Chapter 288: A welcomed visitor
There was that looming sense of urgency that lived in Arabella, all day long. Despite things being just as calm as usual.
But knowing the fact that the evening would see the unfolding of the most majestic of phenomena was enough to justify that lingering feeling at her core.
Since only the creatures of the night were conveyed, it only made sense for the daytime staff to carry on with their day as though nothing was in the works.
Ada sat absorbed by the botanical tome between her hands, eyes darting from one side of the page to the other.
The next thing that caught the young woman’s attention were the zooming books that flashed all around them in the library.
"Still thinking about Katherine?" Ada’s voice caused Arabella’s face to snap her way.
"Her image does haunt me," she murmured, a distant look on her, "Silas said she remains in the same state,"
"I suppose there is no way for her to attend the spring equinox celebration tonight," Ada sighed.
"That is a given,"
"But then who will volunteer to keep her company? That task can’t and won’t fall on the shoulders of a human," Ada shook her head.
"No. To my understanding, both Allegra and Grace have volunteered to stay by her side," the smile on Arabella was sweet but quite meek.
"Poor souls," Ada’s eyes fell down, her frown tragic.
"I’ve only read about it in books," Arabella sounded sheepish, "Is this event really that important to night walkers? Is attendance truly that crucial?"
"It most certainly is!" from a frown to a firm demeanor, "Missing the banquet in the great caverns isn’t a tragedy per se, but unless one has a very valid reason to not attend... They’d be talked about for the rest of the year. Nightwalkers as a whole do not share that many customs to follow but out of all of them, this one is by far the most important,"
Right at that moment, the door to the library clicked open, for a young butler to come through and approach the women.
Both stood to greet him as he bowed before speaking, "Lady Arabella, the leader of the Fata fairies has arrived and made the direct request to see you,"
"Oh! It’s Liriel!" she leaped in place only to then simmer down, clear her throat and thank the butler for his efforts.
Arabella practically dragged Ada with her to the gardens where Liriel had been welcomed to wait.
"Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude. She’s asked to see you and no one else," Ada’s attempts fell on deaf ears.
The stars in Arabella’s eyes couldn’t be quelled, "You’ll see! She’s amazing and absolutely beautiful!"
"Look who rose to the title of Lady," Liriel’s signature soft yet constant tone was still present.
"Oh! I’ve missed you so much!" face flushed pink, Arabella fondled the brooch which had attracted the full attention of the fairy, "Have you come alone? Where are the rest of the fairies?"
"Well, there still are some preparations to handle. I came earlier specifically to see you," Liriel smiled warmly.
"That is immensely kind of you," Arabella nodded, "The last time I’ve visited the village I’d been told you were out on an errand,"
"Indeed, I was," the old fairy chuckled, "I would have waited until tonight but I really needed to see you. I had to express my most sincere gratitude before you without being constantly interrupted by the chirping of the younger fairies around me," as her wings fluttered to keep her in the air, Liriel bent into a solemn bow in front of Arabella.
"Gratitude? I haven’t done anything that requires such grand gestures," the young woman put her hands up.
"The official letter says that Alpha Cynric has agreed to allow us access to the great caverns, but Silas made me aware of the real reason that brutish oaf conceded," she floated closer to Arabella before landing on her shoulder.
"I didn’t mean to stir things. I...," Arabella had started but fell short of words, looking at everything around that did not breathe. But then as if something new had dawned on her, her eyes widened and smile brightened, "Oh! How ill-mannered of me! Liriel, please meet Ada, my very good friend!"
"Oh dear! You two are just as beautiful as each other," Liriel laughed from the heart.
"I am very pleased to finally meet you, Madame Liriel. I’ve heard so much about you," Ada curtsied politely.
"Only good things, I hope," the fairy half asked while still laughing.
"Most certainly, yes," Ada chuckled in response.
"And so, from what I’ve heard there will be no changes to your traditions. Everything will take place like it does every year," Arabella’s grin was warm as she started walking towards the rose hedges.
"All thanks to you, yes," Liriel gave her shoulder meek little pats, "Although I do regret leaving the great caverns to the wolves at all,"
"I suggested the compromise because I thought it was the fairest in order to avoid any bloodshed," Arabella’s eyes leaped from one rose to another, "For as long as they don’t stand in your way tonight, then there is no reason to eject them from there. They might have been wrong about the history of the land but they still made a home of it for over six centuries. It’d make less sense to wage a war about it now,"
"When you put it that way, then yes," Liriel nodded, "It was the fairest option,"
In the distance, Edgar stood, looking busy with some flower beds. The women stopped to watch without disrupting his rhythm since he hadn’t even noticed them yet.
The breeze travelling the land was soft and kind, brushing their skin with such delicacy, it’d have lulled them into a deep peaceful sleep had they been reclined.
"I wanted to apologize to you, Liriel," Arabella broke the comfortable silence around them.
"For what, dear?" Liriel looked especially perplexed.
"For what happened nearly a month ago," she spoke with a little voice, "Not only did I get you hurt but one of your young fairies got hurt in the process as well,"