Page 60 of The Iron Dagger
“Oh, how splendid you look, my dear, how absolutely stunning! I was told you were pleasing to look at but, you are positivelygorgeous.”
Hara’s cheeks reddened at the praise as she thanked her. Lady Eleanora only reached Hara’s shoulder, but her elaborately coiffed hair more than made up for her height. She smiled with sparkling blue eyes that matched Gideon’s, made all the more vibrant by the canary-yellow gown she wore.
Remembering Gideon’s advice, Hara said, “Thank you. Your gown is lovely.”
“Isn’t it? My favorite designer is working again after spending some time in Mycan. They really do favor such slippery fabric—it isn’t suitable for us mountain folk. I’ve always runcold, always needed to bundle up, but the simple solution is to wear the gown and turn up the boilers!”
Eleanora chatted about the unseasonable chill they’d been experiencing while they were seated at the polished wood table. Plate after plate of enticing dishes were laid out for their meal, including a golden tower of cakes topped with sparkling candied fruit.
As they took up their cutlery, Lady Eleanora bridged her fingers so that her chin could rest upon them. She fixed Hara with a thoughtful gaze, and Hara uncomfortably took a bite of her wild-root salad.
“Well, aren’t you simply marvelous,” said Lady Falk, eyes roaming over Hara’s face. “You deserve every accolade in the land for your healing skills.”
It was not difficult to be humble at such grand praise.
“Thank you, Lady Eleanora. But Gideon was a stubborn patient. He refused to let his illness hold him down.”
“My Gideon, stubborn? I cannot fathom what you mean,” said Eleanora with a teasing spark in her eyes. “Don’t be modest. You must be very talented indeed to have saved Gideon from a wound, a poisoning, and a fever to boot!”
“You are too kind. I’m afraid I am only a second-rate healer, not nearly as powerful as my aunt who taught me.”
“Your aunt must be proud of you,” said Eleanora.
“She was, yes,” said Hara. “But she has been dead for many years now.”
“Oh, how tragic. Do you have any other family?”
Hara carefully avoided looking at Gideon, but she could feel his eyes on her.
“No. I am an orphan.”
“What a pity. I was ready to send more invitations for my little function,” said Eleanora. “Speaking of which, you must come dress shopping with me for the ball! I know all the mostsought-after designers in Perule and Mycan. With your coloring and height, you could look like a princess.”
“I would appreciate that. I must admit, I’m a bit overwhelmed by the fashion at court. I’m used to homespun and stays.”
Eleanora laughed heartily at this as though Hara had told a witty joke, and Hara took a moment before joining her. She had been serious.
“Very well! Leave it all to me, I will make sure you are the jewel of the evening,” said Eleanora. “How are you getting on at court? Very different from what you’re used to in Norwen, I’m sure.”
“Quite different, yes. I don’t know how I will live without instant hot running water again.”
Eleanora chuckled daintily. “Gideon tells me you are not too fond of our vehicles.”
Hara smiled weakly. “I find myself needing to perform a spell against motion sickness wherever I go.”
The mood at the table shifted almost imperceptibly.
“My, a spell!” Eleanora gave a breathy little giggle and raised her brows as she took a sip of her drink.
An unpleasant feeling tickled Hara, as though she’d slipped up and said something embarrassing. For a moment, Hara forgot who she was speaking to. She knew she had no reason to feel ashamed for using magic. After all, it was thanks to her magic that Lady Eleanora was holding a ball for her to begin with. But it seemed like magic was only acceptable if it was ignored.
“There’s no need to take that tone,” Gideon’s voice broke in at her side.
“What did I say?” Eleanora said defensively, her eyes wide as though he’d insulted her. “I’m as open-minded as theycome! Why, one of my dearest friends has a daughter-in-law who practices magic.”
“Mother,” Gideon groaned, and Hara was surprised to see a bloom of red spreading across his cheeks.
“Well, why not? It isn’t as though she has to perform spells at home. They live normally, and their children are normal, too.”
