As soon as Duran's words fell, everyone began to bring tables and chairs to the courtyard. As if setting fire to dry grass, the word spread even to the town. Now both outside and inside were filled with people, coming and going.
These banquets were very common in Rome; I could even say there was one every full moon. I enjoyed each and every one, to be honest. But this banquet was not really a banquet as it had another purpose.
"If looks could kill, everyone would be dead... again," I tried to feel a little better.
With the same stern expression, I saw Duran's lips curve upward. I must say, it's scary with that face.
With a long table, a tablecloth, and a padded chair, they prepared a seat for me. Duran and Charlotte lay on my sides. The servants flowed in, bringing fruits and alcohol; things were moving quickly, and before I knew it, evening had arrived.
Idle chatter and flushed faces were seen everywhere.
"So... how does it look, Prince?" Charlotte asked on my right.
"For my Mother's sake, don't call me a prince, Charlotte," I reprimanded.
Charlotte was not one to attend dances or banquets, much less spend an entire afternoon looking everyone in the face. She was with me simply following etiquette.
"Quite impressive. When did all this start?" I asked.
"Three years ago, Sir Jacob and Maria decided it," she responded.
"To avoid people asking about his absence, Jacob decided to impersonate you and spend three whole years in Eboracum. All this time, the locals thought he was in the capital... Although, not everyone buys that story," Duran said.
Feeling the weight of all the alcohol I had consumed, I decided to get up and enter the castle. Although it may not be noticeable, I've had a slight hangover for two days.
"Are you leaving already?" Charlotte asked.
Giving a final look, I turned back and replied, "Yes, you take care of the rest."
Upon entering, a maid followed me. I was going to tell her to stay, but after seeing her, I let her pass.
Turning my attention to the long corridor, I noticed the red carpet and candles placed at a certain distance. There were no windows. I had planned to make them, but Maximiliano stopped me, rambling about nonsense about history, among other things that I forgot.
The castle itself did not have many luxuries and was divided into three levels and a cellar; almost the entire budget went into improving weapons and feeding the staff. After all, the purpose of the fortress is to fight.
On the first level was the great dining hall, which also served as a large hall and the armory. On the second, there were mostly rooms, my office, and some interesting things. The third was actually built after my arrival, and before, it was just the terrace where archers stationed. Today, a part was built to make a room. The rest I use as a courtyard.
After walking through the long corridors and seeing the decorations, I finally arrived in front of the double door of my room. I also see that they painted it red.
Inside, the room had everything a noble's room could have: a dresser, a large rug, the dressing room, a bathtub, and best of all...
"Ah, how much I missed my bed."
But first, I need a good bath; it's been a while since I took one.
I started to undress, and I felt the hands of the maid on my back trying to remove the leather armor.
"You don't need to help me. Why don't you bring me water to bathe instead?" I ordered.
"Yes, my lord."
After heating the water, I immediately immersed myself. Is this what they call paradise? I used to bathe every 3 days in Rome.
Setting the water aside, now that I see her better, this girl looked very good. Blonde hair reaching down to her back, incredibly clear hazel eyes, and above all, quite fair skin.
"What's your name?" I asked.
She shivered. It seems she came with strange ideas... And some resolution.
"My name is Ezabell, my lord; I am the daughter of Baron Gilebert of Mancunium and I am 20 years old," she responded.
By the gods, are they really looking for a partner for me? And besides, the daughter of... Wait, that means she's a maid.
"Gilebert... you have quite an extravagant father," I said.
Gilebert, since becoming a baron during... the events of the maniacs... has been labeled as someone very "active."
"Which of all the daughters are you? The eldest, or-?"
"I am the eldest, my lord," she interrupted.
So that's it. It seems Gilebert doesn't think with just one head.
Getting out of the tub, Ezabell approached to dry me off and brought me a black nightgown. This time, I did not refuse her help.
Sitting on the edge of the bed and gently pulling her hand, I spoke to her.
"Calm down, Isa-"
"Ezabell, my lord-"
"Kuh kuh."
Turning my face at lightning speed, I saw eyes so sharp looking at me that I felt chills.
"Ma-María, what are you doing there? Come in, come in." Oh Mother, forgive this son.
"With your permission, my lord. Ezabell, you can go now," she ordered.
With quick steps, Ezabell escaped from my hands. I even think I saw her blush.
"Maria, I-," her cold gaze stopped me.
...
...
Suddenly, the fireplace went out.
When I came here, I thought Mrs. Maria was someone cold, her way of speaking, her gaze, and above all, the feeling of distance. I couldn't have been more wrong. Mrs. Maria was actually someone any of the maids could call a mother. She took care of us and defended us from anyone who tried to abuse us; she was always attentive to all of us.
So, when I saw her cold gaze judging me, I couldn't help but be scared. That look normally was directed at the soldiers who entered or the people outside the castle who harassed us. I think even Lord Blackend shuddered when he saw her.
CLICK
"I won't repeat it, sir, so refrain for now."
BAM
Closing the door, Mrs. Maria approached and pulled me towards the stairs. She was in a hurry.
Her hands were icy. Maybe I'm hallucinating, but even in the darkness of the corridor, I can see our breath in the air. The candles are also extinguished.
The next day, I went to wake up Lord Blackend, but to my surprise, Mrs. Maria was already coming out of his room.
...
To shatter my illusions, even Maria woke me up.
Trying to compose myself, I prepare for what is to come and head to my office.
Who would have thought that I would see that bastard here again.