Jeane's Hair Cut

The Eckart Salon in Teor was the premier location for ladies in the empire to socialise, drink, eat tasty snacks from the famous bakery across the street and to some small, miniscule extent get their hair done as well. Created and maintained by Lady Lain Echart, only those who had a proven pedigree commanded any respect within the walls of the Salon, which is why you had zero intention to visit that place at all until by complete accident you ran into your Mother again. While you kept your mission private from Marrien, a beastfolk with no filter and a loud mouth blurted out what you were in the city for, so you were stuck. So was your escort for that matter.

“Sorry Liam.” You patted the Captain on the shoulder. He did not seem to mind, but you knew it must’ve been annoying for him. The Captain of the Guard, against most odds, agreed to go with you and bring a detail to protect you so that you could accomplish tasks around the city without being harassed.

Liam smiled politely. “Quite alright, my Lady. I was fine with it even before I knew you were essentially royalty.”

“And this is where it starts!” You threw your hands up in frustration.

“I don’t want special treatment, Captain, you hear me!?”

Liam bowed. “Yes, my Lady.”

“Fuck…” You realised you were doomed with that and turned around to sit at the table that Marrien had procured. You plopped down beside her, maintaining a very specific act that needed to be done to maintain any semblance of cover.

“Thank you for allowing us to sit with you, my Lady.”

“Nonsense. Such a strapping young Glasian Lordling is worth my time. My Family is your sponsor for a reason.” She chuckled, obviously soaking it in. Marrien touched her cheek and asked.

“Goodness how do you continue to become more and more handsome each day~”

You looked around to see the eyes of the eavesdropping ladies around the room. You whispered.

“Do you hate dad? Why’re you trying to start rumours? Where is he anyway?”

Marrien daintily picked up a teacup with the plate beneath it, brought it up, then lifted the cup to her lips and took a sip before setting it all down. She wiped her mouth, making you regret every single moment that you did not run the moment you saw her.

“When we arrived in the city Sam decided it would be best to make it a dual purpose trip. He is talking to some old contacts about making new contacts.”

“By new contacts you mean-”

“Things that shouldn’t be discussed here.” Marrien smiled.

Ever since Sam had come into you and your Mothers life, since you were young there were many shady goings-on. The family, not the ducal family but the combination of you, Marrien and Sam did not get independently rich through strictly legitimate means. While calling your Father a ‘trader’ was accurate, where he got those goods and sent them was an open question on all the Family ledgers. Your Mother was of course on board and her created accounting made for an excellent cover of your Father’s activities. You sat back, watching the two fish out of water in horror.

“You don’t care at all that these two are sitting at the same table as you?” You asked.

Marrien chuckled. “It’s simply a curiosity. Besides, most of the young girls in this room are staring purely at you, ‘young man.’”

“Trying to find me a marriage partner?”

“Nonsense. Your Fiance is still set on marrying you.” She whispered, hiding her mouth with a fan.

“The deal still remains. You find your brother with whatever you need that we can provide, then return with him.”

“I’ve been thinking… if I return with Fin, do I even need a political marriage?”

“Cold feet?”

“I just said I’ve been thinking. I’ll do whatever you guys want so long as it leads to an easy, carefree life after this.”

“You say that.” Marrien hums.

“What?”

“It’s just that, the way I know you, you are the most restless out of anyone.”

“I’m not lying…”

“I never said you were.” Marrien reached out across the table to Kara.

“Honey, honey. A fork. The long and thin one.”

You watched as Kara stopped right as she was about to grab a slice of cake off of the layered snack tray in the centre of the table. She looked at Marrien, her ears flattening a bit before she looked down and diverted her hand to the long fork.

“Yes Ma’am.” Kara grabbed the plate and pulled it over.

“Small bite.” Marrien stated assertively before looking to Jeane and saying warmly.

“Very good etiquette, my dear.”

“Of course.” Jeane lifted her chin proudly. Her posture was prim and proper and she was eating and drinking like a pro. She was still taking a sip of tea similar to how Marrien did it when your Mother commented.

“But you look like a mess.”

Jeane lost a mouthful of tea into her cup as she spat it back in out of surprise. She put down the cup, wiping her mouth. Resting her hands in her lap she asked in a challenging tone.

“Lady Marrien, are you suggesting something about my appearance?”

“You look like a mess.” Marrien simply repeated with a calm smile. Jeane slumped down, her own ears drooping in a defeated position.

“Luckily we’re already in a Salon. Please take her away to be cleaned up.” Marrien asked of one of the many attendants circling the socialising hall. Jeane stared in horror as she was pulled away into a back room.

“She’s gonna be okay, right?” You asked.

“What are you even asking? Of course she will.” Marrien chuckled.

“What about the people trying to groom her?”

Marrien stopped, then stood up rather abruptly. “Perhaps I should go to observe and make sure everyone is alright.”

“Thanks.” You sighed.

Once your Mother got up and left it was just you, Kara and Liam standing off to the side. You crossed one leg over the other, watching Kara continue to eat as she was told, despite Marrien no longer being present. Before you could comment on that, a couple of ladies approached from the sides. Two girls, one with black and another with brown hair. They were wearing evening dresses. It would be too much to assume this was anyone’s first outing. You could predict pretty easily what they were approaching you for, so you stood up and tried to act like a ‘gentleman.’

“Ladies.” You bent down at the waist slightly, kissing their hands as they were offered before rising back up. The two girls seemed smitten by the gesture. Kara did not stop eating, but chose to look up and watch curiously at the interaction, her ears on a swivel to either side of the conversation.

“That is a Squire uniform.” The one with black hair seemed to speak for the two of them.

“So observant.” You remarked.

She smiled and nodded. “You… are affiliated with Lady Vara of Cheshire? Are you a low noble of some sort?”

“Of some sort.” You offered, your face turning as you realised it was a different kind of mission that the two ladies were on.

If they’re asking about this… this is just gossiping behavior. They’re going to try to get information out of me while pretending to just be starting a conversation.

The girl feigned worry. “Goodness… It must be difficult, what with the rumours.”

“Rumours?”

“Word is that the Master of the Family is Making dealings with members of the underworld here in this city… It’s just too scandalous to even think about. I was hoping you could help convince my friend that this is impossible.”

You smiled warmly, eying the girls more closely. Your friend? On closer inspection, that girl on her arm is more like an accessory or an excuse. Now I can see she’s afraid. Likely, if any offense were to be taken it could be passed on to that poor girl that’s said nothing. So she’s a prop. You noticed the difference in dress between the two.

`Our instigator wears dresses with names attached to them. Every style she wears has an important name. The other is more quaint, but there are obviously pieces she wears beyond her standing. So… the girl isn’t innocent. It’s likely this is a bit more parasitic than anything. Still, I feel sorry for her. The world of Noble Ladies isn’t kind or simple for a doormat like her. You scratched your head and acted as if you were straining.

“I honestly can’t even fathom what you would be referring to. The Master of the Family is simply a businessman. Though… what you’re saying is kind of bordering on an accusation and even though it was your friend’s curiosity, they were your words.” You said slyly.

The girls seemed shaken, especially the higher-class girl with dark hair. Amateurs. You smirked.

Being prepared for things like this from a young age means girls of this calibre are no match. You pressed the advantage coolly.

“My Lady… You do know that any accusations spouted in public are considered to be on record if they are heard. How many witnesses do you think there are all around?” You glanced around the room. It wasn’t many, and barely any would speak, but the suggestion of the number was enough to cause the girl to shrink and bow.

“I apologise, sincerely.”

“Me too!” The friend added.

You rolled your eyes. “I won’t say anything so long as you provide all the details of the rumour to me, and for gods sake speak quietly.”

“Y-yes sir.” The girl nodded. The two of you sat down. Kara was looking at you with big eyes. She was obviously impressed.

“What?” You looked at her.

“So cool!” She said with her mouth full.

“Don’t speak with food in your mouth!” You warned her.

“Oh!” She went back to concentrating on being polite.

The girl spoke once it was quiet. “The extent of the rumour is just that Lady Marrien’s husband was spotted in the lower sections. I honestly don’t know any more than that, just that it is a very… Well, let’s just say that part of it is not in question.”

You sighed. “Seriously…” Thinking for just a moment you asked.

“You want something to take back to your social circles?”

“Y-yes!” The girl's face lit up.

You acted distraught as you explained the whole situation. “This is really embarrassing, but I guess it can’t be helped. The Lady had an important piece of jewelry taken from her as they entered the city. Since she was so distraught, the Master promised to wade through the lower sections of the city in an attempt to find it and buy it back from fences.”

The girl gasped, her eyes sparkling. “So it was like that all along… I see.”

“Yeah. Go ahead and tell people that, but don’t let them know who you heard it from. Stop spreading stupid rumours, got it?”

“Yes!” She got up and curtsied.

“Thank you so much~”

As soon as the Lady left Kara asked. “You think people’ll buy it?” She was licking her fork of icing.

“Don’t do that.” You said sharply.

“Do it in your mouth. Also, yeah, of course.” You shook your head.

“That girl is too stupid to be malicious. People like that are always just looking for something to do, so I gave her a good story. It’s got a bit of embarrassment with losing an heirloom, but it’s not shameful. More importantly it has romance and a resolution. The rumour is going to spread because it’s a fun story, but it’s also going to lift the spirits of the Master of the Family. But…”

“What?” Kara leaned forward with interest.

You stared up at Liam. “This guy’s been looking at me this whole time which is making me think it’s true…”

“Aha…” The man flinched at being discovered.

“I suppose I can’t hide anything from you.”

“Are the Guard following him?”

“There’s eyes all over the city. If it has to do with the criminal element, we’re typically aware.”

“Ugh… Dammit. If it’s that, wouldn’t it just mean that Da- that the Master of the Family is meeting Kismet?”

Liam blinked. “That would be very bad.”

“Goes without saying…” You looked up idly, watching as jeane and Marrien left the back of the Salon together. Jeane was looking almost injured, holding her hat in her hands as she came back with a brand new, neat and stylish bob cut that framed her face cutely.

“No more split ends, isn’t it nice~” Marrien cooed.

“How could you do this to me?” Jeane whined.

You noted that they cleaned and pressed her robes, as well, but that she must’ve kept a vice grip on her hat because it was still the same, basically. Her nails were painted violet, however, which would signal when her latent Aura would begin affecting those around her. Before they fully returned you asked Liam.

“While we’re out, can you help me track down… the Master of the Family, Sam, if I need to?”

“Yes?” Liam nodded. That answer struck you. It was very easy, considering the man’s position, but you weren’t about to complain about good fortune. You stood up and welcomed Marrien back.

“Thank you for doing this, My Lady.” You said with a gracious smile.

“Anything for our young ward~” Marrien cooed.

“We should get back.”

“I won't keep you. Represent us well,” She blew a kiss to you, which you side-stepped to avoid.

“Is the only one who cares about this family’s rep me!?” You whispered sharply through your teeth.

“Hoho.” Marrien chuckled, waving you off.

Liam followed you all out. “So… are we going back, or-”

***

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