Whispers in The Castle

What men are capable of

I flip the image of my book. Sitting in my favorite chair in my study in front of the cold fireplace. Reading a book of fictional tales. I find myself fascinated by these stories. Tales of people overcoming obstacles, tales of the good becoming evil, tales of tragedy and pain, tales of love and friendship. They keep me entertained in this dull life.

I hear knocking at the door. I turn my face towards the door. "Come in." I call.

One of the servants come in and bow before speaking, "Sir.. The King demands you to come downstairs and prepare to head out by carriage to meet a Lady of his interest for you."

I sigh and close my book. Great. Another potential bride. I thought my Mother was done and finding one for me? Maybe this is more of a meet and greet with a potential wife. I stand up. "Yes, of course. I'll be right down." I assure and watch the servant leave.

I am filled with frustration as I walk to the book case and place the book in its place. I walk over to the mirror in the corner of my study and adjust my blazer before heading downstairs.

I'm greeted by the King staring at me. I walk up next to him. Silent. He glares at me before speaking, "I expect you to have a change in your attitude and morals when you return." I look up at him. What does he mean by that? But I nod, not daring to question him. He looks away adding, "You want to be with men so much, I'll show you what men are capable of."

What men are capable of? I don't understand his words. They strike me as a threat, but what sort of threat? Another beating? Another lashing? Probably. I frown and look down at my feet.

I better make the best of this meet and greet with this woman. Follow the King's rules and laws.

I make my way out to the carriage. Seeing the coachmen glaring at me. It doesn't sit right with me, but I ignore it and get into the carriage. A servant walks up and hands me a bouquet of pink carnations before closing the carriage door. I stare at them.

They are rather beautiful. I hear the reins snap and the carriage begins to move. I set the flowers in the seat next to me. This is silly. My mind is thinking of Ervin. How childish. I gaze out the opening of the carriage wall. Watching trees and road pass by.

I know I must accept this. Accept my role in this world. I'm nothing but a pawn to the Saito family. I should accept it. Life would be easier if I did.

But it would also be dense and filled with boring nothingness. I'd be doing but waiting to die.

I sigh. Leaning back in my seat. Watching the scenery pass as I ride. The country side is so empty and beautiful. Fields of green, some trees of a nearby forest.

So quiet. Birds and bushes rustling from the scurry of squirrels. Quite peaceful. I see a stream near the road. It looks refreshing and cool. I can imagine stepping ankle deep in its cold waters. The breeze through my hair. Quite peaceful indeed.

Suddenly the carriage comes to an abrupt stop. I blink a few times before peeking out of the opening. "Coachman?" I question, "Why have we stopped?" The coachmen hops down and ties the horse to a nearby tree. But he doesn't answer me. "Sir?" I question.

I watch as he pets the horse and continues to ignore me. I lean back into my seat. Something's wrong. What is going on? I glance at the carnations next to me. Then the door of the carriage opens and a man reaches inside, grabbing me by my blazer and pulling me out of the carriage!

I fall onto the ground outside and look up at him. "What is the meaning of this!?" I snap! Two more men appear. Bandits!? I look over at the coachman. He's calm and still petting the horse. No, not bandits. Otherwise he'd be panicking.