The Mistress

Chapter 4

"Now go clean yourself up. I am having some guests tonight and I'm sure they will want to meet you," the king said rolling out of the bed and putting his pants back on. 

"Yes, your grace," I said standing and throwing the dress I had been wearing back on to my body before leaving for my chambers.

I dreaded what was to come, but the rumors get around and I was not going to anger him. Inside my chambers I took a wet cloth and ran it along my body. The dirt from the work I use to do washed away. The layer I had so desperately clung to as a barrier between me and the scum the king had turned me into. I pulled the prettiest dress I had out of the wardrobe and tied the corsets and petticoats on before sliding the dress over top and lacing it up as well. A knock on the door startled me.

"Come in," I said as a girl entered.

"The King has requested you in his chambers to meet some of his...friends."

I nodded putting my hair in a bun then left the room and followed her down the hall.

"Mariana. Gentlemen, this is Mariana," the king said as I approached.

"Your Majesty, Gentlemen."

I curtsied.

"She is even lovelier than you said Kevin," one said as another one of them began circling me.

"Why thank you gentlemen," the king said. "I do try to describe her, but she is just to lovely."

I smiled.

"I just hope you were under estimating on the other matters you spoke to us about."

The king gave a wicked grin.

"If you would follow me gentlemen you can learn for yourselves."

He extended his hand to me.

"Mariana."

I forced a smile and took it as he led us down the hall to his chambers. Along the way Prince Alexzander passed us. His eyes widened to me and I did my best to smile reassuringly at him, though I'm sure I failed.

Inside the king loosened the laces on my dress.

"Why don't you show the gentlemen what they're here to see," he said.

"Of course, Your Majesty," I said removing my dress and petticoats.

The men gave me wicked smiles, the king seemed pleased.

"Enjoy yourselves gentlemen."

And with those words the king left the room. One of the men walked behind me and ran his hand down my arm. I closed my eyes. I felt more hands on my body. I faked a sigh. Lips kissed my neck as hands pulled the pins from my hair letting it flow down my back. I faked a moan.

"She is good," I heard one of them say, the rest of them agreed.

I didn't hear any more words after that, but I couldn't say if anything else was said. I tried to block it out. I'm not even sure what happened to me after they threw me on the bed.

I heard footsteps coming down the hall.

"Mariana," a familiar voice screamed.

It sounded like Prince Alexzander, but I was so disoriented I didn't even know how I ended up wrapped in a sheet in the corridor. I felt someone pick me up from the floor when I heard another voice.

"My goodness. Your Highness, let us take care of her, please don't worry yourself."

It was a woman this time.

"No, I've got her."

I felt us begin to walk down the hall towards my chambers.

"What happened," another servant said.

"She was left in the hall covered in bruises," a voice which I was now positive belonged to the prince responded.

Then I felt a bed beneath my weight.

"Sleep peacefully Mariana," he whispered, and I returned to my dreamless sleep.