Blood King

Chapter Forty

Celina looked out towards the direction of the tower. All the leaves had now fallen, leaving the trees bare as the cold winter wind came through. Snow was soon to follow with it; it made her wonder how her brother faired on the journey.

It had already been several months and yet not even hearing word of what was transpiring on the battlefield was maddening. Even in this cold her thoughts kept turning towards the tower. She only hoped that her brother and fellow knights were alright, even if it was a foolish thought to have, in war anyone could die. Even a King.

Her thoughts then drifted when she saw Ann, even at this distance Celina could tell something was on her handmaid's mind. Celina was about to call out when she felt something rest on her shoulders.

"You'll get sick standing out in the cold like this." Maria said as she stood back. "Though I'm surprised, you aren't practicing today with Mathias."

"His mother hasn't been feeling well so he had requested to stay with her for a time. I saw no reason to deny him of that." she glanced to the woman. "Maria, is there something wrong with Ann? She seems to be out of sorts recently."

"I'm not sure Princess; lately Ann's been up to her eyes in old books and parchment as if she was looking for something. I've asked her several times but she tells me that she would inform me of her doings later when she has found whatever it is she is looking for."

Celina looked back in the direction of where Ann had disappeared too, she knew she could go and request the reason for Ann's secret but felt like she would be intruding. Others of royalty would not hesitate to demand an answer or punishment would be given if the one hiding something did not speak. But Celina was not like that, nor was she raised as such ether.

"Why don't we head inside Princess?" Maria asked. "I'm sure the cooks would be more than happy to make something to warm you up from this cold weather."

"I'm not that cold but alright," she paused then asked. "Maria, you lived near the mountains correct? Was it colder in the village that you lived in?"

Maria paused for a moment as they walked through the halls to reach the lower floors of the castle. "It was, we were close to the borders of the Northlands is never stopped snowing there past the mountains. It was wonderful there, hard work but no one cared."

"Would you like to go back one day?"

The looked that Maria gave tugged at Celina's heart; her expression was filled with both that of pain and grief as she gave Celina a sad smile. "Sadly Princess I do not think this was possible, as much as I would like too it's been too long that I know nothing will be left."

Celina became quite. "Forgive me Maria; I did not intend to upset you with my idiotic questions. I cannot imagen what you or Ann must have been through before coming here to these lands and working for me."

Maria shook her head. "No forgiveness needed Princess it was a long time ago. In a time you did not know, my only wish is that you will never have to feel how Ann and I felt that day when we had to flee." Her smile became a bit happier. "Now, let's head to the kitchen, I'm sure we will be able to find something to warm you through."

It was in the mist of having hot soup within Celina's chambers when a maid came bustling over to Maria and Celina. "Forgive for the intrusion Princess!" the woman gasped for breath. "I would not disturb you as you eat but..."

"Is something wrong?" Celina asked as she stood. "Did something happen to my brother the King?"

"No my Lady, nothing as dire."

"Then why bother her?" Maria asked with a slight frown, Celina noticed how Maria placed her hand underneath a fold of her dress where she kept a blade hidden. Something that Maria now wore every day but no one else seemed to be aware.