It is one of those days, when even the fire in the hearth seems to be recoiling from the cold outside. I rub my hands closer, watching the clock tick closer to midnight. Shifting my gaze to the elegant green settee near the window, I feel a growing sense of unease with each passing minute.
I wish I was back in Emmeria, curled up with a book, and conversing with father over a steaming cup of Butterbeer. Over the past few months, we had grown closer, trying to bridge the months we had spent apart, healing the scars we had both suffered. It was easier for him, as his body healed, so did his spirit, but I had scars that no passage of time could heal.
"Lady Granger?"
I turn to the door as a sallow faced man beckons me inside. "His Highness will now see you."
I nod, following him into the brightly lit room, a stark contrast to the gloomy green outside.
"My lady, I trust you weren't waiting long," Lucius drawls, a sneer in his voice. I feel a wave of irrational panic as he comes closer to kiss my hand.
"Your Majesty," I bow stiffly, trying to repress the repulsion that runs through me as his lips touch my gloves.
"It's been six months has it not? I must confess, I didn't think you'd last longer than a few weeks as Regent." A dazzling smile breaks across his face, and I think of the likeness between him and the face that haunts my nightmares.
"I'm glad to disappoint you, your majesty."
His laughter reverberates around the room, an unnatural sound that makes me shudder involuntarily.
"I find your impudence refreshing Lady Granger. I can see why Draco harbored such a fascination for you."
I freeze at the sound of his name.
"Ah yes, that's why you're here isn't it? Draco?"
Forcing my face to remain blank, I gaze directly into his eyes. "Yes, I'm here for the annulment papers, as you promised."
"Rodolphus," he snaps, and the sallow faced man hurries forward, handing a dusty parchment to the King.
"Now, before I hand this over to you, my lady, there is a little matter I want resolved."
I nod stiffly, directing my gaze towards the fire, which oblivious to the inhabitants of the room, casts a cheery glow.
"I thought I had fulfilled all the conditions of our agreement."
"Ah yes, you have performed admirably as Regent. The lords are satisfied I have kept my word, the treasury grows fatter in your capable hands, and public sentiment towards me has never been kinder - all thanks to you of course."
I dismiss his praise, waiting for the reason I am summoned here today.
"But there is one little thing…"
He gestures to his servant, who brings forth a little black box. It is oddly shaped, and makes a small clink as it opens. A rusty key emerges from its confines, and I wait, the ominous silence building as the wind rages on outside.
"Here are the keys to the tower in which my son is imprisoned."
I feel my breath catch in my throat.
"I thought he was.."
"Dead?" he says, a cruel smile on his once-handsome face.
The room spins around me as I begin to feel a familiar dread in my stomach.
"I heard he was incapacitated after t-the...,"
"After his wife stabbed him to near death?" he says conversationally.
"The i-i-incident," I stammer, hating my weakness, my inability to hide my fear in front of this reprehensible man.
"He was reposed for many weeks before he was able to leave his bed. Not that he had anywhere to go, mind you, tiring business really, attempting to overthrow one's father. If it wasn't me he was trying to kill, I could almost admire the cheek of it."
"I don't understand what this has to do with…"
"I need to be sure you're not with child," he says abruptly, as I flinch at the memories his words evoke.
"Your Majesty, I can assure you I would have noticed if a child grew within me."
He gazes down at my belly, causing a pink blush to stain my face.
"Draco believes otherwise."
The thought that he is still out there, of sound mind, if not body, terrifies me.
"My lord, I am not carrying his child," I spit out the words, as I feel their venom sting my insides. "Furthermore, i cannot fathom why you would hand these keys to me, I don't want any part in your son's life."
He gazes at me intently. "Very well, my lady. I had to make sure, for if there was a child, he would have to be handed over to me, of course."
I shudder as I think of the scars he had gifted his only son, and thank the gods I am no longer theirs to torment.
"If that is all, may I have the papers, please?"
He flicks his hand towards the man that is more shadow than flesh, and he comes forward, placing it in my hands. I grasp at the worn parchment, a profound sense of relief sweeping over me.
"That is all, Lady Granger."
Sensing my dismissal, I turn to leave, holding onto the parchment as if it were a holy thing.
"Oh and princess, Draco is very much alive." The door slams shut as his words reverberate through the corridor.
I force myself up the stairs and into my chamber before the words register.
Draco is alive.
I think of his last words.
If you can't give me your love, I'll just take everything else.
No, no, no, I scream, covering my ears and trying to bring my mind back to the present. I clutch the parchment to my chest, but the worn paper gives little comfort.
I'm safe. It's over. I say it again and again, till my mouth runs dry. I sweep the silken green coverlet over my head, but the dread does not leave me, instead transforming into a pair of silver grey eyes.
His eyes.
The snow falls all night, pattering against the window like a soft lullaby. There's not a soul to be seen, making the gardens appear as if they've fallen into a long slumber. I rub my eyes, tired from another sleepless night, one of many I've had over the past few months.
It is as if my mind is still stuck here, in the land where I lost my innocence. It had been months since Draco's name was uttered in my presence. My father had forbidden it, and mother couldn't bear the agony in my eyes when it slipped from someone's tongue.
I rise from the silken sheets, brushing my thoughts away as they threaten to ruin my calm. Thankfully, I am to depart today, and the thought of leaving this accursed castle lifts my spirits.
"My lady?" I twist around, a curse upon my lips as a tiny wisp of a girl stands huddled in the corner.
"I'm s-s-sorry my lady, they sent me to help you bathe and dress," her earnest gaze peers into mine, and I feel ashamed for my panic.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, you took me by surprise that's all, what's your name?
"Lavender - your grace," she says, bowing so low I fear she will fall over.
Hiding a smile, I clear my throat, "That's a beautiful name - I thank you for your services but they won't be needed, my carriage will be here soon, and I'll be damned if I waste a fine gown on impressing the horses."
For a moment she looks amazed, then a smile breaks out across her freckled face.
"Of course my lady, it's just that Lord Severus has requested your company for breakfast. I've been standing outside since the roosters first crow, I was so scared I'd miss you."
"Lord Severus? He's here?"
"Yes, my lady, he's waiting for you in the Parlor."
"I'll be down shortly," I say not unkindly, as she scurries out the room. My gaze wanders outside, as a handsome carriage draws up to the gates.
I guess home can wait just a bit longer.
My curiosity piqued, I hastily pull a gown over my head, trying to pin my unruly hair back in a somewhat acceptable imitation of a bun.
The last time I had seen Lord Severus was the meeting of the Red Council, where father was 'pardoned' for his crimes, and I was appointed to rule as Regent in his stead - a convenient arrangement for King Lucius, whose treasuries were bleeding dry from the ongoing war. Shortly after, the remaining kingdoms also fell in line, now assured of the King's mercy.
A master stroke, as father called it.
An unpleasant shiver runs through me at the thought of Emmeria being ruled by another dragon. Gathering my skirts, I make my way down the ornate staircase, the cold settling in my fingers as the vast castle spreads out before me.
It is a place of great beauty, and yet ugliness mars its every stone, seeping into the cold marble, the grand statues, the sweeping corridors. It is a home that is home to no one, a place empty of love, compassion and laughter.
"Lady Granger, if i may?"
I look up to see Lord Severus standing at the bottom of the staircase, his arm extended in greeting.
"Lord Severus," I nod politely, placing my hand in his as he guides me forward.
For a moment, an awkward silence descends upon us, as we make our way into a small parlor situated near the entrance.
"You may be wondering why I've called upon you," he says finally, his dark eyes boring into me.
"I take it you have some business in regards to Emmeria," I answer politely.
Clearing his throat, he looks at me thoughtfully, "It is in regards to a matter that concerns the well-being of all the kingdoms."
"I see."
"A sennight from now, there is to be a meeting of the Red Council. No doubt his majesty will send a missive to Emmeria after you've taken leave from the castle."
"The the king said nothing of this matter when he met with me last evening."
Clearing his throat, he looks distinctly uncomfortable.
"Unless I am not to receive the missive until the meeting has already convened?"
He nods slowly, as if seeing me for the first time.
"He means to remove you as Regent. Without you there to defend yourself, the other lords will not vote against his decision."
Feeling a dull throbbing in my temples, I move closer to the small fireplace in the center of the room.
"Why?" I ask simply.
"Because you're a woman. Because your family's very existence is a threat to his rule."
I turn around, assessing the man before me. He was not a handsome man, but there was something in his countenance that attracted one's gaze - with his sharp tongue, and astute mind, he had risen from the lowly ranks of soldier to becoming the King's most trusted commander.
"You must forgive me for doubting your sincerity in revealing this information," I say evenly. "As I remember, it was under your watch that our castle was attacked."
"I would consider you unwise to trust me, my lady, but as I said before, I am thinking of all the kingdoms. If you refused the King, we would be facing civil war."
"And it is the loss of life that concerns you, my lord?" I say, regarding him coolly.
"I must admit, the loss of life though regrettable is not the reason for my words. I fear a loss of order, for neither our coffers nor our men are ready for another campaign."
"But the King still wants war?"
Turning away from me, he says softly, "The King is much disturbed. The betrayal of his son has made him rash, and though I have cautioned him, he does not heed my words."
Bowing abruptly, he turns to leave, his green cape billowing behind him.
"They will meet in Elderon, at the Oaken Hall. The choice is yours, my lady," and with that he sweeps out of the parlor.
I stare blankly at the door, feeling the relief of my departure vanish with the fading of his footsteps.
Here I am, back at the beginning. At the cusp of another war, another tragedy waiting to unfold.
Not on my watch, I think grimly, as I make my way into the storm outside.
Hello! I've come back to this story after many years, I apologize for the long wait but I thought it was better than leaving it unfinished. Do let me know your thoughts!