Elena
At last I have the chance to see him in person. I looked over Wallace's shoulder. His hair is a midnight shadow, his eyes dangerously sharp, his fine clothing compared the same level as the guests' fashion; except for the thick beaver coat wrapped around his shoulders, he wears no jewelry except for a single ring on his finger. Everyone stood up on their feet.
"Are you all deaf? I said what have I missed."
Wallace stepped forward nervously. I could see the droplets of sweat pouring down his forehead and on the back of his neck. "...Your majesty, I-I can ex-explain..."
The king chuckled. "What is the matter with you, Wallace? Has the wine soured your tongue? Speak clearly."
Wallace took a breath, calming his nerves for a moment. "Forgive me, your majesty. I just had a bit of a situation with that prostitute. She is new, so I suppose she has plenty to learn with courting with the upper class."
The king's eyes looked at me. I froze as if he shot a bomb straight at me. But I still kept my cool and kept my head held high. The king turned his attention back to Wallace. "Well, my friend. Usually I believe my humble guest, however, since I witnessed the scene of the situation I'm afraid I must deny you, and believe that prostitute you refer to."
Wallace gasped. "But, your majesty, that girl must be punished for her disrespectful behavior and her rude accusation of my personal life."
The king just simply nodded. "True, but she is right about everything. Stop being in denial, my friend. You are just embarrassing yourself. Not to mention your rudeness to Lady Gilbert, you can't exactly call a woman a prostitute when she is still an untouched virgin."
Wallace wiped the sweat off his forehead. "Ha! That is a lie! An outrageous, absurd lie! That girl may not have a history of sleeping with her clients, but many deaths and stolen belongings have happened from the following years of her life as a court woman. Now how can I not call her a prostitute when she has proven enough?"
The king laughed. He came closer to Wallace. "Wallace, my friend, you already have experienced being with women one by one like finishing a whole grown grape. Yet you still do not know the meaning of a prostitute. Must I open the Holy Book to teach the meaning of the word?"
The guest chuckled silently. I must stand up for this, or else Wallace's skin will remain in that unnatural red color. I stepped forward. "You majesty, if I may, I wish to explain my fault of this situation."
The king placed a hand on his chin. "Proceed. What is your side of the story, Lady Gilbert? Now be wise not to lie, I heard and watched every moment of your actions."
"Your majesty, it is obvious the amusing performance that has happened is cause by me. I only did it to relief my pride as a...as a disgraceful human being in this society and maybe to take revenge against Lord Wallace. It is not my first time to be offended of my status as a whore. But then again, it pains me deeply to endure for such people to come up to me and mention of my sins. I show myself by entertaining my clients, and appear attractively beneath one's eyes, yet when it comes to discussion of my status I become taciturn. However, I am also a human being and I make regretful mistakes of just losing my self-control and release my anger and my true thoughts that I bury deep inside me. Forgive me again for causing such trouble."
A smirk curved on his lips, a beautiful and perfect smirk yet I could sense danger beneath it. "You are quite different, Lady Gilbert. People often lower their head when they speak to me, even my own brother. Its quite refreshing to finally meet a brave person like you, a bit astonishing that its beneath my class. Of course, like you said we are all human, for we all are equal as well. And please, do not be concerned of the situation. There is no need of apology, in fact it quite amused me. So I thank you for that."
'Thank you? Is this a dream? All this time, I thought he will agree with Wallace and maybe lock me up in the Tower. However, getting out of trouble this way is quite odd.' When the king turned around to return back inside the tent, everyone bowed. I myself forced myself to curtsy. Saltzman lifted the fabric doorway for the king to enter, but the king turned around again. He looked straight at me and reached his hand out as if he is claiming for mine.
"Lady Gilbert, perhaps you could join me today? I would love for you to accompany me."
The girls looked straight at me. Caroline's jaw dropped but she gave me those excited, thrilled eyes. As for some of the girls, all there is shown is jealousy and fury. I don't feel lucky at all. I wish one of them could take my place. Why can't he take Caroline? She has the most stunning golden blonde hair, and her sweet kindness is just so adoring and hard to ignore. Or Penelope? Her dress is custom made all the way from Paris. She has the attractive cat smile and the stunning ocean eyes. Or maybe Kitty, Anne, or Lizzy? Why can't it be any of those girls? Why me?
I took a breath. My heart pounded as my eyes looked straight at the king's black eyes and his hand still opened for mine. I feel like a prisoner taking the walk of shame; all the guests stared at me, some shows excitement and amusement, others show concern and disappointment. Finally, I stood in front of the king's feet. His gloved hand took hold of mine and he lifted it to his lips. He kissed it with that devilish crooked smirk and led me inside.
~ I sat beside the king. The only people who were there is his two friends from England. The king did not release my hand, I feel a bit uncomfortable from this gesture. Usually, when I'm near men they prefer to place their hands somewhere else other than my hand. It is a little strange to feel this different experience with the most powerful man in this country.
I am relieved the king did not remove his leathered gloves, I think I will choke if he allows me to feel his skin. For pity sake, I only have been with the middle class for years. I don't really feel honored to be near the king. It is terrifying because I am beginning to grow hungry again ...Really hungry...
The king leaned back on his chair. "So, Elena is it?"
I nodded. "Yes, your majesty."
"How old are you?"
"I am three to twenty, your majesty." I gripped on my dress, I lowered my head to hide the drops of sweat falling down my forehead. This time my hunger just doesn't want to pass.
The king caught my struggle. One of his hands reached for my chin. "Lady Gilbert, are you alright? You look a bit faint?"
"I am well. I just...I ju-just must be a bit uneasy since this morning. Please pardon me, my condition is nothing serious."
The king kindly slipped out a handkerchief out of his breast pocket of his vest. Instead of just handing it to me, he carefully placed a hand on my cheek and dabbed my forehead gently. I tried to protest, but he just shook his head and insisted. His two guests sat their uncomfortable in an awkward and silent manner.
The king finally placed his hand down. "You should see a doctor, Lady Gilbert? You should always be cautious of your health. And you could keep that handkerchief."
I light gripped on it and nodded. "Thank you, your majesty."
The king smiled. "Don't worry, I am not just giving it to you because your sweat is on it. It is just a kind gesture as my way to show you as a proper gentleman."
I forced a weak smile. "Right. Thank you again."
The party outside is going perfectly well. But in here, the feast is completely dying. Now I hate to be near men I cannot kill, but I must play my part regardless of how I feel. I grabbed the pitcher of wine and poured it in the king's goblet.
"Your majesty, I have heard so many stories about you. All exceedingly thrilling, and a bit...exaggerating."
The king took the goblet and took a sip. "Exaggerating? Why is that?"
I filled my goblet as well. "Why wouldn't there be any exaggeration, your majesty. Your outer features are described to be handsome as a precious jewel, yet inside you are a solid wall that is guarded with a pack of wolves. I was told that your clothes are made from the touch of God and has the compelling power for people to bow down to your feet. I could just go on with the great exaggerations the people makes."
The king chuckled. "Guarded with a pack of wolves? Now that is something I never heard of."
"I also hear Spain is matching you with a bride. How is that process going? Successful? Or unsatisfying? If it goes well then the alliance with the Spaniards will be excellent support for the country."
The king lifted the hand that he has been holding up to his lips. "You are such an odd woman. I never in my in my life met a court woman who insulted a lord and now speak of political discussion with the king himself. You my lady can also easily be described with exaggeration. My description for you is an extinct rose, the color is different and the pain of its thorns is just a vague warning to the person of the danger for it to be plucked."
"I have been called a rose many times by my clients. However, I am greatly flattered from hearing it from you, your majesty. Sometimes I wonder why my mother couldn't just name me Rose instead of Elena...before I eschewed contact from her completely..."
The king's face fell. But he did not say anything. In fact, what is there to say to a person like me? Nothing. That is the answer. I am a disappointment to everyone. Everywhere I go outside of the palace walls I am unwelcomed from every area. The church. The village. The forest. I didn't choose to murder my family, it was my curse that chose for itself. But even though I abhor it strongly in my heart, it keeps me strong and changed it me from a scared and useless girl to a determined, strong woman.
Saltzman opened the fabric doorway. A man entered. He has ashy brown hair with a touch of orange, his garment is dark and overly embroidered with endless patterns, he wore no hat, a single jeweled necklace hung on his neck along with the same exact ring the king wears. The king slowly released my hand and stood up from his seat. He rushed over to the man and embraced him. They padded each others' back before they took a seat.
The king removed his gloves. "Brother, at last you arrived. What took you so long?"
"Forgive me brother. Isabella stopped by. And Lord have mercy, if you ever leave me alone with her again, I will personally drag you down by your feet and make you kiss her greasy hand yourself."
The king grimaced. "Oh! She didn't wear gloves this time?"
His brother shook his head. "She didn't even bother to do so. It was the most horrifying experiences I have ever been through."
The two guests finally began to laugh. The king slipped one of his hands under the table and took my hand. Without warning I let out an unexpected gasp. As if the king's brother never knew I was there, he changed his attention to me.
"Who is this, brother?"
"Ah. This is Lady Elena Gilbert. It is unfortunate you missed what just happened. This woman just made my day. Stefan, why is that you always miss every memorable moment?" He squeezed my hand lightly.
Stefan cleared his throat. "Di-did you really just forgot what I just said? I just saved your ass by getting rid of Isabella. Oh dear gracious me! You should have seen her huge dress. Nobody in England or France could compare her huge tent like dress. It is a continent for pity sakes!"
The gentlemen laughed while Stefan told the tale of Princess Isabella and her determination to win the heart of his attention. I sat there, trying my best to smile. The king's eyes looked at me couple of times. 'He confuses me. Is his gesture of touching my hand and looking me an attraction? Or is it just the usual moves he makes to most women? Besides he is young and he knows the experience of the company of women.'
~ Nightfall fell. I could hear the servants clearing the tables. I am impatient for Saltzman to come in and inform the king of my departure. But he just never came, nor can I see any sign of his shadow from outside.
I playfully leaned against the king and whispered in his ear. "It is close to midnight. The night is no longer young. My carriage awaits with the girls, your majesty. I now must join them."
"No. How dare you. You can't freely do anything as you wish. I will tell you when you will leave. Besides, Saltzman has not informed you just yet. You stay where you are girl."
'Girl? First it was the respectful gesture of calling me "Lady Gilbert", now I'm back to formally being called a girl. Is the wine overpowering his words? Or is there a change of heart to good replaced to the bad?'
I smiled. "Forgive me, your majesty. I think I drank too much wine, my words just got tangled."
The king gulped straight down on the goblet. His eyes remained on my face. Stefan continued to discuss the trip to France with the two guests.
The king still did not release my hand. "How come I never seen you in court?"
"You never invited me, your majesty. And I am not in such a status to be accepted to attend the court. The nobles will not be pleased by that."
"I need a girl like you close by. I give you my permission to enter the court. I will replace you to another apartment, a more grand and comfortable apartment."
I shook my head. "Oh your majesty, it is an honor. However, I do not wish to attend the court, nor do I wish to leave the harem I am staying in. I lived there since my early teens, I beg your pardon of my refusal, but that only place is where I carry my memories and my close friends I have made so far. I know I shown more pity other than entertainment, but I could never enter court."
The real reason is that I won't be able to kill. Bonnie is the only person I trust, and she helps me along the way. If I lose contact with Bonnie I will become the monster I once was back in the past. By then I will probably be hanged or burned for being cursed of withcraft. I can't let that happen.
"But I insist. There are many guests who has just arrived from England. It will be my greatest pleassure to do your services."
"But I already am. I am more comfortable working where I already am. To make matters worse, the guests tonight already had enough of me. I believe I caused enough trouble for one evening. I do not wish to cause anymore for the rest of my years I'll be staying."
The king nodded. "Alright then. But in case you change your mind, this offer I give will still be open. Just think about it."
"I will, your majesty."
