What kind of aroma do you think that would be?
Why did it have to be pigs?
Marione chuffed at her family’s occupation for the thousandth time as she tucked the crisp corners of the bed linens.
Cattle, sheep, chickens—none of these carried the same stigma. But her father was so proud of his charges. “The best pigs in all Eanverness,” he always said. So he’d gained some notoriety, and his daughter too when she came to work at Amber Walling Manor.
Most ignored her now. But not Vilma and Caity, especially after Lady Keely had given her the queen’s room.
Marione willed her fingers to fold the night clothes faster. She still had to replace the rushes and do the other rooms.
Curse those petty cats! She would have to hide her shoes and bar the door. There weren’t any locks on them.
Marion sniffed. Was it real or imagined? Her eyes fell on a glass sphere with a narrow topper on the vanity. Marione picked it up, recoiling at the strong odor. A pastoral scene dotted with prancing deer was painted on the opaque surface of the bottle, along with the cursive words, “The sweet smell of morning fauna.”
Marione’s smirk froze as the door creaked open. Instinctively, she backed against the stone wall, shrinking herself immobile.
Queen Claennis walked in and picked up a book from her bedside table. Marione began to relax. It would work as always…
“Oh—hello,” Claennis said.
Marione’s eyes bugged, unable to fathom how to react. The queen sees her!
“I didn’t mean to interrupt, although it seems late enough. Of course, Roisin usually retrieves things for me, but… well, you know. It’s why we’re here. I must do this myself until I find a new attendant. I hope I’m not in your way.”
“N-no, my lady.” Marione swallowed to tame the croak. “I’m sorry. I should have been done, but I was… delayed. It’s no excuse—I’m very sorry. I could leave and come back later, or…” She looked down, and her heart sank further. She still held the bottle of perfume.
The queen chortled. “That horrid thing. Sigebard was so proud of getting it for me, the new scent among smart ladies.” She wrinkled her nose. “It has something to do with deer, of all things. But I find it overpowering and provocative. Even Roisin has declined to use it on her wedding day.”
“I beg your pardon, my lady,” Marione said. “I picked it up because… Well, I don’t know about deer, but for me, the smell of animals in the morning is boar’s urine.” She bit her tongue—aghast!
Claennis laughed. “Mother said you were from a pig farm, but I had no idea how interesting that was.”
“Lady Keely told you… that about me?”
“And what a good worker you are—faster and neater than all the other chambermaids. She thought I would be pleased with you doing my room.”
Marione stared at the floor, wishing really to disappear.
“You can read,” the queen said. “My mother does not know this.”
Marione nodded. “My father sent me here to be a clerk or something like that. He doesn’t know how it works. I’m good at letters and figures. So, he hired me a tutor, thinking I could rise to something grander. But I’m happy with this position. It’s better than I could’ve hoped for. And your noble parents are fair and kind.”
“That explains why you are so well-spoken.”
A knock came at the door. It opened before Claennis finished saying, “Come.”
Vilma and Caity bustled in, brandishing bundles of fragrant reeds.
“Milady, I saw you come in and knew we had to rescue you,” Vilma said in her congested voice. She caught sight of Marione. “Oh, still here, are you? That makes it worse, I’m sure.”
Claennis angled her head. “I’m afraid you have me at a loss.”
“The smell, milady,” Vilma said. “Surely you’ve noticed.” She snuffled the air, then surveyed the floor. Finally, she glared at Marione.
Marione gaped at her. “Of course I cleaned it from the bottom of my shoes first. That’s why I’m still here, as if you didn’t know.”
“Wait, you noticed it?” Caity said before Vilma could elbow her.
“What?”
“Marione, could you please enlighten me?” Claennis said.
“Um…” Marione decided to be honest. “I woke up to find manure on the bottom of my shoes. It took me hours to wash them. That’s why I was late this morning. I thought that was their plan. But now I think they expected me to track it around like a dumb animal.”
The queen turned to the other two chambermaids. “Is this true, Caity? My mother and yours would be so disappointed.” The girl dropped her mouth and looked at her co-conspirator.
Vilma’s weak chin quivered, but she said, “It’s only because we thought it’s beneath you, milady, to have a pig girl tending your room. She’s bound to make it filthy and stinky just like herself.”
Claennis cocked an eyebrow and took in the immaculate room. “You mean like it is now?”
Vilma looked away and fidgeted.
“Marione,” Claennis said. “Were you afraid and tempted to use the perfume as a cover-up? I’m grateful you didn’t.”
Caity threw herself down before the queen. “I’m sorry, milady! Please don’t—I couldn’t face Ma!”
Claennis sighed. “If this room is so important, you can have it—just you, Caity,” she added as Vilma perked her head. “Care for it well and keep better company. As for you, Vilma, you’ve known cruelty and kindness. Decide which you choose for yourself. You won’t have many more chances. Now, you will take on Marione’s rooms. She won’t be here any longer.” The queen’s gaze cowed Vilma’s triumph.
Chill crept up from Marione’s stomach. “My lady, please… I’m sorry about the perfume…”
“Oh, you will be,” Claennis said, “because you must smell it as my new attendant. At Faerseton Castle, Sigebard expects me to wear it.”
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