CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Selene jolted awake, her eyes quickly searching the slightly dark corners of her chamber. What had woken her, she thought, totally troubled. Was it Mia, had her fever returned? Did she get harmed by a walker? Or maybe she just needed a walk in the garden. Selene took another deep breathe, trying to be positive.
The tap on the door came again and Selene heaved a sigh. It was Nina, no doubt trying to fix her bath and whatever she needed that morning. She slipped out of bed and went to the bedside table where a heavy silver key tied to a blue ribbon laid singly. She turned the door knob after the click of the key could be heard and pulled open the heavy door.
There stood the Lord, his eyes so openly raking over her frame till it landed in her bossom which was barely covered by the see through v-neck night dress. Selene rushed to the bed in a less subtle manner and pulled on her robe.
"What are you doing here? " Selene asked
"I see you slept well. I need you well rested for today" Edgar said with a small smile
" What is it today? " Selene asked uncertainly
"Have I given you reasons to be anxious of anything? " Edgar asked
"I would just like to know" Selene replied
"There are a few things u should let my Empire know...formally I mean" Edgar said
Selene stated at him. He could not be trusted but then the Lord's eyes were totally blank, giving her not a clue as to what today held for her.
"When you are ready, Nicholas will see you to the throne room" Edgar said and with a slight nod from Selene, he left the room.
Would he tell them she was his mistress? Was that the price for her freedom? Did he think she'd so easily fall for it? Simply because he had declared her "freedom", did he think she could be bought?
Selene huffed and strode to her dresser, she'd never fall prey to a man like Edgar, he seemed the sort to reduce women to dust, he held no respect for her at all, why did he think he could lure her to bed.
The crowd be damned, Selene would speak her mind before anyone, she would accept slavery than lay with the foul man. Each moment it seemed her heart was oddly being find of the Lord, his vile nature came out.
Selene walked out of the washing room, her hair dried and tied. She wore a dim blue dress that swept the floor. Her bodice slimly fit into the dress and below her knee was a wide flow of the silky fabric. Nina smiled at he widely, no doubt admiring her choice of dress.
"It really fits you Lady Selene, the lord will lo...it's nice" Nina said
"What is going on today? A ceremony? " Selene asked
"I do not know, we common slaves won't attend, only the royals are to be in n attendance" She replied
"Very well" Selene responded and moved to the full length mirror that stood next to the window, pulling the sheer material away, she looked at the dress and smiled. It did suit her, she missed her dresses, most had been lost in all the crises at Riverland. What was left she couldn't wear them, not when she was uncertain of her position in the Empire. A maid dressed like a princess would be a shame.
There came another tap on the door.
"Enter " Selene said and the door creaked open almost immediately
"I will take it from here. Thank you" Nicholas whispered to Nina who curtsied and walked out.
Selene watched as the man glanced around the room cautiously. Like he expected to see a viper on her bed or maybe a walker. His stiffness was worse than the Lord's, she decided.
"Come" Nicholas said
"Where are we going?" Selene asked
"Master has ordered I personally escort you to him" Nicholas replied
"Where?" Selene insisted
"The throne room" he responded with a frown
"And why are we going there, I heard he says it's a gathering " Selene urged, ignoring the man's open irritation
"I do not know, the lord never said why. Just that you should be taken there. And we are running behind time " Nicholas replied with a finality
"Fine" Selene said and went out the door first, ignoring the man's outstretched arm.
She could hear the footsteps of the Butler as she walked briskly down the stairwell to the royal wing of the manor. The small murmurs from the throne room greeted her as she entered. She froze slightly, Mia was seated with her nanny. The chair next to her was empty. The lord sat at the head of the table, the Governess next to his right. A frail looking man sat to his left then an aged woman and there sat Mia. Selene gulped, she had hoped she could keep the poor child out of this. What business did she have. Surely the king wanted only her, or was he a pedophile?
"Wh..." Selene stopped as Nicholas tapped her arm violently. Shushing her.
She stepped into the room and it became quieter. She took the seat closest to Mia and leaned into her sister protectively.
"I welcome you all. Dearest sister, my able men and the esteemed head servants.
It is your importance and relevance that has summoned you here.
Do not be anxious. No evil is to be announced" Edgar said with a soft chuckle which part of the crowd joined in
He rose turning to Selene. Selene stated at him confusingly. He flicked his wrist and Selene finally rose, assuming that was the unsaid command.
Edgar smiled.
"The princess of Riverland, Daughter of Dwayne Cedric. Selene and her baby sister Mia.
Their presence may have been noticed althrough the trial till now" Edgar said and turned to look at the people he addressed.
Selene stood, reigning her anxiety and nerves. Was she to be banished. The lord seemed not in a bad mood but then she had learnt he was unpredictable.
" Cedric haa been Sol's minor ally during his kingship. Never has he betrayed or disappointed us. Riverlands and Sol has had no wars kr misunderstanding even as it is now a province to Sol.
In my judgement, it would be cruelty to enslave the daughters of Riverland. I see no evil in them.
As Lord of the Sol Empire, I declare Selene and Mia to be entitled the rights of free burns in this land. They are no servants nor slaves. They are free guests under the guardianship of this Empire until the Princess takes a suitor, then her husband shall be her guardian. I will see that we all accept the princess." Edgar stated firmly for all to hear, his tone holding no room for questions.
"A toast to freedom " he said, picking up his glass and raising it to his lip
The rest follows suit and shortly everyone was filling their steins again.
Selene sat on her chair still next to Mia. She was shocked beyond words at his declaration. He had said it openly. Selene knew it could be a trick, one he could easily revoke if she refused him. But then the Lord's didn't seem like on two be so shameless. She was really free.
Selene smiled at her sister who was beaming joyfully. She knew not her thoughys but was sure she understood what was said, at least part of it.
She watched the men on the table who were gradually talking lower by the second. The wine was running out and the table held the head of several dizzy men. She had watched the governess demonstrate her dissatisfaction by leaving the table after her lips touched the glass for a toast. She was royal, Selen herself knew the implications of refusing a toast from the king. So the governess had so aggressively did so and left with her entourage.
She despised the governess. She was the architect of her very problem. Her ageless beauty annoyed her and her arrogant grace was as vile as she spoke.
The table was nudged forward, spilling the wine in a full goblet that laid before a snoring man. The lord walked out of the room, his strides not so calm.
Selene stared at his retreating back, wondering if anyone else has seen his violent departure. But of course all seemed to drunk to.
Mia was now soundly asleep on her laps. She had only let her take a sip of the wine at the toast with she had quickly snatched away despite the child's refusal. She never meant to take so much but she ended up seeing both her goblet and her sister's empty before her. He head was fuzzy but she was yet they be drunk. She had her fair share of wine during winter family visits in Riverland. Selene tapped Mia slowly and led the staggering girl to her chamber. That was enough for the day.
***
Yes the alcohol was in his system but he would be a fool to blame it on the wine. No it was no wine, he knew his anger came from the child. The one reason he felt all range of emotions from anger to irritation to possessiveness and lust. The woman would kill him without lifting a finger. He had so openly laid her before the men. Telling them she was fine for marriage. No doubt they would be swarming in to court her maybe even bed her. Or worst enough marry her. He had seen the look on his men's faces. His own men. Who knew what others would think. All men would want the talked about princess of Riverland. As a trophy wife. Her beauty and mouth was as attractive as the scandal surrounding her stay in Sol. It would be a matter of time before she was swept away by some rich duke. Women wanted wealth and false adoration. There were tons of lords and princes willing to offer as much.
Edgar slammed sighed. Was that not what he wanted? To be rid of the annoying child?
"Dammit!" he yelled, slamming his fist into the door. He had barely moved to his window when his door barged open.
"Who in he.. " he was silenced by the sight of the devil herself. She stood with the same blue gown she had worn, sitting in that throne room like she owned it.
"Selene? " he asked, no at all knowing what to say
" I heard you scream. I was putting Mia to bed and I heard you scream" she said, looking down
"So you came in, to do what, save me? " Edgar asked with an amused smile
"I.. I thought you had a nightnare" she replied
Edgar gulped, she was willing to help with his bad dreams again? Memories that haunted him.
"I am no child. I am fine" Edgar said. How had he let the princess see his weak state. Who let her come to his room to check on him. Why was she here at all.
"I am sorry. I should leave" she said and turned to walk out
"Selene" he called out softly
"I did not mean to be rude. I appreciate your concern" he said, watching her nod slowly
"Come here" he said.
He waited till she stood next to him
"I want to embrace you Selene" Edgar said, his stare at her daring
Selene stood still, her eyes unblinking.
"You can refuse of course. I would under..." Edgar was muted as he felt her thin soft arms wrap around his neck. No she had not hugged his waist, she was on her toes, stretching beyond her actual height which was below his chin to actually hug him. Her warm bosom was pressed to him and his nose in her hair. He responded as soon as the surprise wore off. Wrapping his larger hands around her back and breathing in her scent.
"I never really said thank you. For that night" Selene said. Chin on his shoulder.
"I would help any one against those evil creatures " he replied. The less he made the child feel special the better
" I do still thank you. You saved my life" she said slowly. Her voice thick with emotion
Edgar let his hands roam to her waist where he massaged gently. Both still held in the long embrace.
Selene stiffened at his exploration. Her arms trying to disentangle from his neck.
"Must I keep reminding you not to fear me. I Mean no harm. I can not take you unwillingly" Edgar said
Selene nodded, he had proven that severally, even when she was acting wanton.
"I...I have to prepare for bed" Selene murmured softly
Edgar woke from his warm dream and cleared his clogged throat.
"of course" he replied and pulled away from the princess.
Selene stood for a minute. Both locking eyes. Edgar turned to his window, he didnm't need anymore heart troubles. Not when she was not willing
"Do sleep well " he said and walked into his washroom. Not even waiting for Selene to reply.