Chapter 39. Calling on Sephora
Maven, who is in charge of the housekeeping for the Raven Royal family, and Lady Nox collaborated in planning a visit to Sephora for breakfast. Young Master Fenn was keen on attending the arrangement. It was not often that anyone got the blessing of the Raven Queen to Call on either of her daughters.
Which meant this could only be encouragement.
Despite the fact that Maven had informed Sephora, the younger of the Princess twins, that it had to occur before lunch, she firmly believed that she had some leeway in determining when this would actually happen. She obviously didn't. Certainly not when her mother was directly involved but Maven didn't want to ruin the surprise for their own wildcard bachelorette princess.
At the long, dark, ornately carved table with a glass top, Sephora sat facing the entrance to begin trying her first-ever Eurasian breakfast. The flatbread was an odd thing to her, as was each dip, but if the chef was sure the honey and date mix would be something her sweet tooth could sink into? Well then, she was all for trying it at least.
One of the most intriguing guys Sephora had ever encountered strolled with perfect posture and confidence, through the door.
Since he lacked a single blue feather, anywhere on his wings, it was clear that he definitely was not a peacock, Sephora concluded as her piercing eyes raked him over, head to toe. Yes, I am very certain of that much.
His eyes were the darkest she had ever seen, and they were his most striking feature. Even when compared with any of the other male ravens' that she'd met. Even when measured against her flawless sister, this gentleman, who was undoubtedly of royalty from a different Clan, had eyes that were significantly more marvelous than those of any other.
Those eyes were perfectly oval, and without any whites... they were black. Just, perfectly pools of darkness. Aside from the sharpness of his jawline, the man's face had a quite round appearance. His dark hair had a lot of depth to it, and he wore it in a sleek, dapper way. The male had wings that mirrored the richness of a gloomy woodland with their mottled, deep coloration.
She noticed that he walked well and with self-assurance and couldn't help but remark aloud about how confidently and poised he carried himself. Even though his wings were folded nicely, the broadness of his shoulders drew attention to the fact that he held an impressive wingspan.
Such a prospecting match for even a noble Raven won't ever be considered. While he was gorgeous, he was not flawless, at least not in accordance with Raven expectations.
Yet, on the other hand, Sephora was destined from birth to defy every single aesthetic ideal and standard that her Clan and culture had.
It wasn't like she had a say in the matter.
She did not pick out the eyes that she developed through time; the ones that had just never darkened the way her sisters did. Much to their mothers' hope, - and her despair. That one of her hatchlings would have those eyes.
Her father's eyes.
The old and kind King's eyes.
Serving as a reminder to the Queen known as The Iron Rose; to Lady Nox. Now one but her knew this, however. Not even Sephora.
That's all there was to it; they were what they were - white-blue... As light blue as a summer morning sky.
In light of all of her observations, Sephora judged that perhaps this candidate in question did indeed have a high level of charisma and was exceptional... in a general manner. He had a charming appearance, and she found to her surprise, that she admired the way he handled himself.
Who, wondered Sephora, Was he?? Where was he from?? Could this be my mate? My match? My... Prince? What was his name again?? She tried her best to recall the name her mother had told her. The name that Maven and only just told her moments ago before leading her out of the kitchen. For the life of her, she could not remember. Finlay?
After making eye contact and her comment to this unknown prince, who was seated across from her at the elaborately laid-out breakfast table, the princess's cheeks grew slightly heated and rosy. Getting caught looking at and evaluating the possibilities in this prospective partner before he had ever talked to her... before she knew anything about him. While she was well aware that he was unable to read her mind, she also realised that her inner disarray was emblazoned on her face in bold, bright terms for all to see.
By the round eyes and features, she guessed he was an Owl, and owls love to read. She realized, Whether it be a book about anything, or whether it be my face... he probably knows...
At the very thought, her face grew from its dusting pink to a peachy rouge.
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Maven was positioned at the entrance to the kitchen where she could see the whole event as it took place. Charged for the day as the Chaperone for both of Master Fenn's Callings, starting with Sephora and moving on to Seraphina later that day. In particular, in the light of the behaviour of recent visitors who put the safety of the Queen's daughters in potential jeopardy.
Part of the elderly housekeeps chaperoning charge, was included in making sure they stayed out of harm's way of any variety. Despite the aging lines of crow's feet around her eyes, and flecks of pepper in her hair.
Maven had a historical track record of being reliable in that department when it came to the twins.
However, the housekeeping had made up her mind that she would not become involved in this particular situation evolving, unless it became absolutely dire.
The older Raven had been there every step of the way, from the time the girls were simply newly laid eggs until they were now, today's grown, young women. She was familiar with them, to the same extent as perhaps the daughters' own mother was.
Now that Sephora's cheeks were the colour of apples, Maven, too, was conscious and aware of the embarrassing exercise in futility of attraction Sephora was dealing with now. She had never seen Sephora in such a tizzy over a male, and honestly? Part of the old housekeeps enjoyed watching the struggle. Especially with Sephora's threats and demands regarding what Maven was to do later, about the creature... hopefully, sleeping somewhere below all of the feet. Could she fight a werewolf off if she had to? She wasn't sure, but Maven knew she could give it a damn good try. Going out fighting was a great death for a Raven.
Concealing a few points of laughter with coughs, briefly, she continued observing the interactions between Master Fenn and Lady Sephora.
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Being the first time that Master Fenn had ever looked upon Sephora he was struck silent.
Of course, he had learned that of the Raven twin princesses, one was rumored to be far more beautiful and outshine the other greatly.
From those rumors and what he had gathered it was supposed to be Seraphina that was the famed dark diamond prize, and many Nobles from the Raven Clans and Royal such as himself and the Eurasians were from other Clans. Petitioning the Queen with offers and deals for the Dark Diamond herself, to be their mate.
Yet, before Fenn, sat the most striking young female. Her eyes were as pale as the glaciers of the northern territories of the Snow Owls. Her dark pupils were narrow gateways to reading her expression. Her skin was as pale as the snow itself, and her long black hair was a curtain of the finest silken quality, as were her wings. With red plump lips, the colour of raven blood, matching the dress that went mid-shin.
Her style is bold, her colours are striking. Without thinking anymore of it, he walked over to the princess, who was eating some type of exotic breakfast... it wasn't Raven's traditional by his understanding of their culture and customs. Her face like porcelain had become dusted with pink across her cheeks, leaving Fenn wondering if what she was eating was spicy.
"Hello, you must be Princess Sephora." He stated, his breathlessness betraying him.
Sephora giggled from her nerves, but Fenn had no idea. "That's me." Gathering up the nerve to say something to this unusual male, "...and who might you be? From where do you hail?"
Fenn simply viewed her blushing and giggling as endearing. Believing that perhaps the food was too spicy for the princess, even commenting on that. Hoping to assist her in avoiding becoming ill.
Not for a moment considering, that it was a reaction toward him and that she was attracted.
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As the breakfast Calling on Sephora began,
Master Fenn was asked by a servant girl who had a blue hue to her, what he wanted for dinner. Caught off guard at first by such a young complexion marred by... what the Tawny prince could only assume was some type of animal.
However, he made no comment on it. Sure that this young Raven would be sensitive to comments, concerns or question's made to her and to Master Fenn, she already seemed quite solemn in her movements.
Learning that the Raven Palace's chef had whipped up some rye bread breakfast from his territory, the Tawny prince's demeanor changed, overwhelmed by the extent of the hospitality here. Ordering the rye bread, and salted butter that came topped with various types of meat.
Some with shredded venison meats, a common delicacy found roaming the tawny's forests. The Tawny harpy was the main neighboring territory to the Raven. What of the ancient forests that didn't belong to the Raven's belonged to them - meaning, most of it. The river that snaked through the landscape was the border. No one Clan laid claim to that but crossing that river by land or air, determined whose laws and cultures you were under.
While the boar seemed to prefer the Sephora's Clan's side of the river, the deer preferred Fenn's.
Some with cured fish, exactly how they would make it back in his territory, in tawny culture. This impressed him and tasted exactly the way it should have.
When the fishy smell caught Sephora's nostrils it triggered the memory. Not an image, or even a sound, but a smell... the scent from the dungeon. It made her begin to gag.
This caused tangible tension to arise in the atmosphere. They became silent and somewhat awkward.
"...Is it... the fish?" Asked Master Fenn, enunciating slow, low, and deliberate. Offense, now known to have been caused.
Chiming in, as appropriately as Chaperone was Maven to the rescue, "Master Fenn, Sephora hasn't been feeling great since this morning."
Between his puzzled expression, the crease knitting between his eyebrows, and the narrowing of his onyx ovals, it was known that Fenn didn't believe Maven.
He looked to Sephora for an explanation. As if the old housekeep had never spoken at all. All humor and any hint of warmth had long drained from his expression, "Well?" He prompted, "Are you ill?"
Taking a deep breath, drank some morning bramble cordal to steady her mind, and shoved away the memory of the dungeon. As forcefully as she could. That could be fixed and tended to later. Insults now had more immediate and long-term repercussions.
Finally, she answered, "Not at all, Fenn." Chiming silverly, "I tried some earlier when Chef was showing me what he'd made for breakfast. He was so proud of himself, it was lovely to see." The sweet and gentle smile that dawned on her lips was genuine, softening her eyes.
Fenn maintained eye contact with Sephora. Her smoky makeup made the vast whites of her eyes pop and heightened the rest of her expression.
Suddenly, the Prince relaxed. "Alright." He accepted, matter-of-fact. All tension from his shoulders seemed to evaporate from him, and then the rest of the room.
After that, it was impossible for them to discover anything that they had in common with one another, so for a considerable amount of time, they just sat there and ate their breakfasts in silence.
Every now and then, the Chef would delight everyone with a mouthwatering fresh dish. Both Sephora and Fenn would savour it with palpable enjoyment.
They had just finished their meals when they stumbled onto a topic that provided them with a common ground on which to carry on their conversation: the privileges, responsibilities, and opportunities that come with being a second-born heir.
A spare.