"You've been doing a good job so far." Came the comment from behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see Ensley carrying Princess Ruby's discarded morning dress. I handed her the chosen set of afternoon clothes as we swapped. "Does that mean your nerves are made of steel or that you've learned how to suppress them?"
"What do you mean?" I laid out her dress for whoever was in charge of cleaning it to come to collect it later.
"I mean," she said with a roll of her eyes. "You've been nearly perfect since yesterday. Doesn't that make the pressure all the worse for when you mess up?" Eying her, I couldn't decide if she was trying to get a rouse out of me again or if she was actually curious again. She was always in a state of wither, or unless it came to the Princess. There, she was polite and helpful, with a playful undertone that seemed to exasperate Hallie as she tried to keep the Princess on schedule.
I shrugged. "Well, if I do as I'm told, then I don't see why I'll mess up."
"Ah, so it will be our fault for guiding you wrong, you mean?" Her brows went up. "How dare a commoner say such a thing." she cried with mock indignation. That was another odd thing about her. She was a noble, a Baron's daughter I believe, but one who had an almost decent view on commoners. In no way did she think we were equal, but she did seem to think commoners were interesting in a pet type of way.
"Forgive me, my lady." I bowed slightly, playing along. She chuckled. "Should I now be worried about the instructions I receive?"
"You should always be worried about what you're told to do. Things change fast around here. Don't let the peace fool you." Hallie called out, sticking her head in to frown at us. "Come along, we have to get her to her mathematics class."
Serving a Princess was easier, with two around, since the Princess stared a lot at me, but didn't seem to want to ask any questions that might thwart her mystery game. Sir Firat, true to his word, kept a close eye on me whenever I came close, but neither he nor I spoke to one another. Today was only the second day of being around, getting my bearings in order. Like the first time I came to this wing with Sir Gerald, my previous assessment was correct. There were knights stationed at nearly every entrance, servants coming and going in pairs or groups. Walking around alone would not raise too many suspicions. If I managed to get my hands on a uniform, the issue would then be how. I already had little Christoph on my list of unwilling candidates at the moment.
Hallie worked as the Princess's main maid, waiting on her every need and preparing things beforehand to facilitate anything she needed, not necessarily wanted. Ensley eased the strictness with her banter and playfulness, but followed through with Hallie's orders and often won the Princess over with promises of cookies or playtime. Which left me trying to figure out what it was that I was supposed to do. It was clear I was Her Highness' own personal mystery, but I could see as time went on and the Princess and I seldomly talked, the other two were beginning to wonder how I had been chosen. During her first class, a servant approached me but informed Hallie that I had been called by Madame Lotta. Ignoring me, they lead me to her before leaving without a word. Further proof that Ensley's behavior was perhaps a unique opinion about my existence within the castle. I couldn't imagine my shabby lower maid's uniform helping me, as it pointed out where my rank was, regardless of what I was doing here.
As always, with a stack of papers and her nicely held up, she directed the handful of servants in tasks, I stood off to the side. They paid me no mind as their eyes remained on her, focused and serious. When she dismissed them, she turned to me, eyeing my face.
"There's not been a complaint of your work yet, and the Princess has yet to dismiss you, so clearly you must be doing something well." She said bluntly. Unsure if this was a compliment or a disgruntled jab, my right brow twitched, but I reminded silent, waiting. Her chin rose the slightest bit at my silence. "Yes, something indeed." She murmured softly. Was me not getting dismissed such a rarity? The thought darkened my mood.
"Am I in trouble?" I asked cautiously.
"No. You're pay for the first two weeks will be handed out this Friday. By standard rule of the castle, the new hires are allowed to travel out of the castle and venture into town every Saturday afternoon, but because you are being considered as one of the Princess's possible help, that can not be allowed for you yet. Is that an issue for you?" She said it with ease, her brow lifting softly, as she waited for my answer, but I couldn't help but feel distrust. Something about it rubbed at me the wrong way. I hadn't known we would be allowed to leave the castle. That hadn't been mentioned on the contract, nor had any of the other new hires ever mentioned it before. Had this been kept secret on purpose?
It would have facilitated my disappearance if I had been able to vanish from the town square. The opportunity was so close to my grasp that the irony burned at my fingertips, something nasty bubbled at my chest as the sense of being toyed with arose. I bit the inside of my upper lip. I rocked on my heels for a moment, looking away for a moment before focusing back on her as if I had needed only a second to ponder the news.
"No." Steady was my voice, despite the manic rage that thundered within my veins. I kept my hands to my sides. Relaxed.
"I see." She nodded slowly, expressionless eyes on my carefree ones. "If there is anything you would like to purchase, I can send someone to buy it for you if you would like."
"I am fine, thank you. Everything that has been provided has been more than satisfactory for me." I lied through my teeth, tempted for a moment to ask for new shoes. These chaffed at the back of the soft part of my feet. I'd rather walk barefooted than with awfully made shoes. These reminded me of home. Nothing ever fit right there. Not the shoes. Not I.
"That will be all for now Miss Todine, you may return." She said, calling out a name, and someone stepped out, motioning to me. She told them to guide me back.
I was glad this one ignored me as well. It left room for me to go over her words and mull why I felt like I was being toyed with. I would ask Violetta about this later. She was really the only one I would have access to who would answer, unless I could get Andy alone, and even then I wasn't sure about how that could come to happen.
The rest of the early morning went on without anything exciting happening. That occurred when I returned from my small afternoon meal break to be told that the Princess was in her privet garden. Following the directions from the guards at the door, it was easy to spot her from the third floor, walking around almost glum as her three watches trailed behind her. I stopped at the window to take in the sight.
This wasn't like the small court years near the servant's dining room. This garden had three shades of gray polished marbled outlining the outside of its hexagon shape, bushes following down the lines, and openings at all sides for entrances as they all lead to paths to the center in a verticle-like swirl of straight lines. There were a few trees, placed at the corners on the outside, willow trees that swayed with the soft wind, scattering brown and dark leaves across the short grass. There weren't as many flowers spread around as I had originally suspected, in fact, the bouts of color I did see weren't at all vibrant colors. The flowers and plants planted something I'd expect a botanist to enjoy looking at more than a Princess. Looking back over to the owner of the garden, I found her, my self-exclaimed executioner, glaring over at me as he leaned against a tree further down from her. Under the shade, he looked as troublesome. Great. I sighed as I moved away from the window and made my way out, knowing he would find the scene to be suspicious.
Catching up to them was easy, since the bushes weren't higher than my chest, perhaps as a precaution against losing sight of Her Highness. My plan had been to keep a distance from Sir Firat, and the best way to do that was to keep a distance from her, but as soon as she looked over her shoulder, lips parting to say something, her expression once more put out, she caught sight of me sliding three steps behind her ladies. Her words left her as a peculiar crossed her face before she grinned in the same way she had done on the first day she had declared I was her new mystery. I sighed again.
"Marie! Come here," She waved me over hurriedly, with her mitten-covered hands. Dressed in a thick woolen coat, the shade of bark with bronze buttons on the side of her collar, the ends of her olive green dress peaked out, her dark hair pulled high on her head, the gray tips brushing at her mid back, green bows on either side of her middle part. "Hurry!"
Reluctantly, I walked past the two in front of me and made my way over to her, staying two steps back. She didn't seem to like that as she took hold of the bottom of my skirt and dragged me behind her as she marched on. I looked to Sir Firat with firm eyes as his own narrowed warningly on me. She was dragging me and I was the menace? I huffed.
"Stay behind." She looked around me and waved off Hallie and Ensely, who looked at each other as they slowed their steps, widening the distance between us. When we were at a distance she deemed acceptable, she let go of me and stood before me with her arms on her hips, head titled up in victory, as I looked down at her wry amusement. What exactly was she so smug about now? Children were odd. Regardless of their statues.
"You've managed to escape me, but now I've got you."
"I've been by your side silently for the most part-" I reminded her.
"That's not what matters." She cut me off hastily, looking off for a moment before focusing on me again. Her dark eyes sparked as her cheeks puffed out, her button nose a little red. "Now there's nowhere to run."
"Nowhere but up," I mumbled, looking up at the cloudy gray sky.
"Haha, you're all mine." She laughed boisterously, shaking her small shoulders in an up and down motion that didn't look at all natural.
I held very still and waited. We looked at each other as a wind passed by. Leaves tumbling by. The longer she held her silence, the more the laughter wanted to bubble from out of me. I pinched my lips together as a tight smile took over. She narrowed her eyes at me.
"Don't laugh." She growled out curtly.
"I won't."
"You're doing it now." Her foot stomped on the ground, hands fisting at her sides.
"I'm smiling."
"We'll stop it."
"Alright." It was difficult, but raising my hand to my mouth, I stifled the amusement and put on a polite mask, but found it harder than I expected as my cheeks twitched.
"You're still smiling." She accused with a finger.
"How so?"
"Your eyes."
"Ah, well, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do there." Before I accidentally pushed her into doing something rash, I leaned down until we were at eye level. "Is there any game you wish to play?"
"Are you good at any games?"
"A few," I admitted. "Do you have any favorites?"
"Hide and seek." I bet.
"Should I hide or shall I seek?"
"You hide." She offered all too casually, tucking her hands behind her back as she walked over to Sir Firat with a slow walk, on the tips of her toes. "I'll go count with Firat to thirty. We're playing hide and seek, so everyone has to hide!" She shouted out.
"Oh no," Hallie muttered, her tone strained. Ensley groaned. Then there was some shuffling as they separated. "Your Highness, we will play along, but please remain within the garden." She pleaded.
"Ok." She sang out sweetly. I'm sure that sounded as false to everyone else as it did to me.
"Where are my limitations?" I asked her, looking around the garden. It was fairly large, but there weren't really many hiding places.
"The whole of the garden will be okay." She offered, before running over to him, leaning on the tree and covering her eyes as she began to count.
Someone ran behind me and took hold of my writs as they dragged me around a bush and ducked. I was surprised such a bold move came from Hallie instead of Ensley. Pink eyes glared at me fiercely. I felt like I was about to get scolded.
"This is usually how she makes a run for it. If she disappears, you will be held responsible for this, do you understand? So make sure you stick to her if you see her, make a run for it."
"What about Sir Firat?" She snorted as she waved me off.
"This is my hiding spot." She whispered bluntly. "Go."
Holding back my own snort, I stood up and looked over to Sir Firat as he followed my movements with languid eyes as I walked around a bush and moved closer to them rather than farther. I was nearing the last count before I went around a corner, laid on the ground, and rolled as close as I could get to the bush. I stared at the droopy green plant with fuzzy white bristles.
"Ready or not, here I come!" Princess Ruby called out loudly, before dashing right past my bush. I watched as her little brown leather shoes with bronze buttons, and her high white socks with lace frills exited her garden. I sighed.
As expected. I rolled over and looked up at the sky for a moment. Watching my breath expand before I sat up. I didn't have to look over at the tree to know it was empty. Looking over at the garden, I shrugged and walked off after her. She did tell me to stick close. She never said I had to report when she made a run for it. I was already around the corner of the sand-colored limestone that stuck out in a T shaped, further away from what I had known to be Her Highness' main wing when a sharp gasp filled the air. I chuckled as I continued on. They had to fire me after this. Or at least put in a terrible word for me.
She didn't have enough of a distance that I had to rush after her, but since I didn't actually have the uniform that pertained to working under her service, there would be no one to vouch for me if I tried to continue forward in sticking close to her, I put some pep in my step. I looked around the ground, but her soft shoes left no visible traces against the gravel as everything looked walked over. The knights during their walk rounds. Lifting my head, I began inhaling in small breaths, before inhaling sharply. There was nothing for a moment until I crouched a bit lower, to where her head would be, and then I caught the familiar scent. Princess Ruby's natural scent was rather sharp for a child. It stung my nose a lot of the time until she had her morning tea, which somehow muted her scent, but that didn't remove the underlying sting it carried with it. I wanted to rub at my nose for a moment but went against it.
The wall looked never ending as it continued on and on and on. I might have run to the end of it, sure she would be just around the corner if I were a normal maid with a terribly mundane nose. But since I was not, I took a right and went into the humongous trees planted perfectly apart. Under the cover of branches and leaves, I disappeared as soft gray light shone through. Greenery and smaller sampling trees thrived beneath their brethren, taken care of and pruned, small flower pots with childlike drawings covering the pots. My ears caught the sound of something shuffling further down to my right, so I walked cautiously in that direction, keeping to the shade of the trees, hiding behind one and then another until I caught sight of something small crouched over, light-colored tips of her hair fluttering in the cold wind. I leaned against the tree as she continued to fuss over something, muttering things to herself that only she could make sense of. Feeling as if I were seeing something I wasn't supposed to, I turned around and leaned against the tree. No need to spoil her fun.
I crossed my arms across my chest as I stared off to the quiet place that was this little space. It was both closed off and open, and yet it was clearly left undisturbed by many. I looked to my right and then up several branches to catch those dark blue eyes on me. His hand gripped onto a branch as he leaned forward at a dangerous angle, his body nearly verticle to the tree as he stared at me. I looked away. It could have been a fallen leaf falling as a shadow disappeared from my side vision. The tree I was leaning on suddenly creaked, a soft landing before a voice at my ears spoke. I tried very hard not to shiver at the proximity.
"How?" He asked, lethal intent clear.
"I was told to stick close to her," I spoke softly, no louder than his own voice.
"That's not what I mean." He hissed angrily.
"So me doing my job is now a problem to you."
"Who sent you?" He really should have expected my answer by now.
"Hallie." And I should have expected the knife at my throat. I held very still.
"You will slip up and when you do I will be there to handle you. The sole reason you remain is that you've entertained her." Glad to know I was such a joke.
"Firat?" Her Highness called out.
"He's a bit busy," I called out calmly. There was a moment of silence before she shrieked and took off. There was a slight sting at my neck before the pressure disappeared, along with his hoovering presence.
I brought my hand to my neck and stared at the pin drop amount of blood at my fingertips, teeth grinding as I held back the bubbling sound trying to make its way out. Not now. Not yet. I'd get him back. For now, I had to catch up to Her Highness. After all, I had a job to do.
* * *
As it turns out we both got scolded. I for doing exactly as I was told and Her Highness for making a run for it. The whole time during Hallie's unbelievable long lecture, Her Highness stared at me in a mixture of suspicion and challenge. We had spent quite some time in a game of cat and mouse, where she was confident she was well hidden, and I would ask her if she was ready to return, which then enacted more running until she had found her way surrounded by all of her servants who had already seen her running all over the place in her ploy to try and lose me. Perhaps it was the Princess in her that did not like losing. Or my awesome seeking skills.
After a good scolding and watching over Her Highness with hawk-like eyes, I was ordered thereafter, to be the one who had to carry all of her study supplies to and from her classrooms. It wasn't much of a punishment, and I suspected it had a lot to do with the simple fact that I had managed to stick to Her Highness. The remainder of the way consisted of Her Highness looking over her shoulder to either glare or make a face that I was sure was supposed to be snooty, but her worried look afterward always ruined any effect it could have cast. By the time I was to return to the events quarter, I wasn't at all surprised to find her calling after me.
"You won't be able to find me tomorrow!" She called out just as I was about to walk out of the doorway.
"We shall see," I said with a bow, before turning around and walking out. The guards threw me a surprised look.
"Your Highness! What did we just discuss?" Hallie chided with a sigh.
"How could you say that to Her Highness?" Christoph blinked at me, disbelief stamped all over his face, mouth parted. Even the guards looked lively as they waited for my response.
I shrugged. "The whole point of playing is friendly competition."
"You competing against the Princess?" He scoffed as if the mere thought was ridiculous to even have passed through my mind. He shook his head at me as he passed by, muttering something that sounded awfully like a jab at my intelligence.
On the bright side, thanks to the Princess's adventure today, I got to explore a lot more than I would have. I was certain now that the room I treated and left Her Highness was not her actual bedroom. While extravagant in decoration and well taken care of. As I entered multiple other rooms earlier, I realized that the design was nearly the same, with a few exceptions. As much as I knew Sir Firat did not trust me, I also knew he wouldn't have made an adjustment to her schedule just to prove that I was untrustworthy. Why was the Princess hanging around the guest rooms in her own palace?
Every time I returned to the servants' quarters, there were always some people wandering about, those who had finished their tasks early and were allowed to leave early. As I looked around, I heard very few people, already in their rooms. Taking the opportunity, I went to grab dinner. There was no need to dine with those I would be leaving behind soon. I made quick work of cleaning off my plate. I was halfway across the building, on my way to the room, when everyone poured out from the gate. I was completely exposed to their gazes as I hesitated for a moment. If I left too hastily, they would think I was avoiding them and thus come off as an easy target, but I did need one last ever last impression of Marie Todine for when I vanished. Why not give them one?
I continued my walk over to my room, acting as if I didn't notice their stares. Instead of entering, I sat at the bottom step, legs stretched out in front of me as I leaned back against the wall so that when Violetta went in she wouldn't knock me off when she opened the door. And she would if I gave her the chance. Next door to me, Jordan was slow in opening her door, glancing over my way until she opened the door but instead of entering she lingered.
"Hey, Marie?" She called carefully. My name caught everyone's attention and suddenly no one's door could unlock as they all looked over discreetly.
"Yes?" I crossed my legs at my ankled and looked up at her expectantly.
"Why have you been getting pulled out these mornings? Or can you still not say?" Her hand tightened on the door handle, the door squeaking as she pushed it inwards but did not enter.
"Ah," My mouth opened wide, I curled in on myself a bit, sheepishly looking away as my hand came to rub at the back of my neck. "I'm afraid I still can't say," I said apologetically. Anyone else would have turned to glare at the snort that followed after my answer.
"Oh, it's fine. Don't worry about it. Shouldn't have asked." She played it off coolly, nodding as she looked over my shoulder and made a face at someone.
"I really can't say but..." I added as she began to take a step inside. I let out a pitiful sigh before bringing my knees up to my chest. "I'm pretty sure I'm going to get sacked. I kind of messed up big the whole day. I think I've got a couple more days here if Madame Lotta is being generous." My voice had a sad and worried quiver that was hard to miss.
"Really? Hmm, well try your best not to mess up anymore." Jordan's voice took on a surprised tone, her next words strained as she cleared her throat repeatedly. "The people around here ain't known for being too kind."
"Maybe so."I sighed again before giving off a whiney groan. "Wish I could go with everyone into town this Friday though, I'm a bit put out that I won't get a closer look."
"Town?" She repeated unsure. Maybe this was just a trip for the new hires and the experienced bunch no longer even thought of such matters, but I couldn't help but dig for more. There was something off about this town trip. There was something off about this castle in general. This whole place was making me paranoid and I didn't like it one bit. At least when I was paranoid before it was with good reason and most importantly, my fault.
"Yeah, first pay and all that," I said as if I knew more than what I was fishing for.
"Forget her Marie, her age has made her forgetful, once you've been around for as long as we have you don't get the urge to go into town every chance you get." Someone called out over my shoulder. Looking over I spotted a somewhat familiar face two rooms down, a tired face with tight eyes. Beside her, I recognized the small girl that had been in the carriage carrying all of the new hires.
"Oh? I didn't know we get to go into town-" She began excitedly.
"You get selected for a group. Not all of the newcomers are allowed to go or you would all most likely end up getting lost and robbed or worse. In you go girl, it's been a long day." She was ushered into the room, ducking her head down she did as she was told.
"Oh, yes, sorry." The tips of her ears burned a bright red, uncovered by the short hair she wore. As soon as she went in it was as if that was the excuse all the older ladies needed to recall how tired they were as they entered without another word. Some of the new girls stared after them with mixed degrees of confusion and uncertainty.
By the time Violetta made her way into the room I was already changed into my simple clothes and laid in bed, my arms tucked behind my head as I looked at the wooden ceiling.
"Hi, Violetta," I called out without looking her way. She paused for a moment before shutting the door.
"Still here I see." She said, the floor creaking a bit on her side from the years of being walked on. My side never squeaked and I wasn't even trying to be quiet.
"Would you notice if I wasn't?" I questioned cooly, taking a strand of plain brown hair and swirling it around my fingers. It was starting to get a little dry at the ends but I tried not to let that bother me. I would be out soon and would have enough time then to neaten up.
"Not for a while." She sat down on her bed and began rubbing her calves.
"I like your honesty." I dropped the strand of hair and picked up another, looking through it for split ends and feeling disgusted when I found a few. I needed a trim. This was acceptable. I finger combed my hair.
"Hmm." She made a sound of an exhausted older woman, I glanced over to find her with her eyes shut.
"Are you going to go to town this Friday?" I blurted out. Her eyes flung open as she looked over at me with unrestrained horror.
"You were selected for the town group?" She was having trouble saying the words, rasps of air coming from her as she froze. Her reaction confirmed the suspicions I had earlier. I put on a confused face, brows coming together, and I frowned at her.
"No. Should I have been?" I asked, my pitch rising in worry.
"No, no." She exclaimed quickly, almost desperately. The most passionate response from her yet before she seemed to get her bearings and calmed down. When she spoke next she almost sounded like her usual self, but not quiet. There was too much fear and relief. For me or for her? "No. If you weren't selected don't worry about it. You won't be missing out on anything."
"Alright," I said doubtfully. I hummed a melody to make it seem as if the matter had already left my mind as I played with my hair but it didn't escape my notice how she laid down and rolled over so her back was facing me. Her breaths coming as fast as her pounding heart.
I was once more wandering the Princess's halls, but like last time I had a destination. A moving one. I wasn't sure how she had slipped past Ensley or even how she had managed to outsmart Hallie who had already been on high alert, but while I went into the classroom to collect her study materials she had given the two outside the slip. As we split up I let my nose guide me further into the castle. Just in case I was being watched by someone other than Sir Firat I wandered close to rooms and peeked around, lifting things with false curiosity. During one false look around I head voices some from what must have been an attached or closet.
"-ve watched them walk around the garden. He never did that with the other candidates." A careful whisper stated.
"Do you think he's taken a liking to her? I've heard she's got a charming face and is well mannered." Another replied, shuffling around as something was moved around.
There was a snort as a harsh voice replied back. "They're all well mannered in front of His Majesty."
"I don't know, she might be the one." The first replied, she said something else but I was already turning around.
Leaving them to their own gossip, I slipped from out of the room quietly before continuing on. Following her scent, narrowing my eyes as an archway appeared. Crap, she was in another wing of the castle. I hesitated at the door way before peeking around. Vacant. I was sure I was going somewhere I had no permission to be in, but strangely enough the further I went the fewer people I heard. There were no knights stationed at doors or crossroad tunnels that lead every which way with stairs that lead in every direction and the sound of the bustling servants died down until it was just the sound of my shoes pattering along the slippery cold floor. I saved the knowledge for later usage, but it felt wrong to think of this place as an escape route. It felt more like a trap.
There was a clear distinction between Her Highnesse's wing and wherever it was she had led me to. Everything was polished and gleamed, the floor threw off shadows that bounce at each flicker of the greatly spaced out torched on the walls, the halls were dark and eerie, the decore sparse, even for simple hallways. Dark wood, that looked nearly black outlined half of the walls, while the ceilings curved inward in a dome-like effect, but when I looked up I could not find where the ceiling ended. It was too dark. Like staring into the abyss. I found Sir Firat standing around the corner of a staircase that went down. I paused by his side as I frowned at the sight before me.
"Why do you not stop her from wandering off?" I asked aloud out of annoyance at having to be the one to go down the unnerving staircase that could possibly lead to a dungeon. I wasn't putting anything past the Princess. I didn't expect him to answer since I never answered any of his troublesome inquiries.
" I am here to protect her, not hinder her fun." His smooth voice was devoid of any strong emotion for once which had me looking over at him, but rather than even may me mind for once he too was looking down the staircase worried. My eyes narrowed on him in confusion before looking back and sighing. I was going to have to go down there wasn't I? Damn it.
I didn't hear anything which could be a problem on its own but for now, I would take it as a good sign. Before I could take two steps a heavy hand landed on my shoulder. I tensed my body as my toes dug into my shoes, grounding me as I focused on control. There was no one around. Now would be a good op[ortunity to get even with the bastard but then what? How did I get out of here? They would find his body before I'd find a hiding spot. Not to mention people were already looking for Her Highness. Not now, not yet but oh would Sir Firat rue not taking my warning seriously.
"Just because you will not see me does not mean I am not there. Be very careful with what you say." That was all he said before releasing me. I stood there for a moment. Glad that my back was to him and that no one could see the expression on my face. I could feel it. More than the mask slipping. I took in a deep breath but did not laugh as I wanted to although there was nothing remotely humourous about the situation. Without a backward glance or comment, I went down the stairs.
It was a downward spiral made of stone on all sides, the walls smooth as I trialed my fingertips along the cold. From further down, a torch, its flickering light casting blurry light. Just enough for anyone to watch their steps.
"This is where people are last seen before they vanish," I grumbled as I paused at the last three steps. Leaning forward I tried to listen for anything out of the ordinary. At a close distance from the opening was a large window that was almost impossible to see out of. The glass blurred and scratched. It looked yellow with time.
Taking the last steps, I came out and looked to my left. The stairs lead to an opening in the middle of some type of hallway that was never-ending. More of the same windows across from me ran down the length of the hall and yet it was still dark and dreary, outside light only something through as a soft gray light, old melted candlelight the only thing that gave this place any type of liveliness. I looked over to my right and spotted her, the only other person besides myself standing in the large hall. She wasn't hiding. There was nowhere to do that here, no tables or statues.
Princess Ruby was utterly still as she looked up at something. I walked over to her slowly as I looked at the walls. There had to be hundreds of them. Paintings of all shapes and sizes, framed in silvers, gold, bronze, and colors. The people painted were all regal, noble, and with intense stares. I would have played it off as the painter's work, but not one painting had a smile or a welcoming atmosphere to it. They were beautiful in a severe way, the pitiless eyes and hard lines of their face, the smoothness on their expressions as if they only had one. Ruthless. Each was wrapped and decorated in the exotic colors and styles that evolved as the next was painted, crowns and tiaras on their heads. Names, engraved on the placks beneath. King, Queen, Princess, Prince. Only those titles were repeated. These were the royal portraits. Oh, I really was not supposed to be here.
I stopped a few inches away from Her Highness and looked to which had her attention. There were three large canvases covered in red fabric, beneath a large one covered in black and to the side of it empty space, room for another. I looked down and tried to discern the expression she wore. She was clearly sad, but there was also a look of concentration and disquiet. Every now and then her eyes would flicker to the first painting but the majority of her focus was on that third canvas. I had an inkling as to what this was about so I pondered my next words carefully before speaking them aloud. If it was for her sake then surely it would be ok?
"Do you want me to uncover it for you?" Although I tried to speak softly, it was as if my words echoed from the hall. I winced, almost expecting someone to burst forth and begin yelling at me for even considering touching anything here.
She didn't so much as twitch when I spoke, but the subtle shake of her head was all I needed to know she had in fact heard me. I stood there silently. I peered over to where I had come from and further down the opposite hall. The portraits ran down the length of both halls, covering the vast wall. That explained the windows. It was to prevent the portraits from being damaged by outside influences. I imagine the sun would ruin the exquisite artwork if left for so many years in the sun. I squinted at the closest window. Not that there had been anything other than cold and gloomy weather here since I arrived here. I wasn't sure the people of this kingdom even remembered what the sun looked like when it dominated the sky.
"I don't remember my mother's voice anymore." A child's voice broke through my thoughts. I stiffened as her words filled my being with dread. "Just her laugh." Her voice was small.
My fingertips trembled with the effort of my frozen state. I forced myself to take in a breath, my chest expanding as I turned to look down at her head. My mouth was doing something odd, I could feel it but I did not know what expression I should be making. I was not sure what the heavy sensation sitting on my chest was. I knew I had to say something, but my emotions made it difficult to understand what. Comfort. That I knew how to do, but I could not lie to her. My head tilted to the side, keeping in mind that the walls had ears.
"I am not someone who is good with comforting," I stated bluntly. Her eyes widened before her head snapped over to look at me in incredulity. I did not look away from her as her small mouth parted before snapping shut. She snorted before shaking her head.
"Clearly." She pointed out, laughing lightly before sighing as she looked back at the red clothes.
"Why are there three?" It was probably the wrong question, but it was the first to come to mind. She whirled around to stare at me this time, her head moving back as she gave me the funniest look I've ever seen on a child: bug eyes, half-opened mouth in a horrified grimace.
"You don't know?" She half-whispered shouted, lifting her hands to her face so as to hide her face from me. I shrugged.
"You really don't. Wow. How could you come to work without knowing about the ambiance? The first step to any victory is knowing where you are about to step into." She turned to scold me, moving her hands around as if waving something around, straightening he back. I had the feeling she was impersonating someone.
"I knew about the pay and the type of work. Worked out fine until I caught a certain someone's eye." I gave her a pointed look which made her puff her cheeks out. "But I must admit, I've learned my lesson."
"What lesson?" She demanded looking doubtful.
"Always check the ambiance before you step into it." We looked at each other for a moment before sharing a small smile.
"The three paintings are of King Sephis, my father, his first wife, Queen Viola, and my mother, Queen Crystal." She clarified soon after turning to point at the paintings in their order.
"Your father isn't the current king?"
"No," She shook her head, a soft smile brightening her face. "That's my brother. Son of my father and the first queen." She declared pridefully, her small chest lifting along with her chin.
"Huh." I glanced over to the painting covered in the black cloth, the one that had to belong to the current king. But if he lived then why was his covered as well? Was this a tradition of theirs? You only got to show your painting if you were one of the dead? I eyed the empty space beside his and back down to the dark eyes glaring at me in agitation.
"That's all you have to say to this revelation?" She asked with annoyance, lips pursing as she waved a hand around while the other when to her side. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning.
"Is this not common knowledge?" I asked, purposely looking confused as I looked around, face scrunching up.
"It is." She stated pointedly, exasperated.
"Then how is it a revelation?" I dropped the confusion as I smirked at her, lifting a brow.
"How did you not know!" She nearly shouted, eyes widening as she threw her hands up in the air. My shoulders shook as I chuckled. At the sound, her lips curled up as she bared her teeth at me. She was missing one.
"I tend to mind my own business, it's better for everyone that way," I explained with a careless one-shouldered shrug.
"How?"
"Because I am not good at comforting others, but I am good at provoking and distracting," I stated. At the familiar words, she jerked back, taken off guard as she blinked for a moment. She glanced over at the covered paintings and then back to me.
"Ah." She blinked at me before laughing, her hands coming together to clap a few times. "You are." She looked back over to what must have been her mother's painting, a sad air returning but it was not as suffocating as before. There was a pinch at my chest, but my brows furrowed as I too looked at the covered image, but I did not see the red that she saw. I allowed my mind to wander and dig up past emotions, even if just the surface.
"I think you will lose a little more memories of her as time passes," I said carefully, I could feel her eyes on me but I did not look away. "it's only natural, but the feelings will always remain. As will the memories, even if they are a bit blurry around the edges."
I looked down at her as her onyx eyes dove into my eyes.
"Did you lose your mother as well?" Her small voice was hesitant, but almost longing. For someone to understand, for a friend. I made a sound I did not like, wincing.
"I-I did not lose my mother." Her eyes did not move for mine, her mouth parting to speak but I was not done speaking. "She lost me."
The words were vague but true, she could see that even if she did not completely understand why they were phrased that way. There was an emptiness, a well within me that stung. I did not like this feeling.
"You still lost her." She whispered.
"I suppose so." I agreed blankly. Straightening up as I looked away and stared down the hall. We stood there for a moment more before she spoke.
"Since you found me today, you win a prize." She suddenly declared pointing a finger to the sky. Something fluttered at the end of the hall, a fabric? I squinted before paying attention to the expectant Princess.
"I'm sure I'm going to get a scolding, not a prize," I grumbled moodily, tilting my head back and letting out a long sigh. I feel like that's all I was doing lately. Sighing.
"No, no, I will handle the situ-" She glared at my interrupting snort. "I WILL!"
"If you say so," I said complacently. "Shall we?" I motioned for her to the stairway.
"I will handle it. You will learn the power of Princess Ruby today. Prepare yourself for amazement." She began walking beside me rather than in front, her shoulders squared as if marching off to war. "What do you wish for a reward?"
I mulled it over in my head. I wasn't sure how I felt about taking money from a child, even if she was a Princess. But if I did I was sure to be met with the pointed end of multiple objects if I did. What could I ask a Princess for without coming off as suspicious?
"What would you suggest I ask for?" I stroked my chin with my fingers, tapping a finger on my bottom lip.
"Why are you asking me when it's for you?" She asked incredulously.
"I want to hear your opinion." I huffed out with a roll of my eyes, dropping my hand as we neared the entrance.
"You want to hear... my opinion?" Her words faded off to a whisper. I looked down in confusion at the way she said that. As if it were the first time anyone had ever asked what she thought of something. But she was a Princess, why would this seem at all surprising? "Oh, well...um..."
"No ideas, huh?" She gave me a sheepish smile. I chuckled, shaking my head. "Hmm, let me see..." My lips moved around as I pondered over it before it hit me.
"I would like a pair of scissors." I declared happily. Now I could trim my hair and get a parting gift.
"Scissors?" She repeated slowly, turning to look at me, her chin touching her chest as she tilted her head at a funny angle. "You are an odd one."
"I want to trim my hair." I clarified.
"I can't get someone to cut it for you if you-" I shook my head.
"I'd prefer to do it myself."
"If it's what you want." She trailed off looking away with a pout.
"Feel free to make them very pretty." At my words she brightened up, her head bobbing up and down lively.
"You're going to love them. I always give the best gifts." She promised. The corner of my mouth lifted before I looked away and we began going up the stairs.
Something small and warm wrapped around my fingers. I almost stopped walking as I looked down just in time to watch her turn her face in the opposite direction. The tips of her ears darkened. I looked at her hand before wrapping my own fingers around her small hand and squeezing it softly as we made our way back up the stairs. She squeezed back.
My first trial week was coming to an end and I was beginning to form an escape plan before the end of the next week. If I counted the weekend I would need preparations to be completed before Tuesday. As I had predicted I was scolded, less severely this time, but nonetheless thoroughly for finding the Princess and not alerting the others. When I pointed out that I would have had to leave her alone to alert the others and in that case lose her once more, Hallie's complexion almost made me feel bad for opening my mouth. Combustion had never looked so possible other than in that instance.
Thankfully after that, Her Highness behaved herself for the remainder of the week and did not attempt to leave any of us behind, but she had now started doing something that even I knew from what little time I had spent watching over her, that she did not do before. Especially since she was now doing it to me. Whenever we walked somewhere or were within the room and she was not sitting she would come near me, and grab onto my hand or forearm. Skinship. Since she was reaching out to me and I to her there was nothing anyone could say to her, but I could see it made Sir Firat tense every time she was that close. This new development worried me for the sole reason that I could see that I was no longer under the label of 'Mystery'.
There was a nagging part of a conscious I wasn't aware that I still had that disapproved of my plan to leave her when she was beginning to get attached. It was a cruel thing to crush a child's trust when you could prevent it. On the other hand, it was a terrible thing to get one's heart ripped out for being an imposter and faking multiple identities to get around when wanted for multiple crimes. When I weighed it like that I knew Her Highness would heal just fine.
I wasn't sure what was going on Friday but there was an obvious change in the atmosphere in the castle. It took me a moment to identify why my echoing steps and the nearly clear halls and rooms left me uneasy. It was the lack of people that were usually running around completing their tasks and duties. The place was near as abandoned as the wing I had found Her Highness the other day. When I asked Christoph he muttered some fast praised explanation about noble schedules and resting to prepare for the night. I was unsure if it was his explanation, the way he said it or if it was just a bag of bull but I decided to leave it be.
I wanted to ask him, anyone, really, who worked here why the majority of servants had to leave before evening, all pouring from out of the castle as if running from a fire. No matter where they were or the task at hand, as soon as the first call was made everyone moved to set their tasks aside, mark where things were left off as they stored things away for tomorrow, and as the last call was made, escaped. Yes, escape was the right word to use. Madame lotta said new hires were free to explore the town on Friday and yet when I asked, Violetta, asked as if I had informed her that I had been fired. The older women didn't seem to want to talk about the trip and the new hires didn't seem to be aware of the trip at all existing in their contract. And now I was being told that a palace that had been bustling with workers was nearly vacant of them because they had to rest in preparation for the night's events? I didn't know the layout of the palace, so there could be more servant quarters located further away for those under contract for the Princess's palace but nearly all of them were out. Were all of the servants removed from sleeping within the castle at night? I couldn't decide if the king really cared enough for his servants to give them resting hours where they no longer had to work because they were not within the castle to be called upon or if he just really wanted privacy. I was leaning towards the latter. I just could not imagine a king who did not have people waiting at his hand and foot. I couldn't imagine Hallie not being glued to the Princess's bedside at night, escape attempts and all. While I might never receive an answer to my question at least the majority of my stress was soon to disappear.
"Good morning, your Highness." I greeted them as I entered her usual morning room.
"Good morning Marie." She said waving me over excitedly. This made my brows rise as she was not an early morning person. I looked over to Ensley as for once Hallie was nowhere in sight. Sir Firat was at his usual spot by the bookcase looking out of the window. I think it was the first time he hadn't glared at me upon my entering. Could I possibly be growing on him? The thought came sarcastically.
"Her Highness enjoys Fridays because-"
"I get to go out to the rose garden!" So excited by this was the Princess that she whirled around and ran over to me, bouncing off of my legs for a moment before she grabbed onto my waste to regain her balance. Her brows came together for a moment before smoothing out as she grinned. "You're going to love it, there's nothing like it anywhere else in the palace. I got to decide the planting order this time and they're starting to bloom."
"Is that a big thing?" I asked curiously.
Ensley answered my question, walking over to the table to clear the cutlery and snacks. "To nobility, it's a sign of maturity to be in charge of a project." I made an 'O' and looked back at Her Highness whose face was the perfect example of pride. My smile was genuine.
"Then I look forward to looking at your work."
Fridays were different for Her Highness, more so than just a garden project inspection. Hallie was running back and forth between checking in on us. With her absent, I took on Ensley's usually assisting role while she stepped into Hallie's. I wasn't sure what she was up to but Her Highness didn't seem bothered so this looked to be a regular occurrence.
"Where is Hallie coming and going to?" I asked Ensley in a passing moment.
Her eyes flickered over to me and away as her shoulders lifted delicately for a moment, nonchalance to her words. "She's going over the preparations for the weekend. Straightening out a few mistakes." I didn't ask more after that, not too curious.
Her Highness was correct about the rose garden being a sight to behold. Located inside the castle, but surrounded by tall walls like an island, n white pillars wrapped in ivy vines aligned down the center walkway as cast iron overhead connected them all in a bridge, stained glass of red and yellows gleamed in various shades of their respective color. At the end of the path, there was a gazebo, a small table set at the center with tea and snacks ready. Bellow two benches were set in front of the entrance on either side. The roses were nearly full bloom, but it was obvious from afar their colors and even I was impressed with the setup. Her Highness had selected to place the rose bushes at the center of each triangled section of the garden, the spaces nearly bursting with bright and vivid colors. It should have looked chaotic and wild, but there was almost a wild pattern to them all, purple, green, and blues with smaller specs of white and yellows used sparingly and red at the center.
Like in the courtyard near the servant's dining hall there were beautiful, if not slightly macabre statues here as well. At one corner there were two people, one on the ground in a fetal position, curled inward while the other stood above him, her hands holding his head to her lips. Red flowers growing from out of its neck. Another near the gazebo itself was of a long-haired man on his knees, back arched as he screamed at the sky, his own hand plunged nearly to the elbow into his own chest. That one made me raise my brows but no one seemed to question the artwork. Princess Ruby hummed happily as she skipped over to the table.
Were these always here? Did she choose them? Eyeing her differently for a moment I tried to remember what I was interested in at her age. I let my eyes wander from the garden, to go window to window that faced this garden. What were the rooms facing this way? More guest rooms? Offices? This castle was so vast it was dizzying. You would need to know the layout of the place if you ever decided to wander about alone. Something fluttered high above. A green curtain. I raised my head and stared as it stilled before being tugged back, causing the middle to part. So not all rooms were empty then. Or maybe someone was going about tidying up the rooms.
"Marie!" Her Highness waved me over excitedly to the table. I went up the three steps and came to her side, slightly bending as she reached out to Ensley who pulled a long pink box with a black ribbon tied around it. "As promised, your prize."
Ah, the scissors. Carefully moving to take hold of the box I glanced at Princess Ruby's eager and expectant gleaming eyes as she leaned forward. I undid the ribbon and lifted the lid. The drop of my jaw was a genuine reaction to the beautifully crafted and designed scissors. They almost didn't appear to be scissors. They looked like intriguing butterfly winds, made of polished silver with a red ruby at the center of the screw, the blades a decent length, as black as coal. My finger was on it before I could stop myself, stroking the wings and smooth openings.
"I think she likes it," Ensley whispered teasingly.
"I told her to be prepared. I don't think she was ready." Her Highness said smugly. I couldn't find it in me to look away, I bit the inside of my lip harshly, nearly piercing the skin as I tried to resist the deranged grin I knew I would make it I didn't pull myself together. But it was so shiny, so pretty, and mine. All mine. Smooth. Sharp. Perfect.
"rie!Marie!" Someone called. I put the lid back on the box at once and looked up blankly.
Three pairs of eyes looked me over. I smiled.
"I'm sorry, I was taken back by its beauty. Thank you, Your Highness, I shall cherish it well."
"Oh, um, yes." Princess Ruby answered off-handedly, head tilting to the side as she stared at me, her eyes narrowing the slightest bit in concentration.
"Make sure you take good care of them. Maybe you can pass them down to your children and them to theirs. A royal gift." I nodded along with Ensley's words, not necessarily paying her words attention. Like hell would I be letting anyone else touch these beauties. They were mine. Ah, I looked off to the side, squinting as I thought something over.
"Your Highness, may I request something of you?" From the corner of my eyes, I saw Firat's head turn in my direction in his usually suspicious way. Even Ensley eyed me warningly. Do not ask for more. I could almost hear the warning. I was glad that Hallie was away for now. She wouldn't have approved of this gift and now it was mine. I wouldn't be giving it back.
"What is it?" She asked curiously, eyeing the box with a small frown, doubt clouding her once sure face.
"I was wondering if you could write a note, simply saying this is a gift from you to me. I have no doubt that the people working here are good-willed, but to prevent confusion of how they came into my possession I think it would be safe to have it just in case." At my carefully chosen words, the air around both adults dropped until dissipating, understanding making Ensley nod her head at me. Princess Ruby's head lifted as she too understood the meaning of my words and she snapped her finger.
"Ah, that's a good idea." I ducked my head in recognition. "Remind me when we go back."
"Thank you, again," I said honestly, giving her a smile. She grinned back.
"Why scissors?" Ensley suddenly blurted out, clearing away the table and setting everything on the waiting cart.
Saying I wanted them to trim my hair suddenly felt like a silly thing to say although it was the truth.
"It was just something that came to mind." I placed the box into the pocket of my uniform, patting it every now and then to make sure it was still there, comforted by its weight of it. Various times I made eye contact with Sir Firat as he looked from me to the box, his true expression hidden from sight but his scrutinizing eyes were as bold as lightning trying to strike something down. I noted how very still he held himself today, only shifting slightly when Her Highness moved further away from him.
As the day progressed relatively uneventfully, Hallie's check-in got sparse, enough so that it was obvious that I wasn't going to be able to step out for the afternoon meal plans they had been allowing me to take. She and Ensley interchanged words, heads nearly pressed together as they looked over their shoulders with miffed expressions. It couldn't have been about me, I was on my best behavior. Both she and I ate during the Princess's last class, eating as we stood by the door. It was Hallie's absence and the Princesses all to knowing eyes being occupied that led me to make the decision to ask my current lunch mate questions.
"How long have you been by the Princess's side?" I turned to look over at her, she stilled, a small sandwich cut into bite-sized pieces at her fingertips.
"A little over six months." She answered slowly. Her answer threw me off, that wasn't much time at all.
I voiced my thoughts to her, she shrugged before taking a small sip of water. "And Hallie?"
"Nine give or take a few days."
I frowned, crossing my leg at the ankles. "Does Her Highness change maids that often then?"
"Would you keep shoes that don't fit?" She asked, lifting a brow at me, her voice sardonic as she rolled her eyes. I ignored the attitude.
"What happened to the girl I'm replacing?" She didn't like this question, her right arm jerked before her hand fisted up. She smoothed out her skirt, taking her time before she answered. I bit at the soft cracker I had before tossing in a grape. I could use a drink right about now and a nice nap under the sun. Soon, I promised myself.
"She was nearly too efficient to her assignment." I gave her a disbelieving look.
"Too efficient? Well, that's the first I've ever heard that being used to be let go of." I shook my head, if doing a good job getting you fired here then what was I supposed to do other than vanish?
"It can happen." She said through a tight smile, the expression not matching the look in her eyes. "What of you? What were you doing before this?"
"Working here and there, sometimes it felt like all I was doing was looking for work or trying to keep it," I answered vaguely. Marie Todine's transcript, unfortunately, did not say what she had been doing previously to her offered contract and if it did it did not come to mind.
"Well, you've found it. Now you just have to keep it."
I lifted my cup into the air. "To a good fit."
* * *
They were uneasy about having me leave so late, the sky was a blend of orgne and red, usually when I left blue was predominatly within the vast sky. Looking out of the window and seeing how late it was cast and odd sensation over me. It was not the end of the day and yet it was later than I'd ever been within the castle. Nothing had really changed and yet my heart was telling me that something was on the edge. I didn't understand. Everyone's rush for the weekend was begining to rub off on me if I was anxious to get back to my small room.
The first call had passed thirty minutes ago. It was almost comical how fast Ensley was working in order to get a two-person job done in less than thirty minutes. I would have asked why she simply hadn't called another servant within the wing for help but then I recalled the lack of manpower they seemed to have and Sir Firat's sharp eyes gave me the hunch that it wasn't just me who he distrusted around Her Highness.
It was during the second call, halfway out of her wing and near the servants' exit that I recalled what had been nagging me for the last ten minutes that we had been walking further and further away from the Princess.
"Oh no." I groaned out loud. Christoph looked over his shoulder in mild alarm.
"What is it?" He asked reluctantly, I stopped walking. When he realized his eyes widened, and although I could not see his eyebrows I was sure they were further up than usual. He marched right back over to me.
"I have to go back," I stated. My lips pursed as I momentarily closed my eyes, and my hand fly to my forehead as I shook my head. How could I have forgotten the note?
"What?" He choked out, face playing as he shook his head in rejection in jerking moments, taking a step back from me. "Now? No way. The final call is about to be made in a few minutes. Whatever it is can wait until tomorrow, surely." He was speaking fast, looking over my shoulder and then at me. Behind him, I could see the pack of servants exiting the castle, just one large mob of people making their way out. It was a sight to behold when you weren't one of them.
I focused back on Christoph's unsettled face, his body nearly shivering although the wind blowing was slightly warm. There was a small possibility someone would go through my things and find the gift, even if I were to just stare at it within the room there was a small possibility of Violetta seeing it and not believing me if I told her it was a gift and then reporting it to some higher up just in case I had been lying. I wasn't given permission to say I was working close to Her Highness, but on the off chance, I had to state who it was from, a note from her would save me a trip to the dungeon for being caused by thievery. Most importantly, it would keep me out of trouble. The last thing I needed was to be watched day and night.
"No, I was supposed to remind Her Highness before I left and since clearly, I did not, then I doubt Ensley or Sir Firat are going to do it." I turned to look over my shoulder, letting the frustration bleed through.
"What of Lady Hallie? Surely she can handle whatever this is-" He offered quickly, clearly not on board with the way this conversation was going. I couldn't see Hallie agreeing to have the Princess give anyone below her a gift, much less write a note to help keep it.
"She wasn't present for much of today so she wouldn't be able to." I clarified, crossing my arms over my chest as I stared at him unwavering.
"Is it really that important?" He asked, his hand coming up to rub at his lower face.
"Yes." To me. His eyes searched mine before flickering over my shoulder and flinching.
"Fine." His eyes shut for a moment before he steeled himself and marched past me and right back from where we just came from."But we need to make this fast."
"I can go back along if you don't wish to get in trouble, I know the way-" I offered right behind him. His peace was brisk, hands fisted at either side of him as he looked around nervously. We hadn't made it passed the archway guards which made me wonder if they would have been an obstacle if they had seen our return. I suppose I should be grateful I recalled before that point then.
"No way am I getting in trouble for allowing you to walk around when it was assigned to me to watc- guide you around." I ignored his fumble of words.
"Just curious, but what happens if we are still here after the last call?"
"If we're lucky, nothing." A few servants from afar walked briskly in our direction, heading out. Their faces scrunched up, eyeing us with wide eyes but not saying a thing as they nearly raced by.
"And if we aren't?" He made a pained sound before picking up the speed.
"Move faster Todine." He snapped out.
We were heading up the stairs when the last call came through. Christoph cast me a warning look bordering on frightful. What was so terrible about being within the castle that no one wanted to stay? Did the King come out to torture any who crossed his path? If that was the case then I suppose it made sense but was that all?
"Do the doors lock after the last call?" I wondered out loud.
"I wouldn't have come in with you if they had." He said distractedly, looking around. So we were free to come and go after the last call. That was useful to know.
I fund open the door that leads to the Princess hall, where the guards were supposed to be. The halls were empty. Not a sound of conversation or laughter came from the room where I usually served her. I should have expected her to return to her real quarters after I had left, but for it to be so quick was a bit stunning. I looked down the empty hall.
"She's not here, you can apologize for your incompetence tomorrow." Christoph spit out through clenched teeth, taking a step back.
"She's nearby," I muttered, lifting my nose into the air and taking in a discreet breath. Because I had wandered through a vast portion of her wing, I believe, there were places where her scent was the strongest which gave me an inkling as to where her room could be located. If I was quick I could say I simply ran around a few minutes after they had left. Sure Sir Firat would be suspicious but I would be long gone before he ever started to really hunt for me.
I began running quickly down the hall. I had noticed that Princess Ruby's wing of this huge castle was built oddly, everywhere she was allowed to go were placed that lead her in almost an inward spiral further into the castle. There were always turns and stairs, but there were also multiple bridges of stone and iron that could be seen from the right window.
"Where are you going!" He wailed after me. I looked over my shoulder to see him wrapping his arms over his torso. Looking around frantically.
"I'll find her in a minute, go if you want! I'll be right behind you." I gave him a recurring grin that I was sure he didn't even notice. Even from here, I could see how wide his pupils were, his heart really pumping.
For a moment the sight of him standing there so obviously frightened made me slow. Not so much out of concern but because it made me really see Christoph. What did he know? What did he sense that I did not that left him in such a state? What did that say about me if I could not sense what he feared? Well, for that last one I knew why, but it bugged me. I was missing something here. Picking up the pace I went around the bend of the hall and efficiently disappeared from his view. I continued to go straight, turned around a few complicated corners, and down a stairway until I reached the large space that looked like a proper entrance hall that had eight grand doorways.
Standing in the middle of the checkered floor, under the gleaming chandelier I was tickled by the glamor of it all before remembering I was on the clock. I dashed up the fancy red carpet and then stuck my nose in the air again, following the path where her scent was the strongest. I was almost surprised I had gotten so far without seeing anyone. Maybe this was the time when there were changes in the guards? It sounded like the most plausible idea. I heard quick steps come in from below me and peeked over to the railing, Christoph looked around wildly before spotting me. I dashed away just as his lips parted. He hissed out a curse directed at me. The notion made me smile.
I was about to turn to go down the hall when I instinctively stopped, my body reacting before my mind could catch up and comprehend. Salt and iron and rust. An all too familiar smell bombarded my nose, I took a step back fingers out, and slightly curled as I looked around. It was coming from around the corner to my right. I stilled as I pondered what to do. I smelled blood and yet I could hear no sound of fighting or distress which meant either a job well done or there was something blocking sound and there could be something on the other side waiting for someone to show up. Ah, shit. I was really not supposed to be here.
I took a step back just as Christoph began running at me full speed, rage in his eyes, hands outstretched as if to grab me and drag me out if he had to. I lifted a finger to my lips and held up the other to motion him to stop. It could have been that he was too far gone into his instincts, to run, that he continued his chosen path, his heavy footsteps sounding off just as the sound of something being drawn came from around the corner. Christoph fingertips brushed past my shoulders as I twisted my shoulder and further back. He blew past me, feet skidding as he tried to correct himself, mouth parting to say something again before he jerked straight, eyes wide on mine as the end of a blade poked straight through his chest. My lips pressed together.
"Where'd this one come from?" The voice on the other side of the wall spoke incredulously, but detached, amused even. I looked up at the ceiling in exasperation. While I did not recognize the voice, I recognized the feel of it. How did mercenaries get into the castle? Christoph's hands reached towards his chest, looking down shakily as blood burst from his lips, dribbling down his shirt. He opened his mouth, a choking sound coming from out of him as his arms began to flail, legs giving out.
"Who knows? Do you think he alerted anyone?" This voice was younger, but not at all bothered. An uneasy edge at the notion of running into trouble.
The other was silent for a moment, before answering. "...I doubt he even knew what he was headed towards but we should go help speed things up just in case." In an instant, he pulled his sword from out of Christoph who crumpled to the ground face down. Choking on his own blood as it puddled around him, I watched his body twitch for a moment before he stilled. I grimaced. Okay, this one was on me. I could have waited for the note. I held extremely still as the man took a step forward leaning over Christoph's body. He nudged it roughly with his boot. I gave him a once over. From what I could see he wasn't much taller than me, stalky but not overly muscular and obviously very fast and quiet. He wore a dark blue vest, a black sash wrapped around him, connected to the multiple belts he had wrapped around his hips. From the back he seemed to be balding, losing the majority of his short-cut dark hair.
I glanced from him to where I guessed his partner would be. What to do what to do? Well, I suppose the least I could do, selfishness aside was avenging Christoph at the very least. My fingertips began to tingle before a familiar burn took over, the sensation of holding them over flames but I didn't so much as twitch. I was used to it by now. I smiled.
"Let's drag him in further in, don't-" The man had begun to straighten up, seemingly relaxed but before he could finish the half backward spiral of his sword to stab me in the stomach my fingertips were halfway through his throat. I pulled them out, a wet gush dripping down my hand. He gurgled, dropping his weapon as his hands went to his throat.
There was a gasp and the sound of feet beginning to move, so I did the same and turned the corner, stepping on the man's back, and lunched at the young lad just as his hand went to his waist to draw his own weapon. Again I lashed out, fingers spreading as I clawed at his throat, this time repeatedly as we both fell, me on top of him. I straddled him, pinning his arms under my legs, and looked around as he flailed weakly beneath me.
At least there was no one else waiting to pounce. There were four doors to the left of me, the distance between them larger than I liked. There was silence beneath me so I stood up and walked down the hall and leaned again the door. When no sound came I moved on, unsure of what I was doing. I should be disappearing right about now. Christoph was dead and inside of the castle where at least two people had seen both he and I walk back into. If, no, when his body was found I would be the next corpse expected to show. Which put me in a conundrum because I would definitely not be showing up which would then paint me as an accomplice to whatever the hell this was. It was beyond time for Marie Todine to vanish. Marie lived too much of a problematic life for me to enjoy castle perks. I had only gotten the scissors. I hadn't gotten the chance to collect my two weeks' pay yet.
Oh. I patted my pocket, feeling the box. The scissors. That's why I was currently pressed against the second door, trying o listen in. Princess ruby. I wanted to see her. See if she was ok. It had been a long time since I'd ever felt concerned over someone. There was a sound behind the door, they were muted but it was there. I went for the doorknob hesitantly. If I opened this I would have to leave immediately, no two weeks' pay. I watched my bloody hands wrap around the pristine door knob and turn. Or tried to. It was locked. Well, if that wasn't a sign then I don't know what was. I spun around back to the entrance.
And just stood there. My hands fisted as a frustrated sound escaped my mouth, the pit of my stomach churning, a murky sensation filling me.
"It's fucking locked." I pointed out in a whine to no one in particular. As soon as the comment came I was already spinning around and running to the third door, a suspicion coming true as it flung open without a problem.
I nearly stumbled at the sight of the room. It was enormous and not at all where I should be focused at the moment. I ran across the room and to the window the closest to the corner, pressing against it at an angle as I tried to see what the outside structure was like. If I couldn't get into the room by the door I could go by the window. I was in the middle of scanning the side wall, confusion taking over before I understood what I was looking at. I had expected the outside structure to be flat, but there was a large looming shadow of a wall of tiles. Higher above support beams and a white marble railing. Her room had a balcony, well it looked a little bigger than a balcony. At that moment something gleamed off of the balcony before disappearing, I tried to get a better view but no ducking or jumping helped so I ran over to the farthest window. Then I cursed.
They were on the balcony, Princess Ruby huddled behind Ensley, surrounded by three people who looked like they'd been through some shit. In all fairness, they still were. Sir Firat was handing some out, surrounded by a large group of attackers he was doing a fairly decent job of keeping them all on their toes, but just as he couldn't keep attacking those who kept trying to get past him, the other three protecting the Princess would eventually either fall or not. The situation was terrible. I straightened up and watched blankly as the fight continued.
The castle was dangerous. No wonder they didn't want people around after dark. Assassination attempts while the servants were working would make new hires run for the hills. My finger tapped repeatedly, agitation coursing through me as I weighed the options didn't even have to think about. I knew how this could go if I stepped in. I didn't have to do much. My finger stilled, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the pink box and pulled out the scissors before putting the box in the opposite pocket and returning the gift back into my pocket. It was fine. I didn't have to do much. Just a small thank you for the gift. Getting Sir Firat off my back would be annoying but I could up with something plausible. I was good at thinking on my feet. I glanced at my bloody dress. For the most part, I admitted.
With one last check on the fight, I ran over to the last window on the left, opened the window, and climbed out head first, twisting until I found a good grip on the sides and pulled my lower half out. Now that I was out I looked at the downward slanted roof with a glare before reaching out to the smooth stone next to the window and digging my fingers in, the pressure hurt in a way the burn did not but it caved out the more pressure I put in. Next came my feet which kept sliding because of the terrible fabric of the shoes. Focusing I let the burn move to my toes, feeling the scaps of shoes coming apart as I dug into the stone with my feet and began an upward climb. Now that I was outside I could hear the sound of steel on steel, the grunts, and the yelps of pain. It was a constant thing, but through all of it, I was surprised the Princess wasn't screaming. Perhaps this wasn't the first time and I was doing something unnecessary-
"Ensley! Don't!" Came her frightened voice.
I was halfway up the roof before I could stop it, reacting to her fear, hands nearly touching the tiles as they crumbled under my force, leaping from one angle to another until I had a hand over the marble railing and was over it in one swift jump. There had been some shifts to the fight while I had climbed up. Two of the people protecting the Princess were on the ground leaving one fighting two, while Ensley had stepped forward and was fending the third off terribly. He was playing with her. At Princess Ruby's scream, Sir Firat became frantic in slicing down his enemies but there were still to many in between him and her. I could almost taste the manic fear and desperation coming off of him. No one had noticed me yet, understandably, any distraction would be a deadly mistake. Ensley was struck terribly, crumpling to the ground with a wheeze as the breath was knocked from her lungs. The man lifted his sword high in the air, a victorious grin on his face as Her Highness began to scream in terror as he lowered it for the finishing blow.
I plunged my brand new scissors into his neck, looking down at Ensley's squinting, watery eyes that stared at me in shock. "Early victories can be so misleading," I said dryly, pulling them out and putting enough force between my shove to have the intruder stumble back and over the balcony.
The two who were fighting the lone knight stepped away from him, looking over in my direction in surprise and confusion.
"Wh-" I threw my scissors at the one who spoke, taking the opportunity now that he was disoriented. He jerked back a step as it sank to the handles, the sound sickening, and just right for me. His friend looked from him to me with rabid hatred, next to him the man dropped to the ground, weakly trying to pull it out.
"Those are mine. They're a gift." I informed unabashedly wagging a finger in his direction.
He took a step as if to fight me but was thwarted by the man he had been fighting previously. Now the balance was fair. I walked over to the gasping man still trying to pull the scissors from his chest, kicked his sword away, bent down, and pulled them free. The wet suction noise made me grimace. He tried grabbing onto my hand but his hold was none existent as I walked away.
Princess Ruby was leaning over Ensley who had dragged herself to the side of the balcony, her eyes on me with unease and fear. Ruby stood up and held out her small trembling hands in front of her. Her warm skin was a sickly-looking shade, tears streaming down her face, but her eyes were determined as she stared me down. I didn't feel offended, it was a reasonable reaction. I was a liar and she knew it. One good deed didn't define someone.
"Marie! Don't you-" Sir Firat's warning bellow made me roll my eyes.
"Focus on your own fight and then we can talk!" I yelled over my shoulder. We made eye contact for a moment as he ducked and jumped mid-squat, rolling over two blades at once and blocking a third from removing his leg. I winked at the impressive bastard. I turned back around to look at Her Highness who had a worried look as she watched him. I scanned around all the bodies on the ground. Talk about a terrible memory. I made a face.
"Why are you here?" Her voice was hoarse but did not shake. Her large onyx eyes stared into mine, trying to swallow me whole, the sound of fighting momentarily becoming background noise. Hmm, this ability really was something.
I held up the scissors, and she flinched. I pretended not to see that as I gave her a small smile. "I came back for the note."
Her eyes trembled for a second before refocusing.
"You're not here to hurt me?" She asked, her small voice strained. Something felt lodged in my throat, I swallowed before lowering myself in front of her.
"I never was," I whispered back softly.
"Truth." Her shoulders dropped as she came barling into me and wrapped her arms around me. I wrapped my own around her.
"Pardon me, Your Highness, I'm going to pick you up now."
"Hmm." Was the only response I got as she buried her head into the crook of my neck. I walked over to Ensley and checked her pulse. It wasn't the best but she would live with a few scars.
I stayed by the railing, leaning against it as I patted the Princess back in what I hoped was a comforting manner.
"Are you ok?"
"Hmm."
"Are your afternoon evenings usually this chaotic?"
"No."
"Well, that's good to know. Too much excitement can lead to trouble, trust me, I know." I sighed deeply. At last, the lone knight stuck down the man I had left for him, but he didn't waste a moment to take a breath before whirling around to look for the Princess. When he saw her calmly in my arms he narrowed his eyes on me for the slightest of a second before jumping in to help Sir Firat. The sky was a lighter shade of red than the one pooling and growing on the ground. The stench was hard to ignore, no matter which way I turned my head the scent of it drowned me.
"Hmm."
The doors burst open as dozens of men in black uniforms poured in and surrounded the four intruders that remained. At once Sir Firat turned around to run at me with eyes that reflected the sky, blood covering his face, drenching the cloth.
"I'm going to set you down now your-" Her hands tightened around me as he shook her head. My lips pinches as I shifted her to one hand and lifted the other in a surrendering motion. He slowed, eyes flickering from her to me in frustration. He wanted to rip my arms off and rip her out of my arms. "Sir Firat is here to take you now Your Highness, it's all over now. Your safe." I promised, whispering coaxingly into her ear.
"Your Highness," He called out in the softest voice I had ever heard him use, endearment clear. I don't think he was even aware of how soft his eyes became as he looked at her. "Are you alright?"
"Hmm." It was all she said before she burst into tears in my arms. I stiffened as everyone turned to look at me, or rather her. I was surrounded by knights. I rubbed at her back in small circles as I rocked from side to side, not sure of the words that were coming from my mouth as I looked around uneasily.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when a hand landed on my shoulder. It was his, his light-colored brows were furrowed as a strange look came over him. He wasn't putting pressure on my shoulder as he had at the time when I found Her Highness staring at the portraits. This time it was firm, but guiding. He was trying to guide me out of this mess.
"Let's get her inside." He said tersely, motioning over to the room. I nodded and followed along, looking down as everyone cleared the way as we walked into the room. Or what was a room, the place as a mess.
I walked over to the bed and tried to lay he down but she refused to let go so I simply plopped myself down and sat her on my lap. As Sir Firat watched me and I watched everyone else, I knew I should be grateful Her Highness was wrapped around me and refused to let go, because the moment she let go, I was fucked.
Someone walked over to Sir Firat who was leaning against the back of the nearest couch, staring at me, bloodied sword still in his grip. He turned his head to let the man know to speak.
"The King is on his way."
Oh, yeah, I was royally screwed.