And here we have chapter three. I'd like to thank Dinsoku for the very kind review on my last chapter and I hope you'll find this chapter just as enjoyable. We're still following the first part of the game pretty closely here and I know that might be a little boring to some of you readers, but this fanfiction does take place during the main storyline, after all, so it's going to have to follow closely sometimes. The whole thing won't be this way, I promise. Just like chapter two, there's going to be some original storylines in here too. In fact, after the next chapter I'm hoping things will take off a bit. Lyra might be a little naughty so far, but she'll soon take a turn down a much darker path.
It was hardly an hour after Lyra had been forced back to the castle that her matron received the death penalty. She could remember clearly the look of shock and outrage on her brother's face when she told him that Reaver sent his greetings. She'd said it only to annoy her older sibling, but she hadn't expected things to play out the way they did. Understandably, all sorts of things ran through his mind and Eliza's punishment likely wouldn't have been so harsh if his sister's purity hadn't been put at risk by the matron's neglect. Lyra had initially been inconsolable over her guardian's execution, but as she began to indulge in the things she had previously shunned as inappropriate, just as her upbringing had taught her to do, her guilt gave way to indifference.
The princess had first started to spend late nights drinking with the staff. Then, as the servants grew more accustomed to their lady's new devious side, they introduced her to the more exotic substances. Eventually, she even gave into the sins of the flesh. The man she was currently standing next to had been her first. It had been an awkward and tender moment for both of them, but Lyra had only wanted to experiment before choosing a proper lover. It was only after sampling the experience with Elliot that she realized she had a taste for the obscene. She took several lovers to sate her appetite, finding that one man, or woman, could not truly satisfy her idea of a pleasurable romp. Her lips curled lightly as she remembered the first time Jasper came into her room and found, instead of the usual one, three bedfellows. Avo bless him, he didn't approve, but he hadn't said a word other than to suggest that Lyra's companions return to their duties. It became somewhat of a morning ritual after that, whenever she had company, and the princess thought it was a good system.
Elliot, seeming to notice that Lyra's mind was elsewhere, turned and stepped down from the railing. "The staff in the castle are anxious. I told them you'd speak to them. Will you do that? I'm afraid of what might happen if someone doesn't calm things down," he said, helping her down after him. The princess nodded, reluctantly pulling her thoughts out of the gutter to acknowledge him. "If you think it will help." "I do. They may fear the king, but they still care for their princess." She grinned, thinking to herself that he had no idea just how much they cared for her. "So, my good princess, may I take your hand and escort you to the castle? Everyone's waiting for you." Lyra nodded, smirking at his chivalry, and placed her hand in his.
"Good," Elliot smiled, leading his fiancée towards the kitchens, "Now let's go." The princess strolled beside her betrothed, their hands firmly clasped, and as they passed the gardeners and visiting nobles, she would wink playfully or blow a kiss to each one she had slept with. Elliot would have to be blind indeed not to notice his companion's behavior, but he'd be a fool to call her on it. He'd learned long ago that chiding the girl, even gently, only drove her to do things far worse than whatever it was he found inappropriate at the time. So, he simply drew her attention by bringing up the one thing she would listen to. "I can't believe your brother would have a worker executed. But sometimes I think… Well, that there's something wrong with him. He's changed so much. And he looks so tired all the time," he said. "Obviously you don't recall how he had my governess executed when I ran away. She'd been employed here for years. It isn't really surprising that he might have someone he's never met killed if they did something he didn't like."
The man nodded, realizing that she was probably right. Logan's transformation into a tyrant didn't happen over night. For five long years now he'd been growing more and more oppressive to the people. It was becoming harder to remember that he was once a more benevolent ruler. "I told Sir Walter about the speech. He'll be there to support you. I don't know what this place would be like without him," Elliot said, changing the subject. "Aah, Sir Walter," Lyra grinned, "Yes, he does make my existence a slightly more pleasant one. Learning to fight has given me a much needed vent for my frustrations." The man chuckled and nodded again. "I'm sure he'll want to carry on with your instructions today. He seems obsessed with combat training lately." "Hmm, yeah, he does. Maybe I'm just getting that good!"
Elliot and Lyra shared a laugh before coming to a halt just outside the scullery. She had tugged him back when she heard voices and wanted to see what was being said. Boy, unable to contain his excited whimpering, was ordered back out into the gardens by his mistress, much to his dismay. He skulked away, looking back only once before dutifully obeying. "Well, I heard all he did was stand up for one of the kids working in the factory," Bryn muttered. Sarah frowned deeply and nodded. "Who knows where it ends. Next thing you know it's one of us that's - -" "Quit your gossiping now," the steward commanded, "And straighten those clothes." The servants quickly did as told when the princess and her fiancé stepped into the kitchen. "Welcome, your majesty. Such an honor to have you here today. The staff have convened to hear your words. Whenever you're ready." Lyra dipped her head to the steward and stood before the small group. She'd give them a speech, if only to keep Elliot from worrying so much.
"You are all privileged to work in the castle," Lyra said firmly, "But I know you've all been through some difficult times. The king has been too… preoccupied to treat you as he should, but you have standards to live up to and I expect you to always do your best, no matter what the cost. I'll speak to my brother about improving conditions for both you and your families outside the castle. In the meantime, I will not tolerate any unrest or the spreading of wild rumors. Now back to work." She meant every word of that speech. Well, almost. She had no intentions of speaking to the king for any reason, but to promise as much would help the servants get past these rumors. It would make no difference either way. Logan wasn't likely to improve anything for anyone, especially not at his sister's request. "You call that a royal speech? You didn't shout, you didn't threaten, and you were far too reasonable," came Walter's stern voice from the doorway.
Lyra and Elliot turned to face the old knight as the staff went about their duties. The princess scowled at his words. Couldn't she do anything right? Walter then chuckled, losing his own grimace. "It was bloody marvelous," he said, eyes sparkling. Smiling, the woman's spirits were immediately lifted. To receive praise from her mentor meant the world to Lyra even though she usually didn't show it. He was the closest thing she had to a father and while she sometimes found him to be a bit overbearing, she certainly appreciated having him around. It was nice to have someone looking out for your best interests, just like a parent. "Well then," Walter said, clapping his hands together, "Ready for today's training?" "Certainly," she nodded, moving towards the stairs after him.
"Take good care of her, Walter," Elliot said, waving to the pair as he headed back to the gardens. There was a time when he would join in the lessons, but he found lately that Lyra was far too competitive. The moment a sword was in her hand, she became a different person. It was as if she and Walter had some secret motives behind the training, but he didn't know what it could be. "I suppose you heard the rumors then," Walter began, leading the princess towards the main foyer, "Well, I'm afraid they're quite true. Who knows what your brother will do next. In the mean time, the mood in the castle is getting more uneasy by the day. I can't say I quite agree with everything you told the staff, but... I must admit, they all listened to you very carefully. The way they would listen to a leader." Lyra paused, staring after her mentor as he continued on ahead. A leader? What was the old man going on about now?
Before the princess could question Walter on what he meant, they reached the foyer where there was a crowd being carefully monitored by royal guards. "A lot of people to see your brother today. Poor sods," the man muttered. "Sir Walter! What a stroke of luck! Would you be so kind as to sign my petition? We must fight to eradicate poverty in Albion. Too many suffer on our streets and the king does nothing. He must be made to care." Lyra quirked a brow at the eager man as he flagged Walter down. The knight scratched the back of his neck, seeming to find it just as odd as his young protégé. "Oh, very well, but I'm just an old soldier. I doubt my name would mean anything, but perhaps the princess here would care to help you out." The princess cringed, narrowing her eyes at Walter. Why did he have to put her on the spot like that?
"Oh, th-that would be wonderful, your majesty," the petitioner smiled, holding out the clipboard to Lyra, "It would be the greatest honor." The princess eyed the paper before her and chewed her lower lip lightly. Putting one's name on a paper if you weren't the reigning monarch would do little to change things. She considered doing several things and none of those things included putting a signature on that petition, but with Walter being only a few feet away she decided against anything rude. So, she put on her sweetest smile and took the pen. "I'd be happy to sign," she said, leaning in to quickly scribble her name. "Thank you, my princess. Your support will make all the difference. I'm certain of it," the man said. Lyra dipped her head politely. She was, of course, thinking that the only difference it would make would be to make her brother even angrier when he received word of it. Perhaps that made it worth it after all.
"That was a courageous move. I doubt it will make much difference, but perhaps your brother will finally realize you have a mind of your own," Walter said as they moved past the crowd, "Let's see you put it to good use in the combat room. Come on." Lyra followed, having second thoughts on her choice of clothing for the day as they neared their destination. The elegant gown wouldn't hinder her movements all that much, but she thought she would certainly look funny in it swinging a sword. "You have made good progress these past few weeks, but today isn't about practice. I want you to fight me. As if your life depended on it." The girl paused again just inside the door. Maybe Elliot was right. Maybe Walter was becoming obsessed with this training business.
"Go ahead, take a sword," the knight said, gesturing towards the rack of weapons. Lyra reluctantly moved forth and took up a blade she was familiar with. Walter unsheathed his sword and nodded towards his student. "Alright. Fight!" The girl immediately lunged forward. She wasn't without her reservations, but she couldn't very well deny her urges when it came to a fight. All their previous sessions had been purely training and she had gotten very good, but things were always safe. The princess was interested to see how she would do in a real fight with the seasoned warrior in front of her. "Do you remember the stories I'd tell you when you were a child? Of your mother, the great Hero Queen," he asked as their blades clashed violently, "You'd never get tired of hearing those stories. And after each one, do you remember what you would say?"
Lyra swung her blade again, steel meeting steel. Perhaps she hadn't advanced as much as she thought if Walter could carry on a conversation while she was fighting with all her might. She blocked the knight's arcing sword with a grunt and then smirked. "Teach me how to be a hero!" The man laughed and nodded, parrying another blow with ease despite his age. "Heh, every single time. I wish that was something an old soldier like me could teach you, but I've done my best," he said, backing off and pointing his blade at her, "Now I need you to do your best. Strike me! It's time you showed me what you've got!" Lyra frowned, confused by Walter's request and his apparent eagerness to prepare her for something he had neglected to tell her about. Still, she tightened her grip on the hilt of her weapon and charged forth. With an elegant flourish that even the knight hadn't thought her capable of, she sliced clean through his blade.
"Ha ha! You only went and broke it! Look at that! Am I a great teacher or what," Walter said, holding his destroyed weapon up for her to see. He smiled at the princess as she regarded her work with wide eyes. "Listen, there's something- -" "Walter!" Elliot burst through the double doors, drawing both of their attentions with a start. "You have to come quickly. Both of you!" "What's happened?" The younger man turned towards the hallway behind him and then waved the pair over. "Outside the castle. It looks like a demonstration," he said, panting. Lyra's brow furrowed at the interruption. So the peasants were getting worked up outside. It didn't seem like something that concerned them. In fact, it seemed to be her brother's business. "This is not good," the knight said, his wrinkled face contorting with worry as he moved to follow Elliot. With a sigh, the princess dropped her sword carelessly to the combat room floor and fell in line behind the two men.