The Marriage Game

Prologue

 Lin. 

Lin rushed down the hallway. It was late, and at this hour they were all but empty, but if she was caught... it would not end well for her. She moved as quickly and silently as possible. It was wrong to say Lin was excited for this. And being truthful she wasn't, but there was nothing she could do. This was Lin's ninth year working as a hairdresser in the castle. She loved what she did, and assuredly there was no better place for her to work. But under recent circumstances Lin would have perfered to be employed somewhere else. She could always tell someone. But that would do more harm than good. And she'd be hard pressed to find someone who'd believe her. She finally reached her destination, thick, wooden, double doors. She sighed, it was hardly the first time she'd done this, but she never ceased being nervous whenever the occasion would arise. Lin knocked on the door quietly.

"My King. I have arrived." Lin could hear faint rustlings coming from inside the King's quarters. After a moment or two there was a response.

"Ah Lin yes. I've been awaiting your arrival you must come in." With that Lin slowly, open the doors to the King's dark bedroom. "You must not keep me waiting Lin." The King's jovial voice reached her ears from the darkness of the room. Lin sighed. She stepped into the bedroom, and gently, but surely closed the doors behind her. The king spoke again. "Yes Lin you're finally here" the way he sounded made her shudder. But once again no one would believe her. She walked towards the waiting King, dreading what he would ask of her. What he always asked of her.

Lin shivered as she exited the room. She couldn't help remembering the feeling of the King's grubby hands touching her body. Although she did nothing to stop it. She had the chance, and she just sat still while the King had his way with her. She didn't know how many more times she would be put through this. And the thought of it happening again repulsed her. She did not want to be another one of the King's mistresses. He was a married man. Even if he was a very unfaithful one. She didn't want to be taken advantage of, she knew she should of stopped him, but she was just so afraid. She continued down the corridor, she needed rest, as she had to prepare the princess for the beginning of The Marriage Game. She hurried back to her room, on the way there she passed the queen, striding elegantly through the hall, she quickly lowered her head and curtsied.

"M-m-my Lady" the Queen barely spared her a glace as she passed her. Lin ran to her room, and threw herself under the covers, crying about how she was a horrible person. Finally when her eyes ran dry, she drifted off into an uneasy dreamless slumber.