THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 10

Aretha stood up and walked in her room. She wanted to change into her nightgown but her maidservant was nowhere so she had to do it by herself.
She took off her gown and wore her nightgown. The ugly bump was still in her forehead and she couldn't hide it with her hair despite her many tries.
"Ugh!" she groaned. If other ladies saw her, they would tease her and she'd feel humiliated. She was already used to being the beauty in the group of noble ladies she spent time with. After Astrid of course. Aretha's hair was reddish-brown. This made her stand out and she flaunted it everytime by wearing elaborate hairstyles.
"May I help you ?" a man's voice said. When she looked back, it was Julian.
"What are you doing in my chambers Julian ?" she asked. Her heart was pounding madly and she began to breath deeply. He looked deep into her eyes and smiled.
"I brought you your medicine. I want you to get better. Now come, let me take you to bed," he said and took her hand in his and led her to her well decorated four poster bed." Lie down."
She did as she was told and he covered her tiny body using the warm blankets.He brushed her hair away from her forehead.
"Don't hide this bump. Not for me. You still look perfect even if it's there. It will go away soon." He bent over her and began to caress her face.
"Someone might find us and we will be in trouble. Astrid will get mad. You like each other and I don't want to destroy the relationship you both have," she said timidly.
" I don't care for Astrid. You are the one I care for. I love you Aretha," he purred into her ear. He kissed her forehead and was about to kiss her lips when there was a knock on the door.
Aretha sat up all sweaty. This wasn't happening. It was a dream. She smacked her forehead with the palm of her head. Why did it get cut short when Julian was about to kiss her ? There was another knock. It had to be Julian. She hoped it would. She smoothed her hair and nightgown before sitting up.
" Come in," she answered in her honeyed voice and smiled ready to see Julian. To her dismay, it was Luciana. She rolled her eyes and asked, " What are you doing here ? What do you want ?"
"My lady sent me to give you this ointment. It will help with the bump."
"Place it on my bedside table. Make sure to thank Astrid."
" I will. Goodnight my lady," Luciana said and turned to leave when Aretha said, "Wait."
"Yes my lady."
"Come here and apply the ointment on the bump."
Luciana bit her lower lip and did as she was told. All she wanted was to leave immediately because Aretha was capable of doing anything possible to humiliate her especially now that she knew of her affair with Fabian. She bent beside Aretha and began to apply the ointment on Aretha's bump.
"Slowly Luciana. Goodness. Is that how you massage Astrid whenever she has a bruise ?"
"I'm sorry," she said and stood up straight once she was done." It's all done now my lady."
"You may leave now."
"Thank you my lady. Goodnight," she said and when she was about to open the door to leave, Aretha spoke again stopping her in her tracks.
"I'm sure that you're happy after everything that happened to me. You also enjoy seeing this hideous bump on my head. You must think to yourself that what goes around comes around because I have been nasty towards you over the years," Aretha said softly. There was only the tone of weakness in her voice.
"That's not true. I could never wish you any harm. I am sorry for what ha...."
Aretha shooed Luciana away with the movement of her hand interrupting Luciana. Luciana took it as her cue to leave which she did and closed the door behind her.