章 6: A dark night (2)
I do not hear the queen follow me as I walk through the door alongside the guards, and I guess she stayed behind to relay some instructions to Sarah which I don't really like as she might release some of her anger through the poor girl.
"Erica...", my stepmother's confused voice calls out when we are about to descend the stairs...."I was coming to check on you", she continues. She is with a maid who is carrying a plate which am guessing to be the dessert from earlier.
"Are you okay", she asks, furrowing her brows. She brings her hand to the swollen side of the face and gently caresses it, her cool hand bringing comfort. Her voice is soft, and her eyes displays love and care a great contrast to what I get from my mother.
'Yes....", I reply, even though I am in great pain, both physically and emotionally.... "It doesn't hurt". I lie, and I lose control of the tears that were burning my eyes letting them stream down my face. The display of love and care from her adding to my emotional mess. I really need to get a hold of myself.
"Ooh Erica" she says, then suddenly straightens her head fixing her eyes on one of the guards. "Where are you taking her", she demands, her voice firm.
"We are following the queen's orders, my lady", he responds his voice a little fearful and I know he is scared that the queen will find us standing here. I turn my head to the direction we came from and take my stepmother's hand with both of mine.
"I have to go", I tell her, my hands still cradling her own. She narrows her eyes still confused with what might be going on. I let go of her hands and turn myself to walk away not wanting to put her and the guards in trouble.
"I'll try to talk to her", she says and walk away to where we came from. I am certain the queen will never change her mind as to how she chooses to punish us even if the king himself intervenes.
After crossing the inner court and entering the adjacent building that mostly houses the rooms occupied by senior staff and guards, the guards lead me to the narrow stairs and at this point, I keep begging in my heart that we ascend the stairs, descending them will lead to small dark rooms that sometimes holds minor offenders in the castle. Am also aware that there are dungeons down there even though I've never ventured into them. Who knows today could be my day.
The guard opens the door leading up the stairs and I exhale loudly; a breath I wasn't aware I was holding. "This way my lady", he looks my way surprised by my loud exhale.
The journey up the steep stays is not easy and I am left breathless by the time the guard opens the door to what seems like a tower. It is not well kept, the white paint on the wall is starting to peel off and the floor is not well maintained. There is a small bed with a thin mattress on one side and a small door on the other side, am guessing the door leads to a private room.
This room, just like the stairs is dimly lit, the candles casting dancing shadows on the walls. I am not a great fan of darkness and shadows especially in unfamiliar surroundings like this. I am relieved though that I won't be spending my night in the rooms downstairs or the dungeon, I do not like closed dark spaces.
"The queen ordered for you to spend the night here, my lady", the guard who has been leading the way says standing by the door while the other one goes to the window, closing it then bends down to check under the bed. " All clear, my lady", he says to assure me of my safety which I appreciate.
"Thankyou", I manage a smile at them. I know they are following orders.
"We will be outside the door if you need anything", the one who checked under the bed says with a smile, he seems funny while the other is serious. I nod to him, smiling back. "Goodnight", he says then closes the door.
I am lost as to what am supposed to do, the heavy clothes I was unable to change are not helping at all. Going to the small window and looking outside, I find nothing interesting, it is dark, and the few touches illuminating are not enough to give me a clear view. There is nothing to be seen except the few guards doing their duties. Sighing, I turn to the bed I'll be using for the night, feeling it with my hands before lowering myself to sit.
I expected today to be perfect, going outside the castle walls riding horses with Sebastian, watching the sunset, going by the lake, maybe meeting his friend, Jacob, chatting the evening away and eventually sleeping in my bed dreaming of flying, or flowers or horses, maybe even a happy future. It was to be a slow evening, and I am not really sure how everything went so fast and now things are ruined, my sister's life is about to take a different path, and I do not know when my punishment will be over.
A knock on the door interrupts the flow of my thoughts, "enter", I say, my voice low and sad.
"The queen sent this for you, princess Erica", the guard says putting some clothes and a blanket on the table near the door.
Changing into what was brought, I decided to get some sleep and wait for what tomorrow will bring. The bed is uncomfortable, but I'll manage as I am already tired. The pain on my face reminds me of my mother, the queen. My heart feels heavy already just thinking about her, there's so much anger in her heart, and that anger is always taken out on her children, most especially me.
I think of my father, the king, 'don't you dare call me father', still ringing in my head. I don't want to lose him, his love, his dark blue gentle eyes that mirrors mine, his gentle wise words and smile, his jokes and laughter and his affections towards me and my siblings.
The pain is slashing my heart just thinking about him and the thought that I might lose him forever. It is unbearable. So far painful than being struck by my mother hundreds of times. I need to get him back, to tell him that I am sorry and that I've learned my lesson and discovered what I need to exercise, patience. A lot of patience.
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