Creperum

Chapter Two

The King sent many servants and carriages over the next day to help me move my items, though I had a very modest collection. As a welcoming gift, I was to receive a new wardrobe of dresses, but until they were done being commissioned, I had to wear what I already had. 

I was surprised to find that Mother seemed satisfied with my "performance" (as she called it) with the King. "Earning his trust is smart. Maverick won't disobey his Father, he doesn't have the nerve." She had said. 

I didn't tell her about meeting Maverick. His deception almost ruined our entire plan, not to mention my good standing. Perhaps he was as selfish as Mother claimed. I was glad trusting him wasn't part of the agreement. 

I was in my castle bedchamber when I met Abigail. I had been organizing my vanity to my liking.  "Your highness?" A soft knock came from my doorway. I turned around to see a kind old maidservant named Bess. 

"Yes?" I replied. She stepped into the room, followed by a much younger woman with exceptional beauty. The young lady wore a simple brown dress with a lighter pinafore. Her honey colored hair was in a thick dutch braid, exposing a long, slender neck. 

"This is Abigail, my lady. She'll be your lady's maid, if it pleases you." Bess introduced. Abigail curtsied with a natural grace my mother had tried to beat into me. 

"Nice to meet you, m'lady." Abigail spoke with a soft accent. Her doe eyes met mine, shining with a glimmer I didn't recognize. I smiled widely. 

"It's very nice to meet you. Thank you, Bess. Yes, a lady's maid would please me very much." Bess gave a short curtsy and left us alone. 

"You have dinner with his highness, Prince Maverick, this evening. I wasn't sure if anyone had told you. But in the meantime, I'm to get you settled into the castle." Abigail announced. 

My stomach flipped at the mention of Maverick. He was simultaneously the only person and the last person I wanted to dine with. Especially since I couldn't kill him before we were married. I sighed, looking around my room. The golden vanity I sat at stood against a wall facing my bed. 

The canopy surrounding my bed was a light cream colored satin, matching my curtains and bedspread. On the wall parallel to my vanity was a door leading to a balcony. The floor was covered in a rug of blue and gold threads. Directly across from my bed was a fireplace, freshly lit. The whole room was completed by a grand chandelier of candles whenever daylight was not enough. 

I had two bookshelves perpendicular to the doorway, full of classics, heroic adventures, and poetry from all over the world. I saw Abigail eyeing them. In a smaller, separate room attached to mine was my bathtub, dressing screen, and wardrobe.

"I'm afraid I wasn't aware of the dinner. I have nothing to wear, but we can worry about that later." I answered. "Shall we take a tour of the castle?" 

"The gardens!" Abigail exclaimed. "You must see them. They're beautiful. I can guarantee you've never seen so many roses. They were a favorite of the King's late wife, so every year that's what he has planted all over to remind him of her." 

"Isn't it too cold right now? There's still frost on the ground. We may catch a chill." 

Abigail looked disappointed, but agreed. I promised her we'd go to the gardens tomorrow if she'd show me around the inside of the castle this morning. 

Abigail and I set off, covering much of the first floor where the ballroom, dining quarters, kitchen, and guest rooms were. Truthfully, these bored me. What I wanted to know was where Maverick slept. Where he sat when no one watched him. I wanted to know his weakness.