"Your highness, there is another letter for you from Urnsborr."
Stefan groaned. A soft 'Smack' sounded as he slapped a palm against his face, irritated by the stream of warm light that filtered in through the silk canopy.
"Hisan it's early, drop the curtains and leave."
Stefan shielded his eyes, his voice came out hoarse and rougher than usual, it'd been a bad idea to drink so much after all.
A soft sigh came from beside the groggy prince, a half naked woman laid beside him, she turned away mumbling something, her black hair falling over her face in waves
Stefan dropped his hand but instead it made contact with the soft skin of another woman. This one was half awake compared to the other, she too had black hair, a shorter length with eyes a deep shade of blue.
The crumpled sheets were the only covering that hid her bare body. Embarrassed at the sight of Hisan, she inched closer to the prince in a bid to save whatever was left of her dignity from his scowling eyes.
"Her Majesty's people returned moments ago, they have been waiting to see..."
"Shut your mouth and get OUT!"
The sudden shout startled both women. The aide who'd come to be familiar with such behavior merely bowed and stepped away, but not without saying.
"It is well into noon your highness."
Hisan dropped the curtains as instructed then proceeded to make his way out of the opulent chamber.
It'd been a week since the royal court was thrown into chaos by princess Ophelia's wedding, and the string of events that rapidly followed.
Yet during that time, prince Stefan's residence was in a state unfitting of his station or the situation.
The prince, Duslans only heir, drank and frolicked without a care while the court turned itself inside out, leaving his parents to return it to order. He spent his time lounging in merriment and in between the breasts of whichever noblewoman was willing to entertain him.
The Majesty's were both aware of this development, but while his father ignored him waiting for common sense to take its course with his son, his mother protected him, shielding him from the scrutiny of high society and the vicious gossips of court.
But for how long?
Hisan shook his head disappointed, he'd hoped these habits were behind his lord, things of the past to be left in it, that however, proved only to be wishful thinking and nothing more.
"Now ladies, where were we?"
"Going back to sleep."
The one with long hair muttered, snuggling deeper into the pillows. Stefan smirked at her, running a finger against her bare back, she shivered but otherwise ignored him.
The second lady watched, a knot twisting in her stomach as the other woman laughed and struggled in his playful grip while she was left on the side, completely forgotten.
Despite what had happened last night, how she'd given herself to him, yet still it wasn't enough.
The thought made her head light and a bitter taste swirled in her mouth.
"I have to leave."
She whispered.
Pulling the crumpled sheets against her body as she rose. Stefan noticed but paid her no heed, women were too fickle and he didn't have any patience to deal with that.
Not today at least. Now he only wanted to play and then drink some more.
Drinking had become the only thing that numbed the emptiness he felt deep in his chest, even if it only offered a brief reprieve.
The doors shuddered and parted, Stefan's face contorted in rage as he whipped his head to face the person who had dared to enter his chambers without permission.
I'll kill Hisan with my bare hands.
And he was right, It was Hisan, however he was not alone.
The familiar click of her shoes were like warning bells that tolled in alarm as she drew near. Stefan averted his gaze from the entrance, his mistress who was previously excited recoiled in fright as her pale green eyes met a brown pair that could freeze iron.
"Oh. My foolish son."
***
The courtyard exuded an air of elegance. Its massive size was a splendid fit for the castle, with mesh cobblestones that stretched from the small gate to the main entrance, a mosaic of paved stone and sand.
Closer to the large doors, a grand fountain stood with small curved structures erected about it; they were further adorned with little lush hedges that grew beside them.
The fountain crafted from pristine black-stone was breathtaking, its broad basin bore shapened carvings and delicate patterns. From the towering centerpiece, shimmering crystal waters cascaded in an endless stream, sprinkling harshly from the top before pooling down in a veil of blue. The water burbled and bounced through the basin, its fragrance like a perfume that left her taking deeper breaths of the clean scented air.
Ophelia shivered again from the noon chill, pulling the gray fur scarf closer for warmth. One thing about the north that still surprised her, was how cold it could get despite that it was still summer.
What would winter bring then?
She shuddered at the thought. The princess wasn't prepared for that at all.
The day was going well so far. Breakfast was served in the detached dining hall where direct family members of Vladimir shared their meals.
But it'd only been her and his grace, Claude was nowhere to be seen.
Not that she minded of course.
They had a good time together despite it, the duke showered her with compliments and then after, came the questions. He was curious, meaning no ill but sincerely eager to learn what she thought of the castle, her attendants and then her quarters.
They'd conversed over little things, but it'd been interesting nonetheless.
"Madam it's getting colder outside, shall we resume the tour within the castle?"
Alissa questioned, she was Agatha's niece and her second lady's maid. Ophelia glanced back at the lady who garbed in clothes that looked lighter than hers, showed no signs of discomfort.
If she worried, then it was for the princesses' health and not her own. After all, lord Claude's bride was the apple of the duke's eyes, and she'd been for a very long time.
"It's alright, we shall return in a moment."
Ophelia said, a warm smile gracing her face. The lady-in-waiting gave a curt response then stood by, alongside Vilda and Eidel who'd accompanied their mistress.
Gingerly peeling a glove off her right hand, the princess dipped it into the flowing waters of the fountain. She gasped, a wave of goose pimples dancing through the limb and then her entire body.
The water was bitingly cold and absolutely delightful.
Her cheerful laughter rang out, a carefree melody as she dipped and splashed her hand about in waves.
The princess was in a good mood, it probably helped that she hadn't had any nightmares since.
Nightmares.
The thought of it reminded her of the fountain back home, the dead child from her dreams, with hollow, bleeding eyes.
EEEK!
Ophelia's slender feet gave way on the wet grounds and she fell headfirst towards the watery pool.
'Just how did I slip?'
Gasps escaped her maids, who watched helplessly as their mistress lost her balance.
"Madam!"
"Princess!"
Just as she was about to hit the burbling water's surface, an unseen force intervened. Suspended midair, Ophelia hovered just at the brink, her eyes wide in shock with tendrils of raven hair frozen in the midst of her descent.
The maids, hearts pounding, rushed to her side, their hands reaching out to stead the princess on her feet, confusion etched on their faces.
"My lady are you alright?"
"Princess, are you hurt?"
The women's voices formed a symphony of distress as they looked her over to ascertain if she was okay.
'What just happened?' A shell shocked Ophelia wondered.
Ophelia finally snapped out of her reverie at the sound of Vilda's voice. To her surprise Alissa, the maids and a third party now stood beside her, all of them fuming with worry.
"Oh! Your clothes,"
Eidel exclaimed at the sight of Ophelia's garments drenched garments.
"Let us get you inside my lady."
Allisa said soothingly, before turning to face the stranger in their midsts.
"Thank you miss Morgan, you saved the madam from an unpleasant fall."
Ophelia, shivering from fright and a bit cold, turned her head to their direction as she heard this.
Morgan.
She knew that name.
"The madam shouldn't need saving to begin with, isn't that why you're all here."
The strange woman gestured in their direction, not minding how rude it was, especially to Ophelia who'd become used to the many etiquettes of the castle occupants.
Alissa' response was cut off by the princess who gently tapped her hand, she smiled softly at the lady-in-waiting, a clear sign to the young woman not to speak..
Rather the princess answered.
"It is no one's fault, I was being clumsy from the beginning."
She said with her usual warm tone, the woman merely sighed.
"I see."
Came her response, not an ounce of courtesy in her actions.
Alissa found this insulting to their young mistress, the miss could at least introduce herself properly, but she chose not to.
Although Morgan had always been hard-headed, today Alissa was quick to realize why the mage acted out, but chose not to call her out for it.
Ophelia, sensing it was probably a bad time to converse with the lady mage, decided on meeting her at a later date.
"Shall we head inside?"
"Wait. Let me help."
The woman suggested, looking at Ophelia who was confused as to the help she meant to offer.
"We have no more need of your assistance, thank you."
Alissa stated, signaling to Vilda and Eidel who began ushering the princess away.
"Your lady is shivering Alissa, she's bound to catch a cold as it stands."
The lady-in-waiting was getting annoyed by Morgan's insistence, even though the woman was right, she also acted rude towards the young madam.
"You've done enough."
"Alissa it is fine, let her help."
Ophelia quipped into their brewing argument.
She looked at the woman, Morgan was it; the mage didn't seem different from any other person.
Dressed in a black tunic that hugged her upper body, she wore simple leather breeches with a healer's belt wrapped around her slender waist and stomach, a gray hooded clock hung on her shoulders and thick boots that hid her feet.
Morgan marched straight to the princess, ignoring the look Alissa shot her way. Vilda, who seemed weary of her, held onto Ophelia's left hand.
"Your hand my lady,"
"Which hand?"
Ophelia smiled, looking at the slightly taller woman.
The mage pointed at her left one which Vilda clutched, clearly not wanting to let go. With her usual fond look, the princess gently pulled away from her maids hold, giving her hand to the woman.
Morgan grasped her wrist, it wasn't painful but she felt an uncanny sting shoot through her arm the next moment, accompanied by a warm fe
eling that spread throughout her body.
Ophelia flinched and pulled away, her previously wet clothes now completely dry.
"W-was that magic?"
She questioned her eyes wide with shock. Morgan's next words however, would come to change the course of Ophelia's life.
"Yes, but it was yours."