Lies of the Line

Chapter 1

Maura had come down around 5:30 in the evening. She was immediately taken to Father's room and hadn't been back out for an hour. I could tell Mother was thinking over what could have swept him off his feet so quickly. Her eyes were glazed, and her hands made the same repetitive motion over Cartright's back as he fell asleep in her lap. The old cat was her favorite pet even though he was sluggish and fat. He spent most of his days sitting in the kitchen hoping someone might drop some food. My fingers tapped my leg as I waited avidly for the results. The castle had been quiet all day as Mother sat with Father and locked the rest of us out. She hadn't been able to do much but make him comfortable. I had no assumption of what could have possibly happened. He was smiling and being a great host until he just wasn't. I thought back on the night before thinking it strange that he hadn't shown any symptoms leading up to his drop in health.

I pushed the fruit across my plate not feeling hungry enough to finish eating. I'd tuned out the incessant chatter of everyone around me hoping they'd have their fill soon and I could go lie down for an hour and read. Malik kicked my leg from under the table, signaling someone had spoken to me. I swallowed the food I had in my mouth and looked up from my plate.

"Wouldn't you agree, Lilac?" My father asked me.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you, would you repeat that?" I smiled hoping I could reel back in my mother's wrath by playing nice.

"The horse races are very thrilling are they not?" He smiled but scolded me with his tone.

"Oh yes, they are very interesting to watch. Though I'm sure I would have more fun participating in them." Malik kicked my leg harder this time demanding that I remember my place before I set off our mother. Stay in line, his expression told me.

"But that is not where a lady of my class spends her time." I retreated hesitantly in a dull tone. Even the scripted line could not drain the fury from my mother's features, and I found myself wishing I had kept my mouth shut this one time.

"Have you seen the gardens this time of year, Darren?" My father turned to our guest, hoping to draw the attention away from my mistake and back onto more pleasant topics.

"Yes, they are quite lovely. My wife spends lots of time outside when Accomes is blessed with any form of spring. It's not easy living in the land of eternal snow, but we love our home." He sounded not the least bit bitter while speaking on the seemingly unfair climate of his homeland.

"Yes, it is a wonderful time of-" Father cut himself off with a pained groan. "Sorry I must have eaten something bad." He pressed his fist into his chest before slumping over on the table and crumpling onto the tile below him.

"Tiberius!" My mother cried rising from her chair. She stood up so fast the chair fell backward, the back two wooden legs shattered from the impact splintering across the floor. She didn't care as she stooped down beside her husband's unconscious form, trying to save him from an unknown enemy.

"Lilac?" Maura tapped me on the shoulder.

I tilted my head to look up at her. Her porcelain skin had been marred by age and the scars that had come from her less likable experiences. She stared back at me, her blue eyes holding sympathy as she looked at an eighteen-year-old who was losing her father.

"Your father has requested to see you, my dear." Her smile didn't reach her eyes as she helped me from my spot on the bench.

I walked the three steps to Father's room, and the knights outside of Father's room opened the doors. He was laying down, though he still showed his strength. Even on death's doorstep, he looked like a king.