Page 39 of A Crown Without Mercy

“Thank you, and it was a pleasure to meet you as well.”

The sound of the large doors closing behind her felt as if they had encased her within a coffin of lies and deceit.

Kieran picked up a goblet, wrapped her arm in his and led her toward a large, ornately carved armchair a few feet from the doorway. “It’s good to see you again. Have a seat.”

She sat down and smiled at him. “It’s nice to see you as well.”

The two girls kneeled before her and one of them pulled a water-filled china basin from beneath the chair, while the other lifted her legs one at a time and removed her heels. Sylvana looked at Kieran who had taken a seat in a chair next to her, not understanding what was happening.

“It’s customary. Riordan has a certain quirk. No one may wear shoes in our home.”

“I don’t understand?”

Kieran waved his hand dismissively. “It’s just the way he is.”

Sylvana looked down as the girls placed her feet in the warm, bubbly water and watched as the lavender pedals floated around her ankles while they scrubbed and massaged them. That feels amazing, awkward, but amazing,she thought.

“Tell me about your ride?” Kieran suggested.

“I’ve been down the road many times, but I have never sat back and enjoyed it from a fresh vantage point.”

“From what Nicolai has said, you need to relax more, and in case you are wondering, he will be tied up with Riordan for a bit. I’ll show you around.”

Sylvana smiled and then noticed how the ladies subtly scowled at each other, as if in disgust when they side-eyed her shoes.

Sylvana leaned forward and placed her elbows on her knees. “Are you displeased with my shoes?” she asked with one raised eyebrow.

“No, milady. I was—I needed to place them elsewhere.”

As they lifted her feet from the water and dried them, Kieran stood and held his arm out toward Sylvana. “Get up,” he said sternly.

Sylvana jumped from her seat, wrapped her arm in his, and placed her hand on his forearm, afraid she had over stepped her bounds. “I’m sorry—” she began.

“I’m speaking to them,” he replied as he motioned his goblet in the girl’s direction.

They stood without hesitation and cupped their hands in front of their bodies. “Milord,” they stated in unison.

“Was it your intention to make our guest feel unwelcome?”

“No—no, milord, we meant no disrespect.”

“I am sure your footwear has been soiled with more piss and shit than Sylvana’s. Your services are no longer needed.”

They looked at each other, trying to decipher what he meant. “Milord?” one of them said.

“Out the back door,” he stated.

Kieran followed behind, all the while keeping Sylvana’s arm wrapped in his. She scanned the grandiose surroundings, and then looked down at the long, woven, multicolored rug that was lush and soft underfoot. She glanced at the circular, white, marble stairs and another long rug covering the steps from top to bottom while hand carved, wood rails embellished with intricate carvings, lined the stairs and upper hallway.Wealth at its finest. I never knew someone could have so much,Sylvana thought, as she gazed at the statues which were carved in the likeness of warriors, mythical creatures, and animals.

After entering a small room adjacent to a lavish kitchen, the girls bent down to pick up their shoes neatly placed against the wall.

“Leave them,” Kieran said.

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand?” one of them replied.

“You can walk barefoot back to the Gomorrah you came from.”

His callousness shocked Sylvana, and she regretted the decision to confront the girls.

---