Post by Marion Linette on Dec 29, 2021 10:47:49 GMT -5
When Alina arrived at her new residence, the first thing she noticed was the music. Some soothing music very unlike what her new housemate used to listen to. But as she opened the door, she realized more things were out of place. The first was that Marion was not the only person there present.
The blonde woman was on her swimsuit, sitting in a small jacuzzi she had installed on the room sometime before Alina moved there. One hand blindly reached for a couple rectangle-shaped chocolates set upon a nearby tray.
The other persons in the room were two men and a woman with tired expressions. The man seemed to be busy massaging her shoulders while the girl filled the nails on Marion’s free hand. While the remaining man, an older-looking folk with greying hair and a mustache, read aloud from a small book on his hands. Judging from the few lines Alina managed to hear, it was some kind of adventure book.
-A little wine, please?-
Asked Marion aloud, not detecting Alina’s presence at all. And, of course, she couldn't notice her considering she had an eye cover obscuring her vision. And while the man complied and handled her a half-filled cup of wine, he did so hesitantly enough for Marion to get a clue that something was wrong.
So Marion took out the soft fabric covering her eyes and looked upon Alina. But where before there would be dread and surprise, now there was just a smile as Marion waved at Alina to come closer.
This was not the first time something similar happened. Sometimes Marion just invited people in without mentioning anything to Alina. Granted, at least that particular day it wasn’t a party. But considering the Hetman of the revolutionary league also lived there, there was a chance that it would affect her reputation somewhat.
Not only that, but she had been receiving complaints about Marion employing people to do... Unrelated shit, probably things she ought to do herself.
Like poaching a couple Iron Wolves to serve as her protection. (another way to say she took them as indentured servants) While she was gone to negotiate with this or that bandit tribe.
And as much as the rank and file were ecstatic about working directly under the Osaul at first. Sooner rather than later, they figured out that Marion was not only overworking them but probably abusing her authority as well. And when confronted about it, she would rudely dismiss any concern by namedropping Alina and telling them to shut up and do as told.
The worst thing was that Marion was more than likely bothering the civilian population of Kerch as well. Since the chances that she paid for those chocolates or that wine were close to 0. She probably just “requisitioned” them from any random parlor on her way to the castle.
Simply put, she was getting cocky.
-Hey! How’s it going? Wanna jump in? The bubbles really take all of your worries away. And I can call for more grunts to come help if you wanna. We are kind of running low on chocolate...- Asked out Marion, loudly patting the water beside her, splashing a bit of it on some of her servant’s clothes.
Looking alternatively between Alina and Marion, the helpers sent her a questioning look, seemingly content to let Alina call the shots.
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