All The Kings Men

Chapter 45 Lucy's Thoughts

My stiff fingers worked quickly to light the wood piled into our small fire place. It was the last of the wood from the autumn that had been precut. Glancing back to my elderly mother I didn't know how she would make it through another night like the last. Ice formed on our small cabin walls. She already had a cough. I feared the worst if I couldn't find the means to get my hands on more wood.

"I got the fire going. I'm going out to the cellar to fetch some herbs for tea and veggies for some soup." I told her.

"No Lucy girl. You save those for you." Mother replied in a frail voice.

"Don't be silly." I kissed her forehead. "I'll get you warm in no time."

Exiting our small home I crossed the yard and froze in my tracks. Sitting just a few yards a way was a royal carriage. My heart sank at the sight of father Nicholas making his way towards me.

"Hello Lucile." His voice was friendly.

"Father Nicholas...I am surprised to see you here." Fear ran through my body. "I haven't broken our contract. I don't go to church or date or even leave my property unless for food."

"My visit is not one to condemn you. Infact far from it." Father Nicholas stopped short of me.

"So the church still doesn't know..." my voice trailed off in relief.

"No. I've kept my end of the deal." He replied. "Look it's cold so I'll keep this brief. I am in need of you....well rather your king is."

"King Silas....needs me?" I asked puzzled at what he was proposing.

"Yes. God may have shined upon you after all." He chuckled. I shifted on my feet uncomfortable. "You see...he has desires for certain things. I fear this will cause him to stumble. Our nation is growing in alleys and the church is making more money now then ever. We can not afford for him to stumble."

"I still don't understand why he needs me." I shook my head.

"I'm talking about the condition in which you were born." He explained. "The king would find you rather intriguing. He needs a Queen he can work with to lead him into the new area our country is going."

I gasped at his words. "Do you not remember the last time someone even suggested harm on Queen Thea. I do not wish anything to happen to her or to take her position."

"I'm not saying harm to her. And I'm not saying replacement. I'm just saying something to curve the kings appetite. Keep him focused." Father Nicholas replied.

"I can't.." I sighed. "I won't."

"You will do as told or I will tell the church." His words stung like fire. I hated what I was. I hated he found out about it. I hated the one night in bed I shared with him.

"I cannot leave my mother." I replied.

"Care is already arranged." He pointed to a few nurses unload fire wood and food. "I've paid them to stay with her and you will be able to visit once a week if you do what i tell you."

I glanced back to our house. It was obvious I didn't have a choice. I was trapped due to my own body. Not only that how could I refuse ? We were out of firewood. Almost out of food. My mother wouldn't make it on our own. "So you want me to sleep with him.."

He chuckled. "I want you to make him fall head over heals for you my dear."