CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

The dinning hall smelt of freshly baked bread. Pineapple and snow.
The Lord sat alone with his queen. A smile on his face. One that stopped right where his lips was.
The woman by him looked ahead. An empty plate before her. She did not need to break her fast with plants.
"My Lord. The Governess Alexandra is here to see you " a warrior announced with a low bow
The Lord turned to look at the queen, seeking permission.
She smiled, a deep sickening grin
The Lord turned to the warrior and nodded.
The large mahogany door opened and the Governess walked in, her wooden heels clinking on the neat marble floor
"Brother" the Governess said as she entered, giving a low curtsy.
The queen by the Lord's side knelt as the Governess entered.
Alexandra smiled and nodded, allowing Monique to rise.
"May I at least sit?" She asked teasingly
Edgar nodded
The woman sat on the chair by the table, her head guard standing behind, hands in his sword. Another guard of hers stood at the door, conversing lightly with the Lord's men.
"I do not come for breakfast brother" she said and turned to the queen beside him
"Why do you come?" He asked lowly.
Alexandra smiled
"I came to ask, plead if I could borrow a maid you have here" she said
Edgar could feel a headache come, he didn't give out his servants easily, any one could be cruel to them.
The headache reached to his thoughts, he turned to the force that beckoned to him. She stilled and nodded
All his doubts dissipated as quickly as they came.
He turned to his half sister
"Take all you want. Leave the rest to attend to my queen" he said and turned to smile at his haven sent.
"I could take your ward. Selene I think. The lady Selene. I have a need for her" Alexandra said.
She could feel her heart beating erratically. Would he disagree?
Edgar turned to his sister. Selene? He couldn't quite remember who bore the sweet name. He wasn't sure, he...was it his...no she couldn't be. All he needed was beside him. His queen.
He nodded
Alexandra held in a smile. She had all she wanted. A nod as slow as it maybe, an approval
She had a gift to give to an old friend.
Alexandra rose with another curtsy.
"I must give now brother. My palace has guests unattended" she said and departed as gracefully as she came. Her men behind.
Edgar turned to the woman beside him. She had not eaten. Her food was a bit different from his, he did not mind. So long as she was here, alive and with him. Not burnt, not buried. Alive and smiling.
He took her hand in he's and kissed her knuckles.
Monique stood. Taking him by the hand and moving them out the door.
His men bowed.
She led him to his room. Atop The bed was a woman, gagged and tied to the post.
Monique kissed away his confusion and led him on the bed.
"I'll feed and we play" she whispered into his ears. Took him and they did what had to be done. Him falling further into black oblivion.
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Selene stood by her window, her heart pounding in her chest. Somehow she had calmed her near heart attack.
She had failed. Failed. She was so good at failure.
Selene had barely left her chamber when she had heard that laugh. That magical sound that transfixed all in the hall. She had stared as the woman, gracefully left the Lord's chamber, two maids in tow and a guard by her side.
Selene had gotten her feet back to work after plenty second.
She had gone into her room and never went out again.
After sending several maids going to fetch the head servants and returned saying they had no clue as to her whereabouts. Selene had outrightly panicked. What had happened to the woman. If she was killed too for "Disrespect" then what would happen to her.
Selene looked out the window, half expecting another crowd and wail by the stone table. She saw none. Mayhap she had been killed unceremoniously, fed.
Selene gulped. Remembering her fear the night she had tried to eacape with poor Mia.
The creature had been her nightmare for weeks. It's horrid smell, it's strength. It's sickening groan.
The Lord had saved her. Not once from it's clutches but twice. Twice the emperor had saved her.
What would it be like for one to be fed on. She couldn't wish that even on the deceptive Lord.
The woman had said all she wanted but Selene believed.
A man could not completely loose his soul. She doubted even the plague could be so severe. But the Lord had ignored her. Chased her like a bee at flower, stole kisses and wanted more. Brutally injured himself, pleading she stayed by him. Back at the manor and never leave. It had all been an act. All the while awaiting the return of his ghostly mistress.
A spell. A love spell. Bewitched.
So much that he couldn't remember her? Could only stare at her like a piece of rusted metal?
The air was cold, Selene went to rise the smoldering embers.
She moved to her bed, watching the door. She had locked it, the key tucked into her bosom.
She wished all this had nev r happened. She wished her father had never bedded the horrible Governess. Wished she had escaped when all five of her step sister had fine, packed into a carriage to woo a good man and become a wife. To avoid the shame of Riverland had been plunged into.
She had not mother, no woman to chaperone her. Her father had offered her a carriage bit she had refused. Who would cater for Mia, when had thought and stayed back. A young princess with a child always by her side would not be appealing to suitors. She had to leave Mia behind and she couldn't.
Now she had anyways. By death.
Selene felt a lone tear wet her face and wiped it away eagerly.
She wouldn't destroy her memory with tears.
Her thought strayed to her father, if she searched could she find him. No doubt he had been let out by the council. Banished from Sol.
Possibly at a rich gathering now flaunting his new wealth. Telling false stories of war and luxury. Wooing women. Bedding women. Slave, free, young, old, fair and uncomely.
Dwayne Cedric had begun this all. He was a devil in ignorance.
Selene turned to her half food on the table. Her lunch of pickled eggs and soup forgotten.
Her stomach was full. Dread filled it.
She went to the window yet again. No crowd. A small set of men gathered but the field and sparred. She left yet again with a sigh.
Mayhap the old lady was as stricken as she was and left to the chamber to avoid what wrath would come. If at all.
Selene moved to her wall mirror, it's length reflecting her tired frame. So.much had happened that sometimes she thought she hadn't cried enough.
She had to be strong. Her mother would always tell of the storm before silence. Refusing to accept the opposite alone was possible. Oh she waited for that calm now. To be away. Married.
She would take her chances with the charismatic Knight. She would. She just needed to be away from the manor. Her sanity was wavering.
She looked at her green eyes, the dark rings under them and the cold that made her nose redden.
Her eyes, green. But not as green. Like the...the thing that he loved.
She could remember the night the Lord had wept in his sleep. Had held her and sought her comfort. He had cried that she not be burnt. He had cried in his sleep.
Now, the dead was back to life. Was was left to happen? The plague had eaten this far. Sol was not save. Not even for her.
Selene turned away from the mirror and went to her chest. Pulling out her dagger. Her gift. She held the blade in her hand. It's sharpness reminding her of who had gifted her. Her step mother. Ariel. A Kiro warrior.
She left the blade in it's place and went to her closet, pulling the door open, she held out her cloth. An embroidered skirt. She rummaged for a darker color. She found none immediately.
Some one was coming.
Foot falls came closer and closer till she heard the table on the door. Selene stood still. Her eyes on the door wearily. Many was outside judging by the footsteps.
"Open the door girl" came the smooth voice.
She listened with fright? The dead woman? Selene scrambled to retrieve her dagger again and stood at the far grounds and of the room. Th window behind her.
"Open the door" she said again
Selene could feel relieve flowing into her veins. It was the Governess. Sh had heard the wicked voice for long. As her father's mistress, while she taunted her as a prisoner.
Selene kept quiet, holding her dagger tighter.
"Break it" came the soft voice. A command.
Selene barely had time as the next voice was a loud bang. One that startled her back.
The bang came again and with it the door shook, violently.
The third bang was halted, her large door now laid on the floor before her. Two guards holding a log at th other end of it. Beside then the as the Governess.
"I had thought that would not be necessary. But I see he had spoilt you. Royal orders mean naught to you huh?" The woman said as she walked into the room. Her eyes scanning the room with a frown.
Selene held tighter into her weapon
"Seize her" she said and turned to walk away. Two men walked at her.
Selene cried out as she cut the one by her left deeply, lunging at the second before that dagger was knocked off her hand, her wrist taking a severe kick.
She fell with failed effort to balance.
The men gripped her strongly and dragged her out towards the Governess who had left the manor entrance.
"Leave me! You have no right!" She yelled, scratching and kicking at the men.
"Let go!! My Lord!!" She cried. Fighting against the men who led her on, not looking at the servants who had gathered and stared in pity and frowns.
The older woman. The maid stood by the hall too. Her eyes with unshed tears. Selene looked at the woman and wept, fighting harder. The older servant fled, her skirt sweeping the halls.
Selene made a strong kick at the man who turned with a scowl to slap her. The impact sending her to a heap on the floor.
Selene cried out but continued to fight.
She had been led to open field. Close by was a carriage, the horses already whipped into motion. The Governess sat inside, her smiling eyes on her.
Ropes were provided quickly and a cloak brought forth. Selene ceased her struggles slowly. The man collected the ropes from the younger man. Both preparing the tie her up.
She ducked and ran. As far as her legs could take her. As fast as her heavy dress allowed. She could hear foot behind her. She ran off the fields to the far end of the lands. Ahead she could see the ranch. The servants already gathering to witness the scene.
She would take a horse and flee.
Her feet had barely touched hay when her hair was pulled back, a few strands uprooted.
A body came over hers and she fell. The weight nearly killong her.
The man pulled her up. Gave mother blow to her jaw and lifted her to his strong shoulders.
She wailed at the pain. At the humiliation and hopelessness.
The man's quick stride covered the far distance in a small time. He dumped her on the grass with a thud.
"Enough of this!" The Governess bellowed angrily.
She came from the carriage and delivered her own slap to her reddened cheek. Selene let her gave fall. She hated pain.
"What is this?" Came the voice.
Selene looked up at the Lord with tears.
"She refuses to leave" the Governess said
"Leave? I will leave. I do not want to let her take me" Selene plead
" Enter the carriage. Now" came tue voice if the emperor.
Selene looked to him, his eyes a distant look over them. The woman stood by him. Her arms in his.
"She will harm me. I do not trust her" Selene said
"You do not decide who takes you. I own you. I'm your mistress from henceforth. He's given you to me" she said
"No! Edgar no! She will harm me..she...she will kill me!" Selene cried
"Silent. She is your mistress. Go" he said.
" No! You promised! You said you'd protect me! Did you lie! What!! Edgar this isn't you!y Lord!" She wailed as the men seized her with stronger hands and led her to the carriage.
"Wait!" He called.
It was like dawn had come. The fog melting before him. His headached. Someone was crying.
He groaned as he could feel confusion clouding him yet again.
A hand reached out to him, he looked into green eyes. Eyes green. Glassy, dead.
"Help!" Came the call.
He watched as the men slapped and dragged her on the snow coated ground. Her red eyes pleading.
He turned to the force that beckoned to him. An onyx pendant.
He ripped it off the ivory neck. His head pounded and he looked at the woman. Monique.
He could hear the cries that haunted him as she was burnt. A walker. Buried.
With a cry. Edgar drew out the sword from his guards belt. Buried the blade in her stomach.
A shrill cry came. The beauty before his eyes turned to rot. With sunken eyes and blond hair.
She rot, right before his eyes. Withered and died.
Edgar turned to the green eyed beauty that cried.
He lunged at the man by her side.
His head left shortly after, tumbling off his neck. The man by her right was holding his throat now. Blood oozing out.
"Selene" he muttered and drew the child into his embrace.