Page 24 of A Crown Without Mercy

Mira leaned against the back of the tub and looked out the window. “What are you looking at, milady?”

“Nothing, dear. I can hear the wagons coming down the road. I think it’s time to get you out of the tub and dressed.”

“Okay,” Mira replied.

“Ema?” Enatta called.

Ema opened the door and walked in. “Milady?”

“It is time for Mira to dress.”

“Yes, milady.” She motioned toward the door and another chamber maid walked in.

Ema picked up a large cotton towel off the bureau and the two of them walked to the edge of the tub and held the towel open so Mira could discretely stand up. They wrapped the towel around her body and helped her step out of the high tub. Mira stood on the black, bearskin rug and turned to Enatta. “Did you like my butterfly?”

“Very much so,” she said, before ushering the girls out of the room. “I’ll dress Mira myself.”

“Yes, milady,” they replied.

“Mira, what you did was incredible, and I agree. We should never speak of this to anyone, not even Laurent.”

“He knows. I’ve shown him already,” she replied bluntly.

If she is indeed a purebred Ascelin and I play my cards right where she and Laurent are concerned—I will rule the court.Enatta stood statuesque, trying to figure out her next move as well as what to say. Instead of speaking, she walked over to the bed and held up Mira’s dress. “What do you think, darling?”

“Oh, it is beautiful,” Mira exclaimed.

“How would you feel if I called you Miriam rather than Mira?”

“It’s fine, but why?”

“Mira is a child’s name, and you are a young lady now.”

“Okay. I like it better than Mira as well.”

“Enough said, Miriam it is.”

Sylvana and Calista sat at the edge of the pond with their backs against a tree after another long day. “It’s going to be dark in a few hours. We should fetch Mira,” Sylvana suggested.

Calista stood and wiped the dirt from her butt. “Well, let’s go. Hopefully, Mira won’t put up much of a fight with us both there.”

Sylvana chuckled and rolled her eyes; they mounted their mares and headed down the dirt path and it was not long before they crossed the green pastures surrounding the large estate of the Marques.

They tied their horses to one of the barn railings and as they walked up the stone path toward the expansive door; they had to weave their way through a large crowd, all of whom were busy cleaning, hanging lanterns, setting up torches, and designing enormous bouquets of flowers. Sylvana lifted the large brass ring and knocked it against the heavy, ornate door twice. “It’s busy, she must be having another party,”

“Obviously. She loves nothing more than to flaunt their wealth,” Calista replied.

The door opened and a well-dressed lady stood before them. “Miladies,” she replied.

“We’re here for Mira,” Calista stated.

“I’ll fetch the lady of the manor for you,” she stated as she shut the door.

“What a warm welcome.” Sylvana chuckled.

The door opened again, and Enatta’s cold eyes greeted them and she looked at them as if they were no better than serfs. “What can I do for you?”

“We’ve come for Mira, milady,” Calista said.

---