Chapter FOURTEEN

The sounds of clinking metals woke Edgar up. He groaned at the ache in his neck as he lifted his face go the window. His drapes were pulled up. He couldn't remember letting them down the previous night. He hadn't meant to sleep at all. He was just resting his mind, thinking on all life had taken and offered when the webs of sleep caught him. He had seen her, burning, going, screaming, leaving him alone in this cold loveless earth. Edgar stilled at the memory, he had not been asleep. No, sleep had left him when the young princess had held him in her soft little arms till he no more feared the dark, till he no more wept for his last lover. Till he was contentedly sleeping. He cringed at the vulnerability he had let her see. He was never able to think of Monique without being lost in a pit of pain and anger. She didn't deserve to die, she was too kind, too innocent, too beautiful. Just like the vixen that helped him to sleep after his distressed nightmare. No doubt she was awake, gone, or maybe she had left before he even slept and the memories of her soft breathes through the night was false. Maybe he had held the pillow instead of her ivory skin. Maybe she had eagerly left him and even wished she hadn't came in. How had she even found him?
The soft sigh from the the edge of the bed made him turn, had he taken a woman to bed in the senseless frenzy?
The princess laid, curled up with her arms holding her head, she laid closest go the wall, far away from him. Was he that repulsive?
He knew not how to face the girl. He knew not how to deal with women outside of bedding them. They were as frail as goose eggs. Yet they saw not. He was not one to mingle with them at all.
Standing, he pulled on his robe that laid on the bedside table. The girl had held him bare. Edgar swallowed at the shiver that ran through him.
He rang the silver bell that sat next to his fierce clock. The chime was as annoying as he could remenenber. He rang it again, surely he had told Nicholas to fetch him the sickly servant. As expected, the tall boy hurried in. He took a long bow and stood expectantly. His arms shook as well as his legs. He had once sent the boy to the dungeons for bringing in his supper late. He was no doubt still reminiscing on that.
"Draw my bath " he said
He watched as the boy passed several glances at the princess' sleeping figure before darting into the wash room.
He knew not what words would spread. He would make certain the boy gave no rumours as he left.
With a louder sigh, Selene stirred and stretched. She turned to the window and sat up. Her hands roamed for something before she opened her eyes slowly. Confusion etched on her features as she stared at the room.
"Selene" he called softly
She merely gazed at him confusingly
"Selene" he called again
She was quick to let her head fall. She fidgeted with her blouse. Eyes cast down.
"Lord" she replied lowly. Her tone defenseless
Edgar stared at the princess sternly. What had gotten to her. What happened to her quick sassy tone. Had she broken her without even meaning to? Or perhaps she was just embarrassed at waking in bed with him. Did she think he had touched her? Had he?
"Selene" he called again
"Lord" she replied nervously
"What is wrong? Are you okay?" he asked as he drew closer to her
"I am fine" she more or less barked. With a quick spring, she was on her feet.
Edgar marveled at how she maintained balance.
"What is it? I never did...we just slept" he saw it necessary to explain himself. But hell he hadn't brought her go his room. She walked in here offering her open arms for comfort. Why bark at him
"I never said we weren't" she retorted quickly and walked to the door, shoving the nervous man servant out of the way and rushing out the door to leave it open. He had recently learnt it was habit.
"What do you stare at" Edgar asked the boy who was yet to let his gaze leave the doorway although the princess was out of sight.
"Sor...sorry my...sorry my lord" he stammered
Edgar quietly moved into his washroom.
Leaving the boy who quickly left for the kitchen. His meal had to be ready before he left the washing room.
***
Selene sat on one of the large chair that lined the enormous table of the royal dinning hall. Her hands went to her laps to wipe the sweat that formed as she waited. The butler had told her to meet with the Lord here. She knew not why.
His steps echoed as he walked into the quiet room. The boy beside him laid his platter of foornin the table and loudly sighed at the relieve of the tray. Quickly apologized for his loudness and left through the door as Edgar dismissed him.
"I heard the little princess has a fever" he said as he sat.
"She does. Mia... Her name is Mia" she said
He frowned. He cared not what her name was.
He thought of the illness. Hers had begun like a mild fever he ignored then convulsions before she went rabid.
"Has she been taken to the physician? " Edgar asked
"The butler had the nurses give her a medicine. He says she will be fine" Selene replied hopefully
"Nicholas. His name is Nicholas. He served since the days if my father" Edgar stated
"She will" Edgar added
It was no doubt just the cold. The winter was at it's onset.
Edgar took a long sip of his wine and set the stein on the table.
Selene's eyes never met him as he took a bite of his steamed vegetables.
She had come to know that Sol was rich with food. No doubt enough farms and servants ensured that.
"Sol has had many enemies from the times of my father. Riverland was never one of them" Edgar began
Selene stared at the Lord quietly
"Cedric was never an enemy. Neither did I dislike his rulership" he said
"What are you saying?" Selene asked uncertainly
"I would turn in my grave should my men be enslaved by an Empire I never warred with. Talk less of my kin.
You have no wronged me and neither has your father. I can not enslave you"
"Your belongings will be moved back to your main chamber" he said
"I would rather live where I am. In the royal servants quarter" Selene said harshly
"That can not be. It is unlawful seeing you are no royal servants or any sort at all. Give your uniforms back to Nicholas" he stated
"What does this mean?" Selene asked
"Do not see evil in all I do Selene. I means you are a guest in this Empire and not a slave. I have said but now I revoke it" Edar replied
"I am free? " she asked. Was she?
"You are not a slave" was his response
Selene nodded. She had no choice but to accept. Mayhap the stars had answered her prayers.
Edgar was interrupted as Diana moved into the room quietly.
"My lord. Lady" she said with a curtsy
"What is it?" Selene asked
"The little princess has asked to see you" Diana said
"Is she fine? " Selene asked as she leapt out of her chair, panicked
Edgar's hand held her under the table and she halted
"Is she worse? " Edgar asked
"No my Lord. I did not mean to worry. The Little lady simply asked that you permit her to move in the garden with me" Diana said
"Is she well? " Selene asked
"She is better. Wishes to leave her chamber for the garden a while" she assured
"Do let her know she consents" Edgar said
Diana looked to Selene who nodded and she went out.
"Will you not let me see her" Selene asked
"I do not have such thoughts. How many times do I need to tell you I mean no harm. I am not done speaking with you Selene. I did not want you to leave just yet" Edgar said
Selene nodded at his words and relaxed on the chair
"You will remain in the Manor till suitors come and you see fit to pick a husband. Then the little princess will be handed to you" Edgar said softly
"Thank you" Selene whispered
"You still are a princess. I will have you pick a maiden" Edgar said
"I am fine. I can see it myself" She replied quickly. She didn't need any more guarding eyes.
"If you refuse I shall assign you one myself. I cannot refuse you the basics of
royalty" Edgar stated
Selene sighed. She had no choice in it. The tone of the Lord neant that.
" Come" Edgar said as he rose. Moving to the window that stood away from the table.
He drew the drapes wider and stood, turning to Selene who came to stand beside him
She looked down and saw the garden. She could remember seeing the Lord from there. The vantage was better from above. Mia stood with Diana's hand in hers. She turned to stare at them as Diana tapped her, no doubt telling her of their presence. Mia waved wildly at her with a wide smile. No on would believe she was feverish just they morning. The little girl was a miracle. Selene waved back at her sister who laughed
"Elly!" she yelled with a giggle.
Selene couldn't hide a smile
Her attention went to the man beside her and she waved at the Lord too. Confused, Edgar turned to Selene who looked surprised as well.
He lifted his hands but the little princess frowned at his lack of response.
Edgar smiled at her reaction and waved. The girl giggled and waved at him more. Edgar smiled and waved back in like nature. Mia smiled at them both and followed Diana through the maze. She giggled at something they both said.
Turned to beam foolishly at then and walked away.
Selene chuckled, Mia no doubt had funny fantasies already. The child could be naive as well as innocent.
"Do ask for anything that will make your stay here convenience" Edgar broke the silence
"Thank you" Selene said
"Do see Nicholas or myself if anything troubles you" he said
Turning from the window. He stared at the young lady a while before blinking
"I have to attend to my duties today. Rest well Selene. Something demand your attention tomorrow" he said
"What may that be" Selene asked
"Do not fear my intentions Selene. I mean no harm" was his reply as he moved away from the hall and into the corridor.
Selene looked down the garden again and thought on all the Lord had said. her wait for Mia to grow would be less eventful.
***
Selene sat in front of the large mirror. Mia sat on a shorter stool as she combed and braid her hair. The servant that sat in a chair by the corner of the room was a fee inches taller than her. Her bosom lesser, with thin hips and a searching eye.
When the Lord had told her to take a maid, she thought it would be days, maybe week but she had answered her door hours after he had left her to see a shaky girl who was younger than her by the door, struggling to identify herself as her new lady servant.
"Let me get the pins" she said and stood
The servant who said her name was Nina was already on her feet
"What can I get for you my lady" she asked eagerly
With a tired sigh, Selene sat back
"The hair pins atop the dresser. Thank you" Selen said
She quickly fetched them and handed it to Selene.
"Here my lady" she said
"It is Selene. Call me Selene" she
insisted
"Lady Selene" Nina said
"Just Selene" she stated
"I am afraid I can not. I would be insulting" she said nervously
"Lady Selene then" Selen concluded
"Could you get me my donkey. On the dresser too" Mia said
The eager maid went to grab the stuffed animal
"Oh never mind. I do not need it anymore" Mia said
"Surely my lady" Nina said and returned the toy
"Oh.. I do want it..."
"Stop it Mia" Selene ordered
Mia chuckled and stared at Nina who smiled as well.
"Help draw her bath please" Selene said
"Yes Lady Selene" Nina said and stepped into the adjoining washing room.
"Are you not coming with me? " Mia asked
"I am a bit sick Mia. I am afraid you will go with Diana" Selene said
"Do you have fever...you can take my medicine. It made me well" Mia said
"It is not fever. You wouldn't understand. You are a child" Selene said. She knew Mia hated the statement so
"I am not! I am a lady!" She replied
"You are girl" Selene stated
"Well so are you. Father always said so" Mia smiled in triumph
Selene chuckled at her smart reply.
"Will we ever see father again?" Mia blurted
Selene knew she could. He was allowed visitors. But the last thing she wanted was to see her father in cuffs at the Council headquarters. Or want Mia to see that either. Maybe when he was free, one of the many dethroned Kings then she would see him.
"He will be away for a while" Selene replied
"Like mom? " Mia asked
"No not like mother" Selene replied
"He is not with the angels then" Mia stated
"Yes... Not yet" Selene replied
Nina came out if the washing room
"It is ready my lady" she said
Selene sighed at the title
"Let me give you your bath. careful of your hair Mia" she said
"I can bath myself. I am no child" Mia said
"oh... Of course. You are a lady" Selene said with an amused smile
Mia didn't seem to sense her sarcasm as she happily went into the washing room herself.
Selene smiled. She was growing