Born to rule ('Born to be a slave' sequel)

11

"Maybe he had reasons to hide it from you?"

"Yeah, you must be right. He hasn't told me about many things in his life."

I felt the sadness seep deeper in to my heart. All his life Edmund has kept secrets from me and probably still does it today. I always wanted his trust, but will I ever get it? And who really is Victoria? Just a friend? ... A friend I have never heard of... . 

"What has he told you about me?" I finally glanced at her.

Victoria was admiring her beautiful fan - the tiny details of it. She answered me without drawing her attention away from her accessory.

"You are hard working, submissive, and quiet. Smart and fast learner, even though you think differently. Very naive." She tried to suppress her laugh. "When he was here, away from you for many years, he never stopped thinking about you. I had to listen him every day, how much he worries and misses his little 'slave'." Her green eyes turned dreamy for a second.

"Are you married?" The sudden question pooped in my mind.

Victoria turned silent, stopped her casual pickering on her fan and turned to look at me. She straightened her back and neck, averted her gaze and confidently said in arrogant voice.

"I do... I... I have a fiance, but he is not here at the moment."

"Where is he?" 

"Oversees. I am waiting for his return."

"Uhmmm...." I didn't want to question her, as she seemed uncomfortable.

It surprised me how much Victoria knew about me and how much time she has spent with Edmund. She was here with him all the time, heard his thoughts and feelings. The way she dreamed about old times made me think, that they must be much closer than just friends. But I am not sure of it anymore. Victoria said she has a fiance.... .

"Edmund, Edmund, Edmund..." She sang quietly. "What would you do without your little girl?" 

We sat in silence for some time. I could tell that her mind was full with thoughts, the same like mine. We were so much apart and so different from each other. Even when compared with the closeness to Edmund, I did not stand near this noble lady.

"Are you alright of me being married to him? I.... I mean ... I was a slave and not worthy of being by his side by society's rules... ."

Victoria fanned her face in silence.

"Actually I do. At least Edmund is happy now.... kind of... . "

"Isn't he?"

"I think you already know about his dislike of being in the position he is in. And above all Maria was never helping him either."

"I think it will never work out for him..."

"Unless you put your own touch. You have more power than you think, Thea." She said it close to my face.

"What do you mean...?"

"Ahh! Here he comes, our King!" Victoria nearly screamed in high voice. She totally dismissed my question.

She looked happy, even with her arrogance filled look. Victoria could not stop waving her fan at him to move faster.

Edmund came through the trimmed bushes with few servants holding plates and bringing drinks. His face was relaxed and he has made his hair wildly loose. His white smile flashed before us.

"How my ladies are getting along?"

I looked away. Admitting the awkward tension between us wasn't the most satisfying answer to give.

"I will say, your woman is more then suspicious about me."

Her answer almost made me choke, how accurate it was, but the most surprising thing for me was, that Victoria didn't seem to be willing to hide it from Edmund. 

Edmund  averted his gaze away from her face and for a brief moment I thought he will say something unpleasant to me, but instead he gave me soft smile. He was holding a teacup and presented it to Victoria. Edmund was so close to her, that I could imagine her feeling his minted breath. I watched as they both looked in each other's eyes. I don't know why, but a small pinch of pain invaded my heart. I suppressed it, not wanting anyone to see my hurt.

"You are such a gentleman, Edmund!" Victoria squirmed in delight.

He smiled again at her and went back to a table to pick up another teacup.

Our eyes met, as he was mixing up the sugar with a small silver spoon.

"Thea? Do you want one as well?"

I nodded. My throat was dry and I really needed  something to drink.

He took the same cup and noisily sipped from it, while not leaving his eyes from mine.

"Maybe not?"

"Edmund! Stop playing with her!" Victoria intervened.

It's like my husband didn't pay attention to Victoria, when he  walked up to me slowly, holding a teacup firmly in his hands. I could barely hold his gaze. I wanted to hide.... from Victoria and him as well.

Edmund bent down on his knee and presented me a tea. Reluctantly I extended my hands, which for some reason were trembling slightly. I hoped no one sees it.

As my fingers reached the warmth of the delicate porcelain, I expected to finally receive  the cup. Edmund didn't let go of it. He wrapped his big hands around mine. They hold so much warmth and almost surpassed the hotness of the sweet tea inside the cup.

"I am sorry, Thea...." He said in quiet, calm voice, with a hint of regret in it.

I looked down at our hands. I felt horrible, but couldn't describe or figure out about what exactly. So confused and hurt, I felt a tear break away. 

"Don't you think it is too much for her?" I heard Victoria's voice in the background.

I didn't know, what was happening to me. Never in my life I have experienced such emotion, that made me feel strong bitterness and ache in my heart.