The way it is to go

Four

I lay in bed staring at my ceiling. My stomach was full of dinner. I stood to draw my bath, with rose petals to remind me of Ruby's scent. She smelled of flowers. At the thought of her, I smiled. I was glad I knew her. I bathed and styled my hair, just for fun. Then I looked into my eyes in my mirror. A wave of anger flickered there. I was left to wonder what it was as I changed into my night clothes and plopped on my bed. I knew Mother would shame me for it, but she wasn't here. I stretched out and lay there. I couldn't sleep, I didn't know why. Sighing, I stood. Maybe a walk would do me good.

   Walking through the village, I came across Ruby's husband's house once more. I knocked. He peeked through the window and opened the door wide, "Welcome Sir! What brings you here?" He smiled brightly. Like nothing was going better in his life. I quickly prayed to my God and grandfather for what I was about to do. "May I come in for tea? I wanted to check in after Ruby's passing." He looked down as if he was hurting from her loss. I should've killed him then, but I knew I must wait. "Of course. Come, sit here." I stood tall and followed him to his kitchen. I'd need a knife. I was going for a stealthy, quiet kill.

  He looked back at me. "Sir, with all due respect, this is my home and I asked you to sit in the living room." I chuckled and looked down upon him, he flinched. "If you have nothing to hide, it should be fine." I laughed so he thought I was joking. He let out a sigh, "Sir, of course, I'm not." I nodded once. "Where is your restroom?" He pointed to the hall, "First door on the right." I bowed briefly, "I don't want any sugar in my tea tonight." He nodded, "Of course sir." I looked back to make sure he wasn't looking and scanned each room quickly and quietly. In the back bedroom, a woman seemed to be sitting in the corner, as if she was hiding. I quietly backed out, shook my head, and went to the bathroom. I flushed the toilet, washed my hands, and walked back out to him.

   "So, it's late." I sat down and looked at him, "It is, yes. But I've been busy and so this is one of the only times I could stop by." He nodded and looked to the floor concentrating, "I see. So are you alright? I knew how close you two must've been for the fact that she was your maid." He pretended to look heartbroken. Any normal person would think he was hurting, but me? I could see straight through his little games. I cleared my throat, "We were. I'm the one who found her. I needed air so I went out to the battlefield and as I was coming back in, she lay there. Someone had stabbed her and left her to die." I looked down. I was truly hurting. I missed her so much. As I looked back up, I felt a hand on my shoulder. When I turned, no one was there. I knew it was Ruby and I eased a little.

  I leaned back, showing him I was at ease. He stood to take my glass to the sink and I followed now was the time to do so. I put on my glove and grabbed the knife from the island counter behind me. As soon as he placed down the glasses, I covered his mouth and slit his throat. That was the fastest and quietest way I could think of at the moment. He did not attempt to move. That meant my work here was done. A sly smile came across my face and I quickly walked out with the door locked. I let out a deep breath, then I banged on the door to make it seem as if I was in a panic to get in. I kicked the door down and yelled in the house, "Is anyone else in here!" I then sighed and ran over to his lifeless body. "Mr. Robinson! Wake up! Don't worry, I'll take you to the hospital. Don't let go!" As I picked up his limp body and made my way out, the female ran out of the house. I quickly ran and caught up to her, "You there? You were the only one here. What did you do?" She shivered, "Not a thing, Sir. I was asleep." I looked down upon her with a menacing gaze, "Do not lie to me, woman. Come with me, now." I grabbed her arm and yanked her.  "Help me carry him." I made sure she knew that I was in charge. She picked up his legs, while I grabbed his head and we made our way to my home. "I'm sure he's already one but we must try."

   We made it to the hospital wing and I ran to get the head nurse and doctor. "He couldn't have been there long." I gave the woman a side glance. If I couldn't find something else, I'd have to put the blame on her or make it look like a suicide. I looked to the head nurse and doctor, "It had to have been either her or a suicide." The nurse looked at me and nodded. "I'll have to look into it. But from what I can see, he's gone already." I let out a saddened sigh. "First Ruby, now him. Who is going to be next? Unless it was someone wanting revenge. If it wasn't her, someone could've been hiding. Waiting for me to leave, and not knowing she was there." The nurse turned to the woman, "Who are you, miss?" She looked shocked. "I, well, I'm just an old friend. I was checking up on him after I heard about his wife." She had them fooled. But not me. "Alright. Well miss, please have a seat. I'm sure his highness can give you a room to stay in." I nodded. "Sit here and wait. I'll be back. Ma'am, keep your eye on her." The nurse nodded and went to work inspecting his body.

      I spoke with Mother and Father so they knew this woman was staying in one of the guest rooms. Walking back to get her, I figured I should just keep her in my room. That way I could keep an eye on her. But I'm sure that'd look bad upon me. I didn't care. I walked in and took her hand, "Come with me." She took my hand and obeyed. "You'll be staying in my room. That way I can keep an eye on you." "Sir, that's fine. Just know I didn't do anything. I wouldn't." I eyed her, "I'm not taking any chances. I'm also not saying I do or don't believe you. Just know that they were very close to me. Especially Ruby. Did you know she was pregnant?" She looked at me, "No Sir, I didn't. He never told me a thing about that." She looked pained. She must not have known of Ruby at all.  We came across my room. "You may sleep in the bed. I'll be on my sofa." She shook her head, "With all due respect, I'll take the sofa." I nodded. Letting go of her hand, I opened my bathroom. "Clean yourself up and then go to sleep. I'll be up reading." She got up and did as she was told. I lay in my bed reading until she fell asleep, before falling asleep myself.