Chapter 58: Collias's Dagger
The sun was high in the sky, casting warm rays over where Ginger was busy spreading freshly washed clothes on the drying rope. She hummed a cheerful tune, enjoying the peacefulness of the task.
Suddenly, a pair of hands wrapped around her head, covering her eyes. Ginger was startled, her heart racing.
"Who is that?" she demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.
A familiar, grinning voice replied, "Guess who?"
Ginger's initial fear turned to annoyance. She tried to play along, hoping to dissuade the intruder with humor. "Bowen?" she guessed with a smile.
Collias's face twisted into a frown. "Guess again," he insisted, his grip tightening slightly.
Ginger sighed dramatically. "Captain Periwinkle? Fang?"
Collias's breath was hot against her ear as he leaned in closer. "Collias Orangel," he whispered, clearly expecting a delighted reaction.
But Ginger's reaction was anything but delighted. She forcibly removed herself from his grip, turning to face him with eyes blazing with anger. "In this wretched life of yours, never come close to me again!" she snapped. "I am Bowen's female, the princess's favorite guard, and very soon he will become the new captain."
Collias's face turned red with anger and frustration. "Every time it's Bowen this, Bowen that! What does Bowen have that I don't have?"
Ginger scoffed, her eyes narrowing with contempt. "You dare to ask?" she retorted. "He is taller than you, more handsome than every male in this kingdom. He is the strongest of all, the best in archery even defeating Lord Philippe. And above all," she leaned in, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper, "he is an Ecratas in bed."
Collias's confusion was evident. "What is an Ecratas?"
Ginger's lips curled into a smirk. "He is like a monster betwixt the sheets."
Collias's face contorted with a mix of jealousy and disbelief. "You think so highly of him," he muttered, his voice laced with bitterness.
Ginger crossed her arms, her stance defiant. "It's not just what I think; it's what everyone knows. Bowen is a true man, a warrior, and a protector. You, on the other hand, are nothing but a nuisance."
Collias, desperation etched across his face. "Ginger, please. I have desired you for a long time, don't turn me away."
Ginger looked at Collias with a mixture of disdain and incredulity. "You are a fool, Collias," she said, her voice dripping with contempt.
Collias's shoulders slumped. "I agree. Just give me one night, Ginger. Just one. That's all I am begging you. I will pay you two gold coins and five silver coins."
Ginger laughed mockingly, the sound echoing off the courtyard walls. "You are so cheap! That's why Bowen is better than you. He gives me more than that, and on top of that, he gives me allowances just to pamper myself because I am his female."
Collias's face twisted with a mixture of desperation and anger. "Please, Ginger, I need you more than I need water."
Ginger folded her arms across her chest, her glare icy. "Collias, or whatever you are called, do me a favor and get out of here before I scream."
Collias's face flushed with humiliation. "I will report your behavior to the princess."
Ginger scoffed. "If you like, report me to the heavens or the king. As long as I don't get pregnant, no one will listen to you."
Collias stood there, speechless. His mind raced, trying to find the right words but nothing came out of his lips. His shame, sadness, and envy pressed down on him. Finally, he turned and walked away, his footsteps heavy with defeat.
Collias entered the quarters he shared with other guards, his mind a storm of rage and envy. The room felt suffocating now.
He paced around, his thoughts a whirlwind. How could Bowen, a newcomer, be better than him? Collias had been serving in the palace for many cycles, earning his place among the guards, yet Bowen had outshone him in every possible way.
The humiliation he had suffered at Ginger's hands replayed in his mind. Her scornful words echoed in his ears, fueling his resentment. "He gives me allowances just to pamper myself because I am his female." The thought of Bowen and Ginger together gnawed at him. His anger twisted into a dark resolve. If Bowen were gone, everything would go back to how it was supposed to be. He would get Ginger back, and his status would be restored.
Collias moved to his bed and retrieved a leather bag from underneath. His hands trembled slightly as he opened it, revealing a small dagger. The blade gleamed menacingly, its edge laced with a deadly poison. It was a gift from his father, given to him for self-defense. He hadn't had a reason to use it until now, but today seemed to be the right opportunity.
Bowen was angry, but the emotion he felt the most was hurt. Deep, gnawing hurt. He felt betrayed. How could the princess be engaged to a male who hated her, someone who didn't see her worth and value her for who she was but rather for her position as the future heir of the kingdom? The thought was like a poison in his veins, burning with every pulse of his heart.
He wanted to destroy the wall in front of him, to let his strength shatter the stone and release his fury. But he didn't want to bring attention to himself or his abilities. So, instead, he headed straight to the garden to clear his head.
As he walked through the paths, he encountered Collias. The other guard looked at him and sneered, his eyes glinting with malice.
"A personal guard shouldn't leave his owner's side," Collias taunted.
"Not now, Collias. Now is not a good time," Bowen replied, his voice strained with effort to keep his anger in check.
Collias ignored his words and stepped closer, his anger evident. "You are not the lord of me, Bowen. We are both ordinary guards in this palace. Don't act like you are my superior. I have worked here for cycles and have not been promoted. You just came a few days ago, and everyone is acting like you are some god. If not for your overgrown stature, no one would look at you twice."
Fairies began to gather, watching the spectacle with interest. Bowen took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure. "Collias, not now!"
"Oh! You want to beat me?" Collias taunted. "Let us fight hand to hand, without weapons."
Bowen was reluctant. He knew his strength could easily kill Collias without him noticing it. But Collias continued, "I know you can't. You are just a big-headed, arrogant bastard who parades himself as the princess's personal dog."
Bowen laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. "You want to fight me?" He laughed again.
Collias frowned, his anger boiling over. "Yes, I want to fight you and put you in your place."
Collias dropped his sword on the ground. "Drop your sword and fight me like a male."
Bowen smiled and dropped his sword. He was eager to get beaten. At least he could focus on the physical pain rather than the emotional torment he was feeling at the moment. Anything to distract him from the hurt in his chest.
Collias lunged at Bowen, but Bowen punched him squarely in the face, sending Collias sprawling to the ground. Bowen sighed in frustration. "Don't make this easy for me. Fight me with everything you've got. Beat me, punch me, just do something to me!" he yelled.
The news of the princess's engagement was breaking his heart. She wasn't even married to the young lord yet. What if she did get married? Was this how women felt when he parted from them? Why had no one bothered to lecture him on this pain?
Collias lunged at him again. Bowen caught him, thinking he was aiming for his stomach, only to feel a sharp pain. He looked down and saw a dagger sticking out of his abdomen.
The crowd gasped.
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