What's Done In The Dark: The King's Concubine
Dear Diary 21
It was late. Ten pm and the ladies had yet to return. Their husbands and families were worried, I was worried! As I sat behind my desk contemplating the fate that awaited me with Serena's arrival, I was rudely brought out of my thoughts by a loud banging noise on my office door.
"Enter!" I said, my voice annoyed. Can't a man dream without being disturbed for once?
Andrew, Prime and a worried guard entered.
"Your Majesty, this guard has a message for you. He was one assigned to the protection of the ladies." Prime informed.
"Speak." I ordered.
"I was ordered to come to you and ask for a doctor to Lady Serenity's immediate attention." My heart froze. Even Andrew and Prime were shocked at the news.
"What happened!" Andrew demanded, his face a mask of worry.
"I do not know. The Lady by the name of Rita ordered and I rushed here as soon as possible." The guard answered and even if he did know, I wasn't about to sit around to hear an explanation.
"Prime, go and retrieve the royal's private doctor. Andrew, immediately harness my horse. We will not take a carriage for it will slow us down."
"Yes your majesty!" they said and all three left the room. I sat for a second, panic threatening to consume me. What had happened to my Serena? If any of the ladies had hurt her, they can be sure their own lives would be forfeited!
I rose up and ran quickly to the stables where Andrew, in his haste, was wrestling with my Labyrinth. I took over and he quickly left to saddle a different horse. As soon as prime arrived with the doctor, he climbed on one of the two horses Andrew had harnessed and Andrew himself climbed on the other one. I picked up the doctor and sat him behind me, his protest falling on death ears while Prime and Andrew carried his things. Before any other words were uttered, I sped off with Andrew, Prime and the guard behind me.
Wait for me Serena, I'm coming!
It seems the day was just meant for surprises. From new styles of dresses to dangerous topics to barely clad swim wears to strange but spirited dances to a revelation that threatened to destroy our new found peace and finally the collapsing of the hostess of it all.
I and Kakyuu sprinted forward but since Lita was closer to Serena, she caught the fainting girl before she could hit her head on the floor. All activities seized as we watched in shock the vibrations of Serena's body that was a testimony of a fever. Had she been sick all this time? The first to come out of the shock was level headed Amy who immediately barked orders for cold water and towel after she felt Serena's forehead. Then she ordered for someone to inform one of the guards to ride like the wind to the main castle for a doctor.
Even the ladies that had meant to leave could only stand and stare as Amy checked Serena's pulse, her breathing and began toweling her down with the bucket of cold water and towel Lita had brought upon Amy's request. As we watched Amy work seriously, it was impossible to think that she didn't have what it took to be a doctor. She seemed to know what she was doing and her entire attention was focused solely on the heavy breathing Serena.
Standing beside Amy was Nephrite who had not been seen all day though I was aware that he was in the kitchen helping with the food preparation. I had to find out why that was. And beside him was Jadeite who had rushed in as soon as he heard Serenity had collapsed. And when Amy shoved him aside to take care of Serena, he moved to the corner and stood watching silently and intently as Amy worked. Jadeite and I had never gotten along from as far back as I could remember but as I watched him watch Serena with eyes filled with worry and panic, I realized why it seemed I had always hated him. Because he always treated all the ladies better than he did me. He was kind and courteous to them but with me, he was cold and uncaring. It had bothered me but I had refused to find out why. Now as I sat and watched him, I knew I was in love with him. I had been from long before this day.
"What is wrong with her?" Lady Vida asked with a hint of worry and I managed to tear my eyes away from Jadeite.
"She has a high fever. But someone can't just suddenly catch this level of fever in one instant which means she had been with a fever all day or that something else is wrong with her. Until she is tested, I cannot determine what is wrong with her." Amy announced.
"And you say you want to be a doctor." Lady Rosaline scoffed. She was really starting to get on my nerves. Before Amy could reply, I stood in for her.
"Are you mentally ill Lady Rosaline or just downright stupid?" I asked in a voice that was rather degrading but she was upsetting me.
"No your highness. But…"
"No buts you fool! All her physical signs points to fever. In other for anything else to be determined, her blood or urine must be tested. Does Amy look like she has the equipments right now to do it!" understanding dawned on her face and she lowered her head in shame. One down, four more to go.
And so silently, we watched as Amy battled to keep Serena's body from getting too cold or too hot by alternating between cold and hot water.
As the time tic & toced on, we sat or stood in silence and prayed for the best. I could just imagine Darien's worry and wrath thinking one of the ladies was responsible when the guard that had been sent informs him of a need for a doctor.
"Well we might as well leave since there is nothing any of us can do." Lady Mariah said. I half agreed with her but at the same time, how can she think of herself at a time like this!
"You are a coward. All of you!" one of the women, a younger one, from the commoners side said suddenly. We looked up at girl who was either in her very late teens or early twenties. She had shoulder length brown hair and eyes and presently, it was glowing with anger.
"Watch your tongue you commoner!" Lady Demetrius ordered.
The commoner woman laughed harshly.
"Now the only way you can address me is commoner? Have you forgotten my name already Lady Demetrius? Even though we shared a laugh and you ogled after my dress?" After she said this so spitefully, she laughed some more.
"All of you ladies are spineless cowards and you damn well know it yourselves! So what, Lady Serenity had kept our identities from you. How else could she have managed to unite all of us on this day! Would any of you have made an effort to talk to us much less treat us as your equal? You foolish women! All you care about is making people see you as a woman of high status and rubbing it in the faces of those less fortunate than you! Yet what in all the years you have lived have you done that dignifies that you earned your place! Have you ever tilted the ground? Woke up before even the rooster croons and walk miles in the cold and darkness of the early morning to go dig, plant and harvest? Have you ever known the feelings of earning what you eat? Have you! Yet you dare to look down on us who work from the time we can crawl unto our deaths! Who the hell gave you the right to judge me!" The girl was on fire and her courage made me proud. We needed more people like her in this world.
"You speak as if all we do is sit at home and have our servants feed and clothe us. Do you have any idea how to manage an estate? Can you imagine the tremendous work involved in keeping a household running and continuously making sure everything is in order?" Lady Delilah retorted. I was surprise she was defending the ladies but then again, she was a lady too and the words of that commoner woman hit her as much as it did the others.
"Ha! Manage an estate? That's a good one." Another of the commoners joined in. This woman was also a young lady with very light blue eyes and hair and she had a strikingly beautiful face and figure. "Ann is right, you ladies are fools. You think you manage the estates you live in? Have you forgotten those who clean and keep the house in order? It is not you my dear ladies but the servants! But tell me, are you the ones who pay the servants or your husbands?"
To this none of the ladies had a comeback. So the first one who had spoken was named Ann. I was quite sure she and I could become great friends.
"That's what I thought. All you do at home is order people to do this and that yet you think it is such a hard job that you can brag about it! We may be commoners but we have more pride and dignity than you lot who's only worth lies in the palms of your husbands. I pity you. Yes, we live average stressful life but at least we can claim with our heads held high that we are our own person. We are not restricted into the functions and ideals of society. We are allowed to dream and talk about it with no fear of anybody disapproving our hearts desires. It is only because there is no means for us to expand and broaden our horizon that we continue to live the lives of our ancestors. Give us the opportunities you ladies have and see if we won't make something of it! Oh and by the way, if you've already forgotten my name, it is Birdie. But I doubt you will remember after this day." She said and I could not help but let a large grin spread on my face.
It was time for me to step in.
"Ladies please take to hearts what these women have expressed. Yes, we ladies manage our homes and keep them going but so do they and still they manage to work to make ends meet. There is much to be learned from them as there is much they can learn from us. Today marks the beginning of a change that will hit this kingdom like a storm. Haven interacted with these ladies all day; I have come to know their hearts. Their hearts that hopes for more, their hearts that wishes to take on the challenges of life. Their hearts are a reflection of my own. They want to step out of the roles people have stuffed them in and spread their wings and take flight. Because I have seen this determination in them, I will make this promise now. As of this day, I will make it my life's purpose to find a way to help everyone, lady or commoner, who wishes to live their own lives, instead of how society wants them to live. I will help these commoners be educated, and alongside Lady Serenity, I will fight for a future that is of my own choosing. Be or don't be part of it, I will fight until my dying breath." I uttered the words that truly expressed my heart and for the first time, I was not ashamed of myself or my thoughts.
I looked up and saw Jadeite watching me with an expression that was guarded but I knew he was surprised. Yes, I too had change. When I was younger, I thought like these ladies. That everyone except the king and queen were beneath me. I remember one time Jadeite calling me snobby. I had been, but no more. Life was much better shared than living as if one was alone and on top of the world. I hadn't realized it before but it had been that comment of his that had led me to the path that had transformed me. But it had been Darien's return from the outside world that had truly opened my eyes. When Darien returned, he was as sad and empty as he left. It was then I promised myself that I would become a stone of support and strength for him. And as I cared for him like none other, my heart opened up and I was finally able to embrace people despite their status in life. I had change because of the two most important men in my life, but it will be because of Serena that these changes will be put to the test and ultimately take a life of its own. Once again, I found myself being very proud of Darien's choice. This kingdom truly needed a queen like her.
We were silent from then until Darien burst into the room and frightened us. His ferocity was quite impressive. We watched as he rushed to Amy and lifted Serena in his arms. I had never in my life seen him so worked up about another person, not even in his younger days when he was in love with Hotaru. His immeasurable love for Serena was plain on his face, so plain that even the ladies commented on it in a whisper.
"Sere, please answer me." he said softly and gently and we watched as he gently lean his head down and kissed her forehead. No one had ever known Darien to be so, well uncontrolled. And this tender soft side of him that he was unashamedly displaying had all of us gaping and our jaws on the floor. Rule number one, men must love their women but must not fully express it, especially in the presence of others. But it seemed that when Serena was concerned, Darien always broke every rule in existence.
The doctor scooted hurriedly to Darien's side and pretty much did what Amy had done.
"She has a high fever." He said, something we already knew.
"If she was sick all this time, why didn't you return her back to the palace!" Darien yelled, his gaze boring through Lita.
"We didn't know. In fact, up until a while ago she was alright. About two hours ago she showed signs of dizziness but her skin temperature was normal. Then all of a sudden she just collapsed." Amy defended.
"For a fever to be this high, she must have had it sometime way earlier than two hours ago. To be able to conceal it and just faint is a little hard to believe." The doctor said.
"I thought so too. We sent for you immediately after ser collapsed." Amy said.
"Whoever has been taking care of her did an excellent job." The doctor praised.
"Yeah but she is not out of the waters yet." Amy said, completely ignoring the compliment.
"That you are right. But I do not have anything to test her saliva or blood. We must get her to the main palace, but before that she needs to break free of this fever and I will not encourage her being move the distance to the palace this evening." The doctor explained.
"Very well, have the guards take the ladies home. Thank you for coming to this event. I know it meant a lot to her." Darien said though all his attention was directed on Serena.
"I will be staying back until morning. Hopefully by then she will be well." Ann said.
"Yeah, me too." I volunteered.
"I too am far too tired to make the journey home this night." Rita said.
"Then don't even consider it." We all turned to the door where Andrew and Prime were entering.
"Honey!" Rita said excitedly. Andrew hurried to her and folded his arms around her.
"Oh good, I was so worried." He said.
"I'm fine love." Rita assured as she hugged him back. Prime soon arrived at Serena's side and watched her with worry.
"Only a few of you can stay, the rest must all return home."
"I and Ann will stay here while the rest from our side of town return home. We will bring the rest of you information on her being tomorrow." Birdie said and the women from the commoner's side nodded.
"I along with Rei, Rita, Lita and Kakyuu I presume…" Amy said, directing a look at Kakyuu who nodded. "Will stay."
"That is all that can stay this night. Lord Jadeite, please escort the ladies to the carriages and have the guards lead them home. Leave only five guards here tonight. The five guards must include you and Malcolm, find three more." Prime ordered.
"Yes sir." Jadeite answered and moved to the door.
"Ladies, please follow me."
With a last look behind them, all the women except those staying followed Jadeite out of the room.
"Your majesty, please let's take her to a room and a warm bed." The doctor said.
"Follow me." Darien stood up with Serena in his arms and led the doctor out of the room to his old room.
"In the mean time, the rest of us will help with the cleaning and organizing of things." Lita said and we all nodded. We went straight to work, occasionally checking in on Serena. Each time I went in there, Darien looked about to cry. He sat by her side and cradled her hand in his own. My poor brother, he had chosen a good woman but one he was so dangerously in love with that if she were to disappear, he would go mad. And it somehow made me believe that the love that Serenity and Endymion had shared could very well be possible for these two. And worse, they carried the names of these ancient lovers.
What destiny did the future hold for these two?
It was late night or should I say early into the next day when all had fallen asleep with me nodding off and on that I was fully pulled into wakefulness by an arising Serena. Before I could utter a word, she shushed me and pointed at the sleeping doctor and Amy.
"Come with me." She whispered as she stood up. She swayed a little and I caught her before gently guiding her to the door as was her intention. When we were out of ear shoot, I pulled her to me and rested my back against the wall as I held her tightly. I breathed in her calming scent, trying to reassure myself that she was well.
"Darien." She called my name. Her voice was but a breath…so soft and gentle and fragile.
"Mmmm?" I murmured as I rubbed her back.
"I'm sorry." She said softly and I looked down at her. I was confused, what was she apologizing for? But I could not see her face because it was pressed to my chest. I felt a tremor in her body and something wet touched my skin and I knew she was crying. I touched her cheeks with both of my hands and gently lifted her head so she could stare at me.
"What for?" I asked just as softly.
"The ladies…I thought I could win them over but I couldn't! I lied to them and they are all so upset."
"Oh Rena." I said hugging her tightly. This young woman in my arms, I loved her. With ever fiber of my being. She was created for me, for me alone! I was not about to loose her because of that stupid bet we made!
"You have not failed Serena. Let's give it time and see. Sometimes, the true outcome of things is not the initial reaction but its transformation afterwards. Amy filled me in on what happened and I can guarantee you that these women will not be the same after this day. "I said soothingly, hoping she would believe my words.
"You think so?" she asked.
"If you impressed Rei, then I guarantee it. And from the looks of it, Rei likes you very much." This brought a small smile on her face and I was glad for that. I leaned down as she stretched up and met me halfway in a kiss. I was once again hit with her intoxicating smell and day's loneliness and worry rushed out of me. In that moment I was more hopeful than I had been since we discovered the truth of the madness in my bloodline from my mother.
When we pulled back from the kiss, I just held her for sometime, enjoying the feel of her in my arms.
"Oh yeah…I almost forgot." She suddenly said, stepping a bit backwards.
"Forgot what?" I asked in confusion.
"Take me to the dungeon." She said, looking straight at me.
"What?" I asked as if I hadn't just heard her.
"Take Me To The Dungeon." She repeated though she put more emphasized on the words this time.
"Why?" I asked. What did she want in that dark and empty dungeon?
"I heard a sound earlier today while the ladies were here. It sounded like something coming from underground. In my dreams, your mother told me that someone is in the dungeon." She said and I stared at her in shock.
"No. I mean impossible! No one has been sentenced into this dungeon since Diamond died because there are no guards here and no cooks to feed them. And I haven't been informed that there is anyone down there! No….no one can sentence anyone into this dungeon without my approval and I know I haven't approved of anyone being sentenced down there!" I said in bewilderment.
"That maybe the case but I am quite sure I heard something and seeing that your mother has confirmed my suspicions, it is only safe to check. Better safe than sorry I say." She said stubbornly and I knew she wasn't going to let it go until we've gone to investigate.
"Very well but Prime and Andrew and Malcolm must come with us." I said.
"Alright but leave Andrew out of this. Rita needs him this night." She said and I nodded. Agreed, we went around and aroused Prime and Malcolm and filled them in on what Serena suspected was down in the dungeon. Prime was in agreement with me but supportive of Serena's idea of safe than sorry. So with Malcolm in the front holding a torch and Prim in the back holding another torch, we made our way down the dark spiral staircase that led several foot deep in the earth. When we walked down the last of the stairs facing the big dark dungeon that stretched on all sides, we were momentarily overcome by the oppressive sent of rotten flesh and food.
"This is not a punishment room, it is hell." Serena said and I could not agree more. Taking in a deep breath and blowing out the air right away, she parted away from me and began walking. I immediately stepped to her left side while Prime stepped to her right with the torch with Malcolm taking the front again. We walked to our left, looking through all the metal cells but each bar showed and empty prison. Then Serena stopped and turn around. We all followed her gaze and stood silently but nothing happened.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Shhh." She said and the silence once again stretched all around us. But a few minutes later, I heard what sounded like a scratch.
"To the end." Prime said, haven heard too. We nodded and cautiously, we made our way there. As we got closer, the sound though was not louder, was consistent. It was as if there was a cat scratching at the door. We reached the door that was completely isolated from all the other cell and through the four bars that served as a window into cell, Prime shown his light through it. Serena stood on her toes and stretched her neck so she could look into the cell.
Then unexpectedly, she gasped loudly.
"Mina!" she yelled and immediately retreated and grabbed the door knob but it was closed. I drew Serena back into my arms as she was yanking at the knob that had no intentions of opening.
"There is no key here!" Prime said. All the keys to the dungeon were back at the old palace. Serena went to the window again.
"Mina! Mina can you hear me? Are you alright? Mina please respond!" Serena's voice was filled with so much worry that it surprised me. How could she care about this girl who had tried to tear us apart? This evil cold hearted girl who had betrayed us to Hotaru and tried to harm her?
"We got to do something!" Serena said urgently, her eyes wild and I saw the tracks of tears building in her eyes. Serena had too big a heart.
"We need the key." Prime said.
"Urghhhhhhh! We don't have time for that! I'm betting the key is at the palace isn't it?" she asked looking at me and all I could do was nod.
"Can't we just break the door!" she demanded but I shook my head. That was an impossible feat, especially for this particular cell.
"Impossible. This cell was designed to house the worst of criminals. Even if we brook the front lock, the inside and other side lock will still keep her a prisoner. Only the key can go through all three locks." Prime explained. Serena's face dropped and a tear slid down her face.
"I should never have aloud Hotaru to take her." She said another tear followed.
"Don't you dare try to shoulder the blame. This was not your or my doing. Hotaru is to be blamed for this. And truthfully, this is a fitting punishment for her!"
"Darien!" Serena said and I felt ashamed at my words.
"I'm sorry. I guess I'm still upset over her betrayal and the trouble she put you in." I said, pulling her into a hug. She hugged me back and I forgot we were standing in a dungeon.
She immediately pulled away from me. She was looking to her right and I looked too but there was nothing there. I saw her nod and I blinked.
"Malcolm, follow me. The two of you wait here." She said and began walking quickly. I just stared at her and blinked. I turned to Prime and he shrugged. I sighed. Mother was probably behind this.
After what felt like a lifetime even though I knew it was less than ten minutes, Serena and Malcolm returned and in her right hand she held a key. Not just a key, but the key to that door.
"How...?" Prime asked in shock.
"The way the key holder on the door look reminded me of this key. I had seen it earlier in the kitchen. Hopefully it's the right one." She said as she inserted in the key. I knew she was lying. I have a feeling mother had told her where the key was. After the second click, the door unlocked. I half expected her to push the door widely and rush in like a big hero, but instead she gently pushed the door inch by inch. After the door had been pushed back about three inches, I saw why. Mina had been leaning against the door; I knew this because her hands clumsily try to grasp the opening door.
"Shhh….it's alright. You are ok. Everything will be fine. We are here to help you." Serena whispered soothingly as if talking to a spooked child.
"It's alright Mina. Let go of the door and ease back." She whispered again and in this manner, she finally got the door opened wide enough for her and Malcolm to enter. As soon as she entered, she rushed to Mina's side and held the filthy girl, crying girl to her bosom.
"It's alright honey, everything will be ok. You're safe now. It's alright to sleep. I'll take good care of you." Serena continued to whisper, rubbing Mina's back gently. Prime and I stood at the entrance watching the heartwarming scene. Over and over Serena had proven to be more than the average woman. Her compassion reached depth of a level far above what humans are capable off. God had truly reflected her inner beauty through her outer appearance. And I found myself in love with her as I had been the very first moment I had met her. But it made me realized something, Serena was always growing. From the time I had her exiled to me in the forest up until this point in life, she has grown and change and found her own footing. She has proven to be my equal and surpassed me. This woman who had not had any formal education, this woman who had been a servant under the mercy of the man I was starting to suspect was the cause of her parents' death. Yes, this woman, young and beautiful was God's greatest human creation and a gift onto this kingdom. God had not only given to us his son Jesus Christ, but he had given to my kingdom a woman capable of leading and commanding peace. It was in these moments that I see the reason why God, in his infinite power and authority, have allowed us humans to live all this time even though we have sin so grievously against him. There are some humans amongst us that definitely deserved to live. They were the examples God uses for others in proving that even in this world of sin, if we live by his law of love, we can redeem our fallen race. And I was proud to have this woman, whom I felt God himself had chosen, as mine to love and protect for all time.
Eventually, Mina's silent but painful cries ended as she drifted off into sleep and Serena allowed Malcolm to pick her up. We followed Malcolm with Serena beside him back p the stairs and into my old room. Malcolm gently set Mina on the bed Serena had earlier occupied, of course by this time Amy and the doctor were awake so we left them to fuss over Mina. We stood outside for about thirty minutes until Amy came to get us and we reentered the room. The grime and filth that had covered all of Mina were wiped away with only small traces as evidence of what had been before.
"Let us try to get in as much rest as we can before the rooster croons. I am a little tired." Serena said after we had sat beside Mina for about thirty discussing the impossibility of her survival. When had she been placed in the dungeon? Where had she been when we returned from the forest? Had she been in the dungeon all this time? And if so, how was she alive when there was no one here to feed her? In the end, we knew our answers could only be given to us by the sleeping girl.
"You're right, Let us all return to sleep." I said, standing up and taking Serena's hand. Because my room was occupied, we had no choice but to use a different room. Serena decided that we should stay at my mother's private bed chambers and so we headed there as the others left for their own beds.
The morning would bring answers. And with it my final decision. This battle with Hotaru would come to an end in less than a week if I had anything to say about it!
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