Lady In Red

35

"I have already made the decision. You may take Fredrick, Clara and any one of those guards with you if you wish to leave the castle. I cannot have anyone lay a finger on you." he whispered cupping my cheek with his hand and kissing me.

I hardly think anyone can come closer to me because of him.

But I nodded in hesitation to satisfy him. I didn't want him to be angry.

After that week...as I continued my work....my mind would wander to what happened the night before.

Ever since we did it the first time. The king didn't spare me. He would find every reason to touch me.

There wasn't a night we didn't sleep bare in those sheets after that.

He would rip my gowns off and forbade me from wearing them when he was sleeping next to me.

After that week he left the castle for a few days regarding some investigations.

I suddenly realized how I had started to feel empty without him around.

~*~

"Shall I call for something warm, Madam? Perhaps ginger tea?"

I looked at Lady Regina but she shook her head.

"Are you unwell?" I asked

She had become much more comfortable around me as we spent more time during dusk. I would often invite her to my garden for tea and we would read the books we preferred in silence.

"No Madam, I am well." She said pressing her kerchief to her mouth.

I ran my eyes down her temple to her cheeks. Lady Regina was quite the beauty herself. She had dark hair, her skin reminded me of honey as it shined under the sunlight with a golden tint. Her eyes were big and beautiful. I wondered why such a beauty of the castle carried herself with isolation and gave the perception of a brooder. I didn't wish to pry in her personal life. But I was worried after my eyes settled on her visibly wounded hands.

"Your hands.."

She was startled as I grabbed her palms and found marks on her wrists. She immediately retreats her hand covering them back with her sleeves My obvious questioning stare moved to her maid but she was already looking at her mistress as concerned as me.

"Who did this?" I could feel my anger rising.

I knew she was weak, I had heard from the place maids how she was but a fragile girl put under immense pressure by the kingdom. She has a weak body, so seeing a wound on the Eldest princess in the kingdom was a shock to me.

"I-I had a minor accident.-"

I didn't believe her. I knew those types of wounds. I had seen it on many soldiers.

When your hands are in shackles, or held so hard they create deep impressions.

"Lady Regina. This isn't a wound you get by accident. " I spoke turning my body towards her but I noticed Fred standing some steps away from us. Our eyes met, possibly giving him an insight to my worries as he nodded slightly and walked away.

I might have spoken out of turn. It was none of my business. Yet, I couldn't find the strength to stop.

This time I glance back at her maid.

"Have you not been attending to your mistress?" I ask politely.

I tried to hide my anger but in vain.

The maid, startled at my question immediately responded by bowing her head.

"No, Your Majesty. I am always..."

"Madam. She isn't at fault. I am just clumsy-"

"She must attend to your needs as frivolous they might be. "

" I understand. I shall be careful."

I sat in silence. I knew she wasn't truthful. But I would only make her hate it if I pry any further. Instead I took her to garden of herbs. Perhaps she might feel better having the scent of fresh herbs around.

I smiled as she smelled the lavender.

"I plan on harvesting these and giving them to place maids. They are growing incessantly."

She laughed.

"Ever since Your Majesty asked these to be planted they have brought some grace into the inside gardens," Lydia said cutting some off and putting them in a basket before handing them to the princess's maid.

"I will be harvesting my herbs soon too. Feel free to come to get them whenever you like." she nodded smiling.

It was the day after when I sat across my garden writing a letter to my mother when I noticed Fred walk in.

"Leave us," I said and the two maids behind me left except Lydia.

He bowed his greetings before showing me a disappointed face.

"My reports say perhaps, Lady Regina is being suppressed by General Vincent. He has access to the personal chambers of their family. It is also confirmed he was and currently is an advisor for the King's mother and his Highness Raphael, His Majesty's younger brother. It seems that she has been forbidden from being involved in court affairs. And General Vincent planned on marrying her to his son but the engagement was halted due to your coronation."

My head suddenly starts fitting in the loose puzzles.

"Is...is there any sign of...abuse?" I asked softly running the top of my finger over my tea cup rim.

I was hoping for a no.

His silence gave it away.

"General Vincent is a tyrant as they all call him. He likes the power he has. I wouldn't dare speculate." he paused.

Such a political answer.

"You amaze me with your neutral answers Fred."

"I dare not accuse before confirming" He said with his head hung low.

I nodded.

There was silence as I sighed leaning in my chair and rubbing my temple in frustration. I tried to get some water before Fred stepped in to pour some for me.

"Should I inform The King's men"

I looked up and shook my head," I do not know whether I can involve myself in this matter,Fred."

He only nodded and stepped back before haulting his step and looking at the garden gates.

"Oliver" I acknowledged his bow as he walked towards me and kneels before me.

"What is it?"

"I wish to report something to your highness"

Since there was no one but Fred and Lydia beside me I sit up in my chair and nod.

He stayed kneeling with his head down. I saw him blink before he lifts up his gaze.

"I have been observing Lady Regina these past days under Sir Frederick's command. General Clark seeks her audience quite often. In their personal library. He has been persuading the Lady to marry. And his tone is...much lower than respectful. "

My eyebrows creased. I felt my heart drop as I heard that.

"He slapped her. "

My eyes immediately met Fredrick.

"You witnessed it?" Fred spoke out with a strict tone but Oliver's stern nod indeed confirmed what I feared.

"On what basis does these conversations usually go on? "

Or... The abuse. May I say.

"I assume he forbade the Lady from involving herself in any court affairs. He seems displeased. He asked her to resign her post and marry within the end of next month."

"Was there anyone else present-" Fred's question was answered swiftly. .

"Yes sir."

I was utterly disturbed by that news. I made haste towards the dining hall as the King waited for me. As my heart fluttered at the thought of being next to him. My stomach however felt guilty of knowing Lady Regina's condition yet having no proof to present this situation to the King.

I suppose there would be much rebelling if I were just go upto him and say General Clark was a hateful of a man.

We had nothing to help her unless. She herself admitted to it. Or... The person who was with them. And I knew no one would speak up for the princess.