"Kneel down!" One of the guards pushed me unceremoniously to the cold floor. King Nick was sitting high on his throne with his golden crown, his hands resting on the arms of his chair, and his right palm supporting his head. Only his eyes were closed, as if he were asleep or deep in thought. "Your Majesty, the prisoner has been brought in!" said the guard. "I'm not a prisoner!" I pleaded loudly. "quiet!" " cried King Nick suddenly, his hollow, dark eyes fixed upon me. Then he waved his hand wide, motioning the guards to step back. "Your Majesty, what is my crime?" " I asked, looking up. "What crime have you committed?" King Nick stroked his chin in mock thought. "Let me see what I can find against you. Adultery? Disrespect to the king? How about a conspiracy?" "Those are false accusations you just made!" I immediately tightened my grip on the hem, "Because I didn't commit a crime!" "Whether you commit a crime or not is up to me!" King Nick smiled contemptuously, "I could hav
When I awoke, I found myself in an unfamiliar bed. For the first time Catherland's worried face came into view. She caressed my forehead and spoke to me lovingly. "You're finally awake, my boy!" "I..." My throat felt dry and hoarse, and I tried to speak, but could not. "Don't worry kid, the doctor just gave you the healing potion and there might be some side effects." " said the landlady, and called the maid to bring me a glass of water. The dry, hoarse feeling I had felt earlier subsided as the cool water trickled down my throat. I tried to sit up, but my head was still in a daze. He needed help from Catherland to sit up. "I'm sorry I made you suffer!" The catheran touched my cheek painfully, "If I had been there earlier, you wouldn't have been hurt!" "I'm not having an affair, believe me!" I continue to plead my innocence. "Of course, I believe you're innocent!" "Those rumors about you must be backstabbing," Catherland said. "I've sent a team to find out exactly who is spr
The ointment concocted by the court physician was extremely healing, and after only one day I could not see a single scar on my face. But my heart still ached vaguely, and I shut myself up in my room, refusing to take a step outside. I was afraid to face all the people in the court, and I did not want to see their strange eyes. Sometimes I wonder if rumors of my fornication are already circulating, if even the servants are discussing it in private. Am I now branded a slut in everyone's eyes! The more I think of it, the more I am disturbed, and the more I am frightened! For the first time, I felt so close to death. All my pride and self-conceit gave way to fear. Turns out I was not so brave as I thought, I chickened out, I shrank into my shell like a turtle and pretended not to hear anything! I know I am making a fool of myself, but it is the best I can do. The fear that King Nick had given me had taken its toll on my psyche! I hate him, but I hate myself even more! Because I chose o
"Miss Lydia, Miss Vivian, I didn't expect you to be out for a walk on a cloudy day!" I rose from my rocking-chair, and Lydia, with a red leash, and a short, dark, medium-haired dog, stood between her and Vivian. The black dog had a round toy in his mouth, and from the corner of his mouth hung a long drool. It eyed me warily, as if I were prey. "Princess Madeleine moved to her estate and before she left she told us to take care of Duke for her. It's Duke's walk time!" Lydia touched the black dog's head as if speaking to her son, "Oh baby Duke, do you want to play ball? Go ahead!" " said Lydia, taking the orb from Duke's mouth and hurling it with such force that he immediately spread his legs and ran in his direction. "Heard you were sick, Miss Emily!" Vivian said ominously, "Are you scared?" I froze, did Vivian know of my punishment at the hands of King Nick? But after a moment, Vivian added, "It's the first time a civilian like you should be playing such an exciting game, isn't i
Lola led the way to the castle gates, where a gleaming golden chariot was drawn up in front, and on either side of it a dozen soldiers in black armour stood in a line. The duchess, who was sitting in the carriage, with a veil of black lace over her face, gave me a slight nod when she saw me through the window. I was lifted into the carriage by Lola, and Catherland sat across from me. She whispered to the footman standing by the carriage, "Let's go!" "Where are we going?" The carriage moved slowly, with the clatter of hoofs on the floor. I glanced round the window as the carriage picked up speed and the view flashed before my eyes. A sense of uneasiness came over me, and I looked at Catherland. Beneath her black veil she seemed remarkably calm. Her violet eyes stared back at me as if she had something on her mind. "We're going to Rose!" There was resignation in Catherland's voice, "That's Princess Madeleine's estate!" "So we're going to meet Princess Madeleine?" I frowned, "Why?"
The two great iron gates of Rose Hall slowly opened, and Catherland and I stepped out of the carriage. The steward of the estate stood on either side of the gate, and all the servants and maids awaited our arrival. I looked out into the crowd, but there was no sign of Princess Madeleine. It was not until we were ushered into the great hall of the Hall by the butler that we saw the late arrival of the Princess Madeleine. The gold roses embroidered on her red dress stood out as she walked right in front of us. " said the Princess Madeleine, with a radiant face, as she bowed respectfully to the Queen of Castile. "Forgive my disrespect, Your Majesty. There was so much going on at the Hall, and I had to attend to myself, that it took some time. I have not been back for so long and there is so much to repair in this estate." Madeleine said, glancing at me, then with a deliberate look of surprise on her face, "Miss Emily, why are you here?" "Your Highness, I have come to make amends." I
It was at this point that I realised that I was actually being played by Cuthland. You can imagine how mad Madeline must be now that she has left me like this, especially after what she said to Madeline just now. I am here to be Madeleine's punching bag. I was to be Madeleine's slave for the next three days, and whatever torture I was about to face I could not refuse. For the safety of my family was in the hands of Catherland. She took me by the throat and choked me, and I had to comply! "Fear not lamb!" Madeleine's fingers gently stroked the strands of hair that hung from my forehead as she told me in a sweet, cruel voice, "I won't kill you!" My lips trembled uncontrollably, and Madeline's penetrating gaze went to my heart; she could sense my fear and uneasiness. It made her feel even more smug. Perhaps she was already plotting how to abuse me. I was like a lamb waiting to be butchered, facing the fear of the unknown. What would she have done to me? Bring a pan of hot water to t
The old maid led me to the kitchen, a large one, filled with a dozen servants. Some were chopping vegetables, some were building fires, some were washing vegetables, and so on. Everyone kept their heads down. When they saw Mandy leading me into the kitchen, everyone immediately dropped what they were doing and stood respectfully. "Ms. Mandy!" Everybody called her that. "This is Miss Emily, she's going to help out in the kitchen today!" Mandy pointed to a chubby woman with a round face and said, "You can help Mrs. Tom with the dishes today." The round-faced woman, Mrs. Tom, looked at Mandy inquiringly, and just as she was about to say what was on her mind, the older woman, Mandy, glared at her and spoke sternly. "Do as I say and ask nothing!" "Yes, Ms. Mandy!" Mrs. Tom walked up next to me with her head bowed, and she whispered, "Follow me!" Mrs. Tom led me to the back door of the kitchen, where she placed a bowl of fresh vegetables in front of me and pointed to the sink next to