CHAPTER TWELVE

The little princess sat closely to Selene. Selene had her left hand slung over her shoulder as they both ate. She so wished she could put the child in her belly so they would become one, then and then alone would she worry less of her. The oat before her tasted sweeter than she knew oats to be. Who ever was in the royal kitchen Selene was cettain had an issue with moderation. The lord sat at the table, his eyes on her though she was unwilling to look up, his gaze was burning enough to be felt.
He cleared his throat swiftly and placed the heavier than normal fork on his platter.
"A nurse had been assigned to the princess. Better if you are not constantly bothering of her welfare" Edgar stated and watched the princess closely. He could see her relief as well as mistrust
"She has quite taken a liking to Mrs Diana, she has been placed in her care for now" he added trying to reassure her.
Selene only nodded. Of course Mia was a gentle child. She could easily grow fonder of anyone, her royal upbringing came with travels and change of servants, she was used to new faces and could barely reject people unless they were extremely cruel to the innocent girl.
"The little princess is too useless to be of help anywhere. I will see to her well being till she can serve the manor" Edgar said
"But you Selene, your duty will begin tomorrow. You are assigned to my chambers for now. Nicholas will tell you all you should require to dispose of your duty" he added
He could see the relief wash over her face. He almost hissed at the stupid notion. How could she be so acceptable of being a low slave to courting him? Was she a princess at all? He knew she couldn't trust him, not after that careless night. But he expected some part of her pride to wake, but here she was accepting serving him without as much as a "No"
He had decided to keep her busy, away and out of his needy presence but he could not trust even the head servants to keep her from harm. Not after her wandering into the tunnel numerously, he needed to see her. To know she was safe. But now as he watched her bite her lower lip and stare at the food, he wished she had opposed even the slightest.
With a push, Edgar rose from the table and moved out if the dinning hall. He had lost his appetite.
Nicholas hid an amused smile as the Lord. He knew fully well why the Lord had lost his appetite and it had nothing to do with the toughness of the pork.
Selene stared at the Lord as he walked out. She could finally breath freely. He seems to suffocate her without wanting to his presence was filling, too demanding and intimidating. She turned to the butler that was ought to tell her what her duty was. His stern look somehow comforted her. He did not look the sort to tell her about how to satisfy the Lord's sexual needs. Or maybe his looks was not a case. She barely knew of Sol and what it could do. But still the man's stern look comforted her.
Selene went back to the lord's decision regarding Mia. He had described her as 'Too useless' even the mere thought of it made her glare at the empty doorway where the Lord had walked through. But then it was better that way. Mia would be ignored, out of harms way till she grew. Oh she so wanted her to grow. At least become a decade old so she could know more. A few more years so she could realise what evil would befall then if they took this servitude. She would wait. She had to.
Selene gently pushed the plate from before her and kissed Mia on the temple before rising Diana had seemed nice, if the maid had not followed her so stiffly then perhaps she would have liked her. She wanted to believe Mia was safe.
"I will see Mia now" Selene said... Not knowing how to address the older man
With a slight nod. Nicholas walked then out into the hallway that led to the balcony. Selene gulped at the memory.
"The trial has put you in Sol. The lord had decided that you work in the royal chambers. Your quarter shall be with the lord's closest hands" Nicholas began
Selene watched the man with a careful eye, trying to read any hidden meanings behind the normal statement.
"The lord does not take obedience kindly. He dislikes it when he is defied" Nicholas stared, gazing at her expectantly.
He had just said the same things differently. Selene gave a nod upon his continual stare. He was no less intimidating than the lord, the lord's nature had rubbed on him after several years, Selene thought.
"He hates disobedience" He repeated more like an accusation
"I believe I have heard you" Selene said
"I believe the number of times I tell should convey it's severity" Nicholas stated
"Or I am fed to the walkers? " Selene demanded harshly
"The lord has better ways to mete out deserved punishment to defaulters" Nicholas stated
"And how many times have you been given deserved punishments?" Selene asked
With an amused smile, Nicholas stared at the maiden
"Even the Lord knows better than to.... " he abruptly ended, rethinking what he would have disclosed to the daring child.
"The Lord will have his bath as he wakes. His morning meals after bath. After. He prefers a neat chamber. Keep away from his bed and dresser. This are strict orders. His bath before breakfast" Nicholas said
"Will that be all? " Selene asked
"You could come to me should questions arise as I see you have none now" Nichols said
"Of course" Selene said sharply
"Princess. I will always see you as the daughter of Cedric. Princess of Riverland. Do not see yourself any less. You are only subject to the Lord alone in this manor. All the Lord need is your loyalty" Nicholas said with a bow as he left the hall
"Your duty begins tomorrow" he said as he took the turn down into the west wing.
Selene picked up his gown and strode back to the dinning hall. She would Spend what time she still had unoccupied with Mia. She would wait, the girl would grow. Then alone would she be sure that her sacrifice would be worth it, if only Mia would be safe, she would do it. Her leaving now would most likely put the girl at harm. She would wait, the lord would forget she existed, she would give her all but if she was gone while trying then so be it, so long as Mia was okay. She would die happily.
***
Edgar touched his stubble as he placed slowly in his room. He took another long look at the sapphire gown on his bed. He had given it to her before she went, gone forever. He had refused she be buried in the fine dress, it would mean all the lovely and human part of her rotting like the evil creature she was forced into. Edgar swallowed at the painful thought. She had been his only safety, his safe haven, his sanity. With all wars he won, he only did so he could come back to Monique. She had made him promise never to die in any battle and he had kept to it. Only to wake to a nightmare one chilly morning when the manor was in uproar. His fiancee was a walker. She had to be burnt. Alexandra had seen to it that her corpse was as black as coal before the flames were put off. He didn't blame her, her mother, Hannah had been the first walker in the kingdom. He was still young when his father ordered that the queen be burnt to death. Alexandra had watched with a stoic face as the flames went up. No doubt broken beyond repair. He could hold no grudge against her, not after what she went through. The walkers had taken so much from him. He could remember his mother's smile and rare laugh. She had been a mistress to his father. A slave and he was a love child. But the king had been desperate for a male child and so took him in. Neglecting his mother. But then the queen had put Alexandra to birth short after. Still he took the adoration and attention of his father. An only heir, he had to walk in the O'alistair ways. His own mother had been seen as a distraction, his father had given her out, claiming the house needed a change of servants. His mother had been sold away only to be seen dead amongst other decaying bodies nights after. Her serving uniform bore the Kiro badge. He would never forget Helsing. The man knew his father. Everyone knew of the harlot that had a love child for the feared king of Sol. Helsing had done that to spite him. It was a big joke. The walkers had been scarce, more of rumors and travellers tale. Kiro had birthed the myth, now growing with little limits despite the councils effort to stop it.
Edgar turned to his window, just below was his father's favorite well. Where he would tell him life was just like the well. It ordered none what he would fetch. It had everything to offer. He smiled at the memory. Of everything life could offer, her fell for a thin lady who was sick of the winter fever when she arrived Sol, a lost traveller begging for food and water. That is how the woman had gotten under his skin till she wove her way into his heart. He had proposed marriage to her. Bought her a sapphire dress to forever keep her as a Sol. Then the world had thrown his only risk at loving back at his face. He knew if Alexandra had not held him back, perhaps he would have gone to her, despite her odd eyes and groaning, her jerky movements and fangs wouldn't have warned him off. She would have killed him if Alexandra had been absent. But still he had violated the laws and buried her in the yard of the manor. He was king after all, he had no father to tell him left from centre.
Edgar could still remember their day he had almost vowed at her graveside eight daises never to love again. But Nicholas had smacked his jaw to bring him back to senses. He claimed love was never found once. Never. Of course the man had been banned from the royal chamber for weeks but now Edgar was grateful. Whatever it was the young princess brought of him, he wanted to respond with an open heart, free of any vows to his dead lover. He was not known for breaking promises. Living or dead.
Maybe if he laid with her, it would go away. It had to be some overwhelming lust that rode along with possessiveness and care, a great sense of protectiveness and attraction. He would rather not name the unnameable he decided with a frown. Clutched the dress and placed it inside his dresser.
Monique had spared his nights for a few times. Perhaps it would remain that way.
***
"Many trails lead to the kingdom. It is not mistaken or an accident. It is the most acceptable place for them. I fear they are bred...not by mistake" His trusted warrior said with a bow
Edgar sat in his throne. The chair feeling larger than he could remember. He didn't need the crown or troubles of leading. He needed some form of peace for once. But the news of Kiro was always welcomed
"What ever evil bodes in Kiro I'm certain is ending soon" he said firmly
If the walkers fast increasing population was not enough reason for him to war with Kiro and forfeit the land. Then his grudge with Helsing was. No land deserve such cruel ruler. Helsing was better off in the ground.
All he needed was prove. His few silent attacks on the empire was ignored. He feared they were plotting as well but he could see no means to get to him. No sane empire dared Sol. Their claimed lands, provinces and skilled warriors was the envy of all region. O'alistair had made knighthood a sacrifice of every family to the land. The empire lacked not on men and swords.
All he needed was the councils words. Not even their useless support. Edgar was certain the old folks were better at smart talking and condemning than setting war strategies. He would get the letter he needed from the council once he could sign enough prove then he would go to Kiro and settle what he could. The land was wasted with such Lord.
If he could not show the truth then he would make it. All he needed was the Empire's authentic badge. He would dress the walkers up and show to the council. All else would fall in place.
"We still keep low my lord. The servant boy is in. We have to be patient" the man said
"If those filth roam my very house then I am certain we do not have much if time" Edgar replied lowly
"We must wait high lord" the warrior insisted
"Surely...there is little else left after that" he said with a nod and rose. The window could no longer show the trees of the garden. It was fast darkening.
"Dismissed" he said and watched as the man walked to the door with a bow.
He would do what needed to be done