Chapter 17: Silver Potion
“Lady Ren, you have a visitor.”
I opened my eyes, “Amy?”
Amy closed the door, “Yes Ren?”
My brain struggled to escape the fog of sleep, and failed. I shook my head. My eyes settled on the rose on my vanity that Amy had brought, and I smiled.
“I’m not awake yet.”
“I understand Ren.”
“And Amy. Thank you for all your help yesterday.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t as helpful as the Countess Fiona.”
“Amy, if not for your help, we wouldn’t have learned anything.”
“But I can’t fight like her.” Amy said.
I pushed myself up to a sitting position and then discovered I was too weak to shuffle myself out of bed.
“I can’t fight like her either,” I answered, “I don’t even carry a bodice dagger. I also can’t use the gift of object reading. Umm. Another thing I can’t do, right now, is get out of bed without help.”
“You’re still that weak? I am happy to help my lady.” She climbed onto my enormous bed, “What’s weakest? Your legs?”
I nodded, and she shuffled towards me on her knees.
“This makes two women you’ve had in your bed in the past twenty-four hours. Any preferences?” She smiled at me and I felt as though I were standing in a spotlight.
“Whomever is stealing my honor at the moment, I think.”
Amy giggled.
“Let’s see how bad the weakness is today.”
Amy reached down and touched a finger to my left ankle, “Can you feel my finger?”
I nodded.
She traced a line from my ankle up to my knee, “And now?”
I nodded, my breathing quickening a little.
She traced her fingers up my outer thigh, my body tingling as she did so.
“And how do you feel now?”
“Good,” I said, and noticed that my voice had become breathy as I spoke.
“And how does this feel?”
She slid her fingertips across my leg to my inner thigh. I moaned in surprise and arched my back.
“I feel like I can’t escape. And I’m fine with that.”
Her fingers grazed along the edge of my panties. I wriggled in exquisite discomfort, flat on my back and unable to escape.
“How does this compare to the Countess Fiona last night?” She breathed into my ear, and I repressed a scream of delight.
“I. Can’t. Think.” I managed between ragged breaths.
“Don’t think you can escape the question,” She whispered and then licked my ear, “How does this compare?”
“We didn’t. We didn’t get this far. I can’t imagine… …anything better than this.”
“My lady is so wise,” Amy said, her grin touching her ears. She placed her fingers between my legs. I had to clamp my hands across my mouth. And still some of my ecstatic screams escaped.
Somebody knocked on the door.
“Is everything alright?”
Amy called back, “We’re fine Helen. Lady Ren is still weak and in pain from her vision last night. I am helping her out of bed to meet her guest. Could you have the kitchen staff come up? She will need her chair.”
“Of course, Amy.”
Amy sighed, “Well I suppose we must end things there for the moment.”
“I want more,” I whispered.
Amy smiled, “There will be time for that later. But please, Ren, keep this morning in mind as you talk to the countess.”
“Fiona is here?” I said with a gasp.
“I said you had a guest. Now let’s get you up and dressed so we don’t keep the kitchen missing two workers for long.”
The process was awkward and uncomfortable. But by the time the kitchen staff arrived, I had dressed in a cream high waisted empire cut dress. I looked like an anime adaptation of Jane Austen. I was fine with this. I added a pair of gold drop earrings with red garnets, and a matching herringbone necklace in gold. The kitchen staff carried me to the sedan chair and carried the chair to the smoking room.
The scent of tobacco clung to the room. But Aunt Cecile was not smoking in the room today, so the smell was manageable. Fiona sat in the only loveseat. She sat, with her legs crossed. She wore burgundy breeches, and black English Riding Boots. Were they called Agarthan riding boots here? Maybe Yssian riding boots? She wore a white linen poet’s shirt. Over the shirt she wore a burgundy double-breasted vest that matched her breeches. The vest cut below her breasts like a corset. She wore a navy blue clawhammer coat, which lay open. She had added a blue poppy cloisonné brooch to her left lapel. This would have been men’s attire. I found Fiona’s fashion sense fascinating. Her party dress had been feminine and beguiling. Her everyday wear seemed to be aiming for androgynous and shocking.
The kitchen staff had carried me to an adjacent seat and left. Fiona stood and walked to me. She held out a hand.
“Lady Ren, you would honor me if you would join me on the loveseat.”
I smiled, “I would like that. But I am afraid that you must help me.”
“I understand,” Fiona said, looking at the sedan chair, “Did the herbs not help?”
I shrugged, “There’s no way to tell. I might have been much worse today without them.”
Fiona nodded, and then gestured to me, “Please turn your legs to one side, and I will assist.”
I did as instructed. And Fiona stepped forward and placed her left arm under my knees and her right arm against my back. She bent at the knees and hefted me into her arms, bridal carry style.
“Careful Fiona, I’m heavy.”
“And I’m strong for my size. You are a delicate flower in my arms.”
“It’s sweet of you to lie for my ego,” I said.
In response, Fiona hefted me into the air. I shrieked in surprise as I hung in the air above her. And then Fiona caught me as I descended. She hadn’t so much as flinched and I giggled at myself.
“Ok. That was sexy.” I said.
Fiona grinned as she carried me to the loveseat. She set me down and then sat beside me,
“I would like to take my turn now,” she said, and then reached an arm around my shoulder. I smiled and leaned back into her arm.
“Your turn?” I asked.
“I trust that your Amy did her best to impress you this morning?”
I remembered Amy’s comment, “...Ren, keep this morning in mind as you talk to the Countess.”
My guts twisted at the thought.
“Are you two fighting?” I asked.
“I am unsure of your ladybird’s motives. I am not fighting. I respect her right to you and your attention. But I do wish to have my share.”
She stroked my cheek with her free hand, and I sighed despite my worry.
“I could get used to this,” I said.
“As could I,” Fiona said, “But I also have a practical purpose for my visit.”
“Can it wait?” I asked.
“Did you know that the morning news did not mention the death of Wulfric’s bodyguard?”
“What?” I said, “The body wasn’t discovered?”
Fiona shook her head, “I had my carriage pass the point of ambush on my way here. The body is gone.”
“So, somebody other than the city guards removed it? Presumably Wulfric’s faction. Or somebody paid off the city guard? Presumably Wulfric’s faction.”
“Indeed. And this brings me to my point. Our enemies have attacked twice in as many days. I am now worrying for your safety.”
“I’ll be fine as long as you’re with me,” I said.
“Indeed, but you are not always with me,” Fiona said, “We will have to battle more werewolves. This is certain. And you do not even have a bodice dagger. So, we will remedy that. I have sent word to my artificer to begin working on a clasp similar to mine.”
“Oh, that’s right. Where is your clasp and sash? This is the first time I've seen you without one.”
“The sash would rather spoil the silhouette of this outfit. I am not as equipped as yesterday. But I am not unarmed. As I said, the artificer will not have your clasp ready soon enough for my liking. So, I have brought you a bodice dagger.”
She produced a small stiletto. The dagger was thin as a razor and as long as my index finger. The blade was silver. The handle had an abalone inlay. The maker had decorated the whole piece with a peacock motif. I examined the dagger and traced my fingers along the scabbard.
“It’s beautiful.” I said, “Thank you.”
“You are welcome,” Fiona answered. “But do not think of it as a gift. Now put it away. I have other things I wish to discuss with you.”
I looked down at my cleavage, “Do I stuff it between my breasts? Or shall I need a clip or something?”
“A less well-endowed lady might need a clip. You will not.” Fiona grinned.
“Taking an opportunity to window shop?” I asked.
Fiona blushed, “And I have a potion for you as well. A silver potion.”
I nodded, “That will be useful. Thank you.”
People used silver potions for protection. People use the potion to make weapons effective against werewolves. In Moonlight Hearts, the heroine uses a silver potion to kill Prince Wulfric. She does this by poisoning his drink. The player used the poison in every story path that didn’t involve courting Wulfric.
“You will not need to use the silver potion on your bodice dagger. The dagger is already silvered and will be effective against werewolves. Well. Those are my current additions to your safety. Now to our other two problems.”
“Do we only have two problems?” I asked.
“We need to determine what your father is doing with the Hyperborean embassy. And we need to determine why the enemy attacked after your apology.”
“And we need to stop Lynn from marrying Wulfric,” I added, “And we need to prevent a war with Hyperborea.”
“Hmm,” Fiona paused, and then continued, “Yes, our four problems. I have been thinking about this since dawn. And I have ideas.”
“You get up at dawn? I can’t imagine doing that.”
“And what time do you wake?”
“Whenever Amy wakes me. Usually by ten or eleven in the morning.”
“Well, should we marry, I will endeavor to let you sleep.”
“Thank you, but I could stand to wake up a little earlier.” I answered.
“In any event. We should start by searching your father’s study.” Fiona said. “Regarding the second problem, I can only assume that one of our enemies has a mystic gift. Either the precognitive gift or the clairvoyant gift.”
“That would explain why they attacked us before we suspected anything,” I said. “I’m leaning to precognition myself.”
“I agree. Now, I recommend that we send Amy to search the study. As a maid, she will arouse less suspicion.” Fiona added.
“It would put her at greater risk than it would put me. I’ll do it.”
“Amy would be the better choice. But I understand not wanting to put your mistress at risk. That said, I do not like the idea of putting the woman whom I am courting in danger. This is especially true when she can stumble rather than walk. And I suspect that Amy would agree, based upon her previous behavior.”
I turned my head away and sulked, “That isn’t fair. You’re using my argument against me.”
“Yes. I am. Is it working?”
I closed my eyes and nodded, “You’re right. We don’t have time. I don't know how long I’ll be an invalid. And it doesn’t matter which of us does the search. We will always place somebody at risk.”
“Indeed. Then you see my perspective?”
I nodded again.
“I’ll ask her.” I said.
“She is your maid. You could order her to do as you say.”
“I could. I won’t. But yes, I could.”
“Good. That is as I hoped.”
“You were testing me?”
“Indeed. I know of your reputation. You are the She-wolf of Ys. She who bends men to her will, breaks them and abandons them. She who lords her power over those beneath her and who is particularly cruel to servants.”
I closed my eyes and bent my head forward to look at the floor, “Yeah. That’s me: The She-Wolf of Ys.”
“That surprises me.” Fiona said, “Because I do not see it.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“You are welcome,” Fiona answered, “But I have not known you well for much of our previous acquaintance. We did not talk at parties. We traveled in different social circles. But now I have seen you under a variety of circumstances. The only outburst I saw was when you slapped Wulfric. And I approved of your actions, or at least the spirit in which you intended them. Then I learned you had taken your maid as a mistress. This disturbed me. There is potential for abuse of power there. But I have seen nothing but kindness and concern in your treatment of Amy.”
“So, what does that mean?” I asked.
“It means that I expected the She-Wolf of Ys. I did not find her. And I found myself more interested at every turn. So yes. I have been testing you. I hope that is acceptable.”
I nodded, slumping forward in frustration, “It’s understandable. Because it’s true. All my reputation is true. I’ve turned over a new leaf. And I’ve been trying to make amends and be better. But I’m as bad as the rumors say.”
“Perhaps you were. I did not know you well before this new leaf. But how you act now is admirable. May I ask what prompted the change?”
“You may. But I don’t know. I woke up one morning horrified at my past behavior and feeling like a stranger in my own body. And I’ve been coping with this change since.”
I was getting far too comfortable telling this story.
“That is suspicious. Did something happen the day before your epiphany?”
“Nothing that I can remember.”
I considered what Fiona might be thinking. Should I worry about this? I didn’t think so. I doubted that Fiona would ever come to the conclusion that I had arrived in the body of Lady Karen the way I had. The jumps of logic seemed unlikely. She would have to decide that somebody had possessed the old Lady Karen. She would then have to imagine that person came from another dimension, or similar. And then she would have to conclude that I possessed the old Lady Karen by dying of lightning strike. Oh yes, and she would need to believe that her world was a video game. I didn’t believe all this. And I was living it. Yeah. I wasn’t worried.
“I must be honest,” Fiona said. “This sounds like alchemy at work. Something slipped into your drink or your food. A powder. A liquid. A paste. Do you recall tasting anything strange?”
“I don’t. But that doesn’t mean alchemy isn’t what caused this. All I know is that I seem to have finally grown a conscience. And even if this was the work of an outside force, I am never going to behave like the woman I was ever again.”
I wondered to myself if alchemy was responsible for bringing Lynn and myself here. But I had no idea how to check. Moonlight Hearts had no classic spell magic. It had the Mystic Gifts. And it had alchemy. That was it. Unless game designers added new mechanics in some possible future sequel, that was it. This was all the magic this world had.
I realized that Fiona had gone quiet and was staring at me.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I suggested your change of heart could be the result of foul play. And your only concern was that the effects do not reverse themselves.”
“I like who I am now. I don’t think the old me liked anything, least of all who she was.”
Fiona shook her head, “You are a mystery Ren. A conundrum. And I am enjoying trying to decipher who you are.”
“If you figure it out, please let me know.”
“I look forward to continuing my investigation,” Fiona smiled.
I smirked, “Is that what you called last night?”
Fiona squirmed.
We talked until afternoon tea. When we joined most of the family in the parlor. I avoided mentioning our plan to Amy as she served us tea with the other maids. As evening approached, Fiona felt compelled to return to her own manor: Myrddhin House. As I couldn’t walk her to the door, she took her leave of me in the parlor.
“I will send the formal Scythian proposal of courting tomorrow. Until then I shall leave you with this.”
She took my hand and bent down, bringing her lips to brush the back of my hand with a feather’s touch.
“Yes. That’s good. I’m sure. Um, Thank you. Or you’re welcome. I mean. I hope to see you soon.”
“I take my leave of you, my Lady Ren. And I shall see you soon.”
Fiona bowed, and then she turned to my uncle, “I thank you your lordship. And I take my leave of you and your house. Thank you once more.”
Once she was gone, my mother commented, “I see you took my preference for the countess to heart Karen. I knew you could work your wiles on the gentlemen. But this is the first time I’ve seen you even pursue another lady.”
I'd discovered a problem with living in a dating simulation. I found myself in a constant state of blushing. I didn’t know if the game was affecting me. But I was going to end up looking like a sunburn victim at this point.
My Aunt Theresa looked at me and raised her eyebrows, “She’s blushing. Our heartbreaker is blushing.”
I shook my head and looked at the carpet, “I didn’t pursue her mother. She pursued me. She accompanied me to deliver my apology. And then she indicated that she wished to court me. She had come to the conclusion that Lynn was out of reach. Fiona decided that Lynn would accept either the proposal of Duke Leon or that of Prince Wulfric.”
“As she should,” My aunt Theresa said. “Leon is a magnificent match.”
“And you were alright being her second choice?” My mother asked, “I did not expect you to ever settle for that.”
I couldn’t meet my mother’s gaze. I studied the crown molding on the parlor wall.
“The countess is a persuasive woman,” I said.
My uncle chuckled, “She’s smitten. Our little man-eater has been tamed by another lady. So that was the secret. Hah!”
“Uncle, please!” I managed.
“She’s been on her best behavior then,” My mother added, “This explains so much.”
By evening, word had spread through the entire household. Maids whispered and giggled when they saw me.
“I heard she was completely meek when the countess was present.”
“The She-Wolf is wearing a collar now, I’m told.”
“Apparently ladies are her weak spot.”
“Really? I never imagined.”
The gossip made me grateful for the sedan chair. I found it easier to ignore the chatter from inside it. Or at least I found it easier to pretend to ignore the chatter. But still, by the time I reached my bedchamber, I was mentally exhausted.
Amy found me waiting on the edge of the bed for her.
“You’re sitting up,” she said, “Are you feeling stronger?”
“My arms are feeling better,” I answered, “My legs are still weak as the skin on a pudding.”
“So, you can’t walk yet?” She asked.
I shrugged, “I could manage a stumble if an assassin tried to strike at us now.”
Amy cringed, “Don’t even suggest such a thing. They’ve done that before.”
“Hence why assassins are front of mind right now.”
“Did you and the countess have a good chat?” She looked away as she spoke, “You were with her for quite some time. And the entirety of the household is talking about how she’s tamed you. Frederick thought that she was literally leading you around in a collar. I had to point out that you couldn’t walk at the moment.”
“I wish we had time to talk like that,” I answered, “I’d like to get to know you the same way I’m getting to know her.”
“You don’t feel like you know me?” Her eyes dropped to stare at the floor.
I pursed my lips. Then I pushed myself to my feet and took an uncertain step forward. I stabilized myself and took another step. Amy looked up and saw what I was doing.
“No! Ren, don’t hurt yourself!” She stepped towards me and wrapped her arms around me.
She held me. I could feel the warmth of her body. I could feel her warm breath against my collarbone. I could feel her cheek against my breast.
“You’re worried that I know her better? Trust me,” I reached under her and grabbed her naked thigh, “Trust me. You’ve ‘known’ me more deeply than she has. She and I haven’t even managed a kiss yet.”
“Really? We’ve done more than that,” Amy paused, “Having access to your bedchambers has perks.”
“Apparently,” I giggled.
“Did you two come to any decision about how to proceed with what we learned yesterday?”
I took a deep breath, “We did. And there is something I need you to do for me.”
“Of course.”
I stopped and swallowed. I clenched and unclenched my hands for a minute. “I need you to send out a note by rider, requesting that the count Vincent Metterinich visit me tomorrow. Do you know where he’s staying?”
“He is staying at Myrddhin Manor. He said so at the party when you slapped the prince. The countess is an old friend of his.”
“I had forgotten that. But that works fine enough. Please send the letter by rider tonight. I want him to be ready,” I looked at my writing desk, “Now can you help me reach my desk. You’ll need a letter to send in the first place.”
I was a coward. I had agreed to ask for Amy’s help. And I was passing the buck. But I worried for Amy. I aimed to avoid involving her further.
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