Chapter 3

July 28, 1345.

Stormhold Castle,

The walled city of Rothwell,

The capital city of Myknos.

Lady Odeya Katarina Black

Mornings in Stormhold were beautiful and in some ways, a routine had developed over the years except on days when royalty from other kingdoms were visiting or the prince was returning from a long trip and such was this morning. Prince Nicolas had just returned from Imras after a long month away and although the nobles were happy he was back safely, the servants were utterly terrified. He frustrated them a great deal and did not hesitate to make them feel worthless.

Maids rushed about in the kitchens helping the fat cook, Madame Elma, prepare breakfast for the royal family while the others delivered hot water their chambers. Odeya carried dirty bed linens in a basket to the laundry and she had almost collapsed too many times under the weight of it. She was uncomfortable in the itchy woollen dress and undergarment but she had to endure it for the sake of blending in and walking in the small shoes was a huge problem for her.

Crash!

The basket fell to the floor as she hit someone while trying to walk carefully with the huge basket blocking her line of vision.

"I am so sorry. I could not see where I was going and I..." She said in a girly voice but stopped when she saw the expensive pair of leather boots in front of her. She slapped herself mentally and groaned at her bad luck.

'Great. I'm losing my job on my first day.' She thought.

"I am so sorry my Lord. I promise you it will not happen again." She said again, quickly shoving the sheets into the baskets.

"I am not your lord you dim-witted servant!" He yelled, "I am your prince. Clear this mess up at once!"

Fear held her immediately and she dared not look up because he would recognize her immediately. She cursed herself internally and wondered if she was facing judgement for some unknown sin.

"Do you not hear me?!" He yelled again.

"Sorry your Highness." She said, lifting the basket to cover her face.

Her muscles groaned under the weight of the load she was carrying but she ignored it and walked briskly, hoping he would not recognize her but as her bad luck went, Myknosian women were neither pale skinned nor black haired.

"Stop!" He yelled.

She threw her basket on the floor and ran which was not a smart move. She sped past maids who dropped what they were holdings in shock and tried to make her way out of the castle. The place was confusing her as she tried to make her way out in full speed and as tried to open a secret corridor she had found he caught her and pinned her force fully to the wall with her arms behind her.

"Did you really think it would be that easy to get away from me?" He asked.

He pulled away from her and gave her a once over stopping at her chest and looking at her exposed cleavage shamelessly.

'Pervert.' She said.

"Are you going to question me or stare at me like some untried lad that just saw his first naked lassie?" She said in her real voice.

That seemed to snap him out of his reverie and his signature scowl was back. He drew his sword and took a defensive stance, making sure his privates were safe this time.

"Why are you in my castle assassin?" He asked staring at her with a serious expression.

She raised an eyebrow at him and noted that he held his sword in his left hand not the right. The injury would have helped her escape but guards would have surrounded her in minutes. She sighed in defeat and looked him square in the eyes. He gasped then shook his head.

"Tell me who your target is and I will grant you a swift death." He said again.

She let out a little laugh at his threat and she saw his jaw harden. She loved messing with arrogant pampered boys like him who thought that a woman should always bow to a man.

"Do you really think that if I were an assassin it would take a scowl on your face and a sword to find out my mission?" She asked with a smirk.

He looked at her as if she was a jester and she just ignored it and let him take his time to get used to her. She was familiar with the look as people treated her differently once they found out she was a woman just because of her height and deep voice.

"You are under arrest. You can either walk quietly with me to the dungeons or you could try to escape and I'll run you through with a sword." He said, "I'd prefer the latter."

She softened her stance and looked defeated for a second before the obnoxious prince picked her up and slung her over his shoulder.

"Put me down this instant!" She yelled, pounding the back of his thighs and flailing his arms. She felt a smack on her backside making her still.

"As much as I would love to watch you fall and break your neck, I won't allow it. I intend to end your miserable existence myself so stop squirming." He said.

'Ugh. The nerve of this man.' She thought while staying limp on his shoulders.

For a while, she had lost all hope of getting out of her current predicament and her normally fast thinking brain seemed to have lost all its willpower.

"Nico?" A female voice said just as they were about rounding the corner, "Put that poor maid down at once!"

Odeya winced at the shrillness of her voice and it brought back memories of her mother scolding her for dressing like a hooligan.

"Mother this is no poor maid. She was one of the people that attacked me in the forest." He argued.

"I said put her down and I meant now." She said with finality.

He grumbled while he placed her back on her own two feet. She almost laughed when she saw the child-like pout on his face but covered it with a little cough. She looked at the woman's feet and almost slapped her forehead. It was Queen Navara and she sounded angry.

"I would think that you'd keep your whoring around private and not with the help but you don't seem to care how badly this reflects on the royal family." She said to her son.

"Mother I was not whoring." He said with disgust, "I was only bringing an assassin to justice."

"What? An assassin? That is ridiculous dear." She said, "Come. You must still be delirious after your ordeal at North Walsham. You need rest."

"No mother I am fine. I need to..." He said.

"Nonsense. You need some rest. You," She said pointing at her, "You're Alicia right? The new girl?"

"Yes your Majesty." Odeya replied curtsying.

"Get some breakfast for my son and make sure he eats. He tends to forget he is only human sometimes." She said to her, "And you son, go to your chambers and have your breakfast there. You can take the rest of the day off and I'll tell your father that you're down with a headache."

"But..." He started but she silenced him with a raised eyebrow, "Okay mother."

"That's a good boy. I will be off now. You know how your father gets when I am late." She said walking away.

Odeya turned to leave, happy that she had been able to escape from the prince but her joy was short-lived as Prince Nicolas grabbed her arm.

"Don't think this is over!" He growled before storming down the corridor.

She rubbed her arm and walked towards the kitchens. When she stepped in, all conversations stopped and someone let out an awkward cough. She rolled her eyes and walked over to Madame Elma. She was a plump woman whose ample bosom caused one or two accidents in the kitchen whenever she bent over. She was a friendly and bubbly woman with a very dark sense of humour and was the only one who had been kind to her on her arrival in the castle.

"So? Are the rumours true?" She asked.

"What rumours?" Odeya replied not understanding.

"The ones about you and the prince? You running from him and the other one where he carried you on his shoulder?" She said with one eyebrow raised.

"Oh that. Um..." She replied not knowing what to say. She had little love for gossip and certainly not when they were about her. Madam Elma shot her a look and she groaned but looked around for any random listeners.

"Look. I might have kicked him in the... you know." She whispered, aware of every pair of eyes watching them not so subtly.

"I now see why he hates you." She replied spooning some soup into a small tureen, "Try to avoid getting into trouble with the nobles dear. They are a very mean bunch. You were lucky that the queen was there to save you today."

"I know that. If he had just thanked me for helping him with the assassins rather than insulting me, I wouldn't have done it." She said placing a plate of canapés, grapes and some braised pork on a tray. Then she filled a brass jug with some wine and placed the princes silver goblet on the tray.

"We'll finish this conversation later." Madam Elma said whacking two maids with a towel, "Just get the food to the princes' chambers."

"I had best be on my way now. Don't want to upset his royal frowness any longer." She mused.

They shared a quick laugh before she picked up the covered tray and jug of wine. She almost lost her way walking to his chambers and once she stood in front of his steel enforced ironwood doors, she had to do a silent prayer so she would not lose her temper. She knocked the door and waited. One of the doors opened a few seconds later to reveal a half-naked prince with his signature scowl on his lips.

"Why did it take you so long to bring my breakfast?" He asked angrily.

She was too busy struggling not to look at his smooth hard chest to hear him. He made it worse by raising a hand to run a hand through his dark brown hair. Her breath caught in her chest and she started feeling a little hot; the mischief swimming in his cobalt blue eyes made it sparkle a lot more.

'Stop it Odeya! This isn't your first time of seeing a half-naked man!' Her mind scolded.

She scoffed and raised her own grey eyes to meet his that glinted with mischief. It seemed like he planned to seduce her where abrupt questioning failed.

'Such a neanderthal!' She thought.

"May I come in your highness?" She said with mock courtesy.

"I do not have any tolerance for insolence slave." He said with his signature scowl.

She bit her lip to stop herself from smirking then walked into the room. She balanced the tray on one hand and cleared some papers on the cluttered work desk to set the table for his meal. When she was done, she stood aside and let him assess the food. He sat at the table then lifted the goblet of wine to his nose and lifted one eyebrow when he looked at her. He cut a piece of the pork and motioned for her to come forward.

"Eat." He commanded.

She moved to take the fork from him but he tightened his hold so she had no choice but to eat from his hand. He watched her while she chewed and swallowed then waited a few minutes before eating. The room was silent except for the sounds of cutlery scraping the plate as he ate. She took her time looking around his room to ease away the boredom that had begun to creep up her spine.

His room was sparsely furnished but heavily decorated with many imported rugs and swords. His huge canopy bed lain with deep blue linen sheets had a white duvet covering it. The sofa, rugs, and drapes were also dark blue but had the crowned owl of Myknos embroidered, in white, into the fabric. She prayed silently that he would hurry up with his food so she could leave.

"Did you not hear me?" He asked snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Pardon me your highness." She said with a bow.

"I asked you to come and sit." He said motioning to the chair on the other side of the table. She obeyed and eyed him warily not trusting him. He pushed the tray from him then hooked his fingers and rested his chin on it.

"Where did you get the dagger?" He asked watching her, "Who did you come here for?"

"I don't understand you, your highness." She told him, feignining ignorance.

"Stop acting ignorant. You know what I am talking about." He said, "Where does a peasant girl learn to fight like that?"

"I am a hunter's only child. My father taught me all that I know." She told him.

"That's a logical excuse but you and I both know the truth." He said, "You are just a low born trained from birth to kill for anyone with the largest purse."

"Do not insult me!" She yelled, "I only came here to earn some extra money for my family but you have no idea what that means right? The only thing you know is how to step on people just because you were lucky enough to have been into royal family. I am sure the whole kingdom even your family must wish that it were you who died that day!"

Everything went white for a while and when she started seeing again, she saw that she was on the floor. She felt a sting on the side of her face that he had hit and she could the rage swimming in his eyes.

"I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR INSULTS!" He yelled, "Guards!"

The four sentries placed outside his door rushed in, at their princes' command, with their swords drawn.

"Escort this filth to the dungeons. Make sure she gets no food or water and no one is to release her unless I command it." He ordered.

"Yes, your Highness." They chorused.

Two of them dragged her out while the others went back to their stations outside the door. She had to admit that it was her fault; she had struck a low blow and now she was facing the consequences. She could not even think up a way to get out of the mess she had gotten herself into and she was sure her father already knew how badly she had failed. Surely, all she had to do now was use blunt force.

"Sir Yosevic? Where are you dragging that maid off to?" A female voice said.

"My Lady." They said, bowing to the female who had walked in front of them.

"Rise please." She told them, "What did she do to my brother this time? Burn his favourite linen shirt?"

"No your highness." Sir Yosevic, the sentry on her left, said, "She insulted our prince."

"Oh did she now?" She said, "Raise your head my dear."

"You look new. What's your name?" Princess Alyn asked.

"I'm Alicia my Lady." She said. An idea suddenly struck her but she would have to put on a serious act, "I am really sorry for insulting the prince. He just accused me of something that...that... I did not do and I just..."

"It's alright. My brother seems to have a screw loose again. I think he was dropped on his head as a baby." Princess Alyn said with a giggle, "Come on. Let's go see if I can get you out of the dungeons."

Odeya felt like weird talking to Princess Alyn; the princess did not even know what she had said to the prince but was willing to defend her. She and her brother were completely different individuals; from their hair colour to the way they treated people. Princess Alyn was a funny person and in the few minutes they had spent together, Odeya had come to know that she was very adventurous. They got the princes' door and the size along with the tension in her body made her feel like running, running back to a time when life was simple and not full of so many complications.

Even though Father hated her, her mother had always tried to make her see things differently and spoilt her with toys and sweets when she had gathered enough money from her sales. They would prepare the cheese together and take it down to the square and when Father had been summoned to the castle, they would go swimming in the lake.

"Did you hear me?" Princess Alyn asked, her voice breaking through her trip down memory lane.

"Pardon me, Your Highness." She said with a bow.

"I said you should wait here while I go talk to my brother. I'll try to calm him down." She said.

Odeya nodded in understanding and watched as the princess walked into her brothers chambers, head held high and spine straight, as if she was sure that her brother would listen to her. The wait was a long and tense one and the sentries standing so closely behind her made it feel even worse. Finally, the princess came out looking satisfied and dragged her inside the room to meet a devious looking prince

"Your highness?" She asked looking at the princess.

"Oh brother dearest do not keep the poor girl waiting. She looks like she's about to faint." Princess Alyn scolded.

"Tell her yourself." He said still holding his mischievous smirk.

The tension kept building up inside her as she watched the siblings do a staring contest. It seemed like none of them was willing to give up just yet but then the princess blinked and she groaned.

"I still don't why I have to deal with you." She said with a groan, " My brother says you'll have to apologize to him and owe him a favour or you will have to go to the dungeons."

"Apologize? He insulted me first and hit me. He should be the one apologizing." She yelled, "And a favour? Really?"

"Why you insolent little..." He yelled.

"Don't you dare brother." Princess Alyn scolded, "Please apologize Ali and get this over with."

"I'd prefer the dungeons, your highness." She told the princess, "I will never apologize to this arrogant jerk."

"That does it. Guards!" He yelled.

The sentries rushed in at his comand again and grabbed her.

"Take this..."

"I'll show myself out." She said, interrupting him.

She walked out of the room leaving a stunned princess and an enraged prince in her wake. The sentries flanked her all the way to the dungeons and brought her to a cell that stank of urine and unwashed bodies. The men in the cell opposite her leered at her and whistled.

"Careful there sweetheart. They are rapists and we don't want them getting a turn before we do." Sir Timur, one of the sentries that escorted her, said.

They pushed her in and locked the door behind her, blocking out the light. The cell was cold and the floor was slippery, she could hear rats squeaking and scuttling around. One ran across her feet and she squealed. She heard laughter from the men in the other cell. She managed to walk across the cell, to the bed, without slipping on the grime left on the floor from many years of dirt.

She lay on the hard bed and stared at the blackness all around her, wondering where it all went wrong in her life. She felt sleepy soon and decided that a nap would do her a whole lot of good.