For Cassandra

[yedinyy]

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[yedinyy]

No one marries for love, and neither does Elizabeth. She was married before, and lost her husband under mysterious circumstances - but the estate is big enough that her guardian found her a new husband, despite the fact that she's now thirty-eight and would have been perfectly alright with a life as a spinster.

No such luck. She arrives on a dark grey afternoon, dressed in dark red and black, her head held high. The man she's supposed to marry here isn't there to receive her. Which means someone else will have to show her around her new home.

[ladyfrownsalot]

This is a task that's been tossed around the palace staff until it falls on Cassandra, who's been told in no uncertain terms that time spent training with her father is time she can use elsewhere. She wouldn't agree with that, personally, but it's not as if she's ever going to be actually working on the guard. Not unless an entire battalion gets food poisoning.

She can dream.

But for now, she's gotten changed, her long blue dress much the same as every other maid's. She secures the white veil over her hair, straightens everything up, and heads out to meet the coach that's being seen to in the courtyard. The driver has already opened the door to help out its passenger; Cassandra ascends the steps and drops into a deep curtsey.

"Welcome, my lady."

And then she manages a less maid-like peek at who she's talking to. She's...statuesque.

[yedinyy]

"Thank you," she says, her voice perfectly accented, a noblewoman in every way. She lifts her dress a little to avoid the mud. She doesn't really make eye contact, and knows to expect her things to be carried for her.

"Are you to be my maidservant?"

[ladyfrownsalot]

No, she thinks, I'm just here for...fun?

"Yes, milady. My name is Cassandra - the steward has asked that I attend to your needs during your stay here."

Another couple of servants have come to take the bulk of her luggage, but she picks up one of the cases - one of the heavier ones, it turns out, but there's more strength in her slim frame than might be first apparent.

"Please, follow me."

Into the palace and towards a staircase leading into the guests' tower suites.

[yedinyy]

She thanks her again, not carrying anything. She could, but she's learned these things aren't worth the fight. She knows servants, even the women, are often stronger than they look, and she dismisses it quickly.

"The weather has turned," she comments, idly, as they walk and walk.

[ladyfrownsalot]

"There might be storms tonight," Cass agrees. "I'll make sure the fire in your room is set for the night, and there'll be as many blankets as you need."

It's a long staircase. Some of the others have started to huff and puff under the weight of their loads, but Cassandra barely seems to notice her own.

[yedinyy]

"Thank you. Have you been here a long time?"

She ascends the stairs easily, pulling her skirts up a little- obviously walking behind Cassandra.

[ladyfrownsalot]

"I've lived on the castle grounds all my life," she says. "My father is Captain of the Guard."

This isn't strictly true, but she doesn't remember anything of her birth parents - so even if it wasn't a touchy subject, it'd be a moot point anyway.

She unlocks the door with a key hanging from her belt, and shows Elizabeth inside. The others abandon their loads and leave quickly, which she's grateful for. The room is high and wide, with a broad balcony and tall, narrow windows below an arched ceiling. The door onto the balcony has been left open and the room is cool, filled with fresh air and the scent of climbing flowers.

[yedinyy]

Now that she's out of the impending rain, she can take a breath and looks around. The corset is restrictive, to say the least, but she rests her hands on her stomach and looks out of the window.

"The first time I did this they posted a guard outside my room," she comments, idly. "As if I were a prisoner, ready to flee."

[biocomposer]

Order is restored over the next day or so. The mercenaries are killed or captured, and those found dead at the base of the guests' tower are assumed to have been engaged elsewhere and simply died of their wounds where they were found.

Neither Elizabeth nor Cassandra rush to make any corrections there. Cass explains to her father that she was able to smuggle out her charge via an old supply tunnel, and that they waited it out in an empty building that was overlooked. None of which is untrue.

The Duke emerges unharmed, having been ensconced so deep in the castle that he wasn't troubled by anything more serious than some loud noises. And as much as they've been engaged, the dinner they attend together a week after Elizabeth's arrival is, in fact, their first meeting.

He doesn't cut a very impressive figure compared to the scarred warlords and flashy merchants he rubs shoulders with. He's tall and slim, long hair falling flat and straight from where it's tied at the crown of his head, and has the pale look of someone who rarely goes outside.

He bows to Elizabeth before they're seated, sincere as you please.

"My lady."

[yedinyy]

It's been an unruly, unsafe week, which has been all Elizabeth could ask for, really. She's never more alive than when there's something dangerous happening- and when she gets to take Cassandra into a private room afterwards. There's only a few moments of it, but she doesn't care. She puts up a cold front to the outside world, doesn't pretend at tears and fear, just wants the mercenaries found and killed.

By the time she gets introduced to the Duke she's had a chance to calm down a little. She's beautifully put together, her dress flattering, her hair perfect. Every bit the Duchess. Unlike her future husband, who looks more like an alchemist than a lord. Still.

She curtsies, and greets him: "My Lord. What a wonderful pleasure to finally meet you."

[biocomposer]

"I find that extremely unlikely," he says, and waves away a servant so he can draw out her seat for her himself. "But I appreciate the courtesy. Please, take a seat."

[yedinyy]

That brings her up short. Rude- but surprising, which is more than she'd expected. She sits down, smoothing down her skirts and clearing her throat.

"I was happy to hear you made it through safely." Let's see what that gets her.

[biocomposer]

"I was never in danger," he says lightly, taking his own seat a moment later. "But I heard that wasn't true of you, that you were forced to escape the castle...?"

[yedinyy]

"Oh, yes." She tries to not sound... too excited. She's a fine actress, but if he's observant enough she gets ever so slightly flushed at the memory.

"They came through my balcony window. I was very lucky to have a maidservant who knew the castle well enough to escape through a secret passage."

[biocomposer]

He sees it. But it's not clear that he does, and it's tucked away for later.

"I'm glad you were unhurt. I understand it's not yet clear if they were here for you or for me. Or neither."

Or both. He's been here for about a month; their arrival coincided with hers, not his.

[yedinyy]

"I would say it was unfortunate that none of them lived to tell the tale, but they rather deserved their fate," she says, with a pointed look at her future husband.

"I just hope this will not follow us to your home."

[yedinyy]

They spend a comfortable few weeks like this, going along, settling in. Elizabeth meets the other staff; she has a few dinners with her new husband. She notes his patterns, doesn't need to write them down.

They sleep in one bed more than they sleep apart. It's comfortable, comforting, to have a warm and familiar body next to her in the house when it creaks at night.

And then Elijah leaves for a day's work. When he announces it at breakfast, Elizabeth doesn't even need to make eye contact with Cassandra to know that they're doing it, today.

[ladyfrownsalot]

It's been a really excellent few weeks, honestly. The Kamski household is smaller and quieter than the castle, and it's clear enough that she's considered to be exclusively at Elizabeth's disposal. No long days called away when the kitchen or laundry is shorthanded, or being ordered to tend to visitors.

She's not really sure Elijah ever gets visitors.

Still, she helps clear the breakfast table, and even volunteers to help ready her master's horse.

All the better to know the exact moment he leaves, and his private little kingdom upstairs is left undefended.

[yedinyy]

Elizabeth has put on something sensible, with soft soles, so as to not be heard on the stairs. She's also got a nice little dagger tucked away, because you never know.

Her life has gotten a little less exciting lately, judging by how excited she is to go exploring. She's waiting, a little impatiently, for Cassandra.

[ladyfrownsalot]

Cassandra joins her at the base of the stairs, similarly practically dressed, but unarmed. It should be fine.

"He's given most of the staff the day off," she says. "There's going to be some cleaning in the front of the house, but nobody's going to bother us."

[yedinyy]

"Good," she says, looking pleased with her. She reaches out to squeeze her arm, and then gives her a smile.

"Let's go. I can't wait to see if the upstairs is as boring as he's making it out to be."

[ladyfrownsalot]

"You'll be really disappointed if it is," Cass teases - to say nothing of the fact that she will be, too. "Just a half-renovated attic, smelling of wet paint..."

[yedinyy]

"Ugh, I'd be devastated," she agrees, before opening the door and gesturing - after you.

[ladyfrownsalot]

They head up the staircase together, the broad spiral lit by broad stripes of sunlight from narrow windows. When they reach the heavy, iron-banded door to the attic, Cass reaches into a pouch on her belt for her lockpicks.

"Do you know how to use these?"