Winter DO NOT READ

Chapter Nine - Edwin

       *~*~*~*

      I held the damp cloth to my bleeding cheek, tears dripping down my face. The angered yells thundered in the air.  It was so loud, I needn't press my ear against the wooden floor to hear.

   I never should've helped that girl.

   "He's only a child!" My mother screeched in an enraged tone from the lower floor. Her voice was heartbreaking. It was filled with anger and despair, threatening to tear my heart in two.

    My father's voice thundered through the air. "That doesn't matter!"

     I hate it when they argue. It's all my fault. Frankly, it's always my fault.

    "Why do you treat our son like this?" My mother cried out, any anger in her tone gone. Her voice now sounded defeated. They've had this conversation many times before.

    "Once I die, he'll be the queen's assassin. It's a ruthless job. He isn't bred to be any hero!" My father hollered at my mother.

    I should've let that girl die. If I had, my parents wouldn't be arguing. My father wouldn't have struck me. Being good is nothing but trouble.

    Maybe, I should be as my father wishes of me. Someone who will do as they're ordered, no matter how much it kills them inside. Made of stone. Someone, unbreakable.

    *~*~*~*

     "Stop that bloody jabbering for once!" I yelled. My head pounded, and it was already enough effort to speak. If that woman doesn't stop lecturing me right this second, I can't guarantee she'll live past dusk.

    A small sigh came from the other side of the door. "Edwin, the queen has requested your presence. I don't want you getting into trouble. Stop being so ignorant, and get out here."

    I slowly got up from my bed, letting out a loud groan. "Lydia, if you don't shut your bloody mouth this instant, I'll make you regret ever speaking to me!"

    A small groan came from the other side of my oak door. "Edwin, please. You needn't yell at me. I only care for your well-being."

    Smoldering in anger, I swung open the barrier between us. The tall, lovely servant looked me in the eye, a small smile spread across her face. Wide, hazel eyes explored my stern features.

    "No one needs to care about me. Especially someone as unimportant as you." I retorted. Her eyes screamed in pain as she looked at me. Quickly, any emotion her face beheld earlier was gone, replaced with a cool  expression.

    "Edwin," Lydia said slowly, "stop being a bloody retard and get ready to assist Her Majesty."

    My bottom lip curled into a snarl as I slammed the wooden door in the servant's face. A loud grunt came from the other side of the door, followed by thundering footsteps which gradually grew quieter.

    "Of course they had to send Lydia." I grumbled as I made my way back towards my stiff bed. A sigh escaped from my throat as I grabbed the tunic I had left hanging from the banister the day before.

    If I didn't know any better, I'd swear Lydia herself arranges to always be the petty servant who serves me. Why can't that girl take a hint? Clearly, I want nothing to do with someone as intolerable as her. If only she'd leave me to my lonesome.

    Once I was both dressed and prepared to present myself to Her Majesty, I made my way towards the Throne Room. The halls were dimly lit by the many lanterns, giving off a slight warmth against the ferocious cold battling outside. My footsteps thundered in the air. The castle was large, yet normally had very few people housed inside. On days like this, the emptiness made me feel eerily alone.