Cursed

The Devil You Know

With the party fast-approaching, Lord Samuel made his way back to his quarters to make sure he looked well enough to be in the queen's presence. Before he knew it, however, a familiar voice stopped him just before he reached his room. "Samuel, are you and your brother ready for the queen's party tonight?"

He turned to the older man. "I am not my brother's keeper," he deadpanned.

The Grand Duke threw him a sharp glare. "I saw you speaking with the princess earlier. Be careful there, son."

"We were merely talking," Samuel said, his attention straying.

Duke Matthew chuckled. "She is just your type."

"What? Young and pretty?"

"Sweet and utterly gullible," he replied coolly. Turning away, the duke walked off toward the dark reaches of the corridor, but then paused and looked back at Samuel. "If you see your brother, tell him I'd like to speak to him before the dinner."

"Of course," he said, nodding.

When Samuel turned back, he saw Ellinor at the far end of the hall. She stopped just then, looking at him with a soft gaze. The pair locked eyes and exchanged sincere smiles before she continued on her way, disappearing from his view as quickly as she had entered it.

***

In another part of the castle that night, a secretive courier was on the move. It was a frightening thing being a messenger between royals, but the scariest part was going behind the backs of others who had the power to crush him in their hands. It was a fine line to toe, but Lord Kentwall had commanded his services. There in the hushed garden under the moonlight, the lord met with him, dressed in his very finest.

"Tell the Emperor that my father and I have things well in hand," he said softly, his voice nearly a whisper.

"Yes, Lord Kentwall."

Before the lord could respond, a familiar voice pulled the messenger's attention backward. "I thought I'd take a peaceful stroll through the gardens before tonight's festivities."

Turning to see Prince Phillip, he immediately bowed and announced his leave. "I'll just be going then, your highness," he said, then turning to Kentwall. "My lord."

"You're from the high castle, are you not?" Prince Phillip asked, studying him curiously.

"Yes, your highness," he replied, swallowing nervously.

The prince's eyes burned into his flesh as he slowly studied him from head to toe. The messenger's fear was unmatched, but he stood as still and calm as his body would allow. After a long, terrifying silence, Phillip smiled brightly. "Tell the Emperor I said hello."

Bowing, he then turned to leave, grateful that it hadn't been even worse. As he rounded the first corner, however, a collision almost knocked him to the dirt. Before yelling, he looked up to see Prince Dominic with a perplexed look on this face. "So sorry, your highness," he sighed, hurrying off on his way.

***

Even though it wasn't exactly a hot night, Prince Dominic found himself sweating after his near run-in with the man near the gardens. He had seen him around before, but he wasn't quite sure of who he was or what he was doing there at that time of night. His mother's party was starting soon, so to see someone of that man's regard milling about seemed a bit off to the young prince.