Three Masked Maidens

Chapter 9 - Not So Noblemen (Part 1)

In two days time Cedany would be married, I had talked to my father. The grounds are actually worse then when we left near a year ago. He says that he is proud of us for not showing or faces. And that Malice had grown ill. Hale was sent to a labor camp and he had a recent pension rise. And only I knew of its true reason of increase.

"Mary..." My sister shook me getting back my attention from the note. "What Rose?" I asked a tad annoyed. "Cedany has decided that after the reception she will show her face" she said. "There is still a threat," I began. "I know that but she has this idea that with the princes protection it would have no matter" she said worried. "I'll talk to her" I said sitting onto me bed. She nodded then left me to my chambers.

I laid onto my bed, with my head cushioned by the covers and shred that were silk. But there was a slight hardness under my head. I rose and saw that there was a note. I was afraid to open it, which felt silly. I mean it was just a piece of paper. Yet, this paper always manages to scare me. I unfolded it thinking it would be better to open it the to never know.

STOP THE WEDDING, OR SHE DIES!
-anonymous

I knew this would end bad.

I went out to the garden for fresh air when I was greeted by an unwanted visitor. I turned back sound to end the conversation before it even started. "Mary," he began "please" he had an edge to his voice, like it was a need to talk to me. "What Nik?" I asked turning around annoyed. He went up to me and kissed me, he was soft and warm. Like always. He glided his hands over my body.

I never took to account how the death of his mother would go with him. But nonetheless our deal was off. I pushed him back and slapped clean across the face. "I'm sorry" he pleaded as I began to walk away. I stopped, in the near year I've known him he was always smug, prideful, and a lady killer who had no appreciation for anything then the art of getting women undressed. Including me, but never and I mean NEVER have I ever heard him say I'm sorry.

"Please Mary," his eyes full of sadness. He moved towards me caressing my face and moving my hair behind my ear. "I have no one else" he said resting his forehead against mine. We were hidden behind a hedge. No one could see us. "You have you father-the king" I said stuttering a bit. "He is no father, not to me. You are the only person, that-" he couldn't find his words. "That I know would be truthful, and say what's on your mind. I need you" he said inching closer to my lips. I breathed heavy I had no idea on what to do.

He broke our deal, yet his mother just died. He says he needs me, with those months of our deal being with extra benefits, I grew close to him. Even though I didn't want to to.

With a sudden shout I heard my sister yelling for me "MARY!" yelled Ced. "I have to go" I said ripping away from him. I headed towards the sound of my sisters voice.

I entered the ballroom that was decorated with floral streamers and chandeliers. "What?" I asked her. She ran up to me. "Help me decide" she said dragging me up the grand stairs to a table with limitless amounts of different wines and cakes. "What the-" I began but was interrupted. "Which ones?" She questioned

I spent nearly two hours with her and Rose tasting and drinking. Eventually she settled for 6 wines, and 4 cakes. She is going all out. I dragged my sister aside and told her of the note, she looked at me with angry eyes. "I hate this person" she said behind gritted teeth. "They are threatening your life" I said exasperated. I would die for her, but I didn't think I would ever actually have to. "How would they even be able to kill me?" She asked tense. "You have 6 wines and 4 cakes, they will find a way" I added a big snarky. She shot me look that immediately made me rush with regret. "Sorry" I said fiddling with my hands.

"It's fine, but we need to catch this person" she said grabbing my arm and making me walk a little farther away from the table. "How?" I asked. "I don't know, we'll talk after the funeral today" we both agreed ten I left back to my chambers with a stomach ache.

As I walked to my room I saw nobleman Vice. He greeted me "Today's the day" is all he said then walked away. The plan the king and j worked out has caused a very sudden drop of excitement for either of us, but it must be done.