Imperfection - Chapter Five (Patreon)

Olwen

I overstepped.

I’m sure it was for any number of reasons, but my suggestion to abandon a tradition is what more than likely placed me in my current position. Tradition is the key to a perfect world. Upholding tradition and creating a place of comfort and belonging among your own is what deepens values and relationships. It is what has held each class to its own standard. I’ve never questioned it. I’ve only been honored to be a part of it. Everything successful in Etherium is rooted in traditions, including the way we interact. It is one of the reasons Etherium has remained successful after its establishment centuries ago. My advice, though correct, was an insult to our traditions.

I release a bitter chuckle, pulling Augustus’s attention from the front seat.

“Are you alright, Miss Sheridan?” he asks.

I nod, shifting my attention to the passing scenery. Alexander’s words, though given at a time when tensions were high, remain in my mind. So this is what it means to be an advisor—tiptoeing around the king and his feelings, telling him what he wants to hear instead of what the world needs. I’m just an addition to his confirmation bias that he will use when wanting to win arguments.

How annoying.

“I’m fine. How much further?” I ask.

“About ten more minutes. Tiberius arrived earlier this morning and was able to do a thorough sweep. We are clear for arrival.”

I nod as my mind begins to wander at the mention of Tiberius. Although the trip to the capital has been about an hour, it’s been nice to finally have some space from him. Ever since that day in the hall, he’s been even more intense in his job, going from a presence I rarely see to lingering around me like Alexander’s entourage. He seemed to have taken more issue with the situation than me, acting as if a threat could come from within the dome. They may dislike me but I don’t think they would be foolish enough to make an attempt on my life.

My body grows warm as I think of Tiberius’s reaction. Not only was he quick to diffuse the situation, but he was strangely kind to me after, checking to see if I was okay. It’s amusing to see such innocence that can only come from an outsider in his expression. Of course, I am okay. A situation like that could never rile me up. I’ve spent years learning to control my emotions in the same way an athlete controls their muscles. But he doesn’t know that and as a result, showed me concern in a situation that didn’t call for it. It was the first time I’d seen an emotion from him other than disgust the night of my parent’s party.

Augustus slows the car as we pull up to the gate. Due to my outburst and chastising of the king, I have been stationed in the capital for the time being. They painted it as an honor but I know they are just going to bury me in paperwork and solving problems of people in the lower class. It is my punishment for speaking in the interest of Etherium and treating the monarchy as it is; a parasite. Instead of staying in the lodgings, the king offered, however, I chose to stay at my parents' townhouse near the capital. Lucky for me my family owns different homes around Etherium for occasions just like this. And I would much rather stay in a home owned by my family than one that is provided by the king after sending me away.

The gates open after scanning the car for the proper chips, allowing us entry and Augustus takes us the rest of the way up the drive. As Augustus drives, I silently take in my surroundings. When Etherium was established, the dome was created to protect us from not only the sun's rays but the outsiders' air quality. A big issue of the world's past was their lack of acknowledgment of their environment. So when Etherium was established, it was ensured that nature was not only a huge part of our domes but intertwined within our world as well. It makes for much better air quality. The people on the outside in the past cut down trees and emitted so many greenhouse gases that their world was difficult to breathe in. Even remaining outdoors for too long grew dangerous as the heat began to rise. But they never paid any attention to it or tried to change it. They just let their world deteriorate.

The car once again slows as we reach the end of the driveway, the townhouse coming into view. Not only is Tiberius standing out front awaiting my arrival, but my parent's staff as well. Tiberius is at my door as the car comes to a halt, bowing in greeting as the door opens.

“I am pleased to see that you’ve made it from the capital in one piece,” he says.

I chuckle, eyeing him curiously.

“Are you?”

He raises his brow in shock before once again shielding his expression, standing tall as he moves behind me. 

“Greetings, Miss Sheridan.”

I gesture to Augustus as I greet the staff.

“This is Augustus. He serves me in the palace and will also serve me here. His word is as good as mine. So listen well,” I say before turning to Augustus. His bright blue eyes watch me carefully as I speak.

“See to it that they understand the way my house is run,” I say before making my way into the house with Tiberius in tow.

* * * * *

“The king has sent a message wishing you well in the capital.”

I look up from the screen I’ve been staring at for hours as Augustus steps into my father’s old office. I shift my attention from him to the window in confusion. It’s already dark. The sun must have set long ago, and I was too busy working to have noticed. The warm lights cast a comforting glow over my father’s office I notice now that I have been pulled out of my work.

I lean back in my seat, scoffing.

“I’m sure,” I say waving my hand over the screen to turn it off.

“Has my brother sent word?” I ask.

“No. I’m sorry,” Augustus says. I shrug, standing from my seat.

“No need to be sorry. He’s busy as am I. I apologize for getting wrapped up in my work. You may retire for the night,” I say. I can tell by his stance that he wants to protest.

“Augustus, please. I appreciate your hard work but we both know it’s been a long day. Rest.”

Finally, he bows, leaving the room. I almost feel pity for people like him. They’ve never known a life without suffering until coming here. And now that they are part of this world, every action they take is guarded for fear of being thrown out. Unlike those of us that are born into perfection, they must earn that title. And for people like him, it is very difficult. Not in my eyes though. It is why I chose him to replace Olive. I knew just by looking at him that he would be the perfect candidate to run my household and I was correct. Meanwhile, Olive has already received a demotion out of the palace for her mistakes.

I turn away from the doorway, making my way to the window of my father’s office. He’s a man who has always appreciated the architecture of the old world. It is why the window has a seat in it, overlooking the backyard of our home. And as I sink into the cushions, my attention remaining focused on the beauty, I silently thank him for his peculiarities. I’m sure it's reached him by now that I have been sent to the capital for speaking out. But unlike most parents, I know he will be that much prouder of me for it. He has always been a man that stands out among the elite of society for his unconventional ways.

I tense as a sudden noise sounds over the room pulling my attention. I whip my head in the direction of the sound to see Tiberius placing a tray on the desk. It has a bowl of soup and a cup of steaming liquid in it. His eyes remain focused on his task, unaware that he startled me in the process of what he’s doing. I didn’t hear him enter. I guess that is one of the reasons he is considered the top of the knight’s class.

“Augustus had your dinner prepared but was too afraid to interrupt since you’ve been working all day,” he says standing. His eyes focus on me, gauging my reaction in the way I’ve grown used to as I stand.

“As he should be. And you weren’t afraid, I assume?” I say moving away from the window. I stand next to him, looking down at the soup as he speaks.

“Only concerned.”

I laugh at his words, looking him in the eyes.

“Concerned?” I ask.

“You have been overworking yourself. And have been missing meals in between. It isn’t healthy.”

I watch him steadily. His demeanor has been different since the day Gaius and Alexander confronted me in the hallway. I suddenly feel irritated at my lack of being able to read him. Is his sudden kindness out of pity? I detest pity.

I narrow my eyes.

“Do you think I am weak?” I ask.

He angles his head slightly.

“I don’t-”

“Understand?” I scoff, watching his reaction. “This world is different than the outside. I can take care of myself, I don’t need you pitying me because you watched two men yell at me.”

Now Tiberius narrows his gaze.

“I wasn’t. My job is to protect you in any way that I see fit. And when you spend entire days not eating because you are so focused on work that is meaningless, it hinders me from doing my job.”

“Have you forgotten your place? Meaningless is the world outside of this one. Meaningless are the people that roam and cling to our way of life because they were too stupid to see for themselves the mess they made. You, outsider, do not dictate to me what is meaningless.”

His face shifts, becoming blank of emotion as he watches me. He’s gotten much better at hiding his disdain.

“My apologies. I’m just concerned about your overall health is all.”

I turn away from him, making my way back to the window to sit on the sill. The lights of Etherium shine in the distance.

“Don’t be. My health comes second to Etherium.”

Silence washes over the room. I expect him to have left, but when I look back he’s still standing in his place, watching me with that golden gaze.

“If you have something to say to me, then say it. Don’t be reticent now just because I’ve scolded you,” I say. My words come out calm even though my inner emotions are anything but. I don’t know what it is about this man that makes me so uneasy, even if his intentions are pure.

“Why were you sent to the capital?”

His question surprises me.

“I overstepped. I have been sent to the capital for punishment as a reminder that I am second to Etherium,” I say reiterating my words.

“You overstepped?”

I tense as he takes a step deeper into the room, his eyes unreadable.

“Yes. I pointed out something I shouldn’t have. Is that difficult for you to understand?” I ask.

Instead of frustration like I expect, Tiberius laughs. My eyes widen at the sight. His smile reveals deep dimples and white teeth before he recovers. It’s a reaction I wasn’t expecting, nor do I understand. Nothing about what I said was amusing.

“I guess I don’t understand. Why would you be punished for pointing out the best course of action? Isn’t that your job?”

I think about his words. Humor in the situation never occurred to me. But as he says it out loud, it does almost sound ridiculous enough to garner laughter. But I fight it, narrowing my gaze.

“Flattery will get you nowhere,” I grumble.

He studies me and for once I can see he wants to ask me something. 

"Were you really unbothered by the way they spoke to you?"

Now it's my turn to laugh.

"And what if I said I was? What could change? Could I throw a fit? Maybe lash out and yell back? This isn't some backwoods village. It is Etherium. Emotions are meaningless. Of course, I am unbothered by the way they speak. In fact, it makes me pity them that they cannot control their emotions." 

Now Tiberius's expression breaks. His eyes roam over my face in true pity and I hate it. So I fire back at him.

"Were you truly unbothered that Lisa Hightower struck you?" I ask. His expression shifts as he looks at me, calculating his response. He doesn't like speaking about the Hightowers.

"It isn't my place to feel anything toward those that are ranked higher than me except gratitude."

I laugh. His words are clearly rehearsed and have been drilled into him from his days at the academy.

"And concern," I say gesturing to the bowl of soup.

He bows, his eyes remaining on the ground as he speaks.

"Only for you, Miss Sheridan."