A Maid's Story
Expectations
Dinner was just about ready and the Journalist was already eating up everything the Old Lady was telling him. He got the feeling her story was almost over, yet there was so much left to tell. The Journalist got the feeling that there was much she wasn't telling him. He didn't seem to care, as what the Old Lady was telling him was gold.
As the Old Lady served dinner, a thought ran across the Journalist's mind. In truth, he had been wondering it since the beginning but didn't want to offend his hostess. Of course, after all he told her, he felt he had at least some right to ask this question. The Journalist tried to think of the best way to ask it without offending the Old Lady. The Old Lady poured wine into a glass for the Journalist with an innocent look, but in her mind she had a feeling of what her guest was about to ask her. It wasn't like this was the first time she had been asked.
"Ma'am…" the Journalist cleared his throat and closed his notepad. Though he didn't plan on publishing whatever answer she gave him, he just had to know the answer if not to satisfy his own curiosity. "Your son, Liam, is about thirty years old, am I correct?" he asked, nervously.
The Old Lady nodded. "Next summer, yes." She murmured, pouring herself some wine.
"Ma'am, if I offend you, I wish you to tell me so. I want you to know I won't publish anything said between us while my notepad is closed. But I must know…" the Journalist scooted closer to the Old Lady, not hearing the sounds of footsteps coming up the cobblestone path toward the house. "…Liam's father…"
Before the Journalist could finish his question, the front door opened slowly, revealing a young man in his late twenties. He was a slender, tall man with hair as black as night and eyes as green as the forest. He wore his vest tight and his slacks looked like they needed to be taken in a bit. He had a classical look to him, and his face reminded the Journalist of a portrait he had once seen. The young man looked confused and angry that his mother had company when she should have been in bed.
"Mother…" the young man glared at the Journalist as he walked inside. "…who is this?"
"Yes, this is perfect…" King Logan whispered with his hand on Rayanne's abdomen. Rayanne's belly had begun to swell and it was getting harder to hide her pregnancy from the other servants. The child growing within her was coming along well and she was already starting to feel the effects of pregnancy.
Most mornings, Rayanne had a hard time getting up. Most of the time it wasn't until late morning that Rayanne was up and about. The doctor told her by the size of her stomach and the date that the symptoms had started, Rayanne was more than likely no more than three months along.
Rayanne had been in the King's study for about an hour now. He had called her in, but didn't discuss anything with her when she walked in. When she walked in, her newly swollen belly caught his attention. Three months along and her belly was starting to poke out. Rayanne was still rail thin, but she felt heavy. Her breasts were starting to swell as well and her bras didn't fit well anymore.
The child within Rayanne could have been sired by the king or a guard. She tried to voice this concern to King Logan, who wouldn't hear anything of the sort. "This child is to be a prince or princess." He whispered as he kissed Rayanne's belly. "He or she will have hero blood coursing through their veins. Our child will be groomed from birth for the throne." Logan announced to Rayanne.
Rayanne wanted to say something, but she decided against it. "I hope it has your looks." Logan chuckled as he stood back up. "You have a classical look about you that would suit a child better than the tired look of the king."
Again, Rayanne said nothing. She could tell by his eyes that King Logan was plotting something. It looked to Rayanne that he had already figured out her child's future before it was even born. Rayanne hadn't even started looking at baby names yet and King Logan was already planning this child's life! Rayanne didn't know what else she could stomach. Surely the kingdom would be suspicious of the king just "suddenly" having an heir. Rayanne had no idea how King Logan was going to pull this off.
"I would stay longer, but I have a meeting with Major Swift." Logan murmured, straightening himself out. "…but before I go, I have something for you…" King Logan walked over to a table and lifted up a box. Rayanne noticed the box when she walked in, but didn't say anything. The box was wooden and had intricate designs on it. King Logan opened the box and presented Rayanne with some of the most precious jewels she had ever seen.
She stared at herself in the mirror for a good long while as the King draped precious gems around her neck and wrists. It was like he was preparing her for something. The jewelry selection was magnificent, obviously no expense spared. Lovely jewels meant for royalty obviously, but on a maid, Rayanne felt ridiculous. Logan gasped her shoulders and admired her reflection. "You've done more than enough to earn these. You've proven yourself a worthy ally to me, and you're undying loyalty will not go unrewarded. There are things you know and you keep them to yourself, and you obey me without question, as a good maid does. Obedient, unquestioning, and…" King Logan inhaled deeply as Rayanne shivered. "…beautiful…"
King Logan once again put his hand on Rayanne's belly. "This is only a taste of what is coming to you, Little Maid." He whispered. "I have sent for Albion's best interior designer and we will have a nursery made out within a few months when he is finished with a current contract. When our child is born, I will see to it that they are groomed for the throne. I won't be around forever, and I want to make sure the kingdom will be in safe hands when I die. Everything is going according to plan…"
As the King admired Rayanne, and as Rayanne tried not to feel like an idiot, an eye peeked in through the slightly ajar door to the study. This eye watched King Logan's hands caress Rayanne's shoulders as she touched the jewels nervously. The King was trying to make a Queen out of a maid, and the owner of this spying eye looked on.
Abigail took a few steps back and placed her hand over her mouth. "Miss Marigold was right…" she whispered. "The King has been up to something with Rayanne and he has been buying her silence. By the size of those gems, Rayanne's silence doesn't come cheap. I knew there was something going on and if Rayanne thinks she can become queen then…" Abigail huffed and tried to think. Her cheeks red, she got an idea and ran off before Rayanne or the King could realize she was there.
"Major Swift is coming to report to me about the situation in Mourningwood. Honestly, I wasn't expecting him to survive." Logan's sense of humor made Rayanne uncomfortable. "I'm so impressed by his dealing with the hollow man problem that I've been thinking of sending him to the mountains to deal with that mercenary problem."
A light bulb went off in Rayanne's head at that moment. If Major Swift was going to the mountains, then that could be beneficial to Rayanne. "I imagine if he can eradicate an unholy legion of the dead, then he could do wonders to the living." Rayanne murmured just loud enough for Logan to hear. He seemed to agree with her.
A guard came in to announce Major Swift's arrival and Logan sent Rayanne (and her new jewels) on her way. Rayanne walked down her own little walk of shame with the jewelry nuzzled safely in a small box. King Logan watched her, his eyes not leaving her as she walked away. She passed by the man she assumed was Major Swift. He had greying black hair and a very pronounced mustache that looked like it was groomed every day. Their eyes met only momentarily, but it was clear there was much these two needed to discuss.
Something told Rayanne that he knew more than he was willing to admit. How he could know anything was beyond her, but Rayanne knew that gossip spread fast among the guards. Not even the stoic Elite Force was immune to the contagious gossip that spread throughout the castle. Rayanne was starting to wonder who else knew her dirty little secret. She wondered who else knew the King had possibly impregnated a maid and was grooming her to be his Queen.
While most women would see this as a dream come true, Rayanne saw this as a nightmare unfolding. The man she truly loved was all the way in the mountains now and she wasn't even sure if he was the father of her unborn child. The other possible candidate was the King of Albion himself. She knew she would garner no sympathy from the other maids if she revealed this. The other maids didn't know she was pregnant but it was starting to get harder to keep it a secret.
They would want to know who the father was. She couldn't say Trent or else everyone would ask how she was able to see him. She couldn't say King Logan because no one would believe her. Even if they did, she'd be looked upon with contempt and jealousy. Rayanne knew she was alone now. Despite the life growing within her, Rayanne felt empty and alone.
Rayanne sat on her bed and took out her journal. She kept it in a safer place now and rarely wrote in it. Lately, she had been writing in her journal as if she was writing a letter. She didn't know how much longer she could keep her pregnancy a secret, and she was on her last page in her journal. Rayanne sighed softly. She took out a small piece of paper from her nightstand and wrote on it.
A few stray tear drops fell onto the paper as Rayanne closed her letter. She went to her desk and took out some wrapping parchment and some string. Rayanne placed the letter on top of the journal and wrapped her parcel tightly. She held it tightly and placed it beside her on the bed.
Rayanne placed her hand on her swelling belly and cried soft tears. "You'll never know your father, baby." She whispered softly. "…and for that, I am truly sorry…"
That Night
A puff of pipe smoke drifted into the night air. The night was clear, despite the coming rains forecasted. The smell of the air before any rain was relaxing and Major Swift enjoyed it very much in the castle garden. He decided to stay in the castle for a few days, if not for his own benefit. While most of the guards still saluted him, he knew it was hollow. The Elites only showed him courtesy before they were ordered to. Major Swift sighed, knowing most of the Elites were nothing but brainwashed young men.
He had commanded a few of these boys in better times, and felt remorseful that he had signed recommendations for some of these boys to join the Elites. Had he known the truth beforehand, Swift never would have signed a damn thing and now, he regretted sending some of these young men off to a fate worse than death.
"Ahh, my dear Queen Sparrow…" Major Swift sighed as his latest puff of pipe smoke drifted to the heavens. "…I fought by your side with Walter and Jasper and I promised to stand by your son. It is the only promise I regret making to you. But I still swore an oath to you, my Queen. I surely hope that you aren't watching what your kingdom is becoming. Your son is a good man, but something has corrupted him. And I believe he's spreading that corruption…"
At that moment, the soft pitter-patter of feet caught Swift's attention. Swift turned around and saw Rayanne in the company of two guards. Swift knew that Logan had recently assigned this particular maid with two of her own personal guards. Something told him he was about to find out why.
"Thank you, both of you. I will be in soon." Rayanne whispered. The guards nodded and walked inside to wait for her. "I apologize if I am disturbing you, Major."
Swift took another puff from his pipe and smiled. "It is no trouble at all, Miss Rayanne. I do enjoy company, even if it is a maid's. The company of the Head Maid makes it even better." He chuckled. "Now, I know a lady wouldn't be wondering around the garden at this time of night without a reason. You came to see me personally."
Rayanne nodded softly. "My guards told me you were here, so I decided to take a chance. I am in no way in a situation to ask for a favor of you, Major." Rayanne looked like she was having trouble finding the words she wanted to say. Major Swift knew something could turn out beneficial for him and the friends he had recently made. If anything, Swift was an opportunist. "But this might be my last chance, so please hear me out. I can't explain to you why, but the King has been keeping me and my maids in this castle and cut our lines of communication for fear of spies."
"Yes, I heard of that decree. I also heard about poor Miss Marigold. She was the head maid for a number of years but you were the first apprentice she actually took on. Whenever I came to the castle, she always had a few choice words for me and my muddy boots." Major Swift chuckled, putting the pipe back to his lips.
Rayanne smiled, remembering Miss Marigold fondly. "She was like a mother to me and the other maids. But she's gone and I know it's my fault. I can't go into details, but I feel the guilt every day. Major Swift, I am sure King Logan has announced that he intends to send you to the mountains."
Major Swift nodded. "Yes, he informed me today when I arrived. I leave in a week's time."
Rayanne reached into her apron pocket and took out a wrapped parcel. "I am in no position to ask you for favors, but please grant me this. There is a soldier in the mountains named Trent Abernathy. I'm not sure exactly where his unit sent him, but I believe he is in Brightwall working as a town guard. Could you see that he gets this?"
Not knowing what to say, Major Swift looked deep into Rayanne's eyes. He felt he could see the entire situation from just her eyes. He always made a habit of reading people. A trick he learned in the army to help weed out spies. He looked down at Rayanne for a moment when she rubbed her stomach sadly. Suddenly, everything seemed clear. Swift's eyes widened and he nodded, taking the parcel from Rayanne. Major Swift smiled and winked at Rayanne. "I will have it sent ahead in the morning, Miss Rayanne. And don't worry. You don't owe me a thing."
With a bittersweet smile, Rayanne took his hand into hers. "Thank you, Major Swift. You have no idea what it means to me."
Major Swift watched Rayanne leave the garden to her two awaiting guards. Major Swift held the parcel in his hand and looked around. Making sure no Elites were around, Major Swift made his way to the garden gate. He made a soft whistling sound, which made a soldier hiding in the nearby bushes emerge. He would indeed have this parcel sent ahead, but not before sending it on a quick errand to some friends. He handed the parcel to the soldier, along with a letter of his own. "See that these fall into the right hands, and that the package is sent to the person addressed when SHE is done with it…"
Major Swift wasn't aware of a peeper in the flower beds nearby as he waved the young soldier on his way. He had turned his head slightly toward a flower bush, but shrugged off the odd sensation and went back towards the castle. Major Swift had a lot to get ready for.
A certain maid kept her head low. Whatever was going on, she decided to put a stop to it. Not for Albion, of course…
A few days later…
"…and I heard this bash will be the biggest yet!" Trina whispered to Noelle.
"I had a feeling that Reaver couldn't help but spill out his latest party plans to the King. Secret society party, my foot! As if King Logan would actually go to one of those parties. I haven't seen King Logan leave the castle in years. He barely goes out to the garden." Noelle retorted.
Trina and Noelle found themselves cleaning the grand staircase today. While waxing and polishing fell to the butlers, sweeping and dusting fell to the maids. "You know, I kind of like this." said Noelle, pushing some debris into a dust pan. "It's been so nice and quiet lately, I actually lost myself in my duties. It's kind of like when Miss Marigold was in charge."
Nodding, Trina finished dusting the bannister and smiled down at Noelle. "I had a feeling Rayanne would eventually get used to the role. It only took her the better half of almost two years." She laughed. Trina looked around to make sure no one was listening and following Noelle toward the dust bin. "Hey, have you noticed something off about Rayanne lately?" she asked softly.
"Now that you mention it, yes I have." Noelle replied. "For a while, she was all happy and smiley, and then she was depressed again. It's probably because of the cut contact to the rest of Albion. She must be so sad about losing contact with Trent. Now, I think she's gained weight."
"I think it has something to do with all the meetings she's been scheduled with the King. If you think he's running us ragged, imagine what he's doing to Rayanne." Trina sighed, crossing her arms. "Poor Rayanne looks so sick lately and King Logan has her doing all this manual labor. He doesn't care that he might kill another head maid." Trina snorted. Noelle nodded in agreement as Abigail approached them.
For once, Beatrice wasn't following behind her. "You girls don't know the half of it. Rayanne has been getting a little lazy lately, don't you think?" Abigail announced, having heard their every word.
"What are you talking about, Abigail?" Trina asked sharply. Without Beatrice to back her up, Abigail didn't look too threatening. "You're one to talk about Rayanne being lazy when you won't even lift a finger unless she threatens to take you to the King."
Abigail huffed and folded her arms. "Oh, she has more than the King's favor if you ask me. You think she's protecting us? Please, she's only out for herself just like the rest of us. Don't you think it's weird that the King is showing her so much favor? He barely talked to Miss Marigold, but he takes time out of his busy schedule to meet with Rayanne. Trust me, girls. Those meetings aren't about which kind of cleaner works best on tile floors or the best kind of polish for the throne. We're all pawns in the King's twisted game and Rayanne is the Queen." Abigail laughed as she walked away.
Trina and Noelle looked at each other and then at Abigail as she made her way down a hallway. They knew better than to believe anything Abigail said, but felt some truth behind her words. Trina leaned against the stair bannister and thought for a moment. "Do you think that she's insinuating…"
Noelle shook her head. "No, don't even think it. The King is many things, but not even he would lower himself to that level. But I must say Abigail is quite convincing. I mean, King Logan sees Rayanne more than he ever saw Miss Marigold when she was head maid. And did you notice those guards he has by her room every day?"
Trina nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I noticed the new muscle hanging around her room. I even noticed that new bedroom as well. Right down the hall from the Grand Chambers. Rayanne is our best friend. She tells us everything. But for once, she's not telling us something. I noticed she doesn't have her journal anymore. She used to keep that thing under lock and key, but now she just leaves her room open, even when those guards aren't around. I think it might be time to have a sit down with Rayanne."
In the study, Rayanne sat down to her simple lunch and tea with her guards hovering over her. "The King requested that you take your meals in the study from now on, Miss Rayanne." said one of the guards. "He said he will join you shortly."
Rayanne nodded and placed a napkin on her lap. Her belly was starting to protrude slightly and it was only a matter of time before she could hide it no more. Rayanne looked up when she heard a familiar pair of footsteps that didn't belong to the king. "No one is allowed in the study at this time." said her other guard.
A smile beamed across Rayanne's face when she saw Trina and Noelle. "It's alright, Milton. They are friends of mine." Rayanne chirped. The guard named Milton nodded to Rayanne and stepped aside and let the two maids enter.
"Milton…" Trina chuckled as the guard stared daggers at her.
"Don't let his name fool you; he's quite proficient with a rapier." Rayanne sighed, pretending to smile. "I'm sorry if I've been avoiding you two lately. Things have gotten quite weird." She murmured, hiding her protruding belly with her napkin.
"Yeah, weird. Like you take your lunch in the study instead of the servant's dining hall now." Noelle mentioned as she sat down. "…not to mention you have the muscle following you around now." Noelle pointed to Milton and Clyde (the name of the other guard) who stood in the doorway. "I didn't think a maid needed bodyguards."
Rayanne sighed and looked at Trina and Noelle with a look of shame. "Milton, Clyde, could you two wait outside while I talk to my friends, please? Let me know when the King enters the hallway."
Milton and Clyde nodded and left the study, closing the doors behind them. Trina and Noelle looked at each other and then to Rayanne. It took a while, but Trina finally started the conversation. "Rayanne, we've been friends since we were Little Maids. You were the first person to welcome us when Miss Marigold brought us here and you helped us learn the ropes. We've shared all our secrets since then, but lately it feels like you've been hiding something."
"We're worried about you, Rayanne." Noelle interjected. "You're the Head Maid, but lately we've barely seen you pick up a broom. I know you have more responsibilities now, but not even the King can be this concerned with the Castle's upkeep to keep on meeting with you. What is going on?"
Rayanne picked up her tea cup and saucer and tried to drink her tea. "You also look sick. Does it have to do with all the special treatment the King has been giving you?" Trina asked.
"And no offense, but you look like you've gained weight, too." Noelle tried not to be offending, but found it hard. "Is it because of losing contact with Trent?"
The two kept asking questions, not noticing Rayanne shaking. All the questions Rayanne was afraid of were now being asked at once, and by her best friends. Rayanne knew the time had come. She couldn't keep this secret anymore. She slammed down her tea cup, cracking it. "Shut up! Just shut up!" she shouted. The doors to the study burst open. Milton and Clyde stood ready to escort the two maids out but Rayanne held up her hand. "It's alright, you two. Go back outside, my tea cup just broke." Rayanne tried to sound like she wasn't crying. The two guards closed the doors again.
Trina and Noelle looked at Rayanne. "I'm sorry I yelled…" Rayanne quivered softly. "I've been afraid of all of those questions for years. Girls, please promise me you won't think less of me for what I'm about to tell you and promise me I'll still have your friendship and forgiveness for not telling you."
Trina and Noelle nodded softly. "Rayanne, what's wrong?" Trina asked softly.
Rayanne's bottom lip shook as she took away the napkin on her lap. "…I'm pregnant…"
The two maids gasped loudly and looked at each other. They looked back at Rayanne with mouths agape. They wanted to be happy for Rayanne, but something was telling them not to be. So many questions ran through their minds. The biggest question they asked at the same time. "Is Trent the father?!" they shouted together.
They were shocked when Rayanne just shrugged. "What do you mean you don't know?" Trina shouted.
"Did you find a way to see Trent during the lock down?" Noelle asked, gripping a napkin tightly. "Or did you find love from another guard?"
"I can't say…" Rayanne murmured. "If I do…bad things could happen to you two. And the others as well. I can't put you all in danger. Not again."
Trina puffed loudly. "Does this have to do with what happened to Miss Marigold? Are you trying to protect us too?"
Rayanne got up and slammed her hands on the table. "You don't realize the big picture!" she shouted. "None of you do." Rayanne calmed down and walked over to a desk. "I'm sorry for my outbursts, but I don't know what else to do. Ever since Miss Marigold died, I have been the only thing keeping the King of selling you all to Reaver or executing you all, or who knows what else. But it comes at a price. A horrible agreement that started that night in the Princess's room years ago..."
Trina and Noelle looked at Rayanne in shock.
"I am pregnant. Trent might be the father…but the other candidate will be joining me for tea any minute and if he sees you two here, I don't know what will happen." Rayanne kept her back to her friends. They didn't see the tears streaming down her face.
"You've been the King's lover for the past five years?!" Noelle shouted in a loud whisper. Rayanne didn't say anything. Her silence was confirmation enough. Trina and Noelle got up at the same time and went to their friend, who burst into tears the moment they came near. The two girls were a little shaken by the news, but knew they had to be there for Rayanne. Trina was thinking that being the King's lover would be a good thing, seeing as it looked like the only way anyone could get what they wanted around the palace nowadays.
Rayanne sniffled softly and went back to the table. "People think that being the lover of a king is a good thing. A romantic thought, the King falling in love with a lowly maid. But it's horrible. He's cut us all off from the outside world, and I can't sway him to lift the ban. People disappear everyday around here and then he comes to me for guidance and to let out his kingly frustrations."
"But Rayanne…" Trina stopped herself, trying to think of the best thing to say. "…you don't need to protect us. Look what happened to Miss Marigold when she tried. She ended up betraying us and almost sending us to the dungeon. If you had said something…"
"Miss Marigold's fate wouldn't have mattered either way. He still would have had her executed. If not because she was with the rebels, than to get closer to me without making it look suspicious. Now, he drapes jewels on a maid and talks of grooming a child that may not even be his for the throne. You can't drape a dungeon in fancy wallpaper and plush carpet and call it a castle. It's still a dungeon and it still has its guards and a warden overlooking the entire thing. The warden wears a crown…" Rayanne looked away from her friends, but found them comforting her.
Noelle was about to say something when the doors burst open. "Miss Rayanne, King Logan is coming. Your friends have to leave." said Clyde as he and Milton walked in to escort the two maids out. Rayanne sadly waved to her friends as her guards gently led them out.
"We'll come by your room later!" Noelle shouted. "Hear that, big guy? She's expecting us!" she snorted to Milton. Milton only huffed and motioned for the two to leave.
King Logan passed by the two maids as they went back to their duties. He heard them whispering as they passed by, but didn't hear what they were saying. He shook his head and made his way to the study, where Rayanne patiently waited for him. King Logan instructed Milton and Clyde to stay outside the study as he closed and locked the study doors. Trina and Noelle decided to wait for tea time to be over. After an hour (and three attempts to give up), King Logan left the study, looking slightly more refreshed. Rayanne soon followed afterward, her two guards in tow.
When the night time came, along with rumors of an incident at Reaver's lakeside manor (when was there never anything going on at that place?), King Logan got some very chilling news and it's messenger was in the form of a red-headed maid with a score to settle. The King decided to investigate this claim himself.
Rayanne would later get the details of this part from Beatrice, who was an unwilling accomplice. According to Beatrice, King Logan had Major Swift stopped before he even got past the main gate. Logan had Major Swift taken into custody and locked in the dungeons below the castle. And, according to Beatrice and her macabre sense of humor, King Logan had Major Swift beaten and smacked around until he could barely see properly. Rayanne heard the rest of the story from Milton and Clyde.
In the deepest dungeon, Major Swift sat on the flimsy stool, coughing up bits of blood here and there. He refused to reveal anything about a rumored revolution or the Princess's whereabouts. King Logan, however, wanted to know something else. He dismissed all the guards and stood in front of Swift's cell.
"So, not willing to talk about my sister?" he asked calmly as Swift coughed up some more blood. "I will have you know I don't give a rat's ass about your rebellion. I could care less about a bunch of street rats and their little makeshift army. Now, tell me where my sister is!" King Logan shouted. He would receive no rebuttal. Logan calmed down and sighed, folding his arms behind his back. He then kneeled down and glared deeply into Swift's bruised eyes and made it very clear that he was in control.
Major Swift laughed softly. "She looks exactly like the Princess…" he struggled to talk, spitting up blood and at least one tooth.
Logan glared down at Major Swift. "Who?" he asked.
The major let out another hacking cough, followed by a hollow laugh. "Don't act confused, you know exactly who I am talking about. What is her name, Rayanne? Lovely girl for someone completely brainwashed. She is almost the spitting image of Princess Robin and you know it. You've always loved your sister and you swore to your mother you'd protect her. But she doesn't need big brother to protect her anymore, does she?"
Logan growled and was about to say something, but decided against it. Major Swift decided to keep going, knowing he was hitting a chord with Logan. "That maid is as blindly obedient as you want her to be, doing everything you tell her to do. All the way down to carrying your child. But I saw a spark in her eye. How fitting; big brother can't seem to connect with his little sister, so you substitute her with that maid. When you couldn't control your sister, you decided to control that maid. Maybe it was just so you knew you still controlled something as the Kingdom, including your soldiers and your own family, were falling just out of your grasp. She's everything your sister isn't. But mark my words, Logan: she will be. You can only keep a bird caged up for so long before it starts to resent its owner. She and that child will find a way to leave this gilded dungeon. She will defy you, just like the Princess did and the people of Albion and it will be your own fault in the end."
King Logan balled up his fists. "Your cause is lost, Major Swift. I hate to make an example out of one of my mother's most respected soldiers and personal friends, but I must do what is best for Albion, my sister, and for my future heir. Once I get a handle on my traitorous sister, I will see you and your rebel friends hang from the gallows. And I will have Rayanne and my child by my side." Logan left the dungeons, leaving Major Swift to the mercy of the warden.
The next morning, it was raining. Rayanne and the other maids watched helplessly from one of the upper hall windows as the spectacle beneath unfolded.
"Yes, traitors walk among us…" King Logan announced to an awaiting crowd. "Traitors plot to end us; traitors would have you believe their cause is noble. They wear many masks, they may look like your friends, or even your most loyal servants…"
The purple clad Elite yanked Major Swift to the top step of the castle. The crowd was getting bigger. The mix-mash of upper class and middle class all stood in awe of the man presented to them by the King. The servants didn't want to watch, but they couldn't look away. To Rayanne, it was like watching Miss Marigold's execution all over again. "This…is the face of a traitor." Logan announced as the Elite made the poor disheveled major stand straight.
"Major Swift, a respected member of the army and sworn servant of the kingdom has plotted against us all. He was apprehended trying to turn loyal soldiers against us and is thus charged with espionage, treason, and conspiracy. Yet there are still others darkening our lands with their betrayal…"
The Elite yanked Swift up some more. Major Swift did not resist. Everyone knew it would do little good. The Elite, on Logan's instruction, aimed his pistol at Swift's head, waiting for the signal.
"We shall hunt these traitors down, wherever they may be, and they will suffer the same fate as Major Swift and all enemies of the crown!"
With one hand gesture, Major Swift's life was over. For the maids, it brought back horrible memories. Rayanne felt nothing anymore. She didn't know if Major Swift had kept his word and mailed the parcel to Trent, but she realized it didn't matter anymore. Now, there was no hope for her or the other maids. Rayanne followed the maids back to the servant's quarters and sat with them for a while. All they had now was each other and Rayanne's strong front was breaking down.
When the night time came, Rayanne found herself on the steps going to the castle. She had stayed with Trina and Noelle for most of the day after Swift's execution. They talked about the execution, what a horrible spectacle it was, with Noelle trying to lighten the mood by saying the blonde-haired man in the middle of the crowd was kind of cute. Trina retorted that it looked like he had a girlfriend; the girl was wearing a tough looking outfit not unlike a bandit's with dark make-up, though Trina could have sworn she had seen that girl before. Both girls shook their respective thoughts away when Rayanne decided she needed to leave.
It had been raining all day. It rained a lot in Albion, no matter what region one was in. Rayanne's tears were lost to the pouring rain. She glared up at the windows she knew belonged to the King's chambers. Her attention then went to his statue. It was a coronation gift from the people of Albion not long after the old Hero Monarch died. A gift no believed he deserved anymore.
The voices of the Seer and the King echoed throughout Rayanne's head. She wanted to silence them, but she couldn't. They mocked her, taunted her, called her names, and laughed at her. The Seer's voice was once the loudest of them all, but now that honor went to King Logan. He had plans for her.
"What do you want from me?" Rayanne shouted as she held her head in her hands. She stopped at the statue of King Logan and started crying. "Please tell me…"
As Rayanne looked around the garden, she heard footsteps behind her. Rayanne turned around and there stood Abigail on top of the steps to the castle, holding something closely.
Abigail cleared her throat. "So, did Trent send you any new gifts, Rayanne?" she snarled. "I ask because I saw you carrying a small box to your room after 'cleaning' the King's study the other day." Rayanne faced Abigail as she stared daggers at her. "That wasn't a gift from Trent, was it?" she asked, her voice cracking as she pointed to the charm bracelet on Rayanne's wrist. Even after all this time, Rayanne still kept it on. It was almost full of charms by now, the latest one being a baby carriage. Rayanne grabbed her own wrist and just stared at Abigail. "Miss Marigold was telling the truth, wasn't she? Someone has been buying your silence, and I know who it is…"
Abigail stepped forward and tossed Rayanne's jewelry box on the ground in front of her. Rayanne didn't even know it was missing. "I had to dig under your mattress, but I found the payload. You sure have expensive tastes for a maid. So, how comforting is it to know you have the King's full attention when Miss Marigold died because of you?"
"What…what do you mean?" Rayanne tried to play dumb but Abigail wasn't having it.
"I knew something was going on and now I have proof. I'd present it to the King, but as it turns out he's one half of it. Miss Marigold didn't betray us. She was trying to protect us and now you think you're doing the same. I bet you think of yourself as some kind of martyr, well you're not!" Abigail stepped on Rayanne's jewelry box as the night grew cloudy. It may have been an expensive wooden box, but it still broke under the pressure of Abigail's foot like any other wood.
Rayanne couldn't hold back her tears as Abigail grew closer. "Is he a tender lover, you damn runt?" Abigail snarled with a hint of jealously in her voice. "Does he kiss you before he rips off your clothing? Or does he just have his way like he did that night in the Princess's room?!" Abigail shouted, pointing to the Princess's chambers. "Do you feel protected by his warm embrace or do you find yourself torn between the King and a guard? Does Trent know about this? Does Trent know you might have the next heir to the Albion throne growing within you?"
"So you know!" Rayanne shouted, balling up her fists. "You want to punch me, go ahead! You think I don't feel bad enough, well you're wrong! For years, I've put up with you and Beatrice pushing me around and now I have to deal with this! Do you know I'm the reason you all haven't been sold to Reaver yet? Well, I am! I may not be the martyr but there isn't a day that goes by that I don't blame myself for Miss Marigold's death! I can't even go visit her grave because I don't know if she was even given one!"
"You're nothing but a stupid runt and you've always had your head up someone's ass! First Miss Marigold, then Trent, and now King Logan! And you have the gall to claim you're protecting us!" Abigail shouted back, her voice breaking with the thunder. "You're claiming to be our protector when you're nothing but a whore to a man who can't even keep his own subjects in line!"
"What do you want from me, then?" Rayanne shouted back. Rayanne had been cowering from Abigail for years. Ever since she was a child, Abigail has bullied and harassed Rayanne and the other maids. Tonight, in her weakest yet strongest hour, Rayanne decided she had finally had enough. "You want the King? You can have him! I don't want this anymore…" Rayanne started crying softly. "For years you've pushed me around and now you have me cornered, just like when we were children. Well? You want money? Take all those jewels and sell them because I don't want them. I don't want this. I don't want the torment, I don't want the distance, and I don't want any of this! I don't want to be your punching bag. I don't want to be head maid or queen…"
Rayanne fell to her knees as small droplets started falling to the ground. "I just want to be Rayanne…"
Abigail stepped slowly to Rayanne after kicking the broken jewelry box and its contents out of her way. As if a wave of realization came over her, Abigail's anger left her and she knelt down to Rayanne. Rayanne looked into Abigail's eyes and for the first time saw something other than hatred and anger. She saw something deeper. She saw love…
"I don't want money or the king…" Abigail whispered, helping Rayanne up. "…all I ever wanted was to feel the warmth of someone who loved me. All those men, and a few women, over the years gave me pleasure, but not love. Not even Beatrice loves me. I asked her." Abigail didn't look at Rayanne. "I'm jealous of you, Rayanne. You had Miss Marigold, you have Trent, and you have the king. I always hated how everyone looked upon you with such love. I never knew my family, but you seemed to cultivate one. I always thought all I ever wanted was what you had. But it wasn't until recently when the other maids started to disappear and the Princess left and all the guards that I realized what I truly wanted…"
Abigail looked deeply into Rayanne's eyes. "I'm not jealous that you have the king. I'm jealous that the King has you…"
Abigail leaned forward and kissed Rayanne with the same type of passion the King had. Rayanne didn't know what to do. She kept her eyes open in shock. Abigail's lips parted from Rayanne's and soon turned into a peaceful, yet very disturbing smile that sent terrified shivers down Rayanne's spine. Abigail, for the first time in her life, looked truly happy.
"…and now you know too much…" said a voice behind the two girls. Rayanne and Abigail turned around at the same time to see King Logan and at least six Elites standing behind him. Logan waved to his men, two of them coming forward and grabbing Abigail. "I never liked you." He murmured as the two Elites brought Abigail forward. "For years, I had to deal with you and your little cohort breaking my precious pottery, stealing my possessions, and bullying the other servants. I never had a real reason to have you thrown into the dungeons, but now I do. Thank you for doing the work for me."
King Logan directed Milton and Clyde to take Rayanne inside. Abigail looked back at Rayanne with a sad look in her eyes. Rayanne pleaded with King Logan to let Abigail go, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. Rayanne didn't want to be responsible for another death. Abigail may have been the cause of torment for Rayanne and the others for years, but she was still a human being that deserved love. Rayanne may not have returned those feelings, but she knew Abigail deserved love all the same.
"I won't waste bullets executing Abigail." He murmured to Rayanne as he and her guards escorted her back to her room. "She will be housed in the dungeons until she either dies naturally or forgets everything she knows. Whichever happens first, I really don't care." Logan made sure Rayanne went straight into her room. "You shouldn't be out in that weather in your condition."
Rayanne cried herself to sleep that night.
In the morning, when she woke up to sounds of stomping and yelling outside her door, Rayanne noticed her belly had gotten a little bigger in the night. She had an appointment with the doctor later that afternoon. When she got dressed and decided to do her rounds, Rayanne found Milton and Clyde pushing her back into her room gently. "Miss Rayanne, we've been ordered to keep you in your room until this afternoon. All the maids are to stay in their quarters until then as well."
Rayanne cocked an eyebrow. "What's going on?" she chirped.
"Prison break in the dungeon." Milton replied.
"Someone got loose and stabbed a guard. Took his clothing and made a run for it. That girl won't get far." Clyde added, folding his arms.
As if something hit her hard in the chest, Rayanne felt the wind leave her. But then she felt relief. She hoped in her heart of hearts that the escapee was Abigail, but she could get no further information from her guards or anyone else. When things calmed down later that day, Rayanne went to her appointment. King Logan was in attendance as well. According to the doctor, everything was normal and the baby had already started to move around in Rayanne.
King Logan smiled and dismissed the doctor for the day. When they were alone later, having tea in the study, Logan kept his eyes on Rayanne. "Soon, you won't fit into that uniform anymore." He murmured after a long silence. Rayanne said nothing. "I had more fitting garments put in your room and your jewelry box will be repaired soon. But in the meantime, I think something is more fitting…"
Reaching into his coat pocket, King Logan pulled out a small box and presented it to Rayanne. She was starting to get tired of these gifts and she felt nothing anymore. Rayanne decided, as King Logan opened the box and presented her with a gorgeous ring, that she might as well get used to it.
"Rayanne, marry me and be my Queen…" Logan whispered, taking Rayanne's hand.
With a bittersweet smile, Rayanne stroked King Logan's hand with her free hand. She accepted the ring and joined Logan in an embrace. "…Yes, My King…"
Somewhere in Brightwall
"Trent Abernathy?"
Trent, still in uniform but on his way back to the guard's barracks, turned around and found a disheveled looking man holding a package. Most of the guards were on their way to a meeting in the pub and Trent decided to join his comrades as soon as he changed out of his uniform. Major changes were to be enacted soon, but Trent hoped he could talk to his commanding officer about taking leave within the foreseeable future. He had to get back to Bowerstone. He had to get back to Rayanne.
"Yes, I'm Trent Abernathy." Trent replied.
"Miss Page sends her thanks." The man said, handing the package to Trent. The man left before anyone else could see him.
Now Trent was confused. He had heard that post wagons had been intercepted recently, but since he rarely got mail he didn't think much of it. The parcel had obviously been opened and put back haphazardly. Trent made his way back to his barrack and opened the package. The wrapping paper revealed a journal and a small note. Trent read the note and growled as he crumbled it up.
Trent,
I am sending you this journal as proof that you are the only man I love. The king has my body, but you have my heart. I don't know if I'll ever see you again. It hurts me to write this but know that whatever happens, you are always in my heart. As I don't know if you got my last letter, I feel it is appropriate for me to tell you that I'm pregnant and there is a strong possibility that this child is yours. The King is the other possible candidate, but no one else knows that. I feel he is grooming me to be his Queen and I probably won't like it.
If it came down to it, I'd rather be happy as a soldier's wife than miserable as a queen. If I had the chance, I'd love to be by your side in the mountains. But I have to stay here. I have to protect the others. I have to protect our child. I have to protect you.
I love you, Trent. Please don't wait for me. Find yourself a wife, have lots of children, and live a good life. Knowing you're happy is all I need.
All My Love,
Rayanne
Trent didn't bother taking off his uniform. He threw down the journal and the letter. He was going to get that leave. He was going back to Bowerstone. He was going to save Rayanne.
N'cha my loves!
You'll be happy know that I have been working tirelessly on this chapter. My hiatus was longer than I had hoped, but I am back and I have an ending cooked up for this that will knock your respective socks off! If you don't wear socks, then your footwear of choice. I don't judge.
This is pretty long as far as chapters for this story goes, but I like the direction it's heading in. I hope you guys like it too. Ever since I got off my hiatus, I have been writing up a storm. Two of my other stories updated as well. I love having the words come back to me like they used to.
Ahh, so many questions, yes? What is Trent planning? Will there be a wedding? Who is the father of Rayanne's child? And what happened to Abigail? All (or at least three) of those questions will be answered in the next chapter. Only two chapters to go!
So, as always, thank you for your patience regarding my hiatus. I know you guys are eager to sink your teeth into Rayanne's story and get to the end. I know I can't wait! The next chapter will be pretty long, so I suggest you find yourselves a snack and enjoy the ride.
As always, read, review, and be merry my doves. Let me know how I did! Let me know how I can make the next chapter the one you anticipate and talk about for a long time. Review, review, review! And be merry, too. Don't forget.
Fable belongs to Lionhead.
