18. Jealousy

They reached the castle and dismounted within the hour. Sara seemed nervous but excited. Her eyes were wide as she tried to absorb every detail of her new home. To any newcomer the high stone walls and grand doors were intimidating but Sara seemed more curious than scared. She followed Lark through the winding corridors to August's dark wing. They entered Lark's chamber together and Lark brought her to her small library. 

"You will sleep here," she explained. "We will remove the books and move the shelves to the sitting room."

Sara smiled so brightly that Lark couldn't help but smile in return.

"My own room?" Sara asked. 

"Of course. This will be yours. My room is right next door. Would you like to sign your contract before you get settled?"

Sara nodded and Lark led her to the desk in the sitting room. Bernard had drafted a simple contract. It dictated simply that Sara was forbidden to discuss personal affairs within the castle, that her contract would be renewable yearly, and what her expected wage was. Though it was a modest wage it would be supplemented with clothing, food, and her room. It was still far more money than Sara had ever received since she began working as a young teenager. Her eyes shone with tears of relief as she signed the document. She hadn't felt secure since her parents had vanished. Though she had one living relative, her brother, he was estranged from the family. He had come back to the village to claim their farm when they disappeared and Sara had been forced out of her home. For weeks she had relied on the charity of her neighbors to have food and shelter. Now she could determine her own future.

Lark signed her name as well and folded the document. She sent it to Bernard in the hands of a trusted guard and invited Sara to join her for the dinner that had been brought while they were still riding back to the castle. They ate together quietly. Both women seemed unsure of where to begin. As Lark sliced into the small chocolate cake that had been sent for them Sara found the courage to speak. 

"What will be my exact duties, ma'am?" she asked softly. Lark smiled.

"Please call me Lark. Your duties are simple. I was in need of a companion. And here you are."

Sara's eyes darted around the room suspiciously. She felt as if Bernard would appear from the shadows to tell her that she would be scrubbing the floors. It could not be as easy as simple companionship. Lark stifled a laugh, her body relaxing. 

"Are there not other humans here?" Sara asked. Why would this high status pet be seeking such a common human for a companion?

"There is the harem," Lark explained. "But unfortunately we are not on good terms. I am isolated in this wing. And I only recently returned from spending time in the village. I worked for the Demmer family as a governess." Sara's eyes lit up in recognition.

"I know that family! My father used to trade with Mr. Demmer. There is a patch of dandelion and clover beside their property. I used to visit to harvest it. I didn't know they had a governess."

"I was not there long. As you can see I had second thoughts."

"Why did you come back?" Sara asked. Surprised by her own boldness she covered her mouth with her hand. But Lark waved away her anxiety.

"I'm happy to explain. I felt trapped here. I was chosen at birth to be our Lord's pet. I had no choice but to escape. But I failed. Once I arrived I poured myself into a new plan to escape. But instead I was released willingly by our Lord. It was only after leaving that I found I wanted to continue my education and did not desire a provincial or mundane life. I had grown fond of the castle. Our Lord is kind and generous. And I can study to my heart's content. If it weren't for the betrayal felt by the other pets here I would be very content."

Sara could see that her mistress was disheartened by the conflict with the harem. She could not sense her fear as she wasn't aware of how serious the situation had become. But she could see that it was a sensitive topic. 

"So do you not associate with them?" Sara asked tentatively. 

"I think I was moved into our master's wing for my own protection. I am grateful for my own space. The harem seems unhappy that I've been allowed to return without punishment. Ariane and I were friendly before but she seems to be avoiding me. She is the only one of us with golden hair."

Lark spent nearly an hour explaining the castle's layout and servants to Sara. She described Bernard, Madame Fawst and Lady Ferra and their positions. She also warned her to be careful. Despite the presence of guards throughout the castle she had not forgotten being followed through the halls only a few nights before. 

"Your duties are simple," Lark concluded. "I ask that you are available for tasks such as helping me with my gowns and hair. I require your presence when I move around the castle. And I may ask you to feed King occasionally. Otherwise, I simply request your companionship as stated in your contract."

"W-who is King?"

"A wild raven who now lives in the castle courtyard. I cared for him following an injury and now he comes to visit frequently. I only feed him a small meal every other day so he will stay wild. But now he expects it. He may bring gifts to my small garden. If you see anything out of place please report it to me."

Sara bowed her head. 

"Thank you, ma'am. I am honored to serve you." 

Lark shook her head. 

"It is my privilege to find such an amiable handmaid to be my confidant. And please call me Lark."

"Thank you, Lark."

The women smiled at each other and Lark felt her fondness for Sara already growing. She had come from such a similar background and seemed fresh and exuberant despite her tragic loss. Lark hoped they could find some support and comfort in one another. The pair spent the rest of the day strolling around the castle and courtyard and servants cleared Sara's new room. The more they shared with one another the more they realized how similar they were. Sara pointed out edible wild plants that Ariane often discarded as weeds and King made a brief experience. He was intimidated by Sara and remained at a distance. Lark was usually alone and he wasn't used to sharing her attention. He called out to her insistently but didn't approach. As night fell they returned to their chambers. Sara's room was now bare with only a bed, a basin for washing, and a small dresser. She settled in quickly as she and Lark discussed her plans to decorate. Her belongings were so few they all fit in a single dresser drawer. Lark offered her a few of her simpler gowns and promised they would get her one made for her as soon as possible. Lark was uplifted by Sara's presence and her anxiety had already begun to fade. As they prepared for bed they joked and laughed.

But as they parted ways there was a firm knock on the door. Lark hesitated and Sara rushed to open the door. A guard stood solemnly in the doorway with a letter in his hand. 

"A message," he announced. "From our Lord."

Sara took the letter, curtsied, and shut the door. She passed the letter to Lark who tore it open eagerly.

Lark,

I return tomorrow night. Our mission was a success. I will have a gift for you when I arrive.

August

Lark glowed with excitement. She hadn't realized quite how much she had missed August until receiving this letter. Sara's presence had kept her mind too busy to worry about her Lord. But now he was returning. 

"Our master is returning!" Lark breathed. Sara grinned. 

"You seem excited."

"We have become closer in recent weeks. Until your arrival he was my only friend in the castle. Of course I look forward to his arrival." Lark's face was flushed but she wasn't sure why she was embarrassed.

"I look forward to meeting him," Sara laughed. She patted Lark on the shoulder comfortingly. "I will see you in the morning. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Lark replied. She hurried into her own bedroom and undressed hastily.  She pulled on a nightgown and jumped into bed, placing the folded letter underneath her pillow. Tomorrow she and August would be reunited.

When dawn came Lark was awoken by Sara who brought her breakfast from the sitting room where it had just been laid. Lark sat up and rubbed her eyes before smiling sleepily. 

"Thank you, Sara," she mumbled. She raised a strawberry to her lips and took a generous bite. The sweet tartness spread through her mouth and she hummed happily while Sara sat on the end of her bed with her own plate. They ate together quietly and then Sara helped Lark dress and prepare for the day. Much to her delight, Sara carefully styled Lark's hair as she had once done for her mother. The intricate braids were impressive and flattering and Sara's practiced hands made short work of their task. She accompanied Lark to her morning lessons with Bernard and bowed her head as they passed Vayn in the hall. The older women regarded her with disgust that seemed to pass through her. Her venomous glare was threatening and Sara was momentarily shaken. As they neared Bernard's office she whispered to Lark. 

"Who is that?"

"Vayn," Lark sighed. "I can see her attitude has not improved." 

Vayn was certainly jealous that Lark had not only been granted private chambers but also a handmaid. As the most senior human in the harem following Lady Fawst she had always coveted the position that Lark was gradually filling. The last harem woman to be granted either of these luxuries was Ora. She watched their retreating forms with a sneer. She had worked so diligently to earn the admiration of the Lord. She had fought for her position in the castle. Unlike Lark, who was purchased by August at birth, Vayn had been selected by him at a festival in a neighboring village. She had heard of his wealth, power and the death of his beloved Ora. Desperate to catch his eye she had danced for him in the town square and relentlessly pursued him. Admiring her confidence and boldness he had accepted her. But aside from giving her additional responsibilities in running the harem he had never sought her out directly. She recalled the few times he had shown her affection, deluded into thinking his feelings for her had only been interrupted by Lark's arrival. She had never considered any of the other harem women a threat. 

Jealousy and vanity stabbed through her chest like a hot knife. She was aware of her own beauty and that surpassed even Lark's. She had been the most beautiful woman in her village and until the arrival of the stunning Lady Terra she had been the jewel of the castle as well. Rage in her eyes she stalked back to the harem with her pride bruised. She would need to remove Lark once and for all.