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CHAPTER NINE
I did not stop running until I got to my room, I felt guilt more than I had ever felt before, what in the universe have I done? I just placed my friend someone who I care about in trouble. I knew the instinct of avoiding trouble kicked in there and I wanted to survive.
But she was also the Prince’s Lover, now I have given the prince all that he needed to detest me more than ever before. I kept trying to evade or shut out the thoughts in my head, how exactly do I always keep running the things that I touch? And of all days why did I have to be the one to go there, why this night, what was I even thinking of, I wanted to go apologize and I ended in more trouble.
Not just that I even ignored his question and ran away from him, knowing him he would probably be thinking that I came to steal something again from him, I had no doubt that I had landed myself in huge trouble now. I did not know which was worse, not stealing his things but if he said I did then no one will belive me. Or the fact that I got his lover in trouble, I sat as I nervously grab the edge of my dress.
My eye moved to my small bag which I had brought to the palace and the small box I had gotten with the few of my belongings, from nowhere the thought jumbled at me, what if I packed up and run away? What if I leave right now? And just like that I rejected it.
Fiona was currently caught and not interrogated yet, what if I land myself in a more terrible predicament if I ran away, and should I not be thinking of ways in which I would be able to bring her out of the trouble which I had landed her in all because I could not keep the scream in my throat in.
Maybe just maybe if I could get her out of this then the Prince would hate me less and make my torture more bearable in the future. But how am I to help her? am I to break into the dungeons to help her escape?
I am no fool not to know that the palace prisons are one of the most fortified places in the castle, and I am a novice in the art of trying to break into a place. I knew instantly that I would be captured and killed, not exactly what I wanted, call me coward but I value my life extremely well.
Imagine me thinking luck was on my side when I first saw the ajar door, I closed my eye just to forget about tonight. I laid down listening to the faint sound of the rain outside, I relaxed and drifted into a shallow dream plagued with nightmares.
I woke up with a start, I was honestly surprised that I was still in my room and no one had woken me up. Maybe the Prince already spoke with his father and the whole incident had blown over. I scoffed at my own thinking and I cringed when I remembered my foolishness the night prior.
I had no idea what I was thinking when I was planning to risk my life to rescue someone who’s lover could get her release with a flicker of his finger. More than ever I dreaded return to his quarters to work after all what that has happened last night.
I walked slowly and quietly into the kitchen, we all assemble here in the early hours of the morning before we go about our days doing our duties, I always did my absolute best to avoid this place. Not just because it is always crowded but the gossips are too unfavourable and leaves a rude aftertaste.
Since I was already in trouble, I do not plan to land myself in even bigger troubles the least I can do is at least perform my duties. I stepped in and I could feel the heavy pause in the general conversation as soon as I was in. I mean of course rumours spreads faster than fire in this place.
I was guessing that they must have heard about the event of last night and must have detest me for being a rattle person. I took the rest of my shattered pride and walked straight to where the pots for our meals were to get my rations and leave.
“Alice.” I looked up to see a maid, whose name I could not for the life of me remember, and quite a few more following her towards my direction.
Is it me or are they thinking of ambushing me? I took a quick glance of my surroundings to find the closest thing I could use as a weapon. I came up with nothing but the wooden spoon in the pot, my mind went into different scenarios and yeah if I could grab that spoon quickly and spin as fast then I may……
“What happened yesterday, in the Prince’s quarters if I might ask?” She said absolutely unaware of my inner battle. Wait what?
“Yes, yes, tell us everything!” Few of those who followed her told me.
“I heard the Prince was having a threesome with Fiona and another servant…” She continued, where on earth did these people hear those from.
“Is it true that one of the guards broke your wrist?” Another asked. The questions came like a torrent, and some were outright hilarious, I figured my mind was in shambles but also a sense of relief that they were not trying to ambush me.
“Hey, hmmm calm down okay… I mean, I just walked in, and saw them kissing and screamed, and that’s all.” I spoke after they gave me a pause enough to. The first maid looked at me in absolute surprise.
“But might I ask why you screamed?” She questioned, and that same question has been what I had been asking myself for a while now.
“Are you serious right now? We all know it is forbidden for a Prince to have anything to do with common blood most especially a maid, we all know this. I screamed somewhat out of shock, and genuine surprise. It really was not my intention that they would get caught if that’s what you’re asking…” I responded politely but with a hint of anger. The maids don’t seem surprised at all. They started retreating but I heard some mutters.
“Poor girl”
“Must have been her first time”
“Yes I mean why would she be that careless”. My mind did an involuntary rotation, first time? So that is to say that the Prince always do this and very often. Once more guilt slammed into me
“You do not have to feel guilty Alice; this is not the first time it’s happening. Want to know a secret too, some of us here have been love interests of the Prince at one point.” The first maid who came to me said. The shock must have been vivid on my face as I heard mumbles of agreement rose as soon as she was done talking.
Someone handed me my portion and honestly this was not how I envisioned myself making friends here, although I am extremely grateful that they do not hate me or treat me like a snitch but I also felt uneasy with the air of acceptance in the environment when all I did was land a lady in trouble.
The communal spirit was soon broken when Teresa walked into the kitchen. Everywhere went dead silent and you could hear a pin drop, we all knew that Teresa usually eat in the royal kitchen and not here. For her to have shown her face then it is not to relay a good news as she hardly is the bearer of one
“Alice. The King demands your presence in the throne room immediately.” She said as she walked out just as fast as she had walked in. oh well I could not say that I had not been expecting this at all, I dropped the plate in my hands and gathered myself to follow her.
My heart was releasing a sound that had become lately familiar associated with fear. I could feel the eyes of everyone in the kitchen behind mty back as they followed me out of the room, I mumbled a quiet and quick prayer to myself as I walked down the castle’s hallsNôvelDrama.Org holds text © rights.