Lady Camelia was now trembling, 'Forgive me, for a moment, I forgot my place.'
'Now, speak!' I retracted the hairpin, settling down again, 'Did Silas really orchestrate the riot? And who else knows about it?'
She sighed, looking hesitant, 'Look, there are some real shady people involved in this, just telling you their names will put you in danger but, I will tell you one truth. The king …' she glanced around warily, leaning, whispering,
'The king did nothing of such. There are some bad eggs in the kingdom's council members who want to, by all means, get rid of the king.'
'Who are they?' I asked, 'Tell me their name.' Demanding.
She sighed, 'I do not know who it is but I received my commands from within the palace walls. You have to figure out the traitor yourself.'
Camelia is a woman who will never put herself prone to danger to protect someone else. I reclined into my seat, brooding, 'There has to be something that can identify who they might be.'
'A tattoo.' She whispered, 'The traitor had a tattoo on his right arm.'
A year ago…
Lady Camelia dressed up beautifully in a black gown, wearing her blonde hair in a lovely bun.
Unfortunately, her plans for the night were ruined because she stumbled upon 'The Resistance' group meeting coincidentally. She had received an invite to a party, went into the wrong room and found herself surrounded by a bunch of both familiar and strange faces.
These people are lords and ladies from reputable famillies.
Lady Camelia was clearly baffled but kept her composure. Hearing the treacherous words that came out of their mouths made her entire body tremble in fear.
They are planning to kill the king. Traitors!
The meeting eventually concluded but before they left, they were each warned.
'Now that you have participated in this discussion, you are all a part of the resistance. Any attempt to expose us or run away from us will result to your death, that I promise.' A tall man with a bushy beard threatened, dark eyes surveying the room, 'We have seen and know each and every one of you. Do not make a mistake! This meeting is adjourned till further notice.'
Briskly, her legs which were stiffened by the fear suddenly started moving as if they had a life of their own. She left the hall and was waiting for her carriage to arrive when all of a sudden, a golden carriage pulls up to her.
Who could this be? She felt her stomach churn.
A hand popped out of the window, holding an envelope.
Reluctantly, she took it.
A deep husky voice spoke from inside, 'Never expected to see you here, lady Camelia. You never fail to impress me.'
Whoever this might be, he knows her, but who could it be?
She found her tongue, 'If I may ask, who are you?'
She heard a rueful laughter, then came brief silence, 'I suppose that will have to remain a mystery to you.'
He was retracting his hand when she caught glimpse of the eagle tattoo on his right arm. The carriage rode off into the dark. She went back home and opened the envelope. It said,
'I will be watching you!'
I can sense the fear in her body language as she tells me about what happened. Is she telling the truth or is this one of her deceptive lies?
I picked up the letter, read it again, gaze lifting to meet hers, 'You haven't met him ever since?'
'I did meet him, countless of times actually but, never seen his face.' She replied.
I sighed, 'If that man knows you, could he be one of your clients?'
She chuckled briefly, 'You think I didn't have that thought? I did and I investigated but found nothing. Look, all I ever did was follow the instructions given to me. He said, meet this person and so I did. Send Arya to the market and so I did. He also said…'
'Wait a minute.' I leaned, 'He instructed you to send Arya to the market on that day? Why? Does that mean …' I gulped, 'Does that mean Arya was intentionally murdered?'
As the words roll out of my mouth, a chilly awareness went down my spine. I look up at Camelia with glazed eyes, 'Arya was murdered and you knew and you were a part of it.'
'No, that's not what I …' she was clearly tensed, 'I am so sorry my queen, I swear I didn't know what he wanted with your sister. I was just as shocked when I found out about her unfortunate death. It all started making sense. Whoever it was that did this, it's as if they wanted you to marry the king and in order for that happen, Arya had to die. Before you came to me, I received a new set of instructions, 'Tell her the king is behind the riot.' And I did what I was told to do. I was scared they might kill me too.'
Someone who wants me to marry the king? Could it be …Is Silas really? Only two people wanted me to marry the king. Silas and Lord Ayke. If Silas is not the culprit, could lord Ayke be …?
I had no idea what to think or how to think it. Arya was killed and according to their plan, I married Silas. Whoever this man is, he is more dangerous than I thought and whoever he might be, I will find him and I will kill him.
I sharply get to my feet, 'I am not done with you Camelia. I swear, I will make you pay!' I headed for the door when she said in a wicked voice,
'I thought you were smarter than this Aria. I already told you that whatever i do, I do it per the instructions I receive.'
Oh my lord. I slowly swivel to face her.
'Ah, it seems you have now understood what I mean.' An endearing little smile crept up on her face, 'I was told to bring you here and so I did. I guess, your time is tonight.'
'How is that possible? Nobody knows that I snuck out.'
She chuckled, 'Well, I guess nobody except him. Happy hunting monster.' With those words, she blew off the candles and everything went dark. I cannot see a thing.
Faintly, I hear the door behind me creaking open and I sharply spun around in alarm. My heavy breath was the only noise I hear but I strongly feel a presence. Could someone be in the room with me?
Nervously, I said, 'Camelia, I am not afraid, come out and face me!'
'Well here i am!' A deep voice answered and then all I felt was strong arms yanking me by the shoulders and hurling me across the room. I fell on the desk and broke it in half at impact, crashing down onto the cold floor.
Whimpering, I sat up and looked around, I cannot see a thing, what do I do?
I kept moving my hand in the dark, hoping I could find something to use for protection. Luckily, I found the hairpin and clutched it tightly in my hand.
'How long do you think you were going to last? Do you really believe in destiny? Do you think it is possible for someone like you to marry a king without the interference of someone like me!' He said. His voice came from all four sides. Where could he be? What is this man?
I weakly stand, circling around, 'If you are so confident, why don't you show me your face then? Fight me like a man!'
'Well here I am.' He grabbed me by my neck and suspended me above the floor. My feet dangle back and forth as I struggle to breathe.
I hear him growl, 'You would have remained nothing without MY help. But now you are acting arrogant, you will have to be reminded of your place just like Arya was!'
I felt like I was standing at the edge of a cliff and at any moment, I could fall.
But still, 'You shouldn't have killed Arya!' I growled, plunging the hair pin into his chest.
He exclaimed sharply, abruptly releasing me. Without wasting another second, I got up and ran, kicking the door down as I bolted out. My entire body was trembling but still, I ran, I ran so fast I didn't realize my left foot had no shoe and only did I realize so when I reached the castle gate, when I felt safe.
And then my weakened legs failed me and I slouched to the ground, falling into obsidian.
I open my eyes, I am back in my chamber but my entire body feels sour. My throat and lips felt dry like the sand.
Breathing barely, I managed to sit up, gaze meeting Silas's grey eyes.
He had an unemotional look on his face, 'What happened to you?'
His question reminded me of last night. I winced, , 'Can I get water?'
'Where were you?' He questioned. 'How could you be so stupid? Leaving the palace without any guards, do you see yourself as some hero?'
I ducked my head, quietly listening to him berate me. I didn't know when tears started pouring out of my eyes.
He finally noticed me crying and inched closer, gently caressing my bruised cheeks, 'Were you trying to abandon me?'
I meet his gaze, quietly weeping, 'I was so scared, I thought I was going to …You said you'd protect me all the time so where were you? Where were you Silas?' I raised my voice, 'Meeting you is my biggest regret! I wish I never met you. I wish I never came back here, I wish I …'
'I could love you!' Silas interrupted