HE CALLS ME

03

WINNIE

To be honest with myself I still felt a bit ashamed after my conversation with Evangelica yesterday.

I wouldn't say I was mad or jealous of her….

No.

Maybe I am just a bit jealous, but not to the extent that it would warrant unnecessary hate; after all, it isn't her fault I am not knowledgeable on topics like this.

Today is an important day for Marrow and here I am thinking about and stressing myself over something that may have little to no relevance to-

"Your Highness!"

I felt the feathery texture of a pillow hit my face before dropping to my lap.

"Are you alright?" Marinette asked in a worried tone walking towards me.

Oh, I was deep in thought.

"You have been so moody since this morning; your breakfast is getting cold," she gestured toward the tray of food on the table.

"I am really not in the mood for breakfast," I said while Marinette made her way towards me.

"What's the matter?" She asked gently.

I trusted Marinette more than anyone in the castle, even more than my parents. My conversation yesterday with Evangelica was nontrivial. I don't want to get either I or Evangelica in trouble, but I want to talk to someone about it.

Marinette was the only plausible person I could talk to.

I cleared my throat.

"Do you by any chance know what a.... brothel is?"

Her brows furrowed, "yes?" Her reply was more like a question than an answer. "Why the question?"

"They no longer exist right?"

There was a pause while I waited for an affirmative response to my question.

Marinette balanced on one foot, hands on her hip, "You were with Her Highness yesterday; did you discuss anything in particular?"

I wanted to lie, I really wanted to. But I couldn't.

I stood and stepped a bit closer to Marinette while I gathered my thoughts. She stood patiently as she waited for me to speak.

"I know history has it that Selene eradicated brothels from existence due to it serving as a venue where ill-mannered acts are being carried out.... but Evangelica told me that they exist, and as a matter of fact, she worked there."

I watched as Marinette closed her eyes tightly.

"She worked there and was picked from there and brought to the castle, which means the household knows about it. Well, except for me, that is."

"Does having the mark exempt you from some crucial cases? If the brothel home was so condemned by Selene and Marrow just like it is stated, why bring her into the castle?"

"Winnie," I felt Marinette's hands on my shoulder and it dawned on me that I was deep in my thoughts.

"If you feel threatened that Her Highness Evangelica would claim the throne and not you-"

"That is not the point Marinette," I cut her off.

I thought I had made it clear that I was okay with either of us getting the throne so long as we held its power responsibly.

This is what we have been guided to do.

"She even told me that our perception of Selene might be wrong. That it was possible Selene did have a lover, children-"