My mind wandered to the chambers of my mother, a sanctuary once filled with love and warmth, now tainted by the impending darkness that loomed outside.
Within those walls, my heart raced with fear, clutching the tiny hand of my younger brother. Tears streamed down my face as the distant echoes of battle reverberated through the castle, threatening to shatter our fragile existence. Desperation clung to the air, suffocating the last traces of hope.
"Mother," I whispered, my voice trembling with both fear and confusion. "What is happening beyond these chamber walls? And where is Father?" My brother's cries echoed through the room in which we have taken shelter for the past two hours.
Her face etched with worry, turned to me, and knelt down, gathering my brother and me in her comforting embrace. Her voice tinged with a mix of reassurance and concern, filled the chamber with a gentle warmth.
"Darling, there is unrest outside," she began, her voice soft but firm. "Our kingdom is facing a threat, and your father is out there, leading the defense, protecting our people." Her eyes met mine, a flicker of sadness shadowing her gaze. "But we must remain strong, my children, and trust in his courage and the bravery of those fighting by his side."
She stroked my brother's hair, soothing his cries as best she could, and continued, "For now, we must stay here, safe within these walls, until the danger subsides. Remember, my loves, we are not alone. The House of Lancasters has come to our aid, their knights standing as a shield against the darkness that encroaches upon us."
Her words offered a fragile sense of hope amidst the uncertainty that engulfed us. I clung to her words, finding solace in the knowledge that we were not abandoned, that there were defenders fighting for our safety.
But just as despair threatened to consume me, a ray of light pierced through the gloom. Sir Christian, adorned in gleaming armor emblazoned with the crest of the House of Lancasters, burst into the chamber. In that instant, his presence became a lifeline, filling the room with an air of reassurance. Drawing closer, Sir Christian extended his hand, offering me a delicate flower—a symbol of resilience and beauty in the midst of devastation. His voice, like a gentle melody, whispered words that washed away my fears. "Take this, my lady," he murmured. I take the flower with my trembling hand. He kneeled beside me and my family, his touch a tender reassurance on my trembling shoulder. "Fear not, my lady," his voice filled with compassion. "We are here to protect you. The House of Lancasters will not allow harm to befall the innocent."
Suddenly the images engraved in my mind started to fade away like a mist at dawn as I woke up. Sunlight streamed through the window, its golden rays gently touching my face, awakening me from my slumber. Removing the silk sheets I stand up and approached the grand mirror that adorned the wall, my reflection staring back at me with questioning eyes. In that mirrored image, I saw a flicker of strength, a glimmer of resilience that refused to be dimmed.
"I know what I need to do today." I reminded myself, staring at my reflection.
After taking a long soothing bath that chambermaid made for me I slipped into a yellow silk dress and prepared myself for the day ahead.
I swiftly entered the awaiting carriage and made myself comfortable. I wasn't alone. I was accompanied by sir Christian and a cloak. I had made sure that nobody notices us. Because We're about to set off to a place that wasn't meant for a noble lady like me.
As our destination drew near, Sir Cristian rode forth on his horse and cautioned, "Brace yourself, my lady. We approach our destination." Taking his words as a subtle suggestion, I wrapped a cloak around myself, preparing to conceal my identity.
The carriage came to a halt, and Sir Christian quickly got off his horse to lend me a hand as I stepped out.
Before me stood a realm forbidden to a noble lady such as myself, a place where women reigned supreme and could easily crumble a lady's reputation.
"Are you absolutely certain about the plan? Because, in my opinion, I don't think it's a good idea for you to go in there." Sir Christian expressed his doubts. "I can do this. You know that right."
"I understand your concern, but if you were to enter, they would immediately recognize you," I remarked, voicing my thoughts. "It would be a risky move, Sir Cristian, especially considering your position as the commander in chief."
"And you, my lady, are the wife of the eldest prince of Celestia," Sir Cristian countered.
"Nevertheless, with this cloak concealing my petite figure, it will be difficult for anyone to recognize me. However, the same cannot be said for you," I explained. "You have to trust me in this. This is our only option to dissolve my marriage," I explained earnestly. "We devised a plan to engage a prostitute and orchestrate a physical encounter with Dominic. By uncovering evidence of his infidelity, I can legally obtain a divorce, as it is the sole permissible path, aside from death."
"Fine, you go ahead. I'll keep a watch on you."
As I stepped inside, my ears were met with a symphony of echoing moans and groans that reverberated from every corner. The air was thick with the sounds of passion, and my eyes were immediately drawn to a provocative scene. A woman was engaged in an intimate encounter with two men. She was getting pounded from behind. Her voice filling with pleasure with every thrust. As I moved forward my path intersected with yet another scene of sensual indulgence. A woman knelt before a man, her lips wrapped around his shaft, engaging in an explicit act of oral pleasure. The men was none other than but my brother in law.
What?
"Ellias?"
"Victoria?" His voice echoed through the air, his face contorted with shock as he hastily covered himself with his garments. "Oh my goodness, Victoria! What on earth are you doing in this place?" he exclaimed, his words a mix of disbelief and confusion.
Shit
I ran away.
He saw me.
He saw me.
He saw me.
Sir Christian clasped my trembling form, "are you okay? You look terrible."
"He saw me."
"Who?"
"Ellias," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Ellias... Ellias saw me."
"I warned you that it was a terrible idea," Sir Christian sighed, his tone laced with concern.
"What if he reveals it to Dominic, or worse, takes it to the council? My father's reputation will be tarnished because of my foolishness," I fretted.
"Hey... hey... hey," Sir Christian soothingly interjected, his voice gentle yet firm. "Nothing disastrous will come to pass, alright? You will be alright." He reached out and grasped my shoulders. "Now listen to me carefully. Return to the palace. Take a long, warm bath, and spend time with your friends. Act as if everything is normal. I will handle the rest, I promise."
I did as Sir Christian advised, carrying out his instructions without a hitch. The day unfolded smoothly, without any trace of Ellias. When I shared a meal with Dominic later in the afternoon, he seemed completely unaware of our encounter in the brothel. It appeared that Ellias had chosen not to divulge the truth, sparing me from the potential repercussions I had dreaded.
Later in the evening, as I was resting in my chamber, a maid hurriedly approached me, her face filled with urgency.
"What's the matter?" I inquired, my voice laced with concern.
"My lady, the youngest prince has passed away," she relayed with a heavy heart.
What in the world have you done Christian? You thought it was the right choice to kill Ellias, but it was only the beginning of the hell we created for ourselves.