ELORA
I fiddled with my gloves, waiting for another one of the royal family to stand up abruptly but after the king left, they loosened up. The room was filled with Kain Kurt’s boisterous laughter and Monica’s giggles. Her sons decided to put up a show for everyone. The two men climbed onto the dining table skipping like little girls, spraying food around in the process.
I shifted back in my seat and locked eyes with Skye. She noticed that I was uncomfortable so she gave a tight nod. She stood up and I followed.
“Have a wonderful night, sir.” I bow to the old king.
Before he replied, Kain cut him short. “May I escort you to your chambers, my dear?” His eyes danced. He reminded me of a monster. My palms turned sweaty and my heart beat faster. I bowed my head to avoid his face.
“That’s won’t be necessary, Lord Kain,” Skye said, coming to my rescue. She stopped, waiting for me to leave the room.
I bowed and walked out surprised I hadn’t straight up bolted from the room.
Immediately the door was shut behind me, I heaved a shaky sigh of relief and rubbed my face.
What had Kain made me do?
What had I done?
Why didn’t I just come clean to the King about everything?
I could still hear their laughter faintly and my stomach churned.
I pulled up my dress to allow free movement and walked as fast as my legs could carry me. I needed to escape the suffocation I was feeling. I couldn’t breathe, my throat clogged as tears pooled in my eyes.
What would my father think about all this?
I wiped a lone tear off my cheek and continued walking. I had a poor sense of direction but I knew I was heading to the least treaded part of the Castle. The late-night noise all faded behind me and I was left with the croaks of frogs, whispering of plants, and chirping. I walked further and I landed in front of the most serene river.
The river flowed peacefully. It reflected the moon’s rays like glass and I could see myself swimming in it on end. The downside of this serene environment was that I could hear my thoughts louder. They chastised me and were disappointed in my decisions.
I let more tears slide down my cheeks as I remembered how I had let Kain manipulate me into digging my own grave. I affirmed that my father was a traitor and joined the rest of the evil world in accusing my father of the wrongs he didn’t commit. I fell to my knees, clutching at my chest. I had betrayed my father, so much for trying to rescue my family. We were all tied around Kain Kurt’s disgusting finger and we couldn’t do anything without him sabotaging us.
“I didn’t mean to, father. Please don’t hate me!” I whispered to myself. “I hate myself already, father. I hate myself for doing this to you. What have I done?”
I turned hysterical as the tears started. My sobs got louder and my face, wetter. There was nothing I didn’t want that my father didn’t give me. He wasn’t like those men of Alkarod that favored their male children over their females. I was dead sure my father wouldn’t betray me if he was in that position. He wouldn’t let Kain Kurt hurt his family. I was weak.
“I’m sorry for doing this to you.” My head ached.
The king was another man I had offended. I knew he hated me but after witnessing me affirm that my father and myself were indeed slave masters, I knew he was going to loathe me.
What punishment would he have waiting for me?
After what I did to my father, maybe I did deserve punishment.
Being the king’s mistress didn’t offer me the protection I wished it would. Deep down, I was still a mere slave. A slave dressed in the best the king could offer. I was hopeless, powerless. A puppet commanded to do anything. There was no way here and in hell that I was going to escape the evil of this world. Everything around was to ensnare me.
Even though the riverside was cool, I was hot inside. I sloppily removed my gloves and threw them far from me. The corset squeezed my insides as I heaved. I needed it out. I reached into my dress and tried the impossible task of removing the corset. I twisted and turned and the futile effort annoyed me. It only caused me aches on my finger. Not even the stupid corset worked in my favor.
I was slowly drained. There was no energy left to sob and loathe myself so I lay on the grass – an action I would regret after.
The small river bank was peaceful.
A twig snapped, then another and another as someone was approaching.
I sat up, alert as the footsteps grew louder in my direction.
I stood up and turned to see a man, one with the sweetest smile I had ever seen.
His hair wasn’t ginger like the rest of the royal family but he looked like royalty. His skin was tanned. It reminded me of the sand I was sitting on. He was dressed in a white shirt and black waistcoat with a monocle attached to it. He was indeed a distinguished man. His small nose twitched like a cute bunny and his rich brown eyes were wrinkled in a smile.
I bowed. “Hello, sir.”
“No, no. I should be bowing to you.” He gave his own bow. “You look good today ma’am.”
I was sure as hell that there were tear streaks on my cheeks but I gave a small smile, either way, trying to hide my pain. “You too, sir.”
“You don’t seem fine. Are you okay?” His boyish grin morphed into a concerned expression. There was a small wrinkle on his forehead.
“Oh, yes. I’m fine.” I attempted a full-blown smile. I was sure it did nothing to make me seem fine but he went on with it.
“If you say so…” He stared off for a second. “Oh, yes. I’m Noel, the royal physician. I was sent by the king to check on you… your health…”
It made sense, the monocle and the stylish way his dark hair was styled to the back. But I knew physicians to be old, grey-haired men. Noel was refreshing. It helped that he had an easy going aura and a very cute smile.
“Please, stay still.” He gave another dimpled smile, easing me.
He held my palm in his soft one then placed two fingers on my wrist. He stayed still for a few moments before releasing me.
Did he just check my pulse?
“Did you check my pulse?” I held on to the spot his fingers left.
“Oh, yes. King’s orders.”
Why did the king order my pulse checked?
I knew there were loads one could find about a person’s health by checking their pulse, and it occurred many times to check the fertility state of a woman. I had been there when the physician back at Alkarod checked my mother. She was excited and I was too then but now I wasn’t.
A warning bell rang in my head. The king wants his heir soon and I didn’t think I was ready!
“My Lady, you are required to visit the royal infirmary so I can do further tests on you.”
I gave a distracted nod.
What if I wasn’t able to conceive?
Anxiety filled me more than before.