Desires of the Crown

8 - Acquiring Material Possessions

          Alliar

I turned the last page of the book and read the last line. It was a good story for what it was, a fantasy novel aimed mostly for little children, the reading level was that of a basic ten year old and I managed to read the entire book in only half a day. Sighing deeply I pulled myself up off the bed, my hands quickly moving to pull down the thin black shirt that I had on — the only piece of clothing I could find after going through all of his draws, all of which were empty except for this shirt and his small chest in the corner which was locked.

Getting off of the bed I slowly tip toed over to the front of the tent, listening quietly I could hear Demetri chatting to a few guards as he took up his post for the night. The sunset was setting a dim glow on the tent making the colour of the dark blue turn more into a midnight black. Demetri seemed nice earlier, I didn't fear him at all but I did get the sense that he was fishing for information by asking me if read. I didn't really think about what I would say if I was ever asked personal questions because, well, I didn't think there would be any personal questions.

I had almost slipped up, almost told Demetri my name. It wouldn't have been a big deal if my mother hadn't named me an uncommon name and if I were younger it would have been fine, I could just say that I was named after the princess, but I wasn't. I could hardly think of a story on the spot to tell him, but now I had perfected my story. I was now a lady in waiting for one of Lord McKinley's daughters — I was sure he had at least two — and they had insisted I learn to read. Why? So that I could write and relay messages for them. Done. A great lie, almost fool proof.

I thought about what would happen if I told them who I was, or if they suddenly found out about me. I would be dead quicker than I could beg for mercy. The only other option would be to sell me back to my brothers, no doubt they would pay for me, but then I would be just a ruined princess with no value. I could never marry anyone above me, equal to me, or even just below me. No, the only person who would marry a ruined princess with no inheritance is for blood or greed.

Turning around I walked back over to the bed. A small flicker of light stopping me mid step. Frowning slightly I walked over to the edge of the bed where the flash of light came from and kneeled down beside it. Rocking back on my heels I reached just under the bed and grabbed onto a thick chain and pulling it out and into the light.

It was my necklace.

The necklace my mother had gifted me with only two days ago. The silver locket carved out in the shape of a bow and arrow with the rare crystal inside the pendant. I turned it over in my hands, my forefinger slowly tracing the edges of the locket before I brought it to my chest and hugged it close. I wasn't as good as a mother's hug, but it was better than being completely alone.

"What are you doing?" The Kings voice boomed in the tent as he stepped in almost silently.

I jumped at the intrusion and quickly hid the necklace by putting it back where I found it. I couldn't answer the questions that would come with its discovery.

I waited silently until he had walked around the edge of the room so that he was now facing me, staring at me intently with a puzzled expression.

"Praying." I said in a soft voice as I looked up at him with innocent eyes and a small pout.

"For what?"

"Does it matter?"

"No. It doesn't." He nodded and then began shrugging out of his shirt. "I don't remember giving you clothes."

"I found it. I was cold." I explained while I shuffled to face him. I kept my voice low and my words to a minimal to make sure I didn't set him off. I needed something from him, I had to find out just how far I could push this man before he snapped and I had to do it fast. I needed to run away but to that I needed clothes to get out of here, mainly because a naked girl running through the woods would surely be noticed, and to get clothes I needed to manipulate this man into giving them to me.