Her Hero

Chapter 15

*Grace's P.O.V*
As the way palace hustled with preparations for the ball,, I say in my room hiding from Chester. Since he took charge, he has become increasingly more abusive of me and the servants of the palace. It was almost as if I was no better than them. At least not in his eyes. I'm not quite sure as to where the shift happened for him. When had he changed from the kind soldier to the brutal and ruthless 'king'? It didn't really matter now. All that did matter, was avoiding his angry hand. Just as I was becoming lost in my thoughts, there was a knock at my door. My heart began to speed up and my mind raced. What if it was him? No, it couldn't be. He wouldn't have knocked.

"Yes?"
I asked timidly.

"Your majesty, I apologize for the interruption, but it is time for your dress fitting."

I sighed. I always hated fittings, but this one especially. It was for my dress that I would wear to the engagement ball. I expected it to be something uncomfortable. That was typical.
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"Stand up straight, your majesty."
The seamstress said as she measured my waist. She wrote the number down on her paper and lifted my night shirt over my head.
Her eyes raked over my body and met my own. The look on her face screamed concern. I knew exactly what she had seen and I immediately became self conscious. There were bruises that littered my abdomen. Chester had become angry one day and I was in the way. There were other bruises on my face, but it's amazing what a little makeup can do.

"Are you alright?"
She asked in a hushed whisper. I quickly nodded to avoid drawing attention to myself. I wanted nothing more than to get out of there and out to the stables. I wanted to ride and clear my head.

Noticing my discomfort, the seamstress sped up her work and finished faster than I thought humanly possible. The dress wasn't hideous, in fact, it was quite beautiful. Dark blue with silver embroidery on the bodice. I looked forward to wearing it.

As soon as she was done, I threw my clothes on and ran out to the stables. I got Goose ready to be ridden as tears began running down my face. I missed Hannah.

"Where ya off to, princess?"
Mamrie's voice called from the shadows. I forgot she liked to hang out here. I quickly tried to wipe my tears away, but it was no use. I could never hide anything from her.

"Just going to clear my head."
I replied.

The red head scoffed and began walking towards me.

"You've always been a bad liar, Gracie and this is no exception. You can't run away from your problems forever. Sometimes you just have to face them. Now is one of those times."

I shook my head.

"I can't face this one, Mames. I just can't."

Mamrie gave me a sympathetic smile.

"Want to talk about it?"

I shook my head. As I did, she handed me her flask that was always filled with some type of alcohol. Without a second thought, I took a long swig. The liquid burned the back of my throat, but in a good way. I knew it almost instantly. Vodka, perfect.

"A little tense there?"
She asked and I nodded, taking another long swig. The redhead laughed and took the flask from me.

"Let's talk about this somewhere that isn't around large animals."

I nodded and followed her to the training grounds. I knew the second that I told Mamrie about Chester, she'd be looking for blood, so I figured I would just stick to my usual complaint and say I missed Hannah. It's what's best for everyone.

We sat in the middle of sparing field and watched the clouds roll by. She laid back and I followed suit.

"So what's bothering you?"

I sighed and prepared my lie.

"I just really miss Hannah..."

Mamrie looked at me and scoffed.

"While you were missing Hannah, did you slam your face into a brick wall?"

I gasped and placed a hand over my hurt cheek. The makeup must have come off when I was crying.

"Like I said, you're a bad liar. So, are you going to tell me how you got that shiner or are you going to let me take a guess."

I sighed again, this time my voice shook with the impending tears.

"Chester."
That was all I could manage to whisper. She gave me a sympathetic smile and pulled me in for a hug and I let the tears fall.
As I cried, I heard a faint whisper come from Mamrie.

"I'm going to rip his balls off."
She said. I lost it and busted out laughing. I always could count on her for a good laugh. She was my best friend and I loved her for it.

"What are you going to do about him?"
She asked. I simply shrugged. I had no idea what I was going to do. I couldn't run away. He would kill me, but I guess death was better than this. This wasn't a life that anyone should have to live. Everyone knew, but no one was brave enough to face him. So, I wasn't really lying when I said that I missed Hannah. She always seemed to make me feel like everything was going to be ok. I felt safe with her. I just wished she had stayed. I don't think I have ever wanted or needed her more.