Notes: 1) If you see this anywhere but Literotica, it isn't supposed to be there!
*****
Lislora had been nervous as Gharol brought a small breakfast, entirely unasked, but Isonei was either too distracted by all of her things being packed or she truly didn't know or mind about the woman having been Princess Kresh's servant. The Aran was constantly peeking into the bedroom or stepping inside the door to observe and ask questions. When the woman would wander back into the main room she tried to engage her in conversations about Hodrim, or the house in the Kroscur if only to keep her out from under the servant's feet, but the topics couldn't hold her attention.
In Isonei's place, she'd probably be as distracted and worried as well. Though, she had to admit to herself, she wouldn't be carrying around a demonic book as if she were afraid someone might snatch it away. It would have been given over to the priests without a second thought. Kamrus Olauth might be unsettling and unpleasant but he wasn't a demon, that much she was sure of and that was all that mattered.
As the preparations were finished and the last chest of Aran valuables had been removed, Lislora studied the lost-looking woman in mourning rags. All of this was difficult and the only thing she could think of to improve everyone's mood was a meal.
"Ximesra, have lunch brought. Something filling, and make certain the cook sends something to lift her spirits."
Isonei blinked at her and she translated,
"A meal might help us both. It has been a long and difficult day."
The Aran woman nodded and offered a faint smile,
"It might. It's thoughtful of you to suggest it. The priests were insistent that I should eat more."
As they waited for the maid to return, Lislora rose from her seat and walked around the main room. Some flowers for the woman would be kind and perhaps some Aran books. She ran her finger over the few slim Torgan volumes of poetry on a shelf.
The Munian returned with a tray that looked and smelled delicious. The plates of dark bread, roasted vegetables, and meat with thick brown gravy made her mouth water.
"They were told to serve hare today. No trays were to leave that didn't have hare on the plates. This is all for Duchess Lislora."
Lislora covered her mouth trying to think of something to say. That his Majesty would want to poison the woman twice was unthinkable!
"But the kitchen won't allow the silver Duchess to go hungry. Half of them were slaves..."
The maid reached under her skirts and after a moment pulled a wrapped bundle from beneath them.
"I have clean food for you."
She nearly opened her mouth to dispute that but the Aran woman didn't seem upset or disgusted at the way her meal had been brought, smiling gratefully as the small, simple meal was laid out for her. The maid had brought one of the candies that had been sent to the kitchens for the Princesses with her as well.
"All of the other candies were given to the Princesses. They were only able to save one of these for you."
The realization that Isonei hadn't had any of the candies made her feel a little guilty and vaguely ill.
Isonei didn't seem to notice, smiling warmly at the Munian woman.
"Thank you and thank them for me. This is a kindness I cannot repay."
The thanks delighted the maid and when Ximesra glanced back to Lislora it felt pointed,
"Do you need anything, your Grace? I tried to be certain everything on the tray was to your liking."
She was a Duchess now and she would not be cowed by the servants. Inclining her head coolly as she came to the table, she dismissed the woman,
"No, that will be all."
The Aran began nibbling on her food as she gave an almost motherly prompting look to thank the maid.
It made her want to argue the matter and she prodded some hare onto her fork,
"I know you thank them, Isonei, but thanking everyone each time they complete a task is ridiculous."
The argument was apparently unexpected and Isonei nearly choked on her food.
As the woman swallowed, the maid spoke up for her,
"Arans are known for expressing gratitude, your Grace. They write notes for everything and there's a jest among the Sons of Mun when they marry an Aran, you'll know the child takes after his Aran parent more if he comes out thanking his mother."
"You had to remind me that I need to write his Majesty a thank you note after he tried to poison me?"
Isonei turned and gave the maid a look of what she was certain was mock annoyance.
"No one would fault you for forgetting."
Ximesra shrugged with a wry smile as if speaking to a friend and not someone above her.
"My father might. After lunch, I'll write a letter that would make him proud."
The woman looked lost in thought as she ate and Lislora didn't want to disturb her. It was a relief to see her eating all of the small meal that had been brought, however. As she finished, she broke the braided candy in half and offered it to Lislora with a smile. The thought of taking it and being the reason the woman only had half of a single candy that had been brought so far for her was unbearable.
"No, thank you, Isonei, but I do not want anything sweet. You lived off of honey. I need eggs and savory, salty things."
Lislora sopped up the dark sauce on her plate with a piece of bread.
"You could barely eat anything, and I am constantly hungry."
Isonei winced, drawing back the offered candy.
"Don't discuss that. Talk about anything else, your Grace. You'll upset her."
"I meant no offense."
"I know."
The pale Aran woman raised her hand.
"It's a difficult subject for me but you should be allowed to talk about it."
The pained look on her face made Lislora want to offer any comfort she could. There was only one thing she could think of immediately,
"You can take comfort in the
Book of Truths
, all things happen in accordance to Ganas' will. It may be painful but he knows best."
The pain on Isonei's face turned to fury, an oddly frightening expression on the delicate woman's face.
"What did I say wrong?" She swallowed and leaned back, considering rising from the table.
"I told you to talk about anything else, your Grace. You might as well pour sand in an open wound."
"I was trying to comfort her! The look in her eyes could break a shield!"
Isonei took a deep breath and composed her face.
"Don't try to comfort me anymore, please. I find nothing comforting in the thought..."
As the Aran drew another deep breath looking angry and anguished, Lislora realized what she'd said, that Ganas had willed her loved and wanted child to be taken so violently. There was no comfort at all in the thought.
"I... I am sorry, Isonei."
"Thank you."
There was silence for a moment and then the woman inquired softly,
"Have you considered names yet? Will you choose something Torgan?"
Before she answered she looked at the maid who gave a small nod.
"Draeseth wants an Aran name, and they are very fashionable,"
she paused,
"His father suggested Thaedreth."
Isonei looked at the table with an unreadable expression.
"I had asked Draeseth to choose between that name and Mallath. King Orgath tried to convince us to choose the name my father had intended for me, Isionath. Draeseth wasn't fond of it and I liked the name Mallath."
Lislora nodded slowly, it had been a cruel suggestion probably meant to start a quarrel between the two of them.
"He said he would prefer a name other than Thaedreth but he would not say why. Isionath is a very handsome name."
"Loreth sounds very handsome as well, or Draeleth?"
It was a relief to see the woman's face soften and she offered a smile,
"I like those. Lorim was my father's name."
"It wouldn't hurt to have a daughter's name chosen as well, just in case. My father was so surprised I wasn't a son I didn't have a name for a week."
Isonei scrunched up her face and puckered her mouth as if she tasted something sour.
Lislora gave a small laugh before agreeing tentatively,
"Draeseth is very attached to the name Kothesei. Though I did consider changing it to Kothelosa."
"I like that! That's like his mother's name, Athelosa. Have you suggested it? It's beautiful."
"I have not, but I will."
She wasn't certain she wanted to name the girl after Krouth but it was a lovely name.
"You should. I think he'd like it."
Isonei finished nibbling on her candy and looked at the desk across the room.
