The Rise and Fall of the Red Whore

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Past, 1900s

Cordelia dragged herself to the top of the stairs with her head down, a sense of satisfaction and exhaustion overwhelming her to the point she was ready to collapse at any moment.

She opened the door to the main floor and squinted her eyes at the sudden bright light.

The storm that Madness had caused was now calm, but Cordelia felt no relief from it.

Bringing up her hands to shield herself from the sunshine, she felt something soft get put around her shoulders.

"My Queen," Jacques murmured as he adjusted the red fuzzy blanket so it completely concealed Cordelia's naked, blood covered body.

"You should rest. I'm sure you are exhausted after everything that has happened."

Cordelia looked up at Jacques, fatigue making her eyelids heavy.

Even with sleep nipping at her, she could not help but appreciate how much better her new right hand man looked after getting cleaned up.

The long, greasy hair was now lustrous, soft, and shiny. Instead of it hanging over his face, it was pulled back into a low ponytail with a red ribbon. His skin was clean of the dirt and grime of the dungeon, and even looked healthier now that the sun was beginning to warm it up.

He still looked similar to a skeleton with how thin he was and how sharp his features were, but nonetheless, he appeared much healthier than when she first came to him a couple of days earlier.

"Did you do as I asked?" She finally questioned after fully inspecting him.

Jacques bowed his head in response.

"Good. Give me some time to wash up, then summon everyone in Wonderlust to the throne room. Have the Twins clean the room out too before everyone's arrival," Cordelia ordered as she started to walk past Jacques.

"My Queen," he began, stepping in front of her to stop her determined steps.

Cordelia lifted an eyebrow in question.

"Don't you think you should rest before addressing the entire land?" He asked with concern in his voice.

Narrowing her eyes, Cordelia felt a spark of anger rise within her.

"Are you questioning me?" She asked in a low voice.

The bright rays that had been shining down on them slowly started to disappear.

"Because I do not recall asking for your opinion on the matter, Jacques," Cordelia started to glare at her new right hand man, beginning to rethink her kindness in letting him go.

Jacques felt the atmosphere shift as he glanced at the sky darkening with each passing second.

Flaring his nostrils, he leveled his gaze at Cordelia.

"I would never think to do that. My only concern is your health, mentally and physically, my Queen."

Cordelia sighed, relinquishing her anger as she placed a hand to her forehead.

As she did, she took note of how the sky lightened again.

"I will be fine after I have a bath. You even said it yourself, Jacques," she made a move to step around the man in her path.

"We cannot get sick in Wonderlust."

Taking a few steps, Cordelia stopped and turned as a thought came to her.

"Actually," she beckoned him to her.

She leaned close to his ear and whispered.

Jacques did not react, only listened to the woman who captured his whole being, ready to do whatever it took to be by her side.