The Inner Circle | A Midnight Quartet

Chapter 10 | Darcy Edison

Darcy's head spins as she tries to unpack all the information found tonight. The evidence and insights they discovered could imply so much about the princess and what she might have done. Her brain begins to muddle her thoughts and she gives her head a quick shake before continuing down the hall.

After they had talked, she wandered the large castle, exploring the other rooms of the palace. Despite living here for 2 years, she only has been inside a couple of the rooms. She mostly used the servant's quarters to get around, to avoid being seen or talked to as she worked.

It is well past midnight as she makes her way to her small room at the bottom level of the castle. As she turns the corner of the dimly lit passageway, she bumps into the head housekeeper, Mrs. Yaretzi.

"What are you doing up so late?" She asks curtly.

"I fell asleep in the library." She lies. Her mother's voice rings through her head. Lying with a purpose is simply evasion. Use it wisely.

The old woman clicks her tongue and says, "That will not do." She studies Darcy for a moment. "Your previous... employment has been compromised as I understand it?"

Darcy nods, feeling a pang in her heart at the mention of Irena.

"Well, your position is now a housekeeper. Your job will include cleaning the guest rooms, the king's study and..." She tilts her head and looks around the grimy hallway. "the servants hallway. You will report to your station at 4:30 am. Don't be late." She gives a cold smile and sharply turns, clicking her heels on the tile as she swiftly walks away.

Darcy grimaces. Cleaning duty. That hardly makes any sense; she was a lady-in-waiting for the princess, after all. Surely they could have at least made her a minor maid to the queen. She considers that, then shudders at the thought. Perhaps housekeeping will not be so bad.

Realizing she has been standing in the hallway, she contemplates whether she will make it back to her room without collapsing. Deciding she would be far more comfortable in her tiny bed than on the floor, she treads down the forgotten corridor and finally reaches her room.

Opening the door, she looks longingly towards the bed but settles down at the desk. Grabbing a quill and paper, she jots down a quick letter to her father, as is her tradition every night.

"Dear Dad,

It has been quite a day. We are learning more and more about what happened to the princess, and honestly? It scares me. I wish I could forget my troubles and my duty and just see you again. And Mama. And Emilee.

Why did you have to send me away? You know I could have found a job in Bellamy and I could have taken care of you. We could have gotten through the pain together. Why did you leave me when I needed you the most?

Now that the princess is gone, I think I could come home soon. If you will have me. I miss you, Pa.

And I'm sorry that I did not find the doctor for Mom fast enough. I'm sorry I could not take care of Emilee while you were away. I am sorry they died and I am sorry it was not me instead. Please let me come home. I love you.

Darcy.

An unwelcomed tear falls from her eye as she folds the letter and shoves it into her chest of forgotten notes. She never sends her letters. Her father never writes to her, so why should she?

Standing up, she slips off her worn slippers and apron, setting the latter on a hook for the next morning. Next, she removes her simple blue frock and dons a thin, white chemise. She sits back down at her desk, removes the elastic from her stiff hair, and brushes out the ratted knots.