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CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The jangling of keys woke me up. In spite of everything, I almost smile. Ironic, how I thought Teresa’s knocking was the most annoying sound in the world to wake up to just a few days ago. The screech of iron against iron is enough to drive anyone mad.
A guard came in, with a servant who’s face I could not really see because of the apparel he draped over his face. The guard was holding a blue chipped bowl.
“Your morning ration.” The guard said gruffly and passed the bowl, with its questionable contents to me. He leaves, but the servant stays.
“What are you waiting for, for me to say thank you for the… amazing meal? Or would you watch me eat too, afraid I’d steal the bowl?” I asked bitterly with the hurt reflecting in my voice.
“Hey, hey calm down. It’s me.” A familiar voice said. I looked up to see Stuart who removed the clothing on his face.
I smile, despite the fact that I was not myself. I suddenly become conscious of my looks, my hair must look so horrible, and my dress.
“Stuart? What are you doing here?” I asked, shutting off my own thoughts for the moment.Material © NôvelDrama.Org.
“I work here, remember? Stationed here by the crown prince himself.” He said dryly, and our eyes met.
I and Stuart have been close for a while now, but now we share something akin to a sense of partnership.
Both of us have been dealt unfair sentences because of Edward’s cruelty, I’ve never felt closer to him than I do right now.
“Alice, what happened?” He asked me, probably wanting to hear my side. I was grateful that at least someone was willing to hear my side of the story and be objective about it.
“I- I was foolish. Edward asked me to bring a goblet from the treasure room, and I did. When I got to his room to give it to him, he was no longer there, and I kept it in my room to wait for him and I slept off, and guards came in, and and the king and..” My voice breaks as tears threaten to roll down my cheeks. How could I have been so stupid.
“I’ve always known Edward as a dick, but I didn’t think he’d frame someone for something so serious, and without provocation like that. When I heard the news of your imprisonment, I knew somehow that he was involved. I’m so sorry that happened, but you shouldn’t keep such things in your room, Alice. You should have given it to Teresa.” He said softly. Anger rose in my throat for some reason.
“Well, how was I supposed to know? I didn’t think this would happen, did I?” I spoke with the emotion evident in my voice.
“It’s okay, Alice, I believe you. I’ll help you in any way I can, I promise.” He said, trying to calm down my anger. He sat beside the door, and bowed his head obviously going into deep thought.
“I don’t want to scare you or anything, but you really have to escape this cell. I overheard some maids saying that you might get killed for stealing the king’s greatest trophy.” He said as he turned to stare at me, concerned filling those dark eyes.
“T.. Trophy? You mean the goblet? I didn’t take any trophy and only took a goblet Stuart. How on earth is it a trophy, and why is it so important?” I asked him.
“The King got it from a great battle some years ago, where he got that scar on his neck from. No one knows which Kingdom he battled, and where he got it. It’s rumoured that even the Queen doesn’t know.” He finished. I was shocked because there were four of them so I assumed one for each royal. The fear I’d been trying to push out of my mind returns. Oh, I’m definitely dead.
“That’s why you must escape Alice, before a verdict is reached and you’re killed. I’ll help you escape this dingy cell.” He spoke quickly in a rush. The tears I had been holding back finally flowed, and Stuart approached me.
“Stop, see I won’t let you die, I swear it. nobleman’s honour.” He said, reaching out his hands to wipe my cheeks.
I’m so embarrassed, crying in front of him, and afraid that I was going to die and angry because it’s because of something I didn’t even do. Ironic, that a chronic thief is going to meet her end by being falsely accused of stealing. My emotions were in turmoil, and I just wanted to turn back time.
This cell was now getting to look too familiar to me and I hated it.
Stuart continued to stroke my cheeks, his hands surprisingly warm against my cold skin. My sobbing reduced and I gently leaned against him. I was silently thankful to Edward for his partial cruelty, because how else would I have met Stuart? The prison doors open abruptly, and before I and Stuart could react, Edward walks into the cell. Speak of the devil, am I right?