The Villager

24

THE VILLAGER
ʚɞ Ruth ʚɞ

The palace was the only place I could hide in. In shame, embarrassment, and avoidant. Tilley was in school, I did not have to work this evening, but I made it my duty to visit the palace to take my mind off of things.

Arabella and I had tea earlier, and then she invited me in the kitchen to do some baking to get my mind off of things. She knew something was bothering me, but didn't push for the answers. The palace was actually quiet today, Arabella was in her room wishing for privacy as she was making dresses for a ball to come. A ball that is the announcement of their new baby coming.

My back was facing the door, decorating a newly fresh cake I had made earlier. It was finally finished and all that needed to be done was decorating. White icing is in my bowl as I wipe the icing across the vanilla cake.

Footsteps are heard behind me, the hairs across my neck stand, but I choose to ignore the feeling. I was ignoring everything today it seemed.

Needing to wash my hands from the icing being all over me, I turn to find the bowl filled with water to rinse off my hands. I jump at the figure in the room now with me, he's leaning on the wall, his hands in his pockets.

I haven't spoken to him in days. Not ever since we-

I let out a cough, dipping my hands into the water and he watched me. I set off a smile towards him, a fake smile that I knew all too well he would find off. "Timothy, what are you doing here?"

He's still leaning on the wall in front of me and across the counter. His eyes are heated, flamed with lust. "A meeting with the King. How long have you been here?" His jaw clenches.

"Not too long." I kept it short with him.

Why was I avoiding him? Perhaps it was fear? Perhaps it was because I was afraid of him abandoning me when I got too close again.

"You are avoiding me."

Run, Ruth. Run.

I set off with laughter, a small laugh that has the room echoing. Gulling when I realize he isn't laughing either. I turn with my back facing him, too afraid to bring this conversation to the table.

"I am not-"

He's quick, I didn't even hear him coming. He twirls me around to face him and grabs my face, planting his lips across my own. His tense shoulder falls, and he melts into me.

My hands find his shirt, clutching him to come closer. He does not let go when he pulls lips off, he breathes out. "What is the matter? Tell me what you are thinking about."

He squats to meet my eyes, caressing my face with his thumbs. I open my mouth, but it is a jumble of words mixed with fear. "I-I-"

"Tell me," he whispers.

"I-I won't be your mistress anymore, Timothy. I won't do it." I try pushing him off me because I couldn't breathe when he was near but he doesn't cower down from my hits.

"Hey, hey..." He tries calming me down, but all I can think about is my heart breaking in two again and I'm left alone. Or I'm leaving him again, and I don't think I'll survive this time. "You never were. I want you, Ruth. This will not be like last time where you run from me again."

"I had no choice," I whisper as a tear falls from my eyes.

He wipes it quickly, his face falls. "I won't ever give you that choice from now on. Trust me. Give me that." He takes my hand and places it over his heart. I can feel it beating tremendously, and my heart does the same. I can feel it thumping in my ears.