Once again, sleeping had become an impossibility for Roxanne. Within her, she could not wait to be done with this journey and her job in total. Meanwhile, she continued to toss and turn in her bed, restless from the thought of how far his lips would have gone around her body, at the same time, furious about his audacity. No matter how much she tried to stay away from him, he had always ended up pulling her closer to himself, and dumping her without even saying a word. Yes, silent rejection was more hurtful than verbal one; at least for her. Finally, he would come to understand that she was not a joke. Roxanne was a real woman, with feelings; and he always played with them. But, she would not give him that power anymore. Whatever hold he had on her, had to be severed, and as soon as possible. Alas, after six hours of turning in her sleep, Roxanne was awakened by the sound of a knock on her door. Once again, she pulled herself up with a frustrated groan, digging her fingers into her
Lancelot felt himself shriek when Madeline placed her hands on both his shoulders and tiptoed to plant kisses on his cheeks, and even on his forehead. What was all this sudden show of motherly love? "We heard everything about your journey Lancelot! I am so proud of you my son, so proud of you!" Of course, there had to be something attached to it. His mother had never been one to just shower love on him without condition. Hell! This wasn't even really love. She was just satisfied by the results he had given her, and now, she was acting with all the dopamine in her head. Madeline locked her left arm with Lancelot's right arm and led him to the rest of the waiting party. Roxanne and Peter followed him behind, equally in awe of their reception. "Believe me son, I wanted to make a bigger deal out of your return, but your father insisted that I do not close down the streets of London!"By the goddess! This was the happiest Lancelot had seen his mother be in a long time. He tried to find
After his salute, Peter watched Lancelot walk away from him, heading towards the door of the palace. He sighed, with worry. Deep down, he feared for Roxanne and wished more than anything, that Lancelot would finally tell her the truth, and the real reason she was here. "Let's go join the party!" Roxanne's voice called out, barely inches behind him. Peter snapped out of his range of thoughts and turned swiftly towards her. Speak of the devil, and she gracefully appears, Peter thought. He tried to make his stance and expression as believable as possible, before clearing his throat. "We are not allowed into the party." Disappointment replaced the enthusiasm in Roxanne's eyes. Thirty minutes ago, she only wanted to lie on her bed and force herself to sleep. But now, after the announcement of a feast, she had thought "there was no harm in feasting on food before resting, was there?" After answering herself affirmatively, she decided to join the feast, grab one or two meals before leavi
"I would hurry up and get those out of there if I were you. But if you want to spend all day here, then be my guest." The huge woman thundered above a dumbstruck Roxanne, who was still trying to make sense of it all, in her head. She blinked twice, trying to ask herself how it came to this. How did she go from having everything she had ever wanted, to slaving away in someone's kitchen? Life had really done a number on her. But, this was one hurdle that she had to cross. She had crossed so many before and had come out victorious, therefore, some stale plates and contaminated water in the kitchen sink was not going to break her. Not at all. With that thought, Roxanne swallowed hard. She took one long and pitiful glance at her white suit, knowing very well that this might be the last day she would ever get to use it, before heaving a sigh, while mentally bidding the dress farewell. She looked up at Marilyn and managed a forced smile. "Can I get gloves?" She asked, trying her best to
Everyone settled around the huge dining table in the banquet hall, specially designed and reserved for small feasts and gatherings, such as this one. Everyone here was either a member of the royal family or important to them. Madeline was dressed in one of her best blue gowns, Edward looked as charming as he always was, so did the rest of his sons. Albert did not know why he had to sit through this torture, since he had rather hoped Lancelot would fail. But Hermione had insisted it was important to act as though they were on Roxanne's side. Elizabeth and her mother were beautifully dressed. The two elderly women of the house; lady Eloise and Lady Marion were not left out of the elegance spree. Richard, Bailey and Reuben were present as well. And so was every member of the council. Each, sat down, drank, laughed out loud and was merry. As they feasted, Ava leaned into Lancelot, who was seated by her side. He had not said a word or spoken to anyone except he was asked a question. Ev
Lancelot did nothing to stop himself from fuming with anger. He would no longer pretend and allow his mother do as she pleased. He was tired, genuinely tired of allowing her kick everybody around for her own pleasure. Today, he would set her straight and remind her of all the lines she could not cross; each and everyone of them. With a sturdy gaze and irritation stirring and boiling his temper, he dashed out the door of the banquet hall, and did nothing to stop himself from crashing into an incoming servant. The man fell to the ground, flat on his back, but Lancelot did not spare him a second glance, talk more of an apology. Peter, who hurried behind his boss, was left with the responsibility of helping the man up and apologizing to him. By the time Peter had his head up, Lancelot was far down the corridor, several meters ahead of him. He stood still, his hands lay helpless by his sides, with a gleaming sadness in his eyes as he watched Lancelot stomp off to confront the queen. He
"Get rid of those clothes immediately." The head maid, Marilyn, spoke harshly, while sending daggers in glares towards Roxanne. Confused, Roxanne looked up at the woman. She was at a loss for both words and actions, and she was also genuinely tired of being here. Nothing she did seemed to please Marilyn, or pacify any of the maids for whatever she had done. It was crazy. She had never met or spoken to any of them before now. Yet, they collectively seemed to despise her.After she got here last night, she was made to sleep on the shaky bunk and Roxanne spent all night worrying if the wooden bunk would collapse and send her to the floor. That would be death, she thought. Considering how high the bunk beds were. It was funny, how she thought she would return to the palace and have a good rest. Little did she know, that the worst of it all had been in front, waiting patiently for her. Roxanne could still remember being woken up by the feeling of cold water being splashed on her face. A
The princess held on to her. She placed her right hand under Roxanne's shoulders and raised her gently, until Roxanne was seated. The right side of her cheek was stained with grass and wet soil, while the other side of her cheek had Marilyn's handprint imprinted on it, still stinging from the painful slap. Squatting beside her, Elizabeth helped her dust the dirt of her face, slowly and with sympathy. "I hope you're alright? I really don't understand why she'll treat you like that." Roxanne struggled to keep her tears at bay, they were fighting their way to her eyelids, but she wouldn't even let them gather there. Once she did, she wasn't sure she would be able to stop herself from crying. Maybe Elizabeth didn't understand, but Roxanne understood why Marilyn had hit her; it was hate. Did she understand why Marilyn hated her? Of course not! If she did, she wouldn't be seated on wet grass like a complete idiot. Even though that was what she currently felt like. Roxanne saw Elizabeth'