Parallel

Chapter VI: Black Rose

Auralea

It was a quarter after one and the maids had been catering to me since Prince Leopold ordered me to stay in bed. I feel out of place in this position. I am one of them and they are trying their hardest to satisfy me. On top of that, it is a bit inappropriate that I am sleeping in the prince's quarters. I can't even begin to imagine what everyone is saying about me, let alone what they are saying to Mrs. Inman. Besides the fact that I feel completely useless, Prince Leopold was particularly sweet to me. I don't keep up with politics much, but when I was allowed to ride into town to shop for our necessities, the townspeople were not fond of royals.

I scan the walls of the room. It was very beautifully furnished and above the fireplace hung a family portrait. Prince Leopold didn't seem older than five. His front teeth were missing and there were two adults whom I assume are his parents behind him. They looked happy. I felt a sudden pang of sadness. I had Braxton to raise me but I always longed for a mother and a father who loved me unconditionally. I wanted a family. Not that the orphanage was inadequate, there was just always something missing.

The door creaked open and I met eyes with a maid above my stature. She didn't clean rooms like me, her job was to deliver food and prepare baths. I wonder how many years it took for her to advance to that level. "The prince has asked me to draw a bath for you." I smile politely and climb out of the black satin sheets. "That won't be necessary. I am fully capable of drawing my own bath." She stubbornly shakes her head and makes her way over to the tub. "I cannot go against the prince's orders. I do not wish to anger him." She begins to draw the bath and I watch feeling helpless. Again.

After the tub is full, she ushers me over to it and helps me undress. The water is warm and I let out a sigh of contentment. "I am Auralea Webb. I'm not sure why the prince is treating me with such care and kindness. I am just a chambermaid." The maid shushes me and begins to brush my hair. She detangles it with care as she speaks, "Maybe he has taken a liking to you. You are young and beautiful and once he is king, he is allowed to have a mistress." She begins to part my hair into two sections and braid it.

"A mistress? I am only in the castle to work. I have no interest in entanglements with the royals." The maid scoffs. "Mistresses are given land and gifts and riches. I'd be blessed to be given the opportunity to be Prince Leopold's mistress." I giggle as she swoons over the prince. As handsome as he was, I could never subject myself to just being a mistress. I plan to marry for love and have children that we can raise together. Status doesn't hold any relevance to me. I am nothing but a chambermaid, I could love anyone who loves me.

After my bath, Odette helped me to get dressed in a gown that the prince gifted to me. It was a beautiful shade of lavender. Odette refused to take no for an answer. We both agreed that we didn't want to anger the royals. Minutes later I find myself seated on one of the soft chairs, looking out into the garden when Prince Leopold waltzes into the room. I immediately flush and bow my head. There is a moment of silence when my gaze lifts to his. He stands there in all of his glory, studying me. I am the first to submit and look away from his dark chocolate orbs and back at the view of the garden.

"It is quite a lovely view isn't it?" I jolt in surprise at his deep baritone carrying throughout the room, just as I always do. I nod meekly as I feel the seat of the chair beside me sink in under his body weight. I suck in a breath when his knee touches mine. The simple act is so innocent yet very intimate. I wring my fingers in my lap, afraid that I'll say or do the wrong thing but mostly anxious about the sudden compassion from this handsome stranger. "I...thank you for helping me yesterday." I feel his gaze burning holes into the side of my face but I focus on a particularly beautiful black rose bush growing just at the edge of the garden.

"There is no need to thank me. The physician says that you are malnourished and overworked. Have you been eating enough and taking care of yourself? You were rather lucky that you happened to collapse in my quarters though." I am unsure of how to respond to his prodding. I eat enough to sustain myself which also happens to be all I can afford. "I can assure you that I take care of myself, Prince Leopold. I work as much as I am expected to. It is my duty to the childr-...to everyone I left behind for this job. I keep up with my responsibilities." The wringing of my hands becomes more frantic when Prince Leopold doesn't look away from me.

Suddenly, my hands are engulfed in warmth. I look down at my lap to see one of the prince's large hands covering both of mine. His hand is soft and warms my rather cold fingers. I glance up at him and am met with a stern look and a raised eyebrow. Something about his eyes remind me of Braxton. Maybe the disapproval or perhaps the hint of genuine concern. In that moment, my yearning to know what Prince Leopold is thinking takes over my thoughts. I focus as hard as I can and bits and pieces of phrases enter my mind. "Beautiful...safety...my quarters...physician...be okay" The beginnings of my success are met with a sharp, shooting pain in my temples. I wince back and pull my hands from the prince's hold to massage the sides of my head.

"Auralea...you're bleeding. Your nose is bleeding." In my haze, I bring my hand down to wipe at the thick, crimson liquid pooling from my nose and see for myself. Much to my horror, I was bleeding. It was too much to process. I had just heard Prince Leopold's voice in my head and the consequences were painful. As if his daze was broken, the prince stood swiftly and scooped me up in his arms. I made a noise of protest but was silenced immediately at the look he shot me. I felt like I was floating on clouds but was brought back to reality with the piercing shrieking in my head. I whimpered and squeezed my head in my hands. Leopold hurried his pace down the winding hall to his desired end destination. All I felt was pain.