Mistress of the House

[Guest Celes]

OOC: wow, first to post and a first post for my first SC character!

 

IC:

 

The long corridor down to the main bedroom was dark, the curtains were drawn and the mistress of the house had retreated to her rooms. The housekeeping staff knew not to bother her, for she had a bad temper these days. They sent someone on turns to visit her and see if she needed anything, usually no more than a cup of tea or some fresh water. She did not eat and had not for thee days straight now, the servants were not very fond of Lady Gundun but they knew that it was not all her fault. The Master of the house had wronged her badly and the girl he had used for his pleasure and to lower himself and the house name had been fired on the spot. Lori was stupid, the staff had agreed on this weeks before Lady Gundun had even found out. Maybe they were stupid for not informing her of what they had seen happening right under their noses. But even the staff felt that this shame was brought on them as much as on their House, only they could not dwell in it as much as the Lady Gundun did.

 

Suddenly, the sound of a door opening and then slamming shut filled the empty corridor. Light clicking noises of slippered feet on a rush were heard over the marble stone floors. The door swung open again and a woman’s voice yelled, “Get the note over to her now and get me someone to help me dress up,†the servant girl was new, hired after Lori was fired. Jinni was new to the work, just out of her home from the safety of her mother’s wings she had chosen an occupation in this house. She regretted it now, on her second day as the Lady of the house was yelling at her for things her predecessor had done. And then the note that had been handed to her, for the Master’s mother to find that her daughter in law would attend dinner that evening. Jinni wiped her brow and was suddenly very glad she was not born in a high family and did not have to worry about such important things as dinner by invitation and the status that came with the right invitations.

 

“What insolence,†Kaira muttered and stomped her feet as she walked up and down her room. Her deep red robes flung about the soft silk hem she wore and this made her even more angry. For the past three days she had been hiding away in her bedroom, not getting dressed, not powdering her face, not even bothering to comb her hair. But that was going to change now, she was no longer the victim and he would know, he would know and he would regret beyond what he had tried to regret so far. She would make sure, for revenge was sweet, especially if she could gain from it personally. Kaira smirked and heard a soft knock disturb her thoughts. The girl had been quick about her errand and Sophia helped her in a dress that suited Kaira’s mood. It was a deep brown color with green slashes from the hem down to the ankles. It had a high cut neckline and with her hair up in a bun, Kaira looked regal and nothing like the woman scorned that had hidden away from the world over the betrayal of her husband. Glancing over her reflection in the small hand mirror, Kaira smirked and said, “I’m ready,†then closed her eyes and let the world die down around her as she prepared herself for the meeting with his mother. Her demands would be met, she would see to that now.

 

Kaira Gundun

Disgruntled spouse

[Guest Celes]

Her mother in law tried to get out from under Kaira’s visit by sending word that she had a meeting in the city late in the afternoon, Kaira sent word back that she could wait if necessary. The guest rooms were quite comfortable after all, she received a positive announcement that her mother in law would expect her that evening. Kaira made her way over to Lady u’Hura who was waiting in her study. She sat behind her desk, a stack of parchment before her and a cup of spiced wine in her hand as she barely looked up at Kaira in greeting. This did not stop Kaira from moving into the room, looking around calmly before addressing her host in a calm voice, “We need to talk mother,†at which she was merely glared at. “Have some wine,†the other woman said and pointed over to a tray on the table in a corner. A serving girl pored Kaira the wine wordlessly and Kaira just let the wine dance over the cup before putting it back in the girl’s hand. “In a bit, yes,†she said and placed herself on the brown couch that stood a few feet away from the desk, forcing Lady u’Hura to move over to her. She did, though hesitant and Kaira smiled warmly. “I’ll have that wine now,†she said and sipped from the cup that was handed to her.

 

“What is it, stop all this drama I do not have time for it, unlike some people I have matters to attend to this evening,†her impatient mother in law started. Kaira nodded, took another sip and emptied the cup. “The taste is as vile as I should have expected from Severus’ mother,†she said and placed the empty cup in the servant’s hands. “Leave us girl,†she said and waited for the girl to close the door behind her. “I found Severus in bed with another woman, mother,†she said calmly, never letting her eyes move away from Carolina u’Hura’s eyes. “If my son chose another in his bed, he might have been discontent with what you had to offer, Kaira,†she said finally and smirked a little smile that never did reach her eyes. “Yes, yes that might well be true mother,†Kaira said and allowed the woman to take her victory, only to make her swallow it now, “The woman was a servant, a girl half his age and a quarter of our stand.†The effect was instant.

 

Her mother in law rose from her seat and started to pace up and down the room, never looking at Kaira who was herself now looking quite smug. “In case you are wondering, I am not here to declare our marriage a sham and ask to be relieved. Nor do I want to publicly humiliate him by making public what he did,†at this the other woman turned and gave her a cold stare. “You only say that, to sweeten me up before you ask for the family treasure,†Kaira laughed at this and said, “I do not care for your coin woman, I care for a treasure that is much dearer to my heart…. Come, have a seat here next to me,†Carolina was baffled and settled on the couch next to Kaira, her pale features and furrowed brow betraying every thought that went through her mind. Kaira could almost hear the workings of her mother in law’s thoughts: she was clearly at a loss.

 

“I want you to introduce me to your friends, make me a real part of the family circle and let me benefit from who you are, and from the man I married. If I am to stay married to Severus, you and the family will pay me, not in coin, but in status,†there, she had said it. Her mother in law nodded slowly, painfully slowly as she recounted the words in her head. Kaira waited, trying her best not to bite her lip as she studied her mother in law’s face. Finally, a reply came, “Yes, I can do that. I can take you to one of my tea engagements, a visit to the theatre,†she said and Kaira nodded. “Oh, we are going to have so much fun, you can throw me a party once a month and show me around all your privileged friends and acquaintances, they will know my name and you will make sure they will not forget, I shall be respected and loved, a part of the family in every way possible.†Her mother was just catching her breath when Kaira spoke and was now white as a sheet once more. “I shall sit in your booth when there is a dance and I shall drink wine with The Blood, at the annual festivities you organize mother,†she said and tapped the other woman on the leg. “I shall also run my own household from now on, Severus is no longer the Lord in his house, he may act as such outside, but inside I shall rule,†she added as an afterthought. She needed her mother in law to help her on this one as Severus would not see it her way unless she had something to use as leverage.

 

Finally, her mother in law caved and called for a servant to bring in her list, Kaira watched with interest as Caroline showed her a list of families and names. Some were written separately in a short list and she realized those were of The Blood. Now she would be able to get close to them and she would feel like a true part of the higher nobility. Her mother in law talked about the different names, showed her who was who and who was linked to whom. It was a valuable lesson that took up most of the evening and when it was over, Kaira was radiating with all the knowledge she now possessed and what possibilities this evening could bring her. She left that evening, ready to confront her husband, a small piece of parchment sealed by her mother in law safely hidden in her pouch. In a way, that was the key to the kingdom and Kaira would use it well, she was queen now, Severus would learn that all too soon.

 

 

Kaira Gundun