Paul strode ahead of me, not waiting for me to catch up. I entered the Dinning Hall shortly after him and took my seat next to my father. The Duke and Lady Jessica had already found their spots near the head of the table. I sat across from Paul who avoided my eyes.

One would find it odd for a Warmaster and his daughter to be eating alongside the Atriedes family, but considering my dad's relationship to the Duke and the fact that we were the only two families in the Castle of Caladan, we preferred to spend our dinners all together.

My chair squeaked against the tile floor as I adjusted myself in my seat. Our parents seemed to be quieter than usual.

"I didn't realize you had a visit from your mother's Reverend Mother today." Leto spoke to Paul, who raised his head to face him. His voice was calm and monotone, but I could hear the coldness in his voice, almost as if it was directed at Lady Jessica for allowing the visit.

"Leto." Lady Jessica spoke with a warning voice, sending him a look.

My dad's eyes widened. "I wasn't aware of this either. You didn't mention it, Paul."

My friend let his eyes rest on the empty plate in front of him, not showing any emotion. "Well, there was nothing worth mentioning."

Paul was saved from further questioning by Islo's entrance. He made his way to the head of the table to serve Leto first.

"Thank you, Islo." Lady Jessica thanked kindly as the head chef made his way around the table.

Islo filled our lates before leaving us to our dinner, and silence fell as we all began to eat. After a few moments, I was the first to speak.

"Do you still sense the Emperor is growing nervous?" I asked slowly, taking another bite of my food.

This drew everyone's attention to the head of the table as they waited to hear his answer.

The Duke sighed and took a moment to consider his response. "I have a fear they will call upon the House of Atriedes soon. Maybe even sooner than we know."

He exchanged looks with Jessica who gently took his hand comfortingly. Political concerns continued to grow, and the tension was becoming more and more obvious. I looked back at Paul, but he avoided my gaze one more.

My father cleared his throat. "Well whatever they try to throw at you, I'll be by your side Leto."

The Duke smiled and gave a small nod of gratitude. "I appreciate your loyalty, Gurney."

Dinner continued without any further deep conversations. Paul didn't speak again, nor did he meet my eyes throughout the rest of dinner.

Once we were dismissed, Paul was quick to slip out of his chair and exit the Dinning Hall before I had the chance to chase after him. I went to follow him, but was held back by an arm on my shoulder.

"Ophelia." It was Lady Jessica. She released my shoulder and I turned back to face her. She shared a soft smile

"Yes?" I asked her, smiling in return.

She clasped her hands together and looked to her side, sneaking a look at the sun that had already set moments earlier. "Would you mind going for a walk with me?"

"Of course." I answered happily. It had been a while since I've had some alone time with Lady Jessica. I had been wanting to talk with her after seeing her earlier today.

The two of us linked arms and made our way to the grounds outside. The sun was gone, but light still lingered in the sky creating the most perfect of evenings.

"I wanted to apologize for being so short with you earlier," She finally spoke, tightening her grip on my arm. "I hate to admit that I wasn't as put together as I should have been... I was worried for Paul."

I nodded understandingly. "You'd never act like that if you didn't have good reason. I knew it had nothing to do with me."

She smiled gratefully, playfully pulling me with her along the side of the Castle. Her and I used to go for walks after dinner when I was younger, it became our little thing. One of the only times the two of us could find private one on one. 

I never knew my mother, and I think she recognized how hard it was to grow up without a maternal figure in a Castle full of men. I knew I could always go to Lady Jessica for help when no one else could understand. She always said the right thing, and I trusted her to help me when I didn't know who else to ask.

"Lady Jessica?" I asked hesitantly. 

"Mhm?" She hummed, staring off at the sky. 

"What did your Reverend Mother want from Paul?" I bit my lip. She took a breath and took her eyes away from the sky. 

"He didn't tell you?" She asked me with surprise. She paused. "I think maybe that's something you should wait to hear from Paul."

I nodded, although I wished she could have given me more details. Paul shared almost everything with me, I had no idea how to deal with his sudden distance. It was out of character for him.

Lady Jessica let out a small laugh. "I know that's not the answer you were hoping for, dear. He'll talk to you soon enough, he trusts you. Give him time."

The two of us continued to walk along the flower path that trailed around the castle. I let out a deep sigh, letting my mind wander.

"Is the Duke upset with you?" I decided to ask her, not worried whether I'd offend her or not.

I could hear the humour in her voice. "The Duke has nothing to be upset about, Ophelia. Don't you worry about him, and especially don't worry about me."

"My Lady!"

We came to a stop and both turned our heads to face the source of the sound. A few metres away from where we stood was one of the many caretakers tending to a bed of flowers. 

"Good evening." Lady Jessica replied in a polite smile. 

"Good evening indeed!" The man answered with a grin. He was kneeled beside the flowers, his trousers covered in dirt. "You lovely ladies enjoying your little evening walk?"

"Very much," Lady Jessica continued to smile. "What are you doing outside at this hour?"

Despite the clear lack of curtsey from the caretaker, Lady Jessica engaged in conversation with the man. Although it was not a requirement, it was merely inappropriate to speak so casually with not only a Bene Gesserit, but the concubine of a Duke.

The caretaker held up a flower. The petals folded together in a beautiful formation and coloured a light green. "Harvesting these beauties."

I exchanged a smile with Lady Jessica. His excitement over the flowers made me feel warm. He held out the flower towards us. There were dozens of caretakers that tended to the gardens regularly, but I've never seen passion quite like this.

"Would either of you two like to smell them?" He asked. "These flowers have a lovely perfume."

Lady Jessica smiled and shared a look with me. "Well I can't say no to that, can I?"

She took a step in his direction, and I felt the warmth fade immediately. It was replaced with a an internal coldness that made me shiver.

The two of them seemed unaffected. Jessica kneeled down across from him on the other side of the flower bed. She gently dragged her hands across the many petals.

I watched the caretaker's face with caution. He was staring intently at the Bene Gesserit, in a manner one would almost describe as hungry, but not quite. I felt a knot in my stomach that began to twist.

"Why are you harvesting them at this hour, though?" I asked him curiously. His head snapped up, breaking his gaze. "The sun has set. Isn't it rather cold and hard to see?"

He smiled kindly at me. "You see, young lady, these flowers are best picked at dusk. They smell best when it's cool out."

I narrowed my eyes at him, my caution worsening. "What are these flowers called?"

Lady Jessica leaned in to sniff the many flowers. She sighed at the scent. "Oh yes, these smell lovely. I'd love to know the name of them."

The caretaker hesitated. "Erm... These are called... It's just at the tip of my tongue..."

He squirmed and let out a nervous laugh. Lady Jessica's expression faltered as she began to understand.

I made a face and continued to stare at him. "They're called Pleniscenta, if you didn't know."

The caretaker wobbled backwards as the Lady stood up, towering over him. Whoever he was, he clearly wasn't meant to be here. Whatever the matter, he was dumb enough to target a Bene Gesserit. She'd have no problem dealing with him. 

But before she could act, Lady Jessica's eyes rolled to the back of her head and she fell back onto the grass, her body limp.

*** 

another day another chapter! i'm going to try and be as consistent as i can, who knows what that means! please let me know what you think :)

i still don't know what i want to do with the plot butttttt i have an idea i think. let me know if theres something maybe you'd like to see happen or some suggestions for the story!

with love,
via <3