Roots

Roots - Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty-Three

A Judas Heart

The next morning I woke up with the sounds of light footsteps exiting the room and the door closing somewhat softly.  I slowly allowed my eyes to take in the softly bright room as I opened them; the sun shining through the grand window through the white drapes.  White drapes? I thought suspiciously realizing that this wasn’t my room, causing me to sit up quickly in the bed to look quickly around trying to find something familiar.  Thankfully a few seconds later I spotted the familiar clothes that belonged to Mandy on a chair across the grand spare bedroom and then noticed her luggage barely peeking out from the open closet.  I smiled, trying to slow my racing heart as I slid out of the bed and walked back to my room to get dressed for the day.  However, today was different than yesterday or the day before.  I couldn’t figure out what it was, but something just wasn’t the same.  Could it be that I had defied Ros and snuck out of the manor last night to see Marc?  Could it be the fact that someone within these walls, someone that was supposed to be my “loyal” subject was actually a traitor?  I wondered as I watched myself in the expensive gold mirror putting on light make up and making last final adjustments before making my way down the hall to go downstairs.

As I approached the grand staircase I was almost too lost into my own thoughts to hear the loud whispers coming from the foyer at the bottom of the staircase.  I began to slowly and quietly walk towards the edge of the hallway, and stopped just before the grand staircase’s banister began.  Keep out of sight and be quiet.  I heard my gut commanding my mind and body as I strained my ears to hear what the two voices were saying quietly downstairs.

“No, she must not know.” I heard one male voice whisper frantically.

“But I, I mean, we shouldn’t hide this from her Imperial Highness.  She should know it’s her own family that we are talking about here.”  The other voice whispered and I couldn’t tell if it was male or female.

“Until we know more, we can’t just act upon assumptions and rumors.  The best thing we can do is, not say a word.” The male voice said more calmly and with authority.

“And the other two?”

“They will soon find out that none of this should concern them anymore.  And if anyone finds out, I will know whom they heard it from.  Do I make myself clear?” The male spoke a little louder causing my eyes to grow wide as I recognized who it was.

“Yes, sir.” The voice spoke as I heard the conversation coming to an end.

“Good. You may go.” Count Dubrov spoke again to the other whispering voice.

“And who are we spying on?” A Russian voice spoke quietly against my ear. Causing me to jump and let out a gasp of fear as I looked back to see a smirking, annoying prince.

“Shhh, God Ros, don’t scare me like that!” I said as I turned around and covered his mouth with my hand looking back towards the foyer praying that Count Dubrov wasn’t still down there.

“Hahaha, you should’ve seen your face Lisa, haha. Oh I just may scare you again to get that facial expression again. That was priceless.” Ros said with a laugh as he moved my hand from off his mouth.