The Rivalry Chapter 8

40.5K 1K 28
                                    

"So, have you thought about it yet?" My mother asked during dinner. It was just me, her, and father.

"Mother, the ball was yesterday. How could I have possibly made any sort of decision, even interest in a decision, already?"

"I didn't ask if you had chosen. I asked if you have thought about it, now answer my question," she said sternly.

"Yes, I have. Father, how are negotiations going with the neutral lands?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Well, they're called 'the neutral lands' for a reason. There is no changing their minds. They will not join any sort of alliance with us. I fear the LeHarce's may try to bribe them," he said, shaking his head.

"I wish this was over with. What started this whole feud anyways?" I asked, I had never been told.

"You'll find out when you need to know," he said and started again on his food.

"Yes, father." I could feel the frustration bubbling within me - I was soon to be Queen, I felt that a good reason to need to be informed.

*****

"Ouch!"

I wasn't paying attention to my candle and I spilled hot wax all down my arm. I was in my father's study, trying to find some sort of current information about the rivalry situation.

Nothing of any use.

There was only a few meaningless letters, including one about one of my servants being executed. That surprised me.

Executed? I wonder what they had done, it had to have been serious for that penalty.

I exited the study and walked back to my chambers, blowing out my candle and falling into a deep sleep.

*****

"Vivian, do you know which one of my servants was...let go...?" I asked, as she was pinning my hair up the next day.

"Well, talk among the rest of the servants says she was from Nevaria, a spy or something. I doubt she got any useful information. Information isn't often intercepted from here is it?"

"I don't think so. It's a surprise she was even able to get into the position in the castle. What are those nasty creatures up to now," I said with disgust on my tongue and stress strangling my insides.

"I do not know mistress...I do not know."

Once she finished, I got up and joined my mother and father for breakfast.

"Good morning mother, father," I said giving them both a hug.

"Morning," was all my father said, he was already eating.

"Good morning darling, you look very nice." My mother said with a smile of approval. I was wearing one of the gowns she bought me personally, she loved it when I wore items she picked out.

I heard my mother's sudden inhale,

"Lynnae! What did you do to your arm???" my mother said, grabbing my wrist.

"I burnt it...candle wax," I said.

"Doing what?"

"I was, well...I'm sorry. Father, I was in your study. I was looking for some stationary, I had run out and I was going to write to Kathryn."

"Did you find any??" he asked, suddenly very intense and very interested in the conversation, knowing he was wondering if I stumbled "accidentally" upon something I shouldn't have.

"No, sadly. But I heard the maidens in the hallway talking this morning, one of them was executed?" I asked.

"Yes. She was taken care of," he said gruffly.

"May I ask why?" I asked, looking at my father.

"No," was all he said.

My mother looked at me with an apologetic look. I really wished he would tell me more.

That was the second night I dreamed about him.

I was straining to see in the darkness of my chamber but again, I could feel his presence there with me.

"Hello, Lynnae," Grant said, emerging from the shadows of the corner of my sleeping quarters. He walked over to my jewelry table and lit the candle there.

"Hello," I said, standing up, ignoring the fact that I should be highly embarrassed, I was only in my thin nightdress.

"How are you," he asked, as he strode over to me. His dark shirt was stretched taut across his defined chest. His slacks were also very dark. I looked up at him to find that he was examining my outfit as well..

"F-fine." I cursed my voice for cracking.

"I have something for you," he said, wrapping his arm around my waist.

"Oh?" I said. My hands were on his chest, stroking the soft fabric, reveling in my bravery.

"Yes. I thought of you when I saw it," he said, cupping my face in his hands.

"And?" I asked, my heart started to pound as I noticed his face coming dangerously close to mine, and he whispered into my ear,

"You truly are beautiful, you know." I could feel the heat pooling under the skin of my cheeks.

"Thank you," I said quietly, what else could I say?

His face was only mere inches from mine, I could smell his scent and I rested my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. My conscientious self was scolding me, I hated her for that.

He pulled me back from him a little bit, only enough to put a hand under my chin and lift my face up to his. He smiled his gorgeous smile.

After a moment he took my hand and put something cold into it. He then whispered, "I'll be with you soon." And he turned and retreated back into the darkness.

I lay half awake the next morning, reluctant to face the beginning of the day. I rolled over, to try to fall back asleep.

That's when I noticed my hand was curled around something. I opened my eyes, uncurled my fist, and looked at it. It was the emerald necklace from the market. But I didn't buy it, I didn't have any coins at the time.

And then I remembered my dream. But...that was impossible. There was no way, was there? No. He couldn't have gotten into my chambers. I was asleep, I was sure of it. He couldn't possibly have gotten into the palace and even if he did, there was no way he could have known which chamber was mine. I lay the pendant necklace on my jewelry table as I went to take my morning bath. I was trying to wrap my head around the whole ordeal. I didn't know what to think.

Vivian entered, helped me dress and I soon returned to my chambers. I walked over to my jewelry table. The necklace was gone. Where had it gone? I swear I had just set it here moments ago.

Just then, Vivian delivered another letter, one that was dropped off as I was bathing.

On the paper was a neatly written message.

'Come to the lake, I'll be waiting.'

Nothing made sense. Roren had written the letters, hadn't he? Surely, for we had taken a ride to the lake before and now he was inviting me out again. But in my dream, Grant gave me the necklace which was now gone. Had I imagined the entire thing?

The RivalryWhere stories live. Discover now