Obsession

Chapter 6

When I woke up early the next morning, there was no one beside me, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Every movement I made hurt, and I was sore and bruised all over. I lay on my back and stared at the ceiling, replaying the events of the last few days over in my head.

How did I get from making dinner to here?

I cried softly and rolled onto my side, clutching my stomach. I don't know what I did to deserve this. I missed my family. My heart ached for them, for my home. I couldn't imagine not ever being able to see them again.

I must've fallen asleep once more because I woke up to someone shaking me gently.

I bolted awake, fear coursing through me, and cringed at the touch. My heart beat quickly and I turned around to see a servant girl who, once again, couldn't have been much older than me.

I was a bit taken a back, as I had been expecting Alexander, but ultimately relived. She had long brown hair and soft features, her hazel eyes warm and inviting.

"I'm sorry, did I startle you?" she asked.

I sat up and tried to straighten myself. "No, no, I'm fine."

She nodded slowly, observing me. She glanced at my hickeys and bruises before turning towards my ear. When she noticed the piercing, her eyes were full of pity. I reached up to touch if defensively and felt a bit of blood on my fingers.

"Let's get you cleaned up," she smiled finally, guiding me out of the bed. I felt my legs buckle beneath me as I stood up, and I had to lean on her for a few minutes before we continued towards the bathroom. We both knew why, but gratefully, neither one of us addressed it.

As I'd predicted, the place had been wiped spotless. She led me towards a sink where there was a mirror, a wash bowl of warm water, some face soap, and a small towel as well as a toothbrush.

As I washed the tears and blood off of my face and ear, she went into the closet and resurfaced with a dress- the type nobles wore. She held it out to me once I had finished.

"Thank you but I- I don't know your name.." I stuttered.

"Call me Leah," she smiled. "Nova right?" she asked, and I nodded. "King Alexander wants you washed up and dressed for breakfast."

"Oh," I replied simply, all my joy from having evaded him all morning dissipating.

She continued sympathetically. "It's my job to look after you and get you all situated. I guess you could call me a handmaid, but you'll get more after you-" she abruptly stopped herself. "You'll get more later." I nodded once agin, although I didn't understand why I would need them. "Anyway, we have to work quickly."

I knew she was hiding something from me but I tried to ignore it. Everyone in this castle kept secrets. Just like Miss Marie said she was preparing me for "later", and instead handed me over to this Demon of a man.

Leah helped me out of my nightgown, and although I wasn't used to others doing things for me, I wasn't embarrassed to be around her. Leah's mannerisms were strangely comforting, and I was hoping to have at least one person in the castle that I could trust.

The dress was a little too big on me, but I didn't complain. I assumed that it had been designed for a noblewoman, whom I didn't resemble in the least. The length and long sleeves hid the bruises on my arms and legs, but the uncomfortably low neckline did nothing for those on my neck and chest. I was grateful, at least, that it was relatively simple, the cotton fabric dyed deep blue.

I sat on a chair facing the mirror as Leah worked on my hair. Alexander required that I wear it in a manner that would show off the piercing he had given me so that "everyone would know I was his," to use his exact, grotesque terms. Graciously, Leah let me wear my hair down to cover my neck and was installing a clip on one side to comply with Alexander's rules. I watched her reflection as she worked.

"How old are you Nova?" she asked absentmindedly, trying to make casual conversation.

"I'm sixteen," I replied. "You?"

I could tell she was a bit taken aback by my answer, but she tried not to show it. Probably to calm me down I guessed.

"I'll be 19 in a few weeks," she responded. My curiosity caught the best of me, and I asked her how long she'd been at the castle.

"All my life. My family has worked with the royal family for generations- guards, cooks, maids, you name it. I graduated from the small school they have here for the servant's kids last year, and I've been working as a maid ever since."

I was a bit disappointed. I had thought that, like Miss Marie, she'd been forced to come here and that she would help me escape. But it seemed like she was loyal to the royal family, and furthermore, she had no where to go.

And neither do I.

I sighed inwardly before continuing. "What do you know about Alexander? Why did he bring me here?"

Leah paused for a moment. "King Alexander is... well I wouldn't go so far as to call him a tyrant, but he's used to getting what he wants. I mean ever since he came to power, we haven't had any wars. Trade has been good, and for the most part, everyone is happy. But, he can be a bit of a control freak. I- I don't know why he chose you, but I don't think he'll hurt you."

He already has, I thought bitterly.

"How old is he?" I pestered.

"I.. think he's 21 now. Yeah, he became king when he was 16, about 5 years ago. He had to be harsh, since he was so young, so people would respect him, and I think it's the only way he knows how to lead."

Wow I can't believe she's defending him. She can see the bruises as well as I, and yet she's on his side! I thought we'd get along but I guess not. No wonder she was surprised that I'm 16, he's 21 years old!

"And I know what you're thinking," Leah continued. "He doesn't seem like a good person, I know. And hell, he probably isn't. But he's done some good things. It doesn't excuse the bad ones, but it's something."

"Why did he kill my family? I mean, if the castle needs servants that badly, he could have just taken all of us. Or at least leave them alive, like with Miss Marie." I stated.  She paused for a moment, as if rehearsing her words, or maybe confused by my question. "I've been told it's so that there's no reason for you to run away. Although I understand what you mean by keeping them alive, it was probably General Hudson's orders. Out of anyone here, he is an absolute brute."

Then she leaned closer to me and whispered in my ear, "I wish I could get out too. I never chose to be a servant. I would love to live in a small village, start a family- do normal things. But I wouldn't dare say anything about running away- some of the people here are actually loyal to him. I don't even know why I'm telling you this, but just know you can trust me."

I smiled at her gratefully, all my previous doubts about her dissipating. Leah finished my hair and gave me some simple shoes to put on.

"Okay," she said. "You're ready." She led me out into the main chamber where the seating area near the fire place had been decorated with food. Alexander stood next to the table and held his arm out to me.

I glanced quickly at Leah before we released each other slowly and I placed my hand in Alexander's. He nodded, dismissing her, and I gave her one last look before she disappeared out of the doors. And I was alone with Alexander.