Do you enjoy these events?" She asked, leaning her head back against the seat.
"At times they can provide useful opportunities."
"Like bride selecting?" She asked snidely.
"Like catching up with contacts, meeting new ones, and expanding our field of influence. We are a wealthy, powerful house, Sun, but should I grow lax, it may not always be so. I'll not be the Illusen that leads our house to ruin."
"People already think you have, though," she pointed out, gesturing dramatically to herself.
"If our house can be brought down by one girl, then it was built on a house of cards and deserved to fall."
She seemed surprised to hear him say that. He was right, though, but he was also well aware that would never happen. His direct ancestors had raised capable clan heads who knew to put their duty to their family before all things. They did not give in to their vices, if they had any in the first place. Nor did they give in to their greed or ambition. They were methodical and calculating and acted with honour in all things. They did not possess the same endearing quality as the Intrieri's, that geniality that made them instantly likeable. Each house had their predominant qualities with which they were known, and the Illusens was their honour.
Sun looked as if she were about to say something, but her attention was drawn to the window. They were arriving at the palace. Kalys had been here often enough that the novelty had worn off, if it had ever existed to begin with. They passed through the ornate gates and rode to the palace ahead, lit up against the darkening sky. The path was lined with manicured gardens, every leaf and bloom perfect. Beyond the courtyard, the main palace building stretched across multiple wings, each adorned with towering pillars and intricate balconies. Kalys knew the grandeur continued inside the vast halls, a symbol of authority, culture, and heritage, embodying centuries of history and the enduring legacy of the royal family.
"Why does it need to be so big?" Sun asked softly.
"It does house most of the royal family, plenty of staff, and it also provides housing for heads of state when they're in the city, and royal guests, diplomats, and ambassadors from other nations. Division One barracks are also here, as well as their offices and training grounds."
Kalys scrutinised her at the mention of the First Division. The Revenants that had dragged her from the slums had been from the First. He'd read in her records that she had tried to fight them, keen to get back to the slums, or perhaps fearing punishment for the accidental mass murder she'd committed.
Any feelings she had on the First were carefully hidden or just plain absent; she barely seemed to register his words.
Their carriage stopped outside of the stairs leading inside, a coachman opening the door for them.
"Are you ready, Sun?" He offered his hand.
"Does it matter?" She replied, sliding her much smaller one into his own.