The King's Mistress

Chapter 9

Leo begged his heart out for me to stay. How could a man act like such a monster break down in defeat? I was one girl out of his sea of lovers. Was it the fact he went insane that drove the women away?
"I beg you please stay" Leo said.
His hair was a mess and his eyes now underlined by dark circles.
"What has happened to you?" I asked, knowing quite well what has happened to him.
"I'm dying" Leo said lowly.
The room was silent as I stared at Leo.
"No you can't be dying" I said trying to laugh it off.
"When you leave me again I will die" Leo said. He was so sure of himself.
Leo still had his head laying on my lap. My fingers found his matted hair. I combed it with my fingers until it laid down.
"I will make you a deal" I said using this to my advantage.
Leo suddenly showed signs of life eagerly awaiting my deal.
" I will stay with you only if you let Eric go" I said. Leo grabbed my hand and held it to his face. "Anything you want" he said.
"One more thing....I want to be free to do as I please" I said. Leo nods.

Eric was set free, given money and live stock thanks to my deal with Leo.
Life returned to normal in the castle. I still kept my guard up with Leo knowing that he says things to get people to do what he wants. I didn't fully trust him but I still tried to satisfy him during his "fits".
Leo became cold once more as expected which meant more women visited his chambers almost every night. This confused me that he wanted me but he had to have countless lovers. It has to be an addiction a sickness of the mind.
It started again the day I went to his chamber to check on him. I got to the door about to turn the handle when I heard the scream of one of his lovers. I turned away quickly realizing what he was doing. I ran as fast I could to my chamber and closed the door. I wanted nothing to do with that. I wanted to block it all out. Leo had me but he chose women from near and far to be his lovers. I was right there for him not as a lover but as a companion. I was just like them but instead of being casted out of his sight he kept me here in the castle. He was my first lover and to the looks of it my only lover who only wanted me here as a pet who was never loved me only treated as a toy.

(Leo)
I had a taste of love for the night taking what I wanted of the woman but it never satisfied my hunger. She left out of my site leaving me alone in the large bed never to see her again. I laid back resting my head on the pillow. The sheets lay about me as I chose my next move. I kicked my legs over the edge as I lifted my tired body out of the bed. I reached for my robe that lay on the floor and wrapped myself up. I went to my private bath to wash away my night's deed.

(Mai)
I laid in my chamber trying to block Leo from my mind. I was mad at myself for believing he could only want me. I had to block that from my mind because tonight was the ball that was planned for my return. How could I pretend to enjoy the party when Leo was love drunk over his latest victim of his love?
I prepared myself for the ball just as my maids came in to check on me and to help me finish getting ready.

(Leo)
My mind flashed to Mai's face as I remembered my night's deed. She had to have known I was falling back into my addiction. I couldn't face her tonight but I didn't want her to know what I had done. I had to get ready and make my appearance but as soon as I did that I would resign to my chamber.