Chapter 21: Chapter 7: May She Live
Ulric sat with his sweating palms tightly clasped in his lap. He was called to the queen's study urgently in the early morning. The sun had yet to reveal itself past the autumn air. The butler sat nervously staring towards the queen, who was sitting on her desk, wrapped in blankets and wings, with a deep frown and a letter crunched in her hand.
He cleared his throat rather awkwardly, "What will be your decision, your highness? They request a wedding in A months time... you're progressing to slow for their liking..."
"I am aware of that, Ulric," she gritted. Her cold eyes flicking towards him in warning. "Send all of them home—"
"But your highness! You can't do that, the lords are pushing for a wedding and soon! They'll be—"
She lifted her hand calmly, taking a deep breath to finish her sentence. "All but Culbert, Caspian, Henry and Vally."
Ulric slumped in his seat yet scrunched his brows in strange confusion. "Henry?"
"Henry is calm, polite and keeps out of the way. He is a suitor I'd gladly deal with," she said plainly, "I've known him the longest." Ulric sent her a look, arching one of his brows.
Of course, the queen was unfazed as she picked up a quill, dipped it in the blue-bug ink pot then proceeded to scribble on a piece of slightly green molded parchment. After a moment she pushed it towards the butler's hands. "Show this to the lords when they wake up. They are to pack their trunks and leave today. Carriages should be prepared for them no later than noon."
Ulric was ushered up. "Why are you this hasty to be rid of them?" Riona leaned on the palms of her hands behind her back on the desk, exposing her night garments. She glanced towards the door before answering, "It is solely for their safety. We have an infiltrator and I don't wish to have any of them harmed. It is for the best."
Ulric nodded understandingly though poked curiously, "It has been a month since they've arrived. Do you perhaps have an eye on someone particular yet?"
Curious old man. He sure had a talent for observing and reading people. Riona inhaled sharply, her mind instantly directed towards one. "I do." Ulric smiled with a sense of relief. It would have been a tremendous shame if she still hadn't come to her senses. Still stubborn to accept someone.
"I will send someone up to bring you breakfast, your highness."
"Before you go, could you add vanilla tea to the tray, please?"
"Of course!" nodded the butler, excited and surprised with a grin. "And should I also allow the Lord to enter?"
Riona frowned. "Don't tell me he's already up," she sighed suddenly annoyed. Though the answer was already stood in the doorway with the largest of smiles. Too bright for this early in the morning. How on earth did he manage to be so full of enthusiasm this early?
"Obviously I'm up!" he cheered.
"You were up before Ulric entered?"
"Well... yes. I—"
"Go back to bed."
He stood back with a scoff. "I'm perfectly rested. I—"
"I order you to go back to bed," she repeated challenging the lord with her authority. It was simply to early to deal with the man. Although she wouldn't admit it to him again, she herself needed rest. Stress was a wicked villain who adored pestering her. It wouldn't be a surprise if she had silver-grey hair before the age of 40 at this rate.
Vally leaned his head to the side; he couldn't accept her orders this quickly. Thus he smirked mischievously. "Join me."
"What? Are you all right in the head?" she fumed, her hands subconsciously fisting the blanket tighter around her. Her annoyance was replaced by embarrassment as her cheeks fired red. "I will not!"
"You and I both know you need the sleep more than I do, Riona." He said rather lowly for he knew that she knew it was true. Riona's eyes shied away from him. "Preposterous," muttered the lady.
"What was that?" He whispered closer to her this time, trapping her on the desk. Her hair bounced over her face as she looked up. He moved swiftly just like the shadows. "I said preposterous. I am a lady of nobility and will not be found in the chambers of a man before my wedding. Out of the question," she scolded, shaking her head sternly at the lord.
His eyes simply stared back fondly. "Good to know that no man will touch you before I do."
"Get out you bastard!" she yelled to his surprise. "How would you ever know? If I were you I wouldn't act so cocky."
A single tear suddenly slid down her cheek. An emotion had stirred in her. An emotion that unlocked a certain memory. She glared from beneath her knit brows, sneering as if to herself, "How could you ever measure us to him... Even if you did, perhaps you will follow the same path he did. A path of leading a heart on then proceed to rip it to shreds."
Vally blinked widely, "Who?"
She suppressed a sob which cracked her voice. "I do not speak his name."
He hesitated for a moment, yet his hand still reached for her quivering one apologetically. His warmth embracing her cold fingers. He was silent for a moment, his mind conjuring up something to soothe the lady in sudden distress. "Riona, if I could go back to that day in the past and take the place of him, I would choose better. I would choose you. I..." he gulped taking a pause, "I don't exactly know what you went through, but I can promise I'll be better. I can promise you a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold and an embrace to cheer you up. I can promise adventures, stories and the world. I will give you the world."
"Don't overestimate yourself."
"I am not, for you are my world. The world doesn't have to be a place. It can simply be a heart."
Her eyes watered. "How am I supposed to process this? I'm conflicted, Vally. I'm torn. Do you not see it?"
He smiled softly. "I'll accept you, torn or not."
For a split second she had the urge to embrace him, though her mind was against the very thought. Instead she squeezed his hand. "That is very reassuring." He simply smiled, holding her hand in both of his.
No moment stays perfect, for Caspian had randomly decided to barge in for some reason. Riona hastily wiped her cheeks and straightened. Of course, Vally had frowned towards the other lord with annoyance. "The queen is in no state to put up with your dilly dallying."
"Calm down sir Lancelot," snapped Caspian irritated, "I'm here because of an emergency, for goodness sake! One of the lords is dead."
Riona's breath caught in her throat. How? When? Who? She pushed herself from the desk, marching towards the door with a face of worry and dejection. "Who was it?" she demanded. Ready to rile up her guards herself, she jacked the door open. "Who?" She yelled.
Caspian glanced towards Vally and back to her. "Lord Henry..." He finally said.
Her heart stood and knees grew weak. All blood had rushed from her face, her palm gripping the doorframe firmly to keep her from tumbling. As if they had their own mind, her slipper covered feet started rushing down the hall, down a flight of stays, all the way to the West wing of the castle. There she found Ulric along with Enzo, both discussing in hushed tones outside the room. Once she stood before them, they bowed their heads. "Your highness," muttered Enzo, "This is very unfortunate to have a lord pass in this castle. We will do everything to find this killer."
The queen raised her chin, asking curiously, "Was Caspian here?"
They frowned. "Caspian? I don't recall seeing him at the scene, your highness," said the guard to which the queen only nodded. "Well then. Let's see to it Lord Henry is transported comfortably to his family. I'll send a letter with them and promise me that you will bring this murder to me. I trust you'll carry out the procedures."
Riona's eyes steadily trailed towards the door. "How was he..." she trailed off. Ulric reached to rub her shoulder to soothe the lady in at least some manner. The butler whispered, "There was no blood — we suspect poison."
She glanced towards him. "Poison? How did someone manage to... The groomer. He must have... Why do you suspect they are doing this?"
Meanwhile on the other wing, Vally stood rock solid with an expression of fierce fury. Caspian gritted, "Could you perhaps move aside from the door. You're blocking it, you hunk."
"What if I don't feel like it, you nitwit."
"Who are you calling nitwit?" hissed Caspian venomously, "I'm one of the intelligent lords here!"
"Really? Not so intelligent wandering around at night now are you. Don't think it hasn't gone unnoticed how you prowl the halls when everyone's asleep. Why were you at Henry's room?"
Caspian was silent. He arched a brow questioning back, "Why were you out at that time?"
"Making sure trouble makers such as yourself are put in their place."
"Who are you calling a troublemaker? I'm one of the good guys, Lancelot. You're the one stirring up the pot. Not me."
"Do not embarrass yourself. You knew Henry would die."
"No I—"
His reply was cut short as his back collided with the hardwood of the door. Vally had grabbed his shirt and shoved him hard. Caspian squirmed in surprise. "Let go!"
"No, you tell me first. Why were you in Henry's room?"
Caspian flicked his eyes between the cold ones of Vally. "She sure rubbed off on you, didn't she?" he said randomly before wincing. Vally's hands had tightened on his collar. "All right. I'm sure you are aware that we have an infiltrator amongst us... If it's you, go ahead and kill me now, but do know that the queen will find out."
Vally frowned, "Me? Don't be daft." He let go. "How did you know?"
"I'm smart. An assassination was bound to happen when so many important people are in one castle. I'm not sure who it is yet, but I've seen clues. You're not the only one sneaking in the shadows, Lord Valleric. I know your secrets."
Vally stared towards him, contemplating if he was truly serious. Caspians eyes stayed firm. He was honest... "From now we work together. The queen is to be kept out of harm at all costs. Stab me in the back and you'll face a torture much more despicable," warned Vally, forcefully shaking the other man's hand.
"May she live." Nodded Caspian, accepting.
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