CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

There was a fair girl. Her hair as white was the sun. Her eyes a blue sparkle that reminded her of her won father. The girl smiled happily. Playing with the woman next to her. A stark replica. Her mother.
There was a boundary, one as thin as air that kept her out, all her effort and cries to join the reunion abortive. The older woman turned to her and waved. Smiling at her sadly.
Selene woke with a jolt. Her unhappiness following her from the dream world. She could still feel the burning anger. How could they leave her?
She sat on her bed for a minute. Stretching her stiff limbs and yawning.
She could smell fresh cake all the way from her room. The royal kitchen last in the hall.
She swung her legs over the bed and left for the washroom. Eager to submerge in the warm water. The morning was cold. The room colder as the fire had long turned to smoking coals.
Selene unclothed herself hurriedly and buried herself in the warm pot. The scent of lavender generous in the water.
She could hear a maid in her chamber, dropping what she assumed food with the clinking of utensils. She listened, waiting for the footsteps to retrieve and was happy when it did. Shutting the door loudly after.
She didn't quite like the idea of young women in her room anymore, the other two had taught her to be wary of servants.
The water cooled down to a freeze and she left the wash pot hesitantly, putting on a frilly dress over a light chemise and stepping into her room. She opened the platter before her and frowned.
The quantity was worrisome. Seven mounds of cake laid on a flat plate, beside it was what she assumed turkey from the smell. A mushroom stew in a saucer was put in the same plate. She peered at her cup. It was an orange mix.
Was the Lord attempting to fatten her? mayhap he wasn't so pleased with her tiny frame.
Selene ignored the unpleasant thought almost immediately and began to break her fast.
Taking as little as she needed, she ordered the remainder be delivered to the field hands and she drank her entire cup with a belch.
Was there a library? She thought. Her home had one. Maybe the Lord did not read. But surely one of his family had loved books. She liked them too, the short ones to pass time at tense family dinners and tea parties. Her father always said she read like a man, a behavior he deemed improper. Selene scoffed at the memory. The man deemed all of her improper.
With nought to do, the young woman went to the window, her first gaze went to ghe gallows. There was no crowd.
She turned her face to the fields. At the east of it was movements. The manor had woken lightly, early royal servants serving breakfast first and then scrubbing what room needed the brush. The men at the field were only but strolling lazily. Nothing was left to do, the cold making them have layers of clothing all at once. Selene looked as they slowly began to litter. Some moving to the ranch house far off and some going to the garden.
One was particularly cold she noted pitifully as the man no doubt held his heavier coat tighter around him. His face hooded.
He looked around slowly and turned to the east of the manor.
Selene watched, her heart quickening as the figure took a sprint, moving ahead of the guard that had yet to keep watch over the tunnel.
She was familiar with that passage. It led to the Governess' manor.
She could no longer see, her window and walls obscuring her view completely.
Without a second thought, Selene ran out of her room. Her feet taking her quickly out the fields and to the east of the manor, the few servants that woke looking at her with disinterest. Was her position with the Lord already known?
She went to the bush of orchids and squatted, there was someone there, she could hear breathing.
Two, there were two. The conversing voice went to her ears sharply and she ducked more, the bush shielding her away from the figures that stood at the entrance of the tunnel.
She leaned closer.
"How long would this be?" One asked
"I am not certain. A few days or weeks. The winter will bring works to the slaves. It will be busy enough to leave with a few bags" the other responded
We're they thieves? She thought, disappointed. She did not care for petty criminals, they one their own punishment and Selene did not feel it her place to expose them at all. She stood from the bush with a new disinterested and made to leave
" Belan had been turned, he needs all he can have before he loses sanity. The lady will pay in full at once. Have the bags ready soon enough" the previous voice spoke.
Selene halted.
"Yes, understood. I will not disappoint you" the hooded figure replied
She waited.
Silence.
A bag was tossed. Coin poured on the gravelled tunnel and slapped around noisily
"Be careful" the other said and left.
Selene could hear the excited muttering of the former as it made about, packing his coins. Payment. Betrayal.
Selene skipped from the bush, broke a fallen twig loudly and froze
"Who's there?" Came the panicked voice of the man. She tensed and crouched, her heart pounding in fright.
She could hear a blade unsheathed and she prepared to scream out.
The thud of Manu foot came, she rushed behind the bark of the large oak tree, pulling her gown tightly about her.
Four warriors came from the forest fields and went into the tunnel. She listened closely as pleasantries were passed.
Another warrior came from the same tunnel, his eyes calm but cautious, quietly searching, his pocket holding too much weight and a black cloak in his hands.
He wore the Sol badge proudly.
Selene held her gasp and stood flat against the tree, her heart pounding.
When the east entrance was quiet enough, Selene left with a forced graceful walk. She strolled lazily past the field and only quickened her steps when she had come to the open field.
She took quick strides to the palace entrance and failed to acknowledge the bowing door man as she all but fled up her room.
She threw open her door and yelped
"I do not think I am so ugly Riverland princess" the Lord said with an amused grin
"You startled me" she scolded with a frown.
"Aye. I did not mean to" he replied and stepped aside, letting her walk into the chamber and closed the door after her.
"I came to ask if you would accompany me to the town. I have business there. Then I could get you dresses" he said
Selene looked at the Lord she could swore had gone mad yet again. Dresses?
"Do you not like them. Women live pretty things" he said, frowning at her own frown.
"I will assume you did not come here to insult me my Lord" she said
"No" was his short reply.
Selene sat in the bed and caught her breathe. She should tell him immediately, she thought.
The Governess was betraying him. Feeding his people, her people as well to walkers. Turning her own men also? What for? Would they be stronger? She could remember the powerful man that had slapped her and held her like a feather. Were they plagued. She had heard tales of the walkers being 'alive' walking as men and gaining strength. Like the vile woman the Lord had been besotted with?
"I see I am not needed as a company in any way. I will be at the town. I shall return before supper" the Lord's voice came
"No!...I was merely deep in thoughts. We could go to the town of that will please you my Lord"
" Have I said you call me by birth name when we are alone?" The Lord asked
"I apologise" she said ....nervous...wanting to speak. To tell him if he went to war with Kiro he would be wrong, doomed. His sister was the viper.
"I have something to tell you my Lord" she began
"What would that be? Your choice of silk and satin? You would discuss that with the best seamstress in the kingdom of Sol" he said with a tender smile
"No...do you want to war? I must warn you..."
"I will not war child. War is far away. I have ensured the manor remains safe. There will be no more deaths. The towns have been quarantined too. You are safe" he said, his voice solemn and firm
Selene nodded, swallowing her words. He wasn't going to war yet.
She would tell him, if any one else died she would tell him
"Who told you women fall for dresses and not good character?" Selena asked, goading
"No...no one" the Lord stammered, looking elsewhere
"I will not need a dress anytime soon. You could instead give to the maid servants. Some of the uniforms need repair" she answered
"You do not want my gifts?" The Lord asked with a slight frown
" A woman can never have too many dresses" he said
Selene sighed
"If it is willful. I would rather a seamstress fits me here in the manor. The town is far off and I do not feel like moving in this cold" she said
"As you wish. The seamstress will be at the manor any day you wish" the Lord replied with a nod
Silence ensued
"What does it mean?" Selene blurted
"What ?" The Lord asked
"We ..what are we?" Selene asked
"We...you are mine as I am yours. I want you. I know you my sweet child, wants me too" the Lord replied lowly and bent to capture her breath.
Selene relaxed against him. The sure cage of his embrace folding her softly.
He turned her to the bed and let her fall slowly.
Straddling her, he pulled away to look at her face.
He turned to unlace and drop his boot. The shoe falling with a thud.
The Lord turned to search for her shoes, he found none. Her feet was caked in dirt and snow, wet.
"Do you have a habit of walking without shoes?" He asked
Selene turned red and looked away.
The Lord carried her gently to the washroom. Dropping her into an empty pot. She watched as he opened the barrels.
He went to her. Selene gulped
He kissed her once again and pulled off her loose dress over her head.
Leaving her in a light chemise.
Selene resisted the urge to cover her exposed body. It pleased the Lord by the way he was staring at her and she basked in the attention.
He filled the tub with very warm water and she'd his clothes as well. Not leaving one on as he went into the small pot as well. The water cuddling them both, space very little.
Edgar pulled the child into his arms and laid his head on her hair. She melt of burnt lavender oil.
He inhaled slowly and could feel his tension ebbing away. The visit to the chief would have to wait.
He sat more comfortable against the small pot and held her, slightly displeased that he could bath a hot water, she would surely scream out.
He held her against him, her soft body on his. The water creating a world from from Sol and the regions. He thought on lust. Climax and princesses as he closed his eyes. She could hear her faintly playing with the water. Splashing slowly and moving it.
Her hands shy and unable to touch him where he wanted to bro touched the most.
The could feel sleep coming despite the solid night rest he had.
Selene turned to stare at the Lord. He closed her eyes as he breathed lowly. Was he sleeping? Selene doubted, it was just noon.
She would tell him once he woke. Right here in the wash pot.
She would tell him all she and heard. She was sure it would help him and end his pointless worries and lose of men. A poison was merely within his own bottle. Under his wing. His very blood.
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The fire had been kindled not long. It was still burning, warming the room and casting a bright glow over it.
She sat up on her bed and frowned. It was dark. She had slept no doubt. Beside her there was no Lord.
She was asleep in a night dress not her wet chemise. Had the Lord dressed her or a maid? She could feel her core tingle with the thought that the Lord had touched her.
She went to the dresser and pulled on a thick shawl over her shoulders.
She slipped into a low slippers and strectched to steal a single candle from the high stands.
She turned to the door when a knock came.
Selene calmed her heart and opened her chest. She found her dagger missing.
Selene looked at the door again. There was another low tap. Very low.
She was consoled, any harm would not knock on her door.
"Who is it?" She asked
"The Lord had asked to see you my lady" came the male voice.
Selene heaved a sigh of relief.
The Lord wanted to spend the night with her, she would tell him them.
"Enter" she said.
The door opened to reveal a large man, he wore the Sol badge and a lantern was in his hands.
Selene dropped her candle on the table, it had no use.
She left the room and it was closed by the man who followed her closely behind.
The Lord door stood only four Chambers away. The mahogany the thickest and largest. Two men stood even at the darkest hours. He was an emperor. His life above all else.
"He is in the throne room my lady" came the voice as she neared the Lord's door.
Selene turned to look at the man. He held an apologetic smile and held the lantern high.
Selene pulled her shawl tighter and walked on.
She had just turned to the throne room when the wariness came.
"The Lord had never sent for her so late. He'd come himself.
She turned to the man again. He smiled.
She stared at him. He was at the entrance of the tunnel
"It is rather cold. I will wear a thicker dress then return" Selene said and made for the hall again
"We are here already, the Lord will not wait" he said
"He should" Selene replied and stole another glance at the empty throne room
"I'm afraid she can't" he said
"She?" Selene asked, her heart in her hand
"Yes" the man said and threw the lantern in her.
Selene yelled as the hot oil rolled on her shawl, she threw it off hurriedly as the man grabbed her. Forcing a bottled potion down her mouth and she fell into oblivion.