Imperfection - Chapter Two (Patreon)

Olwen

“This will be your quarters from here on out. You must reside within palace grounds and if you decide to leave, you must take your guard with you. Now that you are part of the king’s council, your life is that much more precious, and in danger.”

I nod in understanding as a member of the king’s staff continues to show me around my new home. Like everything in Etherium, the home given to me is extravagant and elegant. It’s an apartment that must have been part of the palace’s original design. I silently walk around, taking in the atmosphere. It’s pristine, the furniture handmade and the view to the courtyard offers natural light. Most everything is marble and a shade of white, mimicking the world of Etherium.

“What do you think?”

“It’s perfect,” I say absentmindedly. I’ve never cared about my living arrangements. I was raised in privilege, my childhood home was one of the largest in Etherium. And due to my status, anywhere I lived prior to moving out would match that. Now, I have been given a private wing in the king’s palace, and it meets every expectation that comes with Etherium. At this point, I don’t think I have any other expectations or desires for the world that I live in.

“We can have it renovated and decorated to your liking. I’ve been informed that your belongings are on their way.”

I nod, once again letting her know I hear her.

“I have no intention of renovating. As I said earlier, it is perfect.”

I turn to face her, taking in her demeanor. She’s nervous, her stance tense and her eyes wide.

“Are you new?” I ask. I continue to study her, my brain moving faster than hers.

“Yes, I’ve been here-”

“Three months?” I finish.

She once again nods as her expression morphs into that of surprise. I know my ability is unnerving to those who aren’t used to it. So it doesn’t surprise me when she grows visibly uncomfortable in my presence.

“The king has assigned you to my wing so that you can grow into your role with me,” I say.

She once again nods, her cheeks burning for some reason.

“Yes.”

I nod, no longer interested in her.

“What is the itinerary for today?”

“Once you are settled, the grandmaster will take you on a tour of the palace and show you where you’ll be working. You will also meet your bodyguard today. I’m sure the grandmaster will have his file ready for you.”

I silently make my way to the door of my room as she continues to speak. I hate pointless conversations and excessive information. I’m sure she will learn that as she grows into her role. It doesn’t surprise me when I hear her footsteps scurrying behind me.

“Did you not want to look at your bedroom-”

“No. What is your name?” I ask as I continue to walk.

“Olive, ma’am.”

“Olive.”

I repeat her name, saying it aloud so that she knows I hear her.

“I do not say things I do not mean nor do I waste my time with unnecessary conversation. I have told you twice the room is perfect, and I meant it. Let’s get on with the day.”

* * * * *

The king’s palace is more magnificent inside than out. Just to tour it takes up most of the day. It’s sectioned into not only the king’s main house where he and the royal family resides, but there are also entire buildings sectioned within the layout of the palace that make up the working government officials. The palace of Etherium is starkly different than the palaces of the outside world’s history. Those palaces were made from vain individuals who had been told they were hand chosen by God to rule. It is understood in Etherian culture that the monarchy represents more than just a family line. It represents stability. This is why officials work on palace grounds to not only be close to the king but physically understand just how important their positions in society are.

Since my father is a member of the high council, he works on the palace grounds. But since I am a member of the king’s advisory council, I will be in the main wing with the king most days. And when I am not giving council to the king, I will be on my own, doing what I deem fit for society.

The grandmaster stops in front of a door that stretches to the ceiling. He places his hand on the doorknob, and it unlocks readily as he has a chip beneath his skin that contains unlimited access throughout the palace. He smiles as I enter the room, watching me curiously as I take it in.

“This is your office. While you will be working in close quarters with the king, all advisors have stationery offices outside of the main wing so that other officials will have access to each of you.”

I nod, looking around. The windows stretch to the ceiling as well giving me a wide view of the outermost edge of Etherium. The mountains stretch in the distance covered in vibrant green and even pinks and yellows as the flowers begin to bloom. I love it.

“How soon will my duties begin?” I ask.

“The king has scheduled you to begin at the start of the next week. Of course, you can take the time to familiarize yourself with the palace and its many departments. We will also have briefs delivered to your quarters that you should look over to prepare for the advisory meetings. We won’t send you to the capital for at least a month. The job of an advisor is a position of high prestige that requires a lot of flexibility.”

“I am aware,” I say turning to face him.

My glare doesn’t make him uncomfortable as it does for others, but I’m sure he’s grown used to working alongside people like me. A light knock sounds on the door pulling both of our attention. I turn just in time to see a man walking in with stacks of folders in his hand. His hair is blonde, his cheeks rosy in the sunlight. He bows slightly, handing over the papers to the grandmaster, but keeps his eyes trained on the ground.

“The information on Miss. Sheridan’s bodyguard.”

I silently study him, my perceptions telling me exactly who he is. He is somehow from the pawn’s class. But he carries himself differently from an outsider.

“Who is this?” I ask, looking at the grandmaster.

“This is Augustus. He was brought in from last year's annual selection. He exhibited above-average test scores and we felt it would be too much of a waste to have him serve the lower classes.”

Augustus remains still, his eyes lowered as the grandmaster speaks of him. There is no fidgeting, no anxiousness. He exudes calm.

“I would like him to replace Olive. He can run my household, he is much more capable.”

The grandmaster is silent for a moment.

“Olive is a generational Etherian-”

“And yet, she couldn’t understand what the word ‘perfect’ means,” I say looking at the grandmaster. He won’t refute me. I know he won’t. Just as he knows I’ve done the calculations in my head otherwise I wouldn’t be saying this. I hold my hand out, waiting for him to hand over the information as I make my way to the door.

“I shall go over this and be ready for the ceremony this afternoon. Thank you,” I say quickly ending the conversation. The grandmaster offers a tight smile, bowing slightly as he makes his way to the door. I don’t wait for him to close it as I take my seat. Augustus still remains silent in the corner, pulling my attention.

“My things will be arriving at the apartment soon. I trust you know where to place things. I dislike people and unnecessary conversation. Keep my staff to a minimum and if I have to see anyone, ensure that it only be you. The rest can do their jobs when I am not around. Can you do that for me, Augustus?” I ask.

He nods.

“Yes, Miss-”

“I find titles distasteful. Please refrain from calling me Miss or Ma’am, at least when we are alone. You are dismissed,” I say as I open the folder.

And just as I expect, he quickly departs from the room without another word, once again proving my decision-making excels. As silence comes over the room, my position finally begins to settle. I’ve acclimated quickly to the palace, the interior while extravagant, not varying too much from my parent’s home. No one questions my authority, not that I would expect them to. It feels like I’ve been doing this all my life. Or rather, I’m just that prepared. I don’t dwell on the emotion, however. I push it down, my eyes falling to the folder.

Tiberius Carlisle.

The name stands out to me; Tiberius. It’s an Etherian name but his file says he was brought in when he was thirteen meaning he had a life on the outside. He tested high in survival and combat skills for someone of his age and his mental scores were much higher than those that are born on the outside. Luckily, he was an orphan at the time which is perfect for Etherium. He was brought in and placed in the academy where he excelled in combat and strategy. He also exhibits above-average sensory skills. He currently retains the highest marks in physical training, breaking records held by previous men of the knight’s class who became personal guards.

My interest is captured as I continue to read about the exception from the outside.

People in the knight’s class are bred for it. They are naturally strong, and agile, and are placed in vigorous training from the time they can walk. Of course, anyone from any class can join, but it’s become an unspoken rule that only families whose focus is on physically strengthening their genetic line join that class. As a matter of fact, they are the ones that make it through training. In a few years, the knight’s class will be just like the king’s class; only able to achieve it through breeding. But for now, everyone is allowed the opportunity to risk their lives for Etherium. Including this outsider who was chosen.

He must truly be gifted. Only a handful of the truly exceptional are chosen as personal guards. Being an advisor to the king is a dangerous job that brings a constant threat to my life. Not only do we advise the king, but we form the plans for domes, wars, and anything else related to Etherium. Since relations with the outside have deteriorated over the years, the last advisor before me was kidnapped and tortured while traveling to another dome. In the process, his guard was killed. Most guards live their lives as our shields, placing our lives over their own. Should any of us be taken, Etherium would be in trouble.

Tiberius is still young. I don’t see why he would choose to become a personal guard. He could have lived his life out as a palace guard, never seeing battles beyond the dome. But with this position he has taken, he may not live past two years. Each advisor to the king has already been through more than one guard at this point.

I suck in a deep breath closing the file. It’s unnecessary to dwell on his future. He is a body to protect my own, nothing more. His age does not matter. He is expendable as is everyone in that class. If he was chosen to protect me it’s because he is the best choice. No part of me doubts that.

He is no one of importance.

* * * * *

“This is what you all of you should aspire to. This is the highest honor for someone of our caliber. We are the walls that protect this land. We are the first and last line of defense. We are what stands between-”

I silently scan the crowd, looking for signs of the man that will guard my life with his own. The crowd is filled with individuals from the knight’s class, each of them dressed in their uniforms as their leader gives a speech. As I study them, I take note that each of them has a gleam of excitement in their eyes. They have been trained into believing they are what protects Etherium. This is the only way to prove their worth in the eyes of those above them. Each of them strives for this, to give their life for someone important. It’s a vain existence.

Most of the crowd keep glancing in my direction. Along with the grandmaster, government officials, and the other two advisors, we are the only members of the king’s class in attendance. Most of these people have never seen someone from our class, nor will they ever after today. Only a handful of knight’s class are permitted to share the same space as us. Most everyone in Etherium knows of our existence but has never laid eyes on us. But today, this celebration is for Tiberius. He has reached the highest honor in his corner of society, thus earning him the grand admiration of the event hall filled with people.

“And now, it is my honor to present to the king’s class our very own, Tiberius Carlisle. May he live up to your names.”

Applause erupts as my guard finally rises, showing himself. Just as the people before him he is powerfully built. The uniform contours to his body perfectly, allowing me to take in his chiseled form as he makes his way to the stage. His muscles flex beneath the material even though he has done nothing but walk.

I rise from my seat as he approaches.

His hair blends with the shadows of the room, the raven black tresses pushed away from his face to reveal sharp features. Instead of a smile like his counterparts, his lips are set in a firm line, and no emotion is emitted from his expression. His face is smooth of blemishes or scars except for one beauty mark beneath his left eye.

It’s a strange thing to see on the face of a warrior; beauty.

As he stands over me, I suddenly feel small. Something I’ve never felt in my life. I’m taller than the average woman standing at 5’10”, and yet this man towers over me in size and height. His expression remains apathetic as he kneels, placing his fist over his chest to recite the words of his forefathers. I take note that muscles in his arms flex from the movement, his veins shifting beneath smooth, creamy skin. It almost reminds me of porcelain in its lack of blemishes. His voice resonates over the room easily, the warm, sonorous quality seeming out of place with the expression on his face.

On the outside, I remain just as he is, stoic in my standing as I take the embedding tool from the grandmaster. Now that he has taken an oath, his life is now mine. And as such, he is to receive a chip under his skin that is synced to mine. And only I can remove it. It is one of the strict rules of our society when it comes to our roles.

His eyes lift to meet mine as I reach for his arm. The deep amber hue of his irises reminds me of the leaves in the fall. The saturation in them is vivid, captivating me instantly. And they are framed by thick lashes, softening his features only slightly. He holds my gaze as I place the chip beneath his skin, and his eyes remain on me, studying me as I am him while the tool uses a laser to imprint my mark.

Applause erupts over the hall as the ceremony finishes, and he stands, holding his arm up for everyone to see. As I study him, I finally realize what it is about him that captivates me so much. I can’t read him. Not in the way I can others. Nothing about his mannerisms gives insight into who he is or his personality. I find myself moving before I can think, my curiosity overtaking my logic mind.

“What you have done is honorable. You have made your bloodline proud,” I say.

He faces me as I speak, his eyes roaming over me as he forms his own opinion, and yet, nothing shifts to help me better understand him. He remains a mystery. He dips his chin slightly in respect before speaking to me.

“Thank you.”