The plague-ridden town was at the edge of Terrawyn, and only miles ahead was Edmund's domain, the duchy of Cindertrappe. Like the town we stopped by earlier, Cindertrappe also experienced yearlong winters, with only brief springs sandwiched tightly in between. For the time being, it was snowing heavily in Cindertrappe, while at my hometown in Rhyland, way down south, it was summer.
The carriage passed by rows and rows of shops and establishments, and I could see the folks bundled up in scarves and jackets, and only the pink tips of their noses could be seen poking out. The buildings were dark and menacing, and each house was surrounded by incredibly tall and sharp fences. The tip of the fence was narrower than a needle, and I could only imagine what it would feel like if someone were to get impaled by it.
There were small carts set up on the streets, and a delicious, warm smell wafted in the air. I could see people flocking around the carts, and the vendor opened a large pot, releasing steam into the air.
"What is that man selling?" I asked Edmund, pointing at the cart.
"Ah, that. During winters, many vendors would sell hot foods, such as beef or chicken stew, porridge and sweet red bean soup. Over here, they do not crave for ice-cream like you do, Anne," he chuckled. As he spoke, the carriage grew nearer to the cart, and the smell of the braised meat and spices made my mouth water. "You should've just told me that you are hungry," he said amusedly and patted my head gently.
He then slid a small divider open and handed a few coins to the horseman, and not long after, he came back with several bowls of hot broth. We gave three to Claudie and her children, one for the horseman, and two for Edmund and I. I had been starving for two days now, as all that was available to eat was the cold, bland rations that Edmund brought with him. He had brought cheese and jam along with the wheat bread, but I could see that Claudie's children were absolutely famished and starved, so I let them eat it all.
The broth was warm and tempting, and it tasted strongly of peppercorn and ginger. It was quite gamey, but I was so hungry that I did not mind. I gulped down the hot soup in seconds, but I noticed that Edmund had not even touched it, not a single mouthful.
"You can give it to me if you don't want it," I said while nudging him, and he passed it to me with a grave expression. I gave him a concerned look, and asked, "What's wrong Edmund?"
"I must halt our trades with Terrawyn as soon as possible. I don't want the plague to reach my people, Anne," he sighed while pinching his nose bridge. "I shall send word to your father that you are safe, but I cannot let you return to the capital yet. I must make sure that you are not infected, Anne. In fact, I won't let any of my people leave. It is too dangerous."
"Then, for how long shall I stay here?" I asked.
"A month at most. But you do not need to worry, Anne. I will make sure that you will be very comfortable here," he assured, but I already stopped caring when I heard the word 'month'.
"A month? What will I tell my father then?" I panicked and buried my face in my hands. My reputation would be ruined then, and Lisbeth and Corinne would rejoice at my destruction.
"I am your betrothed, Anne. I'll just say that I wanted to show you around here before we are wed," Edmund chuckled. I then noticed that he lied a lot, although most of his lies are intended to protect me. But what if one day he lies to implicate me?
In the late evening, we finally arrived at Sterling Castle, where Edmund had resided for the past fifteen years of his life. The castle was fairly new and built in the gothic style of the past century. The stone walls were vividly white, the arches tall and looming, and there were massive windows spread all over the walls. It was very different compared to our own Winterbourne Castle down south, which was warm and airy, with small man-made pools and surrounded by flower beds, handpicked from the finest breeds.
Nevertheless, it was very cozy inside Sterling Castle, and there were luxurious carpets laid on the floor, and based on the intricate designs, I could tell that they came from Persia. Carpets from Persia were notoriously expensive, and Father could only get one for me to put it in my room, but here Edmund is putting them in his hallway.
I was given a bedroom, a tray of food and a nightdress, and was told to rest for the night. I changed into the nightdress and ate, ensured the fire was lit and crawled into bed. The bed was incredibly soft and comfortable, so I slept very soundly that night. The next morning however, I woke up feeling terribly cold, and my feet were numb and freezing.
I groggily wandered down the hallway in search of a servant, but instead of a servant, I found a young woman strutting down the hall, wearing a corset so tight that even I felt suffocated. She was ethereally beautiful, and had long ginger locks that were plaited neatly, unblemished white skin and large, vivid grey eyes.
"You must be Edmund's fiancée," she said with a smile. I frowned, as this woman was dressed like a commoner, but had the audacity to refer to a royal duke by his first name.
"I believe you mean His Grace, Duke of Cindertrappe," I corrected sarcastically, but instead of becoming angry, she only laughed.
"When in bed, he prefers me to call him by his name. Titles are long and troublesome, don't you think so Lady Anne?" she giggled. Her voice was soft and sweet, but her words were like knives stabbing my ears.
"Well, what is a common harlot like you doing here?" I said through gritted teeth, attempting to hide the tremble of my voice due to extreme anger.
Her face lit up and her cheeks shone bright red. "Edmund has been away for so long. I am certain that he misses my company. He sure is unlucky, to be betrothed to a child like you. You wouldn't know how to please him," she taunted.
I was revolted by her words, but I knew that I had another trump card, one that she did not have. "At least I would not be cast off like a dirty rag once I am old. My family shall assist me, but what about you? Will you wander the streets with a bastard child, begging others for money to buy bread? Don't kid yourself, woman."
At last I saw a glimpse of anger in her eyes, but in an instant, it morphed into sadness. "My lord!" she cried and ran past me. I turned around, only to see her laying her head onto Edmund's chest, wrapping her arms around him tightly.
"Oh, Edmund! She called our Thalia a bastard! And she told me to go beg in the streets like a vermin! I know I am not a noble lady like her, but this is way too much!" she wept into his chest, while I watched the entire scene unfold like a fool.
Edmund tried to push her off, but she was already stuck onto him like a leech. She bawled even louder, and Edmund decided to console her, putting yet another thorn in my chest.
"Lacey, please stop this. Thalia is long dead!" he said, but the woman, named Lacey apparently, shook her head and continued to wail. I did not want to believe what I was seeing and hearing, but I could still see that Edmund was reluctant to push her away, as if he cared for that wench.
"Brava," I said weakly. "Brava, Edmund!"
I was terribly hurt, betrayed, and disappointed. "My father told me that I could trust you, that you would treat me well, but we're not even wed yet and you've already bedded a whore!" I shouted.
"You impregnated a harlot and had a bastard child, and you proposed to me as if nothing had happened! If I had done the same with a boy, I would have been drawn and quartered!"
Lacey then gasped loudly and held her hands over her mouth, as if she had been severely wronged. "My daughter, my Thalia, had died because of you! All because of-"
She then started to gasp for air and tremble, as if she were about to topple down anytime. Edmund was quick to catch her, and she fainted in his arms. It was a beautiful scene, as if it had come out from a painting. A lovely, wronged damsel laying weakly in the arms of her strong, handsome lover. Meanwhile, I was the dark, evil crone who stood in between of their pure, forbidden love.
Edmund patted her cheeks gently, trying to wake her up. I take it as a sigh that he has chosen her. He chose this harlot over me. I let out a slow sigh and said, "I shall stay at the inn for the rest of my stay in this province. After a month, I will send for my father's men to take me back to the capital. And do not worry, I shall ensure that our engagement will be called off, and you will be free to marry this woman."
Edmund opened his mouth to protest, but I no longer wanted to believe anything that comes out from that pretty mouth of his, so I walked away with a heavy heart.