01-04-2019, 11:48 AM
Even the San Finziones of Old got the idea that they might've made Castle Finzione too big. It had always been meant as a stronghold for the people in times of war. That's why, despite the fact that La Familia Royale are in residence, its proper name is still Castle Finzione, as opposed to Finzione Palace.
Back when the country only held a few thousand people, the early Counts were planning for the longer-term and the possibility of having to house a country of many more people during a long siege. Getting around such a huge place had been an afterthought, so they'd done their best by providing little alcoves with chairs and couches throughout the halls. There was one of those outside the Nursery, so it was a good place for me to bring Estella and sit down on one of the couches.
"Have I done something wrong, Signorina Bailey?" Estella asked nervously. She knew I was a friend of Helen and Maria's, and I could see that she didn't know what to expect next except that it would be something bad.
I smiled, shook my head, and sat down next to her.
"No, Estella." I assured her. "Not at all. I just want to talk. How do you know Lucinda? Be honest." I added the command at the end.
"At the cathedral. We have talked before and after Mass. She knows I work at the castle and has let me sit with her for the service before."
I nodded. Lucinda probably has whatever the church equivalent of a Sky Box is at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. It was the kind of nice gesture that would be certain to impress Estella, make her willing to answer some questions about work that might seem odd, but never mind that, dear. Have a little wine, it's ok, you're with me. Now, about La Contessa and the babies... I started wondering if that Sky Box might be made of gingerbread.
"I'd imagine she gets the really good seats, Estella. She's a strong, powerful woman; and I understand how overwhelming it can be for someone like yourself, going from doing things like watching television to sitting with someone like Lucinda de San Finzione at Mass." (Or going from being constantly beaten and scared to being loved by two of the most powerful people in the world who think you're worthy of sharing their power, even after what Julie thought happened the last time.) I gently took hold of her hand. "What sort of things does she ask you about, Estella?"
"She asks how the boys' spiritual needs are being met. I know that she has a surprise planned to give them this evening."
That made me stop myself over how damnably obvious it should have been: It's a reception for babies, of course there are going to be gifts! I didn't have a clear picture yet, but something was forming.
"Do you know what the surprise is, Estella?" The girl shook her head no. Something had told me that Lucinda wouldn't let Estella in on her whole plan; still worth asking. "Well, has she had a lot of questions about any one subject in particular?"
Estella thought for a moment on that.
"She has asked if I know of La Contessa's plans for their education. She is very concerned about this."
"She wants to make sure it's a good Catholic education, doesn't she?"
"Si." Estella answered. That picture was getting a little clearer now. Lucinda's gift would be something elaborate, expensive, religious... and educational.
"And she thinks someone should do something about that." I slapped the edge of that screen in my head and it came into focus. I stood up.
"You're not in any trouble, Estella. In fact, I'd like you to forget we talked about this at all. Why don't you tell me about some cute little thing the twins did today?" I commanded. "That's what you followed me out to say."
"Si. The noise that Lord Byroni made earlier; he started doing this two days ago. Lord Vincenzo started making this noise back today."
She smiled, and I smiled back at that. They're Helen's kids; of course communication is one of their priorities.
"Thanks, Estella. Now, if you don't mind going back in there, I think I just figured something out and need to start running toward the study, and I'd rather you didn't see me do it. Also, forget I just said that, please."
Estella nodded and went back to work. Once the door was closed, I started running to the study.
* * *
Back when the country only held a few thousand people, the early Counts were planning for the longer-term and the possibility of having to house a country of many more people during a long siege. Getting around such a huge place had been an afterthought, so they'd done their best by providing little alcoves with chairs and couches throughout the halls. There was one of those outside the Nursery, so it was a good place for me to bring Estella and sit down on one of the couches.
"Have I done something wrong, Signorina Bailey?" Estella asked nervously. She knew I was a friend of Helen and Maria's, and I could see that she didn't know what to expect next except that it would be something bad.
I smiled, shook my head, and sat down next to her.
"No, Estella." I assured her. "Not at all. I just want to talk. How do you know Lucinda? Be honest." I added the command at the end.
"At the cathedral. We have talked before and after Mass. She knows I work at the castle and has let me sit with her for the service before."
I nodded. Lucinda probably has whatever the church equivalent of a Sky Box is at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. It was the kind of nice gesture that would be certain to impress Estella, make her willing to answer some questions about work that might seem odd, but never mind that, dear. Have a little wine, it's ok, you're with me. Now, about La Contessa and the babies... I started wondering if that Sky Box might be made of gingerbread.
"I'd imagine she gets the really good seats, Estella. She's a strong, powerful woman; and I understand how overwhelming it can be for someone like yourself, going from doing things like watching television to sitting with someone like Lucinda de San Finzione at Mass." (Or going from being constantly beaten and scared to being loved by two of the most powerful people in the world who think you're worthy of sharing their power, even after what Julie thought happened the last time.) I gently took hold of her hand. "What sort of things does she ask you about, Estella?"
"She asks how the boys' spiritual needs are being met. I know that she has a surprise planned to give them this evening."
That made me stop myself over how damnably obvious it should have been: It's a reception for babies, of course there are going to be gifts! I didn't have a clear picture yet, but something was forming.
"Do you know what the surprise is, Estella?" The girl shook her head no. Something had told me that Lucinda wouldn't let Estella in on her whole plan; still worth asking. "Well, has she had a lot of questions about any one subject in particular?"
Estella thought for a moment on that.
"She has asked if I know of La Contessa's plans for their education. She is very concerned about this."
"She wants to make sure it's a good Catholic education, doesn't she?"
"Si." Estella answered. That picture was getting a little clearer now. Lucinda's gift would be something elaborate, expensive, religious... and educational.
"And she thinks someone should do something about that." I slapped the edge of that screen in my head and it came into focus. I stood up.
"You're not in any trouble, Estella. In fact, I'd like you to forget we talked about this at all. Why don't you tell me about some cute little thing the twins did today?" I commanded. "That's what you followed me out to say."
"Si. The noise that Lord Byroni made earlier; he started doing this two days ago. Lord Vincenzo started making this noise back today."
She smiled, and I smiled back at that. They're Helen's kids; of course communication is one of their priorities.
"Thanks, Estella. Now, if you don't mind going back in there, I think I just figured something out and need to start running toward the study, and I'd rather you didn't see me do it. Also, forget I just said that, please."
Estella nodded and went back to work. Once the door was closed, I started running to the study.
* * *
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