Elena
The ride was a bit long. The carriage is hot and a bit cramped. The only thing that made me happy was that Viki wasn't here. If she was then she and Caroline will be talking endlessly till we arrive. That is the last thing I could ever bare. Saltzman chose to take over the reins. I guess I hurt him terribly hard.
To keep myself company, I removed my handkerchief from my sleeve and twisted it tightly as the girls' laughter grew louder and louder. I don't see what there might be to talk about. The guests will be very different from the usual clients we entertain back at the harem. By different I mean will be more brutal. There are many ways to compare the difference between the middle and the upper class. The middle class are our common clients; they claim for long hours of attention and entertainment but they are easily taken home at nightfall. The upper class are different; they have the power of the clock and us, we can never leave as long as their lips tells us to. We girls have been together for years. But yet, they still don't understand the great consequences that lie hidden in the life of a court woman.
The carriage finally stopped, the girls crowded around the small window. Their giggling and voices grew with excitement and enthusiasm. It's a shame I can't take one man...Just one will do. Just one. I could hear their hearts beating with such a beautiful, melodic rhythm. Doong! Doong! Doong! I closed my eyes and gripped tightly to my dress to calm myself. But my stomach is now overpowering me.
A hand touched my shoulder. "Elena? Elena, are you alright?"
I didn't move. 'Don't touch me if you don't want to get hurt.' I took long breaths to calm my furious, growling stomach. That hand traveled to my forehead. 'I must move. I must. Just bear it, Elena. Just bear it.' I lifted my head. Its Caroline. I threw in a smile in a painful manner. "I'm sorry, my friend...Just between us girls, I think I started my period."
Caroline grimaced. "Today you started? That must be frustrating for you. Oh, no wonder you didn't want to go...Elena, just hang in there and go through with what you have to do today. When we return I'll make some tea for you. Just try to endure it my friend."
I nodded. I loosened the grip on my dress, and leaned back. The door opened. Saltzman leaned closer to the doorway. "Ladies, the feast is being prepared. The guests and the king himself are still hunting for games. You ladies know what you must do. Just follow me, they will arrive soon."
The girls squealed. Saltzman gave a hand to each one of the girls as they leaped off the carriage. I'm the last. After Caroline leaped off the carriage while holding Saltzman's hand, I grabbed a handful of my skirt on one side and jumped off the carriage without his support. He just let out an awkward cough, and led us to the arranged feast. He pointed at a red velvet tent, embroidered with a lion's head and nature like leaves sewn in gold. "All of you are not allowed to enter that tent. This tent is only for the king and a few of the guests he has personally chosen. If any of you enters that tent, it is up to the king to punish you an unforgettable torture. Ladies, you must understand being present by the high class is different from the clients you usually serve. Your services must be performed the way that it always is, but I warn you your attitude and actions will be judged by the guests and the king himself. Now will you excuse me, I have other arrangements to attend to."
Caroline wrapped an arm around mine. "That man can't even look you in the eye."
"He deserved what I done to him. Besides, my actions doesn't compare to the unforgivable words he said to Bonnie. I will not tolerate that, nor stand for it."
"Elena, I agree with you. However, be careful or something will happen to you. You said it yourself we here are the low-class. We don't have the advantage to speak up, choose our future, or help our loved ones the safe and acceptable way. For instance, look at you and me. We have been together since we were twelve, and things just happen to be the same as it always was. Society is something I always hoped will change, yet they shunned me for good because I am nothing but a prostitute."
I took Caroline's hand and faced her. "Look Caroline. Do not say such depressing words. You are more than just a court woman, you have such a bright life in you, there is a smile on your face whether time is good or bad. You risked so much to be where you are after your parents were on dept. And after your father's death you lost your pride and chose to be what you are now. It is shameful to have this reputation, however, remember you are not doing this for pleasure; seducing men and dressing yourself with exposable clothes. No. We are still vulnerable, yet strong women. Don't beat yourself so hard in such a way."
"But that is what I am, Elena. I can never marry or bear children of my own. I can never experience a lovely child running up to me with a smile and calling me 'Ma'. The youth I have is all that I have left, and once all of it goes away into dust by the cause of the unfair time, I will be abandoned in the streets. By then I can cut my hair and sell it, or exchange some of my clothing that I will be wearing for food. That is the future I see, Elena." She looked at the girls. "And unfortunately, that's the future all these girls are going to have too. Our families are gone. Our friends despise us due to our decision of selling our bodies to strange men...In the end, all that will be left will be ourselves with nothing. Nor hope or faith that there might be luck that will save us."
I took her shoulders and turned them to face me. "Caroline, we still have our wages, including the clothes and accessories. That's worth something to save ourselves. I know what I'm going to do once my contract is finished. I have a few options I have in mind. But none of them are dying helplessly in the streets. Just don't think of such tragic misfortune that might haunt us soon. Just let that smile of yours grow happiness in you, Caroline you truly deserve – "
Galloping of horses came closer and closer. Saltzman rushed to us. "They're here. Stay in a line, your services will be needed shortly." He ran quickly away.
The horses stopped by the tents. The servants took the reins from each guest. They all looked a bit over dressed by my eyes; their hat were wide that could shadow their faces; feathers of every bird hanging on the corner of each rich hat, their garments wide and colored with dark and both bright colors, half the fingers wear rings; rubies, sapphires, emeralds and a plain gold ring band. The gentlemen's fashion seems to be all equal. It is hard to guess who the king is. I watched Saltzman walk beside a crow black haired man with a thick beaver fur coat wrapped around his shoulders. I could hear their words clear as a bell.
"Your majesty, I am relieved you had a save hunt. I called for a surgeon before you started your journey, in case anyone gets hurt."
I can't see the man's face, for he is faced from the back. But now I at least know that he is the king.
He nodded. "Good. Good. Was there any late contact from Spain? I hear they are excited to introduce me to another match."
Saltzman shook his head. "No, sir. There was no letter from Spain at all, nor was there one a week ago."
He sighed, a sound of joy and relief. "That's a relief. I do not want another match from Spain. The last girl they introduced me to was just horrifying; the girl had such greasy skin, I was glad that she wore gloves when I kissed her hand by respect."
I smiled. The king indeed has high expectations for a bride. I'm not surprised how difficult it is for him to choose just one girl. The girls and I joined the guests as they took a seat by the table. The girls immediately caught their attention. When I was about to sit next to the man with the peacock feathered hat, Saltzman grabbed my wrist.
"Not so fast. I don't want any trouble from you." He bend down and lifted my skirt halfway. The guests looked at us laughing and let out a long "woooo".
I just stood there still. I could feel his hand in my stocking and removing the knife. He finally stood up. "That'll be all. Go on now."
The gentleman with the peacock hat shouted. "You sure you don't want this one, boy?! I won't hesitate to give you away this delicious peach."
Saltzman shook his head. "I beg your pardon, sir. This lady was carrying a knife, please don't misunderstand. I hope you could endure such a feisty girl, Lord Wallace."
I don't think he believes Saltzman, because all he did was smile as if he was joking. This will be fun. Wallace took my hand and pushed me down on a chair next to him. I picked up the wine pitcher and poured it in his wine goblet.
"Drink, sir. Don't let the wine go sour or time will take me away to where I come from."
Wallace sipped on his goblet while his eyes darted straight at me without blinking. He lowered the cup from his lips. "You my dear is quite a define rose. Beautiful, yet dangerous from your deadly thorns."
"A rose protects itself from its precious thorns, yet its beauty manipulates one's eye to spread its existence."
Wallace chuckled. "My, what fine philosophy. What is your name, girl?"
"I am Elena Gilbert, sir."
Wallace arched an eyebrow. "Gilbert? Ah! At last I found you!" He stood up from his seat and grabbed my arm and pulled me up. "Gentlemen! Gentlemen! I found her! The Virgin Whore really exist!"
The guests began to laugh. Wallace wrapped an arm around my waist. His yellow teeth released a foul smell of wine and beer. "My girl, we heard so much about you. Is it true all your clients never had the chance to slip you in their bed? Or ever kissed those rosy lips of yours?"
Another man who held Caroline by the neck spoke up. "Oh! Or do you steal their pocket money and just shoo them away?!"
The gentlemen let out a laugh, drunk and merry. I tightened my fist, and my anger went straight down to my uncontrollable stomach. I grabbed the wine pitcher. "Well, it is true. As amusing and ridiculous it may sound, I Elena Gilbert is a virgin. Its better for me to say the truth other than keep your eager curious minds untold." I raised the pitcher to my lips and drank the pitcher straight down. "If you don't believe me, then by all means don't," I gulped down once more on the pitcher.
"Oh now girl, tell us the truth will you? A famous whore like you could never be a virgin. Now that is just an absurd lie."
I slammed the pitcher down and wiped my mouth with my sleeve. "An absurd lie? You are right, Lord Wallace we all should tell the truth. Since I took my turn, let's turn the course to you. Now this will be a fine game. Hmmm...Let's talk about your wife? You are a fine, clever business man. But you are a man who enjoys a time off of marriage. Besides, as they say marriage is like a glass of wine. The first sip is sweet but after some time the taste grows sour and destroys the pleasuring delight."
The guests raised their cups and laughed so hard; crumbs of food and droplets of wine spattered out of their mouths. I couldn't help but laugh too because Wallace's cheeks are now growing red of embarrassment and fury. But I can't dare to stop, I am going to win this battle.
"Why are your cheeks rosy pink? Do you deny you get a time off of your marriage to your third wife? The tan line on your finger explains the numerous times you hid your identity as a married man. Gracious me! There must be thousands of women who shared their bed with Thomas Robert Wallace."
Wallace stomped his foot. "That is enough!"
But I refused, I stepped out and circled around madly to each chair. I grabbed the end of the chair and looked closely at the girls. "Did you sleep with Thomas Wallace?" The man who sat beside her wore a green, emerald garment. He started to cough unstoppably while streams of laughter poured out. I moved to the next chair, but to make it more amusing I removed my hat and put it on top of Caroline's client. "You miss, have you met Thomas Wallace before? My goodness, I love the hat on your head, it brings out your completion with your fine gray beard."
The guests were pouring out "haaaa haaaa", except Wallace was just darting his hawk eyes at me furiously. 'Alright I'll stop. Huh. Men. They are no fun when things start off about them.' I took the hat and put it back on my head.
One of the men spoke up. "Don't worry, Wallace. We promise we will not speak any of this to your wife. It will be our little secret."
Caroline's client lifted his goblet up. "Well gentlemen, I guess it is clear the famous Elena Gilbert is a virgin after all. Let's just believe this whether it is true or false, so there will be no further discussion. Now none of us would want to be broken like Wallace here."
The guests lifted their goblets too and made a quick cheer, and gulped down quickly to drown their immediate laughter. Wallace however did not do the same. I stood my ground. 'I went too far with him. I wouldn't be surprised if he strangles me.'
As expected, he charged straight at me. 'Damn you, Saltzman. You just had to take my knife in the wrong time.' He grabbed my shoulders and squeezed the life out of them. "You girl must have forgotten who you are. I abhor disrespect, especially from a whore like you. I warn you girl, I will not hesitate to push you down to the streets."
Clap. Clap. Clap. I looked around and everyone started stand up from their seats. Even Wallace turned his head with wide eyes.
"What did I miss gentlemen?"
"Your majesty." Everyone started almost at the same time.
It is the king.
