The Widow

Chapter Twenty-Three: Under His Eye, You shall Act with only Kindness

The chilly night made people weary, their need for warmth pushed them to bed where they would be safe under their covers and feet pointing towards the brewing fireplace. The manor was quiet, the cackling flames from candles filled the halls, faint sounds of the outside world barely reached their ears, the halls was chilly and dark; the family portraits were mere shadows that scared the house servants. Not Emelie, she no longer feared the portraits and their judging stares when creeping down the hall- she lurked in the shadows like a predator, waiting for her prey to let down his guard by surrounding himself with lonesome.

The young widow walked down the long hall, her feet light upon the floorboards, eyes focused on the single wooden door, breathing calm and mind cleared from anything and everything that will hold her back. She approached the door slowly, her soft knuckles immediately crashed against the wood three times- the dull knocks filled the silence and echoed off the walls, but no one noticed as they snuggled by the fire and relaxed for the night.

"Come in." Her prey croaked, his voice weary with strain and stress.

Emelie took a deep breath breath before clasping the gold knob, the door groaned from the slowly opening to reveal the den of a man. The walls were painting with the color of blood, animal heads lined up along the wall, weapons just below the brutal trophies, furniture holding the rare fabric of brown leather, the fireplace held most of the wall, and the man standing before it finished the job in making the room strong with male ego. "I'm sorry to bother you, Dion, especially during the most troubling times." Her voice was soft and timid, as if a damsel wooing her knight- but in this case, she was the siren wooing her bait.

Dion turned around, a glass of scotch occupying one hand while the other was fiddling with a gold medallion. "No worries, please, come in."

In which she did, the soft click of the door closing made the air thick between them, the mysterious feeling of them both holding secrets that can ruin each other lives and their own. "I truly do apologize, I found myself alone and sometimes lonesome is not so pleasing."

"I would have to agree." Looking down at the half empty glass of burning liquor, Dion stepped to his father collection of strong drinks made for rough councilmen. Without hesitation, he poured another glass but made the amount smaller. "I will not spill this secret."

Emelie lips tugged into a gracious smile when stepping into the light, her fingers wrapped around the cool glass but she did not drink. "My father would only allow me to drink ale and wine, I never tried scotch before."

"I must say, it's disgusting and burns your throat, but the after effect is pleasing."

The young widow swirled the brown liquor before having a quick taste, the bitter taste made her shiver and gag. "Oh, why on god earth would someone drink this, it's awful."

Dion chuckled from the fruitful reaction, just then the air became thin, his humorous laugh filled the room- smothering the cackling sound of burning wood and the faint animals noises outside. "What troubles you, Emelie?" Now calm and tipsy, Dion sat on the armrest of his father's leather chair, he was at eye level with the young widow and somehow it made the air turn back to a thick tension- it was as if one twitch of the eye can tell all their secrets.

She sighed heavily as the first response to her world as a regular princess and not a spy. "Can you keep a secret?"

The king hesitated before nodding his head yes, "Depends on the secret."

"I'm having trouble fitting in with my fellow peers, young peers. Lady Anna and Talia are such a match, Lady Ura is a little bland for my taste and not as mature. All through my childhood I've surrounded myself with others twice my age, it seemed to have carried out through my adulthood as well. I know this would be bold of me to ask, but perhaps I can join you and Elizabeth for brunch and meetings."