Why You?

Chapter: 2

     Stomping of the horses hoofs comes to a stop as we reach the castle. A soldier boy opens the door and holds out his hand for me to take. I smile at him graciously, but make my own motion to get out of the carriage myself. Melody makes a tsk noise at me, but takes the boy's hand. I watch Melody out of the corner of my eye apologetically smile to him, but he seems unfazed. He looks to be around her age. Practically still has a baby face.

     The boy escorts us all the way into the castle, then bows his head to take his leave. I curtsy back to him, leaving just Melody and I in the presence of a bunch of people laughing and dancing to the classical music. The silver and blue tiled flooring is glossed over, making the floor look almost wet. Large, golden crescent shapes entwined with each other to decorate the walls.

     I see many women popping out their breast and holding their posture up in hopes of impressing a man whom she wishes to wed. I hold back from rolling my eyes at the sight while we walk farther into the ballroom.

     "Looks like you've already caught the attention of Sir. Chanel," Melody points out, smiling at me.

    I look in the direction Melody points to. Sure enough, there is Sir. Chanel staring at me like I'm a piece of meat. He licks his lips and and makes motion to start walking my way. I scoff and head the opposite direction to the wine. I'm going to need a lot of it if I'm going to make it through tonight. I hear Melody scurry after me.

     "You're not telling me that you have no intention of even looking for a suitor right?!" She whisper shouts, trying to stay hush so other people won't overhear.

     I wait a moment before putting it bluntly, "Melody, I will never marry. I'm not Papa's puppet. Besides, I want freedom and not have to be tied down to someone. I want to be able to make my own choices instead of asking permission from a man."

     "You heard Papa though," she adds, "he will kick you out. Where will you go?"

     "I'll lie and tell him that I have a suitor. I'll lie long enough to where I can get money. Then I'll get land of my own. Or at least just somewhere I can sleep for a while."

     She looks at me in a challenging sort of way to which I mimic but she doesn't back down by saying , "And you expect me to just stay quiet for you, or even lie if needed?"

     "I do, and you will. Or I will tell Papa about your little secret romance with the stable boy. Remember him? The one who already has a marriage agreement? But Papa won't like that you lost your virtue without being married because then you would have no chance of being wed," I threaten.

     She looks at me flustered, not knowing I knew about that. But I mean, she can't be too mad at me. It was so obvious. She came in  early morning with her hair all disheveled and straw all over her clothing. Plus I caught him walking her home a couple times.

     I can tell she is trying to think of something else to hold against me. Clearly with nothing, she stomps off to some nobleman. Guilt arises within me and and I take a big gulp of my wine. I would never actually rat her out, but I have to keep her from doing so to me.

     I cling to my wine glass that's now half empty and turn around. As I turn around, I run into something solid spilling my red wine all over my pink dress and chest. I gasp at the coldness on my chest, and look up to see the cause of this mishap. He looks more like an upper class of a peasant boy. I narrow my eyes at him.

     He looks at me and smirks in which I return with a glare. We stare at each other for a bit, neither one of us wanting to look away first. Giving up this pointless battle, I look away first. I then brush past him as I walk away to find a room to clean up without a word to him. It's not my first time being in the castle with my father being a nobleman and all, but I always can't seem to find a place to clean.

     The halls are empty; only the sound of my heels clicking on this golden-lined tile. My soaked dress feels uncomfortable sticking against my bare skin. If I go home like this, my father will never believe my lies. I round a corner and see a door slightly open. I look around to make sure no ones watching before cautiously going inside.

     Making it in the room, I almost gag at the smell of a drunk sitting in the corner, covered in what I assume to be his own puke. I instantly cover my nose from the stingy smell. He's definitely not waking up anytime soon, and there's no place for me to clean up here. I turn to go back the way I came, but something shiny catches my eye. I look closer to notice a coin on the floor next to the man.

With my curiosity getting the best of me, I quietly walk over to the drunk. Reaching the man, I crouch down to pick up the coin. My eyes widen at the sight of this coin and almost instantly drop it. The coin drops to the floor, spinning before it face flat on the surface. This is not just any kind of coin. It's a pirate's coin. A coin that is considered treasonous to have.

Feeling panic arise, I sprint towards the door, only for the same guy that spilled wine on my dress to walk in and shut the door. I trace my steps backwards while my heart starts racing. But I'm not going to be able to get out of here if I just panic, I need to stay calm.

I outweigh my options. I'm like four stories up so theirs no way I can just jump out the window. There's no other doors besides the one he's standing in front of. The only way out is through him. He's not gonna just graciously let me by if he is what that coin states. Otherwise why else would he know to go to this room? I'm going to have to take him by force.

     "Hello, I'm sorry about earlier. But you're not supposed to be in here," he warns.

     "Oh, I wanted to find a room where I could clean off my dress," I explain starting to walk towards him while getting closer to a light, "and this was the only room that I saw open, but I didn't know it was yours. I do apologize for being a bother."

I make it by the light and just as he was about to speak again, I grab the lantern and fling it back to swiftly smash it over the top of his head. Shards of glass fling across the room. The guy grunts in pain as he bends over holding his head.

I can't risk the chance to see him redeem his balance so I drop the remains of the lamp and sprint to the door again. I try opening it only to realize that it's locked. Damn it! My fingers fumble to unlock it, but he grabs me by my waist and swiftly swings me over his shoulder. I try to scream for any chance of a maid or wanderers from the party but nobody seems to hear my cries.

     "I know what you are! You're a filthy pirate and I can have you tried for treason!" I desperately scream.

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