The Unraveling

Mayla

Mayla was tired. She had been waiting for nearly three hours for an audience with the King. If King Vier wanted her to be at his castle so badly, surely he would have made seeing her a priority. Leon didn't look disgruntled in the slightest. Maybe this was the typical fashion of the King. She knew embarrassingly little about life at court. A fact she was sure his Highness was aware of. Which made her curious as to why she was here in the first place.

"Leon?"

Her escort turned to face her. "Yes?"

"Do you know when..." Her question was interrupted by the sound of doors opening. The throne room doors! Perhaps it was their turn at last to see the King.

"King Vier will see you now, Mayla of Rheinelan." The guard's voice echoed. The entire castle was built of stone. It had a way of making you feel right at home, quite like walking on nails.

Leon held out his arm. Mayla took it, thankful for the little bit of strength he was offering her. She was nervous. After all, she was just shy of sixteen. What could she possibly offer a King? She wondered what her baby sisters would make of this mess. They most likely hadn't even spared a thought to her situation. Rather, Mayla would bet money they had started fighting over who would get her slightly bigger room the second they found out she was leaving. Mayla shook off thoughts of her family. She needed to focus on the task at hand. The task being the man who sat upon the throne she was now directly in front of. She followed Leon's bow with a curtsy of her own.

"Rise."

King Vier's voice was warm, like her mother's specialty hot chocolate. She doubted this man was as sweet as the drink.

"Do you know why I have brought you here?"

Mayla met the King's stare. "Because my mother is a criminal. Bringing me here is her punishment."

"You speak plainly." Something about his statement stirred an anger that Mayla struggled to control. Did he want her to sugarcoat what he had done? Did he want her to appear thankful for the punishment he had sentenced her mother? She could do that.

"I apologize, your Highness. Thank you for this opportunity that you have so graciously gifted me."

King Vier laughed, the sound echoing throughout the throne room.

"Be careful lads! This one bites. Ah, but what a sweet venom she has. I would almost believe you were sincere. Tell me, do you have any experience lacing dresses?"

Mayla's eyes flashed. Was he suggesting she become a lady in waiting or a lady's maid? Her pride would never recover from the latter.

"I learn quickly. What would you have me do?"

The King smiled. "Very well. You will work along Lady Amelie for the time being as her maid. Once you have proven yourself capable of being humbled, we shall discuss other options."

Other options? Humbled? Did he mean to break her like a horse? I will not allow it. Mayla had the fire of her father and the cunning of her mother. King Vier might decide her occupation, but he would not take her pride.

"As you wish." His eyes narrowed at the lack of title in her statement. However, he must have chosen to ignore the slight, as he responded by waving her away. Like a dog. The fire within her stirred yet again. Calm yourself Mayla. He could have had you killed. She forced herself to smile and take Leon's arm as they walked out into the hall. She was looking forward to life at the castle. Even if only to find new ways to make King Vier regret giving her such a low status.