ℌ𝔢𝔯 𝔊𝔯𝔞𝔠𝔢, 𝔐𝔶 𝔔𝔲𝔢𝔢𝔫 Book 2

Chapter 14 A Smile Hides Many Things

Sitting in her room in the tower Jade was doing a little needlepoint with her maid, she was making something special for Isadora. It was a new dress for her to wear when her father returned from the battlefield. Of course, Isadora doesn't know that is where her father was. Well, no one has told her that is where her father was at the moment, though she is a smart girl and has probably figured out by now with all the extra army troops wandering about. Her father's absence has been noticed, but Jade has been doing her best to keep Isadora entertained and busy with her studies.

She also invited Lady Beth to eat dinner with her, but she declined. She also asked her to have breakfast with her in her tower room and have a game of cards... again Beth declined. It would seem that maybe some of the servants have been sharing talk of Jade and His Grace becoming very close. Jade has only told her maid, but that didn't mean that is where that information stayed.

Shouting was heard out in the courtyard below the tower, but when Jade looked out the window, she didn't see anything. So she thought maybe one of the hunting dogs got out or something. So she sat back down and continued to work on her stitching. But when her door was kicked open by a man wearing the colors of Beth's father's crest on his chest... She knew something bad had happened.

Beth's father had decided to sign a treaty with Edward after agreeing to the marriage and was now assisting him in the war, instead of ending it.

The man grabbed Jade by the throat and pushed her against the wall next to the window. "You Winter's daughter?" He said in a gruff voice.

Jade could not speak loudly, so she whispered yes.

The man loosened his grip slightly, "My cousin says you outplayed her to be the King's whore. I can see why. You are so pretty."

Hot tears were streaming down Jade's face, but she used the only thing she had available to her. She took the scissors in her hand and plunged them up against the man's lower torso between his armor plates.

He screamed out in pain. "You BITCH!" He pulled the scissors out of his chest and threw them aside. "You'll pay for that." He took a step toward her, then fell face-first at her feet. The same pair of scissors now sticking out of his lower spine.

"M'Lady, are you alright?" The maid asked as she wiped the blood off her hand onto her apron.

Jade was shaking but managed to answer "Yes."

The maid walked to her and pulled a shawl around her shoulders, "You might want to cover your neck for a few days... that is going to leave a mark."

More tears rolled down her face, but her victory was short-lived as King Edward's Eldest son walked through the door. He was a bastard, born to a mistress of the king so he could not descend to the throne. "You the King's new whore?"

Beth walked up behind him, "That's her. She is the one who stole my place."

Charles took her hand, "No worries love when my father dies and I take his spot... You will marry me."

Jade spoke up, "But you can descend the throne."

Charles drew a blade from his side, "Unless you want me to kill you, I would keep quiet." He tossed the blade back and forth between his hands. "Beth's cousin is going to marry my sister, taking her away. My dear old sick dad will have no one else to leave his kingdom to when 'His Grace' shows up and finishes him off once and for all."

Jade narrowed her eyes, "What makes you think that he will do your bidding?"

Beth put her hands on her hips, "We thought about taking you, but I know something he cares for more than anything on this earth."

Jade's eyes went wide, "Don't touch her..."

Charles reached back and struck her hard against the side of the head, causing Jade to crumple to the floor. He looked to the maid who had her back pressed against the wall, "Tend to your mistress, and when His Grace decides to show up back home. Give him this." He handed a note to the maid. It laid out the demands of needing his father killed in order to get Princess Isadora back.