บท 67: Celebration (2)
Though the unpleasant feeling still lingered in the back of her mind Amelia managed to temporarily let go of her worries thanks to the pleasant atmosphere around her. Even the girls who she did not previosly know were good company and the mood was growing increasingly cheerful as the night progressed.
Along with the maids she'd withdrawn to a nearby table, joined by a few male servants and some kitchen workers. What had begun with the red haired maid's announcement of her engangement with a young freckled gardener had evolved into cheerful singing, everyone's faces glowing shades of red in the slowly dimming room.
Unashamed Amelia happily sang along with her ever so hoarse and discordant vocalisation with Olivias arm resting on her shoulder as the maid swayed next to her.
Occationally her eyes were drawn to were Dario stood in the opposite side of the room, heartfully laughing along with his men. She had initially assumed that his relationship to his knights was that of an employer to his staff, but it was plain to see that it was more akin to friendship. It seemed like the bonds formed in a war were not so easily broken that they couldn't withstand hierarchical positions.
It was a pleasant sight. She'd been a bit worried about him given the late nights and seeming lack of sleep but seeing him surrounded by good people put her mind at ease.
Olivia must have caught her looking at him because when Amelia turned and met her eyes a subtle smirk played on the girl's lips. While she searched her mind for a way to play it off as a simpe mistake the maid suddenly took her hand and stood up.
"Come, let's go out and talk."
She clumsingly followed, having to concentrate on each step as to not wobble or trip. She hadn't realised the extent of her intoxication and was thankful for the maid's hand as they navigated towards the corridor outside.
When the door to the celebration shut behind them and the cheerful bustling became muffled, Olivia turned to her with a joyful grin.
"Happy birthday!"
She let go of Amelias hand and placed a neatly folded piece of silk fabric in it. Amelia met her eyes with a confused expression, then focused her attention towards the thing in her hand. It looked to be a headband made of cream colored silk that was adorned by intricate embroidered flowers in shades of baby blue and pastel greens.
"I figured it would be best to give it to you now because I might be too drunk later."
"Did you make this?"
Olivia nodded.
"It must have taken hours" Amelia exclaimed, her chest tingling by the joy of recieving such a thoughtful gift from a friend. Without a second thought she pulled the maid into a hug.
"Thank you. It's really pretty!"
Olivia giggled.
"Don't mention it, it's nothing grand. Especially compared to this."
Olivia pulled away and motioned to the pendant resting on Amelias chest with an exaggerated look of amazement.
"Did his Grace give it to you."
"He did" Amelia answered, with an unconscius smile playing on her lips.
"It's beautiful, they even match your eyes."
"They do, don't they?"
"You look happy" the maid stated, and Amelia hummed in response, but was in that moment reminded of the nagging feeling that had been pressing to resurface for the entire night.
She tried to swallow it but it stuck in her throat like a big, burning lump. Whether it was due to the alcohol or not was difficult to discern, but in that moment the bitter emotions felt impossible to continue repressing.
"I think I have feelings for His Grace. And I don't know what to do."
Olivias happy expression turned into one of concern but she didn't say anything. Reason told Amelia to be quiet but one's the fist words had left her mouth they kept pouring out, like an unstoppable stream from a broken fauset.
"I am happy here, but the more I recieve the more I seem to dread the day when I'll have to leave. The reality is not like the rumors. I am... not fitting to be a duschess and I do not think that His Grace shares my feelings for him."
Her words left her mouth so fast that she wasn't sure if the maid could even hear them. Even so, it was like a heavy weight finally lifted from her chest the moment she let her worries out in the open.
Olivia was silent for a moment as if she was processing the information, and when she finally spoke she did so with a tentative and unsure tone.
"How come you're so certain of his feelings? Has His Grace told you this?"
"He doesn't need to. I know better than to covet what is not befitting of me."
The maid sighed and took Ameliad hands in her own.
"Amelia... I am well aware that I am not one to speak of this. I can only speak of what I've observed, and that is that His Grace seems to treasure you. However there is no way of truly knowing but to find out for yourself."
Olivia gently squeezed her palms.
"But before you ask the question... Be sure that you are prepared for whatever answer you may get, not only for the one you are expecting."
"I am not sure I understand."
"I am saying to consider whether a position beside him, with everything it entails, is what you yourself want. Without paying any mind to whether you believe to be suited for it or not."
Amelia only stared back at her. She wondered what the point would be to reflect on such things that may never come true, but didn't want to completely disregard her friend's advice.
"Apologizes. I do have a way to ruin the good mood, don't I" Amelia murmured and let go of Olivia's hands.
"But thank you for the advice. And for listening. It feels nice to get it off my chest."
Olivia gave her an unsure smile. In an attempt to lift the mood Amelia brought up the previously announced engangement.
"So... Vivian and Tom, who would have thought?"
"I know, right. I would have never pictured it, Vivian is so pretty."
"I don't know though, he seems really nice. And they look happy together."
"You can't say it like that, now you're making me look bad."
Amelia giggled, seeing an oppurtunity to bring the celebration back on track.
"Whatever do you mean" she teased in an exaggerated display of ignorance.
"You know exactly what I mean, you're making me sound shallow."
"I wasn't the one to say it though."
When Olivia began to huff in lighthearted annoyance Amelia knew that the heavy conversation could be left behind for the night. And surprisingly, her heart didn't feel so burdened anymore.
Looking at Olivia's back as they returned to the fiest she was struck by how truly greatful she was for this person who she had come to know.
"Thank you, Liv" she murmured, her words drowned out by the lively bustle from the party.
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