The last one she approached, she peered at it as closely as she had done the others, was a still life of a woman dressed in exquisite clothing. The woman was very regal looking and beautiful. She had a small but ornate crown upon her head, and Melenthia deduced that this could very well be Dain’s mother, the late Queen Raewyn.
She heard someone clear his throat behind her and she jumped, turning to see Emerick standing in the doorway. “Exploring today are we, Your Highness?”
Emerick was a short plump man, not fat, just softer around the torso and the chin and cheeks, with silvery gray hair and bushy eyebrows of the same color. He had blue-gray eyes and a smile that made dimples on the sides of his mouth. He was dressed in his usual attire, hosen and plain doublet, and wore a signet ring of ranking on his right ring finger. His left finger still had a pale indentation around it from where he had worn his marriage ring for over fifty years. He was a very nice man, and Melenthia liked him a lot, but she wasn’t sure if she was supposed to be in here so therefore defended herself.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to go where I wasn’t permitted, but the door was not locked and I wasn’t told this room was off limits.”
“You’re fine,” he said approaching her side. He glanced up at the painting she had been studying and smiled. “It’s quite good isn’t it?”
“She’s very lovely. Is it the Queen?”
“Yes, done lovingly by her son’s own hand.”
“He never told me he was an artist.”
“He doesn’t tell many. He hasn’t picked up a brush in years, not since she died. This one was done when he was only twelve.”
She was really impressed now. “Why would he stop doing something he’s so obviously talented at?”
“He hasn’t done a lot of things he should since she passed, but a lot of things he should not.”
“Does it bother him to talk about it?”
“A bit, but I would suspect that anything you asked him about, he would gladly tell you.”
She glanced at him. “Why would you say that?”
“You mean you don’t see it?”
“See what?”
“I’ve been in the service of this household for more than forty years; I’ve known Dain since he was born. I’ve seen all the sides of him, good and bad, and have tried to care for him to the best of my ability. When his mother died, he lost a bit of himself and started to seem lost, floundering around without much purpose. When his father died and he was forced unto the throne, he changed completely. He was good to the people, but he couldn’t be good to himself. He walked down a path of self destruction for years. Both Alek and I were getting concerned. But since you arrived, there has been a new spark in him. A new light is coming back into his soul. He fancies you, Melenthia, and I don’t mean that he’s entertained by you. I think that boy is falling in love.”
Melenthia stared at Emerick, her cheeks filling with heat. She was holding his gaze, but then looked away. He quickly added, “It may not be my place to say. Forgive me if I embarrassed you, Your Highness.”
“It’s alright, Emerick. I know you care for him. I think you’re mistaken, but I appreciate the sentiment. He’s kind and is doing his best to make sure I’m safe and comfortable, but I can assure you that he’s not falling in love with me. I believe I amuse him.”
Emerick smiled kindly, his bushy gray eyebrows raised in question, the wrinkles around his steel gray eyes crinkled. “You don’t believe you’re worthy of love.” It was not a question, so she did not answer. He continued. “Well, I hope that one day you find that you’re wrong.”
Footsteps behind them caused them to turn, and they saw Dain standing in the doorway, leaning on the frame of it, arms crossed over his chest. He was silent, but he had an amused smile on his face.
“I can’t leave you two alone for a minute. I should’ve known you two would have intrigues behind my back. You, Emerick, should know better than to give away all my secrets.”
“She stumbled on this one all on her own, Sire.”
Melenthia was embarrassed, wondering just how much of the conversation he’d heard. He entered the room and came over to her, taking her hand in his and kissing it.
“I’m sorry for intruding on your personal space, Dain, I was just curious.”
“It’s quite alright, Melenthia. If I really wanted to hide it, I would’ve locked the door. Although, I was under the impression that Emerick was supposed to be the protector of certain subjects. I should’ve known you would get under his skin as well.”