Bloody Belle

Chapter 6: Waking Up in Strange Places

~ When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves. ~ Viktor E. Frankl

(POV Belle)

I stood in the shadowed coverage of the forest with an intruder.  He had the look to him of a cornered animal. It was rather strange considering that he had tried to abduct me and now he looked like he was going to run at any second. But the strangest thing of all was that pain was very evident in his gaze.

"Lord Chanteloup?" I repeated again in questioning.

He appeared to hold back a wince and then a distant look grew in his eyes. After a few intensely quiet minutes, his gaze returned to me, but coldness had chilled his blue eyes to ice. He started toward me and in those few seconds I truly began to fear for my life.

The determined gleam in his eyes made me realize something. The land grant had all been a rouse. It was just a clever ploy to get him inside the castle walls without drawing suspicion. A selfish thought crossed my mind then... Why hadn't he taken Rosalind instead of me? I immediately shook that thought away. It was better that he took me instead of Rosalind. There was no telling what he would've done to someone as beautiful as her.

He was a step away from me, his breath warming my cheeks against the cool night, when I came up with a split second plan. I ran. Pushing my legs to move faster, I scrambled out of the coverage of the forest. A deep burning ache settled into my lungs as I tried to move even faster, but the fabric of my night gown restricted my movements and kept me from going as fast as I pleased.

The corner of the castle that the guards had disappeared around came into view. I could feel my successful escape slipping closer when- you guessed it- Lord Chanteloup caught me. His long arms wound around my waist and he pulled me back into the shadows of the castle.

My breath was coming out in raged gasps and my heart threatened to burst from my chest on every beat. I tried to weakly struggle away from him, but my mad dash for freedom had drained my energy.

"I can not let you go," he whispered regretfully.

I couldn't catch my breath and force a reply out, so I just stayed silently still in his grasp.

Duke Chanteloup did not utter another word at my silence. But instead, he lifted me by the waist and place me back over his shoulder as if I were a prized catch. My breathing had returned to normal, and I started to thrash free. His grip tightened and I did not gain an inch of freedom. His lordship slipped quietly back into the forest with me in tow.

"Seeing as I have no choice in the matter," I started in an irritated tone as I watched the forest floor move lazily past. "May I ask, where is it you are taking me, my lord?"

In a low voice he answered, "To Ruele." Then a few strange soft spoken words, which I did not understand, tiptoed from his mouth.

Ruele? I registered before his incoherent words penetrated my mind. My eyelids grew heavy and my conscious drifted off...

***

My head was pounding, my eyes were burning and my mouth was dry and parched. I shot up to a sitting position when I recalled the prior night's events.

I was no longer tucked safely in my room inside my guarded home, the Derosiers Castle. I currently found myself in a large wooden framed bed, in an unknown castle and possibly an unknown country. The room I was situated in was not a dungeon like I had expected but rather a medium-sized room with a small fire place, a wardrobe, and sparse but finely built furniture.

My heart shot into my throat when the door knob to the door I suspected exited the room turned. I held my breath as time seemed to slow and the door slowly creaked open.

I expected Lord Chanteloup to be standing on the other side of the doorway. But he was not. Instead, a girl, or rather woman, who looked roughly Rosalind's age of 22 stepped through carrying a large tray stacked with an assortment of breakfast foods. My mouth watered at the sight.

The girl curtsied, "Good morning Miss." I noticed that she had an accent that I did not recognize to her words. All of her hair was hidden beneath a bonnet that matched her long plain gray dress. She was a servant.

Setting the tray on the small table by the bed, she slipped into the bathing room to draw a bath. Upon her return, the small woman went to the wardrobe and began sorting through the clothes within. "Are you going to eat Miss?" she questioned softly while gazing up at me. Her eyes were large and the color of fresh tree sap.

My gaze darted to the warm platter of food beside the bed. "Is the food not to your liking?" She had stopped her sorting and put the clothes down.

"Everything looks delicious." I answered quickly. To emphasize my point, I picked up a piece of buttered toast and nibbled on the crust.

She seemed pleased with my answer, the little crease of worry leaving her forehead. Picking back up the clothing, she started her work again. I continued to eat away at the food on the platter until the steaming breakfast and offered tea were devoured. During this time, the serving woman had made two more trips to the bathing room. She was on her last trip when I finished with the tray. With a soft smile, she picked up a small stack of clothes and stated, "Master had requested that you freshen up before meeting him in the throne room."

With a sigh, I untangled myself from the bed linens. A part of me had been wondering when Lord Chanteloup would fetch for me. I only wished that he would leave me be so that I may find an escape route home. For now, it was just better to comply with the "master's" wishes.

I followed the little servant into the attached bathing room. A freshly drawn bath sat warmly in a large basin in the center of the room. The floors were a copper color and the walls were a soft crème like the rest of the room.

The water was just the right temperature when I slipped into the basin. I let the warmth engulf me as the woman started to gently comb through my tangled mass of hair. Despite the situation I currently found myself in, I let out a contented sigh. Warm baths were my weakness.

The servant let out a small giggle, "Does the water feel nice?" I gave a tiny nod before sliding further under the water.

Ten minutes later, I was clean and in a fresh day dress. The dress itself was fancier than what I would normally wear with a few ruffles along the skirt and an intricate design on the bodice. My hair was woven into an elegant up do and tiny satin slippers were perched on my feet. According to the small serving woman I was ready to meet with the master of the household.

***

The large intimidating doors to Lord Chanteloup's throne room towered above me. I was nervous, not scared of him, but my curiosity still found a way. I found myself wondering why a Duke even had a throne room. Maybe it made him feel powerful?

No matter the reason, I still had to do this.

Stepping forward, my hands slid to the brass handles and I pulled the doors open...

******************

A/N

HI GUYS!!!! XD

I finally finished this chapter! *party time* 3...2...1... *panting* To much partying... *falls over*... Good bye cruel party world! *dies*....... lol I'm not dead >.<

I'm gonna go on that awkward note.... have a beautiful day/night!!

BYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Song: Breath by Breaking Benjamin

~Alexis :3