Five men are hanging from the ceiling with a rope wrapped around their throats and their feet flying above the ground. Arthur and the guards start coughing at the smell of blood, and wander out of the cottage to catch their breath. I scoff at their behaviour. It’s blood not poison, why must men always exaggerate so badly? I walk towards the poor woman lying in the corner that’s the source of this stench. I walk past the men and almost trip over one of the five wooden stools. It sends shivers down my spine.
Is this some kind of ritual?
Are people trying to spread across some message?
As I stand beside the young woman, I notice that the blood has already dried, so it must have happened a while ago. But when I turn around and stand in front of the fire pit, it's still warm, it must have happened yesterday. Or ofcourse someone is trying to change the story. Because what would six people do here with a fire? There is no food, no water, nothing.
Why did they even come here?
“Victoria, come out there, I will send out some royal guards and they will find out what happened, and when they do, Isaac will punish them.” Arthur states as he walks towards me to grab my arm and lead me back outside. What can Isaac possibly do to people who committed suicide? There must be more behind this. This is a cottage on royal grounds, not everyone is allowed in here, and to see by their clothes they must be commoners.
How did they come here?
Perhaps at night, or someone close to the Royals let them in. But that’s ridiculous, no one would let in commoners and let alone give them permission to commit suicide here.
I shake away my thoughts. I continue walking back towards the castle as Arthur sends the guards back to the castle. I find the silence uncomfortable, Arthur doesn’t say anything, and by the pale look on his face he isn’t feeling well. Is it the sight of blood that disgusts him so much? Or is it the loss of French men? Or the way that they decided to end their lives?
“What will happen to them?” I ask, Arthur turns his head to me and takes a deep breath before his head falls back to the ground and continues the road back to the castle.
“I am not sure, first we will find out how they got in there, and then the traitor will hang. But it is most likely that Isaac has some other ideas on how to handle this.” I don’t react to his statement, I glance at him but see that he’s still focused on the steps ahead of him.
“He always wants the truth.” Arthur continues, I listen, I don’t say anything, I want to hear more. “Always, that’s why people like him, because he’s a rightful man, who fights for what he believes and searches everything out till the bottom of it.” He doesn’t talk with pride, but more with hate, the way a jealous man sounds. I look at the place around me, I need to remember this place whenever I decide to go look again. I patiently listen to Arthurs words, I try to look uninterested so that he won’t think anything suspicious.
“But it is how it is and hopefully my dear brother will return home soon.” Arthur ends the topic. I make notes in my brain.
“If I may ask, Arthur, where is The King?” I try to ask as discreetly as possible.
“The King? Is that what you call him now?” I don’t show any emotion of humour on my face. I can’t show him that Isaac has some kind of impact on me. I am sure that Arthur is just making fun of me, but it somehow feels like he is attacking me in a sense of humour. I find it irritating as I have noticed it already a couple of times.
“He is staying at the Efritan residence. With duke Theodore of Efritan. They are doing business together regarding France.” He doesn’t tell me anymore, I know he does but he won’t tell me. What is going on, Arthur? I need to keep an eye on this man.
Later that afternoon, I sat down with my maids and listened to what they found out. Nothing useful, just that lady Clorestine cheats with lord Hermax, and some other useless rumours. But I am grateful that they tell me what they find out.
“There was nothing important, my Lady.” I nod at her answer and give them a smile.
“I want to make you an offer. You can all refuse, because it is a lot to ask for, but I’ll pay you double.” That intrigued the 5 girls. They all looked at each other before they looked back at me. This could go immensely great or terrifying wrong, the ladies will be up from a challenge indeed.
“Are any of you married?” They all shake their heads.
“Do any of you want to get married?” They nod except two girls.
“Why don’t you want to get married?” I ask the two girls in particular. They look at each other before telling me anything.
“As much as I would like that, I can’t, I am not a virgin anymore, so I have no chance.” Penelope shares with me. She bows her head low in shame.
“You do not need to be ashamed. I was exactly looking for that. And you?” I order the other after giving Penelope a moment of comfort.
“I am a widow, and I never want to go through that experience again.” Martha said this time.
“As I said, you can refuse, I am not going to force anything on you. But if you’d be interested in receiving more money than I offer you to sleep with men for information, you will probably even get money from them, so it is really a win. Also you have nothing to lose.” They looked at each other, and I thought that they would be disgusted by the mere thought of such a unfaithful thing, but they were seriously considering it.
“You want us to become prostitutes, my Lady?” I shake my head.
“Of course not. No one will dare to call that and if they do you must come to me immediately. You are doing this for me, so if you do proceed with the suggestion, I would advise you to be as discreet as possible.” I inform them. After a few seconds of silence they finally open their mouths again.
“We will do it.” The other maids look at them in awe. Like it is special to be in that position.
“Alright. You will receive the money whenever it has happened. Be as discreet as possible, this is not my court, and I am not sure if it is allowed to do something like this. Also if others ask, tell me, I will find out if they could be an addition or a spy.” They nod and leave soon after.
Now I will have an even better insight of the castle. I don’t need it in particular, but as I am slowly considering staying here till the entire Germany situation is over and I need to know who my enemies and friends are for the time being.