CHAPTER ELEVEN

The massive room was just as large as the throne room if not larger. The long rectangular table before her had a fine furry table mat on it. It's print that of a tiger. Selene gulped, thinking ho meant skins had been used to make such large cloth, maybe Sol had no more tigers now.
Selene took another bite of the apple pie, it was bland, she knew not if her mother's superior recipe made the pie taste like lime water or her appetite was none existent. The events of the previous night she was certain would not wear off so easily. She had never been one to cry, she had countlessly challenged her father, when ever her dignity or the safety of dear Mia was in jeopardy she had spoken out, anything to defend herself and her sister. But the Lord made her weep like an infant, she cursed the very moon that shone the day she kissed the Lord on that balcony. That seemed to awake what wanton part of her was alive. Her treacherous body was an epitome of betrayal, despite her fears and anger, she had felt the womanly parts of her succumb to the Lords webs. She felt disgusted, angry and confused all at once. The lord had left before anything had happened, she was at his total mercy, formally his mistress or even worst sex slave since she had so gracefully turned down the former offer. She bit her lips as she remembered her sister, she dared not mention the poor girl, afraid even naming her would some how drag her into the same catastrophie she was in, she prayed to the moon goddess she was in safe hands, at least a kitchen servant. Oh what wouldn't she give to scrub the walls of the Sol manor just to be gone from the Lords sight, if he didn't kill her then humiliation would.
She could smell the man before his footsteps was heard. Bold steps matched into the room, his steps not noisy but enough to announce his arrival. He reminded her of a tabby one of her step sisters had owned, lithe, agile, graceful.
Edgar walked into the room and was greeted with a bow from the smiling butler.
"A treat from your hunt last night" Nicholas said with a bow as the servants presented a bowl of stealing stew before him
"I had ordered you share amongst the head servants" Edgar replied
"I do insist you taste of this savoury meat my lord" he said
With a smile, Edgar took a slow bite of the seasoned antelope and nodded at the butler.
"It is good" he said and was rewarded with a rare smile from the man
With a bow, Nicholas left the dinning hall.
Edgar looked at the young princess again, her food was still full, her spoon running over the edges of the ware.
"Do you not like the food?" he asked
All she did was blink and stare at him.
"If it is not to your liking the kitchen hands could take your commands" he said more
She cocked her head, making Edgar debate if it was a shake or nod.
"Eat your meal, you haven't had one in a while" he said and went to his stew
He couldn't look at the princess. Her eyes reflected undiluted fear. Fright and sheer embarrassment. He never wished to frighten her so, a bit of warning to tell the ungrateful girl that men could truly be cruel and heartless, that his kindness he took for granted and condemned him could be cruelness, he wanted to show her he was still the feared son of O'alistair. But it had gotten out of hand, he had done more than warning, he had terrified the poor girl and now she sat like a mummy staring at her plate of pork and broth.
Another glance at her plate told him she had eaten, her plate was empty and her mouth struggling to swallow in a way Edgar knew was forced. Maybe the meal was not delicious or the girl was too troubled to eat, either ways it seemed he was to blame, he could feel the pangs of guilt hit his unfeeling heart. It was comical to see the fierce princess trying to please him by eating her food, even his guilt couldn't stop the amused smile that graced his lips.
"Lead the princess to my chamber. I will see her shortly" Edgar said
Selene could feel her heart drumming. Had he given her an extravagant breakfast to lure her to bed? She could feel her guts clench at the thought. She could do nothing but let her shaky legs follow the guard out into the familiar hallway.
The lords chamber was the largest there was in the manor. His four poster bed stood at the centre of the room with thick drapes that covered all four walls, a dresser stood at it's left and a trunk lay beside the bed. Four tall candle stand occupied each corner of the room. Selene gulped again and stood as she was led in, the guard stepping out and remaining by the door. She had no chance of escape she was a slave, a slave. The sting of tears came to her eyes and she blinked them away furiously. Maybe through her disappointing Mia the girl had been saved from her cowardice, maybe she would be better off alone. She could barely tell which was better, the fate of being sold to another empire of being the lords toy or joining her mother and grandfather in the afterlife.
The door opened and she almost jumped out of her skin. In came the Lord.
He opened the door to find her standing in the centre of the room, her legs shook in a way he thought it had to be a miracle she could still stand.
"Do you fear me? " he asked
He only got the quick breathing of the young princess as a response.
"You should know I wish no harm neither do I conceive same upon you" Edgar assured lowly, maybe she would listen
He walked to her, taking a step behind her so he could only watch her stiff back to him, he couldn't look at her eyes, it seemed to dull to be the very emerald he knew that held fire. He feared he'd done the worst.
She jumped as she placed a hand in her shoulder
"No harm will come to you Selene" he said so lowly when can doubted her heard
"Why? " she asked with a dull voice
"Why what child" he replied
"W-hy m-m-me?" she replied stuttering as she shook in her stance
"That is still very wide, maybe if you ask precisely I could help answer it" Edgar replied
"I can not do it" She said with a violent shake of her head, like she had just realised she was thrown into a pit.
"And what have I asked of you Selene?" Edgar asked, his voice daring her to reply
She of course said nothing but gulped
He knew her thoughts. He had bedded women but never an unwilling one. The princess was well desired but he knew if he wanted the princess of Riverland, he could have her willing and writhing under him in days. That he knew quite well.
"I will not take you against your will Selen, I am an honest man when I want to be" Edgar vowed with a firm voice
"I will never give myself to you" Selene said, her anger resurfacing
"I will not ask" Edgar said
"Kill me, do away with me for once, I can not live this way" Selene choked out
"You would rather die than lay with me?" he asked incredulously
"I am no harlot, no pearl will be worth my decency" Selene said, her tone rising
Edgar moved to the door where the guard stood staring at the hall. The child was an ungrateful wench, faithless and immature. Perhaps he would have let Alexandra have her way, but a mere thought of any tavern drunk laying hand on the princess made him boil with rage. He didn't want that. He would give her time to heal. Rome wasn't built in a day. All. He needed was her comfort and safety, he owned the ill fated king that, or so he told himself.
"The little princess will be ready to see you. Come" has said as he rose, maybe his chamber was not comfortable for the child
She follows him out into the halls where the little princess still napped. On waking to see Selene, she threw herself on her and both fell on the rugged floor, a saline dam broke.