CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

When Selene finally woke. She was scared, afraid the morning would bring reality. That the Lord would leave her cold and unwanted. Alone.
"What makes you sad so early child" came the hard voice
Selene could not hide her smile. She threw her hands over the Lord that sat but her bed. Naked
"Do you have a wish to not walk again?" He asked as her soft body pressed to him. Arousing hia insatiable passion
Selene turned pink and pulled away
"My Lord" she said
" Call me Edgar while we remain alone child" he said
"I am not a child" Selene snapped angrily, the name had become permanent
"You are, you have not seen the winters I have or nearly the summer. You are a babe. A child" the Lord replied and pulled her to him. Caressing her hair.
"Do you wish to break your fast in bed?" He asked
" No..my Lord. I...the servants, they would speak of this..of us" she stammered
"They should. I have waited long enough to have you " the Lord replied
Selene frowned at him fondly
" Worry not. I will become your servant. Just for this morning" he said. Rose from the bed in all his naked glory and stood before the his closet.
Selene watched in admiration as a man so big could move so gracefully. He pulled out a neatly folded shirt and wore, buttoning the yellow fabric down. He picked out blue breeches the colour of his overcoat and tucked in his manhood, throwing on hi coat and grabbing hi sword from where he had placed it the past night. He have another smile to Selene and left the room, his heavy footsteps taking him down the hall.
Selene sat up, bunching the fabric up her chin. She was flustered. Any moment a servant could walk on and meet her on the Lord's bed. Oh she was tainted for life. Would she be able to land a responsible man deflowered?
She could still feel the tingling in her core. Her breast tender from the Lord's ministrations.
She blushed inwardly and left the bed, praying the Lord had locked the door but knowing fully well he hadn't.
She found her dress in a heap on a chest that laid beside a candle stand. She picked up her chemise first and wore it hurriedly, then bundled her dress and moved into the washroom.
It was warm. Did the servants already bring warm barrels of water while she slept? How else would the water be warm so early?
She could feel her anger grow. How had he let someone see her naked? Was he eager to let the ton know of hi latest conquest?
Selene huffed angrily and washed her face. Unclothing to wash her body thoroughly with the soothing water. Maybe she would wash his hands away and become innocence again.
She left the pot once it grew cold. Dried herself with a fresh towel and wore her dress.
She left the washroom with a tired sigh and came into the bed chamber again. The wall mirror reflected her tiredness much more than she thought. Was love making so exhausting?
She went to the chair beside the bed...there...there was the evidence of her lost virtue. Selene pulled the sheet over the stains and went on the window instead. Below where two men, cloaked. The fields were quiet.
The servants were yet to start the day.
The door in the chamber opened and in came thr lord. A tray in hand.
Selene smiled in appreciation and took her food.
"I will not eat just yet. I need to ease my body a bit at the fields. I have little appetite for plants as it is" the Lord said
"Oh" she replied
"The workers are replacing your door with the finest wood. I have had the best cleaners set your Chambers back in order. But you can take any other chamber of your choice" he said
"You are so kind. Thank you " she replied.
The Lord bowed slowly and left without another word.
The throne room had better been with the Governess in it or he'd break hell lose. Edgar thought as he nodded to a door guard and entered the throne room.
By the side of the throne, Alexandra sat. Where she had always been before she left to rule what land father that left to her name.
"Reminds you of old times doesn't it?" She said as she stood up and curtsied. As custom.
Edgar nodded and remained where he was. He didn't have the need for a seat.
"Leave us. All of you" he said. Emphasis on each word.
His men filtered out slowly and Alexandra's men more slowly.
"I have said Alexandra. I was not born last summer. Do not play with me " he said
"How so brother" she asked
"Why would you take the child" he asked bluntly
"You offered her" she replied
"Do not toy with me woman! I am no joker. Why did you take the princess" he asked again
"You my dear brother gave your blessing that I take her. You did so...eagerly" she replied
"I see. You do not as much as respect me. Your love may be too much to ask but I deserve and demand your respect. I have been lenient with you sister. Far too lenient if you ask me" he said, pacing to.ghe window
"Do you have a lose of memory?" She asked, her tone teasing
"I found the grave of Monique opened. An anonymous letter was left in my chamber to seal it again. Pray tell, how did someone get to the graveyard of this manor with sixty of my men at the gates and behind the manor" he asked
" How would I know this brother? Your manor is not in my care" Alexandra replied calmly.
"From henceforth, my men will stand guard at your gates day and night. The tunnel and fields will have my men. You have the freedom to let your men stand beside them. Any opposition to this command will bring severe consequences" he said
"This is too far if you ask me my Lord. My men can not be blamed for this"
"It is only your watchfulness that I question. My men are not disabled in their duties. From the walkers I have seen in your side to ghe boundary to the deaths counted in your manor from the plague. I am certain your orders are disobeyed when it comes with protection. Your men are incompetent. I will help you with that" Edgar said
"You had said I have freedom rule the lands I co..."
"Not when the lives of people are in risk" he retorted
"I will give more guards to stand wat..."
"It is final. My men will stand watch. See your self out" Edgar said. Not turning to her till he heard the click of the heels take her to the door and heard it open, her men following her out the hall.
His men entered promptly.
"Have fifty men taken to the east manor. All corners of the manor must be secured at all time. The gates, the fields and tunnel. Send superior men to the boundaries" he ordered
"Yes my lord" one replied and left immediately
"Meet me at the fields" he said to his head warrior and left the room.
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Selene had picked another chamber. She could not sleep with the memory of her capture and Mia any more. The new room was coloured in dark blue marbles.
The floor a deep purple, it was almost blue.
It held a tall candle stand at each of it's four corners. A canopied bed sat at the center. Her chest had been towed in, a new chest now was filled with her clothes. A window stood above the head of the bed. It was a smaller room. A fine room.
Selene nodded at the maid that stood for orders and she curtsied, leaving after drawing her a warm bath for the evening and making the fire.
Selene went to her bed and sat. S
Her body still weak from exhaustion. She had spent most of the day in the garden. Walking aimlessly and conversing with a maid. The day was a slow one. One that finished so quickly.
She thought on the days that had past. Her hatred for the Governess only growing. And her suspicions nursed along.
She was a traitor. This she was sure of.
How could she try to take her away. Only when the Lord was under a spell. She was no witch but she knew the Governess had been at the tomb. At the grave.
How else would she try to snatch her from the manor soon after. A plan she had thought the moment she left the graveyard. She knew someone would find them out and that someone would be the cause of the witch raising in the first place. Thay someone had been the Governess. And her eager to let her leave was reason enough to think she had conspired. Her hands were unclean. They were.
Selene was yet to see the old maid again after that eventful day. She had yet again been no where to be found. No doubt hiding from the trouble she had drowned her in.
Selene did not blame her, no. She had not expected the Governess would be the one seeking them out. She hadn't. Some ambitious elder in the royal cabinet, maybe a rival nation, but not the Governess no. Not his step sister. Your woman was a good digger, her affair with her father had proven as much. But the motives of her wanting the Lord insane was not quite clear. Even if he was over thrown, Selene thought - she wasn't to good at politics but she knew enough to understand that women were scarcely allowed to rule an empire unwed. Especially one as big as Sol.
Sleep was coming powerful and the days dull activities put her down. She fell into a blissful slumber.