Evil I Become...

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The next morning I woke to the beautiful sounds of laughter and cheering from the tiny hole in the wall high above my head that served as a window to the world outside.

It was only when I noticed that the laboured breathing of one of the polish boys, with which I shared the room, was missing leaving me and my thoughts alone.

The realisation that I had overslept and was now missing the arrival of Lady Isabella and her royal guard, hit me like falling bricks. I was safe to say that this was one event I definitely wanted to see.

Hurrying into my boots, I ran down the corridor struggling to put on my worn, hole ridden coat. One of the young maids, who's name I couldn't remember, rounded the corner at the same time and we collided at high speed. So much so that the plate of fresh meat and bread she was carrying flew into the air. The plate landed on the floor with a noisy clatter and the food rained down on us as the woman began to shout at me. I quickly continued to hurry along the corridor, completely ignoring the shouting behind, in order not to miss my opportunity to see my beloved Aunt arrive.

When I finally reached the castle gates, avoiding anymore accidents, I manage to squeeze through the crowds to reach the front and anxiously waited for our special guest’s arrival.

No more than five minutes later the noise of cheering intensified and could be heard from the village a mile away from the stronghold gates containing the upper class citizen’s houses and the castle itself. The crowd behind suddenly fell quiet until the steady thump of horse’s hooves could be heard on the ancient cobbles. Lady Isabella and her entourage had arrived.

Row after row of royal guards and soldiers poured through the stronghold gates each looking immaculate in chain mail suits covered in purple robes decorated with the emblem of Lord Allad’s kingdom, Lady Isabella’s kind hearted husband. The jesters that appeared next, dressed in colourful checked outfits, danced and juggled earn a round of applause and many cheers from the younger children. The colourful entertainment signalled that the main carriage was only minutes away.

When the grand carriage finally rolled through the gates and passed the crowds, it was clear even at a glance it belonged to royalty.

The main body was adorned in purple sashes tipped with the finest gold thread. Four majestic white horses with their mane's decorated with the same purple and gold ribbons, gracefully pulled the carriage through the crowds. The same theme of purple and gold ran throughout the driver's attire as he occasionally tugged on the rein's. Flags embossed with the royal emblem fluttered gently in the breeze as the expensive horse and carriage was admired by the hundreds of adults and children lining the streets all trying to catch a glimpse of the Royal couple inside.

The extravagant carriage passed me on its journey towards the castle where the couple would exit before being formally introduced to the crowd by my mother, the Duchessa. Yet when a window came into view I saw the curtain hadn’t been draped over properly allowing anyone to see through allowing me to witness a woman inside I had never seen before.

I couldn’t get a good enough view to see anything about the woman other than the black leather corset she wore. That kind of dress was considered wrong in society at it was seen as too sexually alluring to be suitable for everyday wear. This made me wonder if this new woman was a mistress to Lord Allad but I knew after years of being the couples washing boy that they were very much in love.

In fact a rumour had spread through the kingdom as of late that the couple were trying to conceive an heir. Not to mention a mistress would travel in a separate carriage to royalty; I quickly dismissed the idea.

I started to squeeze through the crowds once again towards the castle so I could not only see who this mystery woman was but to also receive my orders from the cook who would have been told to inform me where to go to find the Lord and Lady to cater to their needs. Once I reached my destination I jostled with the crowd to get the best view I could. Not an easy task when everyone is so much taller and stronger than you.

When I finally got to the front, after someone had stepped on my toes and I had received an elbow in my lower back, my mother appeared on the balcony used to announce messages to the crowds.

“My dearest people, in celebration of my child...” A huge roar went up into the crowds, until silenced again by the raising of Duke Lucias hand so my mother could continue. “Lord Allad and my sister Lady Isabella have joined us and will be ruling over the kingdom in the short time I will be unable to during the birth. A royal ball will be held tonight and celebrations will also be held on the main street for everyone to join!”.

The crowds cheered in favour of the party being held in the streets later that night where the village would set up food and entertainment in honor of the guests.

A trumpet sounded and a guard shifted near the carriage that was parked neatly underneath the balcony in front of the tall, oak doors of the castle. A block of steps, also decorated with purple and gold, was placed near the door of the carriage. The two guards who had shifted silently positioned themselves on either side of the door. The driver of the carriage quickly followed suit positioning himself at the door.

One of the emotionless guards then opened the intricately carved door with a soft click that only heard due to the crowds anxious silence.

Lord Allad looked and acted like royalty, dressed in purple robes with the most exquisite gold and silver patterning round the hems, as he stepped through the door. He walked down the steps and waved off the helper only to help Lady Isabella down the steps himself, their love immediately evident.

She was dressed in a long glittering dress using the same decoration as her husband, the only difference being that his shoes were large and black, hers dainty and a perfect match to the colour of her flowing purple dress.

My mother spoke once more which surprised not only me but the whole crowd also. “The Lord and Lady would also like to introduce another special guest they have brought along today to join in with the celebrations” her voice showing she was clearly not impressed by the visitor which I assumed she had met before.

“Thank you Duchessa. Yes, me and my wife recently suffered a tragedy in our kingdom, a dear friend of mine and the kingdoms finest knight was killed saving my life in an assassination attempt." Gasps could heard amongst the people surrounding me, that Lord Allad swiftly ignored. "The culprit had been hanged but at the cost of my closest friend. His dying wish was that I protect his daughter. He lost his wife during childbirth many years ago so the poor girl has no family left to care for her.” His voice boomed across the crowd but they did not speak although it was clear he had piqued their curiosity.

Lady Isabella took her turn to speak to the crowd, her delicate voice carrying easily across the silent audience “Me and my husband have gladly respected the knight’s wishes and have accepted the girl as our ward. So without further ado I would like to introduce Mila Scott!”

As the giant applause around me deafened my ears, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen stepped out of the carriage.

The same black leather corset i had previously seen was worn with silver buckles running down the front, along with tight, black leather mens trousers which hugged her body in all the right places. The heels she wore were so high I thought she would topple over at any second and yet she expertly made her way down the wooden with as much grace as Lady Isabella herself.

Her face captured my attention the most though; her skin was as white as snow and her lips as red as blood aching for attention. Her hair as dark as night itself and her eyes as blue and clear as the skies above our heads. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her and seemingly neither could the crowd and she gently curtsied keeping her beautiful, nervous eyes to the ground.

It was only when out of the corner of my eye did I see Lucias shaking his head in disgust that my attention diverted back to the balcony.  My mother looked uncomfortable but remained where she was; I was worried and prayed to the gods she was okay.  Lucias seemed to finally notice my mothers discomfort and lovingly placed an arm around her waist. It was as much to comfort her as it was to keep her from collapsing to the floor. For once I was thankful he was there because as much I despised him he always looked after my mother when I could not.

He waved a hand signalling to the guards to open the doors for the guests and the other guards to show the visiting soldiers and jesters where they could stay. As the guests started to file inside, the crowds spread out back to their ordinary lives. The excitement for them was over until the street celebrations later in the evening.

Meanwhile my hard day of work had just begun and I seriously doubted the cook would suddenly find she liked me.