Chapter 27: Butterflies
I sighed and shook my head. “Well, it looks like I’m matching my outfit to my cane,” I said and sighed.
“Oh Ren, I’m so sorry. I'm glad it wasn’t worse, but it must be so frustrating to backslide like that.” Amy draped herself over me. I sat on the edge of the bed, “You’re so tense. Is there anything I can do?”
I shook my head, “No. Maybe. I don’t know.”
I hadn’t told her about the content of my latest vision. And she hadn’t pried. I worried about this. I hadn’t been able to recognize the voices. But the conversation seemed to point to my relationships with Amy or Fiona. Was all this already doomed? And what should I tell Amy?
“You’re so tense,” Amy said, placing her hands on my shoulders, “Perhaps my lady would like a massage?”
As she spoke, she traced her fingers up my neck- drawing a shudder of pleasure out of me.
“Do we have time for that?” I asked.
“Well,” Amy said, “we need to get you out of those clothes and into your evening wear. We could extend the middle process a little. Now, this apron dress is adorable, but not evening wear. Would you agree?”
“It’s called a hangerok, they wear it in Hyperborea and Thule. But I agree.” And as I said that Amy slid the broad shoulder straps to the side and let the outer layer fall to the ground. The outer layer had a dress component that had slits on either side. But the inner layer’s dress component had slits in the front and back. Amy reached a hand into the slit at the back and began tracing shapes across my ass. I shook a little. Then I gasped as Amy’s second hand slid through the slit and she grasped my panties on either side of my hips. She stood so close that her body brushed against mine as she knelt behind me and slid my panties to the floor.
I had never gone commando. I felt more naked than if I were actually standing naked in front of Amy. Somehow, I felt both naked, and in danger of being exposed. The feeling was intoxicating. Amy walked around to stand facing me. She kissed me, nibbling on my lip as she did. As we kissed, she reached down and grasped my dress at the hips. She began to pull the dress upwards. This exposed my legs. She stepped back when her hand came level with my breasts. She took time to move past my breasts with gentle hands. And then she did the same as her hands past my head. Her lifting exposed first my groin and then my breasts. I’d stood naked in front of Amy several times now. This was the first time I felt stripped by her. The feelings of arousal left me breathless.
Amy stopped and stared at me. I squirmed under her gaze. She bit her lip and ran a hand over her own breast.
“Oh God, Ren. You look so good. I could eat you up.”
A shudder ran up my spine and my knees weakened. That was too much for my body, and I fell to my knees on the floor.
“Ren, are you okay?” Amy dropped to her knees in front of me.
“I will be if you kiss me better,” I smiled my best fiendish smile.
She smiled and leaned forward to kiss my neck, and then continued to kiss down my body to my breasts. She lingered there, raining petal soft kisses across my breasts. I sighed and slumped to my side on the floor. My body was alive with pleasure.
Amy smiled, leaned in, and whispered, “Roll over and we’ll begin.”
“Begin?” I asked and did as she told me. I lay face down with my naked back and ass exposed. I felt Amy climb atop my ass and straddle me. Her crinoline tickled my skin as she moved. And then she began to trace her fingers across my back, following the trails she traced with a line of kisses. She traced across the back of my neck to my shoulders and then back up to my neck. She nibbled at my ear. And she traced her fingers down my sides, brushing the outside of both breasts and ribs. She shuffled backward off my ass as her hands continued down to my hips. And I felt her kiss the small of my back. I arched my body up in pleasure. And Amy continued to kiss lower. She kissed around the edge of both cheeks. Her hands traced across my ass.
“Roll over,” She whispered.
I knew what she intended, and at the thought ecstasy coursed through me and out of me. I wasn’t sure I could roll over now. And then the grandfather clock chimed five times.
“The. The party,” I said. “People start. They start arriving in half an hour.”
Amy giggled, “Then we will continue this later.”
* * *
Leon arrived minutes after my own arrival. He wore his navy dress uniform again. I found the lack of originality so boring. As he entered the drawing room, my Aunt Theresa clapped her hands.
“Your Grace! I am so glad you were able to join us early. We could use the extra help decorating for the party.”
“We’re decorating?” I asked.
“Oh hush, Ren. Your Grace, could I impose upon you to assist Lynn? She is out in the garden collecting roses for our vases. And you are so tall that no rose will escape your grasp.”
Leon immediately blushed like he’d run a marathon, “I could impose for you. I mean to say, you could impose upon me to Lynn- To help Lynn, that is. Yes. I could.”
“Theresa, what is your game here?” my uncle, her husband, asked.
“The same as yours dear. May the best man win. Now run along Your Grace, Lynn doesn’t know you’re coming and I’m sure it will be a lovely surprise.”
Leon bowed and darted out of the room.
Theresa nodded in the direction Leon had gone, “That’s how a man should be when he’s in love. I don’t like to see a suitor who sees their other as a prize to win and then own.”
Her husband shook his head, “Marriage is a matter of politics and diplomacy. I would prefer if Lynn liked the person she marries. But that is secondary. The power and prestige of House Octavian comes first.”
I stood up and began to walk in the direction Leon had gone.
“Karen. Ren. Where are you going?” My uncle asked.
“I’m going to chaperone those two. That way, Lynn has somebody watching out for her.”
I walked out to the garden and scanned the rose bushes. Leon and Lynn stood next to an equestrian statue of some ancestor of ours. They were talking. Lynn wore the lavender pink maxi dress and blouse I had chosen. The blouse had a lace collar around her neck and long lantern sleeves. Wulfric liked modesty and that meant covering her skin. The lavender pink also projected an image of femininity that Wulfric would appreciate.
Leon was staring at Lynn’s face as he spoke. Lynn was looking down and blushing. But she frowned and clasped her hands at her waist. Leon was shaking his head and had a hand on her shoulder. As I watched, they finished speaking and Lynn turned away. Leon said something, and she turned back. He touched a hand to her cheek and leaned down to offer a gentle kiss. Lynn took his face in her hands and held them in the kiss. When Lynn broke the kiss, she turned to the side and smiled. She spoke further, and I watched.
This was Leon’s cutscene, I knew. They would talk further, and Leon would offer one further kiss. The player has the choice to accept or deny both kisses. The dialogue changes depending on the player’s relationship with the other suitors.
“Why are you kissing him? If your goal is to win Wulfric, why do that?” I whispered to the night air. “And why are you blushing?”
I blushed more often here than I did in the old world. But I still blushed for a reason. Was Lynn actually in love with him? Then why not risk it and be with him? This isn’t a videogame anymore. But I knew the answer. Lynn didn’t see herself as being worth anything. Not since her brothers died. The accident and Lynn’s feelings about it were one of the few things that Lynn didn’t discuss with me. I only knew that the family had been in a car accident and Lynn’s little brothers had both died. After that Lynn had been different. I didn’t put much stock in it at the time. Her brothers had died. I would expect her to be different. But the change became more pronounced with time. She seemed to value herself less over time, only considering her self-worth what she could give to others. I didn’t think that she was lying about wanting to prevent war and the deaths that would come with it. But I did think it was easier to convince herself of that if she saw herself as worthless. If we got through this in one piece, I was going to get the details on that accident. Because this time, her martyr complex might actually get her killed.
* * *
“Lords and Ladies of House Octavian,” My uncle said, addressing the guests. He spoke from the top of the grand staircase. “It is with pride and pleasure that I announce the courtship of my daughter. Her courtship by the crown prince Wulfric Hardradason has resumed. And also, her courtship by the Duke Leon Delmar, and the Count Vincent Metternich.”
“Wow,” I shook my head, “How very subtle and diplomatic.”
“I do sense a bias in that announcement,” Fiona said, “I must admit confidence that I made the wise choice.”
She clasped my hand, then tipped up on her toes and kissed my cheek. I gasped in response. I was still vibrating from Amy’s so-called massage.
Fiona continued, “And not only was this the wiser choice, but it was also the better choice as well. Or to put it in simple terms, I win.”
My uncle was giving some boilerplate speech. He spoke about the lineage and future greatness of House Octavian. But then I noticed that behind him my father also stood at the top of the grand staircase. And I had a sense of dread.
When my uncle finished speaking, he stepped back and aside to allow room for my father to step forward. Father did so and raised his hands.
“Lords and Ladies of House Octavian,” He began, “Today is a wonderful day. For not only has the courtship of my niece resumed, but the courtship of my own daughter has also begun. It is my pleasure to announce that Countess Fiona Myrddhin has made a request. She has requested and received my permission to court Lady Karen Octavian.”
The crowd burst into applause. I looked at Fiona, “They didn’t tell me that they were doing this. Wonderful. Now we smile and make nice with everyone.”
Fiona nodded, “How are you with large groups?”
“I don’t love them, but I can manage them. You?”
“I am not good with large groups. But I knew I would have to do this. I will manage.”
“If you need to step away, let me know. I can cover for you while you walk the garden or similar.”
“Thank you, beloved.”
We spent the next hour talking to my distant and not so distant relatives. It was a river of small talk and things blended together.
“I heard you’re turning over a new leaf. Trying to be nice.”
“I heard you don’t like the name Karen anymore. Did something happen?”
“I heard you’re having more visions lately. Is anything wrong?”
“You’ve got your cane out. Are you feeling well?”
After an hour, I noticed that Fiona had stopped answering with full sentences. She was giving single word answers to the majority of the questions directed at her. Often, she said yes or no. I tapped her shoulder and put my lips to her ear.
“You need to go for a walk. Sneak out into the garden. I’ll make an excuse.”
Fiona looked at me and smiled, then nodded. She curtsied to a second or third cousin of mine and turned, spinning on her heel. She strode off towards the glass doors leading to the garden.
“Oh, where is your girlfriend going?”
“She needs a little fresh air; I’m amazed we all aren’t light headed with so many people in the great hall. She’ll be back once she’s feeling better.”
I carried on thanking people for congratulations and apologizing for Fiona’s absence. As I did so, I noticed Wulfric flirting very obviously with my sisters: Catarina and Katherine. He was kissing hands and telling stories in big gestures. Lynn was standing right beside him and was doing her best to ignore the obvious flirtation. My sisters were oblivious to the effect this was having on Lynn. When Lynn’s personal maid: Helen, came by with drinks, Wulfric grabbed her behind. She jumped, and Wulfric said something I couldn’t hear. Helen shook her head and walked away. Wulfric looked very angry, then he composed himself and went back to flirting with my sisters. Lynn nodded, and then walked out of the great hall. I could tell that she was heading for the garden. As I watched, Leon marched after her. Wulfric did not appear to notice.
After another half an hour, I decided that I had done enough as well. I was feeling weak in the knees and wanted a cigarette to ease the aching in my knees and ankles. I suddenly found myself wondering where Fiona had gone.
“Apologies, but the cost of my visions is weighing on me. I am going to step out into the garden to smoke an alchemical cigarette or two and ease my burden.”
“Of course, dear. Think nothing of it.”
I limped my way out into the garden. The gardens of House Octavian were huge. The temperature dropped as I passed through the glass doors. I shivered a little but pushed on. I noticed Wulfric standing on the veranda ahead of me facing Helen. She was shaking. Then I saw the goblet shattered on the floor between them. Wulfric raised a hand to strike her.
“Are you looking for a repeat performance from me?” I said stepping between them and stopping before Wulfric’s face.
Wulfric hesitated.
I continued, “You’ve put a lot of effort into this reformed scoundrel performance. Walk back inside and play nice, and I’ll forget I saw this.”
Wulfric was silent a minute longer, and then lowered his arm. “I forgot myself, Ren. Thank you. I will go back inside. The competent help seems to be in the grand hall in any event.”
He turned and strolled, in a manner too casual, back into the grand hall.
Helen let out her breath in a whoosh, “Gods, thank you Lady Ren.”
“What did he do?” I asked.
“He didn’t like the wine I had, so he-” she pointed at the shattered glass, “And, well, as you saw.”
“I suspect that you not responding to his flirting may have aggravated things. Not your fault of course. I’m glad I was able to apply the right pressure,” I said.
“Thank you again. May I, may I say something Lady?”
“Always.”
“I am happy you have decided to: ‘turn over a new leaf.’ all the house staff are happy. Not everyone believes it is genuine of course, but more believe every day. You’re doing well Lady Ren.”
I smiled, “Thank you Helen. I’m doing this so I can live with myself. But I am glad that I’m not causing people unnecessary pain any longer.”
“I will get the broom,” Helen said. I nodded and continued my careful walk.
On my own again, I tried to think where Fiona would go to relax, and settled on the rose trellises. I made my way there and found Fiona sitting on a bench amidst crimson roses
“How are you feeling?” I asked as I approached.
She looked up and smiled, “I am improving. Did you come to check on me?”
“I was worried.” I said.
“Thank-you,” Fiona answered, “That is sweet and appreciated.”
“May I join you?” I asked.
She patted the seat beside her. I managed to lower myself to the seat with a little dignity. Fiona leaned against me and nestled into my side, catching me off guard.
“That’s my move,” I said.
“You are here to rescue me. Therefore, I get to be the damsel in distress this time.” Fiona glowed and snuggled against me.
“This is nice.” I said.
“Indeed,” Fiona answered, “I am still overwhelmed from all the speaking. Could I ask that we just sit and enjoy each other in silence? It would help me recover.”
“I’d love that.” I answered, and then fell silent.
We sat in each other’s arms. I don’t know how long we sat, but the feeling was bliss. Time slowed down and sped up at the same time. I just basked in Fiona’s presence. Occasionally Fiona would give a contented sigh and readjust herself against my side. For my part, I sat and held her and enjoyed a rare moment feeling protective instead of feeling protected.
* * *
“Lady Ren?” I looked up to see Helen approaching.
“Yes, Helen?” I asked.
“Your father is asking where the two of you have gone. I suspect he wants you to present yourselves and be seen by his allies, at least for a while longer.”
I looked at Fiona, “How are you feeling?”
Fiona smiled, “Like I could fight a tiger bare-handed. How are you?”
“I hurt a lot, but I didn’t want to move.”
“Do you need a cigarette?”
“I do.”
“Then I shall go back and put in an appearance to give you time to smoke your cigarettes. Do not rush, beloved, I am feeling much recovered.”
She rose and then helped me to my feet. Fiona left with Helen and I looked for a place to smoke without one of my father's lackeys dragging me back to the grand hall.
I knew of an area where Castle Octavian ran close to the outer wall. It afforded some privacy. And people tended not to congregate there, as there were no benches or lamps.
I was staggering a little when I reached the spot that I’d had in mind. I lit a match and applied it to an herb cigarette. Body aching, I brought the cigarette to my lips and inhaled. A glorious numbing sensation spread from my lungs outward. I blew a smoke ring and leaned against the wall. I had to admit it to myself. I was addicted to these herb cigarettes. Whatever was in them was habit forming. Or it was a psychological addiction due to the relief they provided. But I was addicted. I fitted the cigarette to my cigarette holder and inhaled a second time.
“Probably bad.” I muttered as I blew another smoke ring, “At least I’m making this look good. The self-destructive angsty waif prophet. If somebody is playing this video game, I hope I’m entertaining.”
And then I heard a gasp and muffled scream from behind. I turned and looked down the narrow path between the outer wall and the wall of the keep. I stepped forward and looked around the corner. Then I froze. I stared. I turned beet red.
Leon and Lynn stood, locked in an embrace. Leon pressed Lynn against the stones of the outer wall. Lynn’s dress hung low, the back unbuttoned, and the top pulled down to expose her breasts. Leon's uniform sat open and unbuttoned, exposing his chest. He was well built, with a torso like a mixed martial artist. I had seen Lynn naked before. She always looked good. But her video game form, idealized as it was, looked spectacular topless. I felt guilty as I stared, but I stared. Despite the cold of the evening, sweat dripped down the naked curve of Lynn’s neck and shoulder. Leon’s hand caressed her left breast. Those perfect breasts shook, as she shuddered under his touch. He kissed the left side of her neck. Lynn’s face looked at me. But her eyes were closed in ecstasy.
I didn’t know what to do. I stood, frozen to my spot.
And then Lynn opened her eyes and saw me, “Ren! What are you doing?”
I turned redder, “Sorry, I heard a scream and thought somebody was hurt.”
Lynn covered her breasts, and shook her head, “I can’t win. Can I?”
“Hi Ren,” Leon said, “Sorry to be a bother.”
He stepped in front of Lynn to block her from my view.
“Don’t apologize to her.” Lynn said, “She stumbled on us. She should apologize.”
“You’re right. And I’m sorry. But why are you doing this?” I asked, “Why are you doing him? You’re committed to marrying Wulfric.”
Lynn stiffened and nodded, “Yes, I am. I am sacrificing the rest of my life to a monster. The rest of my life, and I’m twenty-one Ren. And I’m giving away all the rest of my years to a horrible man to save others. Leon was willing to let me enjoy the little bit of the time I have before that. I’m not going to refuse that.”
I smiled. I wanted to cry, but I didn’t. “I’m proud of you. Thank you, Leon. Let me get out of here before the mood is totally ruined. I’ll keep watch and prevent anyone else from interrupting you.”
Lynn’s eyes widened, “You will?”
“I’m your friend, Lynn. I’ve got your back.”
I turned and headed back to my smoking spot. I leaned back against the wall and did my best to ignore the moans and gasps coming from around the corner once more. As I smoked, I noticed a pair of nobles walking towards us. One was my older sister Catherine. Her spaghetti straps were down around her shoulders and her face glowed a rosy pink. The man with her was likewise flushed. They were walking towards the path where Lynn and Leon hid. I pushed from the wall and began wandering. I did my best to seem aimless. But I intercepted them well away from the wall.
“Hello sister,” I said. “It looks like you’re having a good evening. What's going on?”
Catherine looked quite drunk, I realized.
“Hello Karen. Wait. Don’t you not like Karen anymore? Somebody told me that. Weird. You never had a problem with it before.”
“I go by Ren now. I’m trying to be a better person, and a different name seems to help. Can you do that for me?”
“Sure, little sister. I can call you Ren.”
“Catherine, how drunk are you? Will you remember this in the morning? Should I get you water?”
“Wow. You are trying to be better. She sounds nice doesn’t she,” Catherine turned to the man on her arm.”
“Absolutely,” The man said, stumbling and then recovering. “Very good sister.”
“And she used to be such a bitch, Sorry Karen. Sorry, I mean sorry Ren. You’ll never guess what the servants called her.”
“They called me the She-Wolf of Ys. I suspect they still do.”
“That’s harsh.” The man said.
“Meh. I deserved it. And I kind of like it now. So, you two look like you’ve started a very enjoyable after party.’” I pointed at Catherine’s straps.
“Maybe. What if we had?”
“More power to you.” I answered.
“We’re just going to slip around the corner for some privacy,” Catherine said.
I looked to where Leon and Lynn still had not emerged.
“You may want to find a different hiding place,” I said.
“Why?” Catherine said, cocking her head.
“I’ve been smoking here for a while. I’ve seen at least six rats go in there and more come out. That might ruin the mood,” I paused and inhaled a mouthful of smoke. Then I puffed the smoke out in a cloud around my face and bathed my face in the smell, “That’s assuming they were rats. They were pretty big for rats. I don’t want to know what they were if they weren’t rats though.”
Catherine cringed, “Oh, that’s going to ruin my mood all on its own. We’ll go somewhere else.”
“The other side of the garden has the hedge maze. Easy to hide in. You can’t lean against the walls of the maze. But the grass is nice and soft there.”
“Good idea little sister. Thanks.”
I waved and they staggered off. I sighed in relief.
Later, when Leon and Lynn emerged from behind the wall, I headed back towards the hall. As I passed the hedge maze, I heard the unmistakable sound of sobbing. I followed the sound into the maze, and saw Amy hiding down a dead-end path, tears were running down her cheeks.
Why was she crying, I wondered? Had something bad happened? I ran through possibilities. Amy was well liked by the other servants. Only Mildred, my mother’s personal maid, had any issues with her. She was well liked by the nobles. Amy had said that she rarely received reprimands or snide comments. She was worried about Lynn marrying Wulfric, but would she cry over that now? Maybe if they actually got married, but I doubted she would cry otherwise. Which left only my courtship by Fiona.
“Amy, are you crying?” I asked in as gentle a tone as I could manage.
Amy looked up, saw me, and stood back up straight, “No Lady Ren. That is, yes Lady Ren, but it’s no trouble. Please don’t worry. I’m fine. I’ll get back to my duties.”
“Amy,” I whispered, “I’m here. You’re not alone.”
Amy looked at me for a moment and then whispered back, “Just feeling wistful. I’ll never get an announcement like that with you. Whatever happens, I’ll be in the shadows. I’m fine with that. I steeled myself for it. But the announcement caught me off guard. I’m fine now.”
“Are you sure?” I asked.
But she slipped around me, “I’m fine dear. I’ll see you after the party.”
I suspected that we would not be continuing what we had started before the party.
Read more in "Daughters of the Digital Empire," Available soon!
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