The Devil's Son: As Cold As Ice

Chapter Five: A Contract With The Devil

We stood there, stunned, speechless, confused and trembling with fear as we stared at each other, trying to find out what had just happened. Questions running through my mind like the early crowd in the market, the numbers are uncountable.

Why would Sir Gaillard say such rude words? What did he meant by a contract? What was that? His eyes weren’t human like, his voice weren’t human like as well. What does he want from father? Questions after questions pass through my head and I was dying to ask my father but at the same time, my body dare not move as fear still holds my legs on the floor and freeze my body into ice. I stared at my father’s stunned eyes as he stared back at me with both fear and concern in his eyes.

Finally, Lord Denver spoke as he tumbles with his words. ‘Your Highness, what should we do now?’ He asked. My father looked back at Lord Denver with fear in his eyes and shook his head slowly as his trembling hands held onto the chair near him for support. I took a deep breath as I knew that I need answer! ‘What does Sir Gaillard wants from us? What do you mean by contract? What is he?’ I asked in fear.

‘Perhaps the devil himself has come to punish my sins.’ My father answered as he fell to the floor and his eyes still wide open. ‘I should not have made that contract!’ He cried. I stared at him filled with confusion as his crying voice echoes the hall. ‘What did you do, father?!’ I asked with anger and fear at the same time. But I gain no answer as he cried even louder and shaking his head with regrets.

‘His Highness wanted the Queen back, Your Grace.’ Lord Denver said. Quickly, I turned around and waited for him to answer my questions. ‘Because, it was when you mother was having a child in her womb when she died. His Highness needed an heir and he had loved your mother so much that he regretted asking her for a son because that was the thing that killed her.’ He added.

‘What does that have to do with Sir Gaillard?’ I asked in confusion. Lord Denver sighed and took a step closer to me. ‘Because, Your Grace, he had searched every possible way to revive your mother.’ Lord Denver said and he could only earn a frown from me. I dare not interrupt as I waited for him to continue. ‘He had searched for two years, but there is no way, until one night, an old woman came. She apprised His Highness that she has a way. His Highness was then clouded with sadness and grief that he just agreed without a second thought to it. She said that to revive Her Highness requires a full seven years and then you were nine years old. She said that when two men come to the castle as knights, that is where you will disappear.’ Lord Denver said and my father’s cries instantly stop as I gasp.

‘I am sorry, my lovely daughter. I was too desperate. I swear, I will correct this. I promise you.’ My father said.

‘But…… but….. Sir Gaillard said he don’t want me. Wait, what is Sir Gaillard? Why is Sir Gaillard the one to claim the price?’ I asked in desperation. My father shook his head. ‘Sir Gaillard and Sir Chevalier are the two men that the witch talked about. Those two men are devils!’ My father said in fear. Shocked and stunned, I stumble back. They’re devils? There is no way. They look very much like humans. ‘Just before the witch disappeared, she said that I have made just made a contract with the devil. I can never forget about that night.’

Darkness overwhelmed me and my body felt numb. I could no longer breathe anymore. My eye lit felt heavy and my body gave way. I felt my body crashed against the cold stone floor. Everything around me became a blur, I can no longer feel or hear anything.