THE PALACE OF HORACE O'ALISTAIR By Idorenyin 'Hope' Udoh

CHAPTER FIVETEEN

Selene jolted awake, her eyes quickly searching the slightly dark corners of her chamber. What had woken her, she thought, totally troubled. Was it Mia, had her fever returned? Did she get harmed by a walker? Or maybe she just needed a walk in the garden. Selene took another deep breathe, trying to be positive.
The tap on the door came again and Selene heaved a sigh. It was Nina, no doubt trying to fix her bath and whatever she needed that morning. She slipped out of bed and went to the bedside table where a heavy silver key tied to a blue ribbon laid singly. She turned the door knob after the click of the key could be heard and pulled open the heavy door.
There stood the Lord, his eyes so openly raking over her frame till it landed in her bossom which was barely covered by the see through v-neck night dress. Selene rushed to the bed in a less subtle manner and pulled on her robe.

"What are you doing here? " Selene asked

"I see you slept well. I need you well rested for today" Edgar said with a small smile

" What is it today? " Selene asked uncertainly

"Have I given you reasons to be anxious of anything? " Edgar asked

"I would just like to know" Selene replied

"There are a few things u should let my Empire know...formally I mean" Edgar said

Selene stated at him. He could not be trusted but then the Lord's eyes were totally blank, giving her not a clue as to what today held for her.

"When you are ready, Nicholas will see you to the throne room" Edgar said and with a slight nod from Selene, he left the room.

Would he tell them she was his mistress? Was that the price for her freedom? Did he think she'd so easily fall for it? Simply because he had declared her "freedom", did he think she could be bought?

Selene huffed and strode to her dresser, she'd never fall prey to a man like Edgar, he seemed the sort to reduce women to dust, he held no respect for her at all, why did he think he could lure her to bed.
The crowd be damned, Selene would speak her mind before anyone, she would accept slavery than lay with the foul man. Each moment it seemed her heart was oddly being find of the Lord, his vile nature came out.

Selene walked out of the washing room, her hair dried and tied. She wore a dim blue dress that swept the floor. Her bodice slimly fit into the dress and below her knee was a wide flow of the silky fabric. Nina smiled at he widely, no doubt admiring her choice of dress.

"It really fits you Lady Selene, the lord will lo...it's nice" Nina said

"What is going on today? A ceremony? " Selene asked

"I do not know, we common slaves won't attend, only the royals are to be in n attendance" She replied

"Very well" Selene responded and moved to the full length mirror that stood next to the window, pulling the sheer material away, she looked at the dress and smiled. It did suit her, she missed her dresses, most had been lost in all the crises at Riverland. What was left she couldn't wear them, not when she was uncertain of her position in the Empire. A maid dressed like a princess would be a shame.

There came another tap on the door.

"Enter " Selene said and the door creaked open almost immediately

"I will take it from here. Thank you" Nicholas whispered to Nina who curtsied and walked out.

Selene watched as the man glanced around the room cautiously. Like he expected to see a viper on her bed or maybe a walker. His stiffness was worse than the Lord's, she decided.

"Come" Nicholas said

"Where are we going?" Selene asked

"Master has ordered I personally escort you to him" Nicholas replied