Regent Witch

Chapter Six

Sasha quietly waited on the cushion and surveyed the foyer. Space was plentiful. More than ten people could have fit in the foyer, without having to push or nudge for movement. The floors were encased with onyx, while the walls were spotlessly coated with white. A few scenic paintings were found hanging around the wall. Two staircases led to the second floor, where a ten-meter painting hung.

Servants stood quietly like statues. Each one remained perfectly still, patiently awaiting any service that they could provide. Despite not being as grand as the castle, the mansion still radiated an aura of pride and power. A peasant would have been awestruck to see his own face reflect on the sparkling floor - as well as ashamed to have muddied it with the rags on his feet.

Before long, he arrived. Lord Monroe, or rather Lord Baldwin Penton Monroe, elegantly travelled down the staircase with a silver cane in one hand. His hair was combed back with oil, but the shine was not enough to hide the strands of grey. As expected of a noble, he wore colors and designs that boasted of status and wealth. Three rings were seen on both his hands, each one amounting to a servant's annual wage.

Sasha had come across Lord Monroe a few times in the past, but she never actually spoke to him. He may have been a friend to her father and a member of his inner circle, but to Sasha, he was nothing more than a mere stranger.

"Princess Sasha, it is an honor!" Lord Monroe declared. His arms were spread, as if he were expecting a hug.

"It is good to see you as well, Lord Monroe," Sasha stood and slightly bowed her head.

"You must be parched," Lord Monroe said, as his eyes turned to one of the servants. "You, fetch us some refreshments!"

The servant didn't reply. With a simple nod, she exited the foyer. Sasha and Lord Monroe sat down.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, princess?" Lord Monroe asked, as he leaned back on his chair.

"I've been told that you have been aiding the regent quite faithfully," Sasha replied.

The nobleman's expression stiffened a little. "Yes, as one of your father's chief advisers, I felt that it was my duty to provide full support," he said. "That isn't a problem, I hope?"

"I find it a little strange," Sasha said. "The regent is a witch, is she not? Surely you have heard all the rumors that have circled around her ascension. Does it not concern you at all?"

"Well...," Sasha scanned Lord Monroe, as he tried to explain himself.

The noble spoke with a calm and clear tone. However, not everything was hidden from plain view. Lord Monroe had a tendency to avoid eye-contact. When he spoke, his eyes would shift from side to side, as if he were looking for something. Also, whenever he paused for a breath, he grimaced.

Sasha didn't know or understand much, but she knew enough to pick up a suspicious mannerism or two. It felt a little ironic. Sasha was using the teachings of the very person she was trying to put down.

"Princess, I sincerely hope that you understand why I am doing this," Lord Monroe said. "What the regent is isn't as important as what she could do. Right now, the kingdom needs a leader and your father chose her for the job."

Sasha wanted to frown, but managed to control the muscles on her face. Tugging her emotions, she gave the noble a smile.

"Yes, of course," Sasha said. Saying those few words was much harder than she thought. "In fact, I very much appreciate your efforts to aid our regent in her duties. Many seem nobles have difficulty accepting her, but you are one of the few who have cast aside prejudice."