Inheritance

Chapter 34: The Only One Worth Pleasing

Eory couldn't stop smiling during breakfast as he ate in the public dining room. The room was empty but for Eory, Kori, and Pollyanna, as everyone else had already eaten. The three ate at the long table set in the middle of the room and Kori and Eory forgot their troubles for a time.

"That was so amazing! I loved seeing him light the coals and use the stove! He was so proficient at cutting the vegetables, too!" Eory exclaimed, eating with his mouth full.

Kori grinned with her cheek upon her hand. She hadn't seen Eory so excited and happy for many years. "I'm glad you had so much fun. But remember your manners for later tonight, Eory. You remember all your lessons, correct? Would you like to practice more before tonight?"

Eory nodded eagerly and then continued going over every little thing he liked about the kitchen and the cook. "He was so nice to me! I didn't think anyone would like me, but he did! And all the... The cooking utensils were so interesting, too! I liked the cleaver!"

Pollyanna was eating her own breakfast quietly and she rolled her eyes as she listened to the dull conversation, but once again, she couldn't help but wish she could be so excited about something as mundane as cooking.

She noticed the waif eagerly trying to keep Eory's trust and, more specifically, his love. Pollyanna couldn't help but feel bad for her. Arrozans have little love for anyone outside their family—especially if they are a different species.

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Kori made good on her promise to make sure that Eory knew exactly how to behave at the ball. Pollyanna followed the pair outside to the inner bailey and guarded them closely as Kori instructed the fairy how to bow, greet, start conversations, and be polite overall.

Kori was surprised at how much difficulty he was having. There were many strangers—fairies and humans alike—passing by them in the bailey who were throwing Eory off. They were giving him glares and glances of terror and whispering about him as they passed.

"Come on, Eory. There are going to be many more people like this at the ball. You need to make sure you can get through it effortlessly. I believe in you." Kori reassured him with a smile.

The whispering of the people milling about seemed closer than it actually was; it somehow seemed just as close as those walls of the room he used to be kept prisoner in was—he wished his large ears weren't so efficient.

Look at that monster; I don't know whether I should even risk the ball tonight. What is the king thinking by letting him inside the castle?

His eyes are wicked! His father looked at me with those same eyes when he ordered my husband's death!

Surely he's got some plan with that she-demon to kill us all.

Eory's mouth wobbled with fear and sadness as his mind seemed to block out everything else but those voices whispering cruel things about him.

"Eory!" Kori said loudly.

Just be who they want you to be. You'll be happier. The woman said in his head. There's no way you can resist this legacy.

"Eory! Please pay attention!" Kori rose her voice.

Eory snapped out of it and he stared ahead blankly before answering, "I'm sorry... May I take a break?"

Kori sighed as Gershom leaned against the fairy's leg and whimpered in empathy at his owner's sadness.

Kori looked at him intently before reluctantly nodding. He needs to be able to do this flawlessly. He needs to practice.

Eory sat down on the cold grass and Gershom crawled onto his lap to keep him company. He petted the dog silently and was ashamed and embarrassed at how poorly he was doing at these tasks he had practiced his whole life.

Kori sat down next to him, and he couldn't help but think that perhaps she was part of the reason he was doing so poorly.

She thinks I'm evil like all of them do... Eory thought to himself miserably. Why else would she suspect that I'm keeping the secret to Pollyanna's invulnerability from her?

Taylor snickered. You are keeping it from her. Clearly there is no trust nor love between you. She surely does have you pegged. She knows exactly who you are and she knows she can't save you. That's why she's going to let the king kill us tonight.

"No!" Eory yelled aloud and then panted heavily with a perspiring forehead.

Kori looked at him in surprise. "Is there something wrong?"

Eory shook his head.

He's still hiding something from me... Kori thought to herself with a heavy frown. Are you planning to hurt us tonight...? No. You are good and sweet. The fault is with me. I should trust you over the king.

Kori sat down next to him and held his elegant ivory hand. "Don't overthink it; just relax. It shouldn't be hard to prove something about yourself that is already true. I know you are good and kind and sweet, it should be easy for you to show them, too."

A slow smile came to the fairy's face and he nodded after a moment.

Pollyanna rolled her eyes for what felt like the tenth time that day at the pair. They both know and understand so little...

Suddenly, a messenger boy approached the trio and said to Kori, "the king would like to have a word with you, Redeemer. Come quickly."

Kori sighed. "Very well. I'll be right back, okay Eory? You stay here with Pollyanna."

Eory nodded and wished she wouldn't go. But I need you...

Pollyanna watched the waif recede into the distance and then she gave Eory her own piece of advice.

"She thinks you need to earn the respect of the rabble. But the truth is, you have nothing the prove to them. The only person worthy of pleasing is yourself. Remember that tonight." Pollyanna suggested.

Eory met her eyes and something about that idea comforted him greatly.

She's right. Why should I have to prove anything to people who have already made up their minds about me? I need to prove it to myself, not them. He thought to himself confidently.