Outside the main garden Madame Louise watched, she saw Raphael and the Lady in White conversing. This was never supposed to happen. They were never supposed to meet until the moon—the blood moon, it would only make things messier.
From the moment that girl changed the scent of her room, she knew she would be trouble. The main garden was just below Raphael's study, which meant he would see her more often.
That girl had to be stopped before things went out of control.
ELARA
My dress had a large pocket, just as I liked it, I placed some tools in it, perfect for starting out this morning's work. I would prune the flowers and trim the jasmine bushes.
After that small conversation with the master of the House, I wondered, maybe this place was not so bad. Maybe, just maybe, after a few conversations, I could negotiate my release.
The garden's gate was locked, and a guard stood outside. This was unusual.
"Excuse me... why are the gates locked?" I asked softly.
Since I came here, the garden has always been open and free to use. Why were the gates locked today? Did it have something to do with master's visit yesterday?
The guard did not speak, and did not exchange glances. He was a wall. What would I do all day? I had used up the petals in my room, and I had nothing to mix.
I sat at the entrance of the garden, hoping somehow the gates would be open.
"Why are the gates locked?" A voice, calm, measured, familiar.
The Master of the House came this way. The guard stood upright and saluted. I stood to my feet and bowed my head in courtesy. The scent of Black tea and Worn Leather hit my nose. I loved his perfume...
"Good morning Sir," he greeted firmly. "Orders from Madam Louise, Sir."
Madam Louise locked the gates? Why
"Let her in," He gestured towards me
Is he letting me in? I watched him, his demeanour calm as he spoke to the guard. He was composed, cold, yet so kind.
"Thank you, Sir," I curtsied.
And this was the man they called a monster? And his perfume—oh, his perfume.
I watched master walk away. Admiration grew. I remembered the scent of his perfume and something told me to ask...
"Sir" I called, rushing to meet him.
His gaze met mine, and the sudden the burst of courage mellowed. I saw how others looked at us, like I had done something forbidden.
"I love your perfume." I complimented. "Please may I know the Perfumer?"
Master's perfume blended so smoothly, it projected in such a way that the scent stayed in the air without overwhelming. I wanted to learn that.
"Why?" he asked.
I held my breath and said it in the next.
"I have a list of perfumers I wish to seek guidance from someday..." I replied quickly.
"Henri Beaumont", he answered. "He's the perfumer."
Henri Beaumont? The French perfumer father always talked about. He said his perfumes were a legendary work of art.
"Thank you, Sir," I bowed, suppressing the smile that bubbled up.
Maybe whenever Henri Beaumont comes to the manor, I could watch from afar, maybe sneak up to him when no one watched and get a word or maybe even show him my works and ask for his review.
I spent the evening analysing the scent I picked up on him. Black Tea, Leather, Musk, a bit of red rose, there were more I didn't recognise. All these notes were magnets for attraction.
***
I was in my room when Grace hurried in. She didn't knock, she looked too excited for that.
"Elara—Elara... He's here?" She was out of breath.
"Who's here?" I asked.
"That perfumer, you talked about, Henri Beaumont, He's here."
"Really?" I rose to my feet.
I grabbed my sling bag, put in all the vials of perfume I had made and rushed out the door. In the hallway, I looked out the window. A man in his fifties came out of an unfamiliar carriage. Servants welcomed him as he headed to the entrance of the manor.
I went down the stairs, my pace increasing with every step. I wanted to meet him, or at least see him from afar.
I peeped into the living room. The perfumer had some servants who had come with him. He sat on one of the chairs, and master sat opposite him. His servant passed a black perfume bottle to master.
"The usual scent," Mr Beaumont said, sipping wine in his cup.
Master passed the bottle to a servant.
"The coins have been loaded in your carriage." He said.
Mr Beaumont set down his glass. "I am organising a Grand Scent Exhibition next week," he began. "It will feature the finest perfumers and their creations, and I would be honoured if you would attend as a Guest of Honour."
Master went quiet, taking in his words.
"Very well." Master spoke finally. "I will be present."
"That would be very wonderful," Mr Beaumont said. "Your presence would be of very great prestige to the event."
Silence and intentional wine sipping followed. Was this how nobles conversed? So... formal and robotic.
"I have a request," master said. "There's someone who wishes to meet you."
"Who is it?" Mr Beaumont asked.
"Someone who has a passion for perfume."
Why did that person sound like...
His gaze met mine, hiding behind the wall. My breath caught in my throat, and I hid away. He knew I was there.
"Come out." He ordered.
No use hiding. I held tightly to the sling of my leather bag as I stepped away from my hiding spot. I lowered my head and gave a bow to master and to Mr Beaumont.
"Is this her?" He asked.
"Yes, she asked to meet you," Master replied.
I looked at him, my head still lowered. He knew I wanted to meet Henri Beaumont, and he let me? My heart went warm.
He dropped his wine cup and stood to his feet. "I would leave you two."
He left the hall. I stood, my legs trembled with shock, nervousness and excitement all at once. Even when I planned it, I didn't expect to meet a perfumer this respected at this stage of my life.
"I was told you wanted to meet me?" He began.
"Yes Sir," I replied. "My father is a perfumer, like you, sir. He always talked about work."
"That is wonderful," he answered. "Have you made any scent of your own?"
This really was it, I was talking to the Henri Beaumont about my works.
"Yes, Sir. I mainly work with flowers and well-known herbs." I answered. "I have some here with me"
I brought out a vial of my jasmine and white rose mixture. They had matured for about a week now, good enough to review. I hurried to him and passed them with a bow.
He took it and sniffed it. He went silent, analysing each note.
"Jasmine and White rose with a bit of honey and citrus..." He noted.
My face lit up. How did he know? He had the nose of a god.
"Very accurate, Sir."
"This is a wonderful mixture, and the ingredients are well-balanced and put in the right amount." He spoke. "For how long did you say you have been making perfume?"
"As long as I can remember, Sir," I replied, holding tight to the sling.
"This is good," He complimented. "With little adjustment, this would make waves in the market."
My perfume was being complimented by one of the largest perfumers of our time, even across the seas.
"I have other scents, sir." I picked out other vials and handed it to him.
He sniffed all of them and went silent.
"How would you like to showcase this scent in the Grand Scent Exhibition?" He asked, raising the first vial of perfume.
"Me?" I asked in disbelief.
"Yes, you." He replied. "With a little adjustment, this scent would be very much adored by young women in the city."
I imagined it, my perfume in the market— my very own perfume brand. I could make some money to buy my freedom. But then...
"I would love to Sir," I answered. "But I don't know what my master would say about it."
I was a slave, I couldn't make any decision without their input.
"There's only a week left," he said. "Mr Zarek is a guest of honour at the exhibition, convince him to bring you along."
Would he agree?
"If you're eventually allowed." He brought out a ticket. "This is a formal invitation."
"What's the name?"
"Elara," I replied, my cheeks brightening. "Elara Vale."
Mr Beaumont scribbled my name in gold ink and handed me the ticket.
"Ask for me when you arrive and come with a sample and some to sell." He finished. "I will be on my way now."
Mr Beaumont stood to his feet and left with his servants. I stood, still trying to wrap my head around it. I held the ticket to my chest. An opportunity of a lifetime—now I just had to ask for permission.