The Bloodletters

by Samantha Bell

  Lady Carrol held up her hand to silence me. “Never mind,” She sighed and held out her hand. I gave her the book and she continued. “I appreciate a well-read young lady, but you know Bloodletters are not allowed to be roaming the halls.” She tucked the book under her arm. “I’ll have a maid bring this back for you.”

  I nodded. “Yes Ma’am.”

  Lady Carrol gestured to her room. “Please, come inside. I want to talk to you.”

  My heart pounded. Had she been told about my run in with the Prince? Had he complained that Bloodletters were running wild through the palace? I didn’t think he’d be the kind of person to do that sort of thing, but if I were honest with myself, I didn’t even know him.

  Lady Carrol’s room was divided into a large office and private bedroom. The wallpaper was pink with a while floral design that matched the curtains. She set the book on her desk and sat down. “You’ve impressed me, thus far, Violet.”

  I sat down across from her, tucking my skirt under myself carefully. “Thank you.”

  The Royal smiled. “When I read your profile, I was most intrigued. I spoke to Madam Desjardins personally and you came highly recommended. It’s not often that we encounter Bloodletters with good breeding.”

  I tried not to grimace at that description, making me feel like a pet rather than a person.

  “As you can imagine, most of our stock comes from poorer families,” Lady Carrol continued. The gold ring on her finger flashed in the light. “Madam Desjardins refused to give me your family name as was stated on your contract, but that is no matter to me. I would like to make sure that your talents and delicious blood are put to good use.”

  I suppressed a cringe. So, there was a taste test after all.

  “So, after speaking with my superiors, it has been decided that you will be assigned to His Majesty Prince Edmund.”

  My heart jumped at the word Prince before it was squashed with the name. “Prince Edmund?”

  Lady Carrol grinned. “Yes, I know, this must be exciting for you. A personal Bloodletter to the Crown Prince! But it is necessary, as personal Bloodletters are very visible in the public eye and our future king deserves only the best.”

  I managed a weak smile. “Oh, I see.”

  “Speechless?” She laughed. “Oh child, this is a great honor. I’m so proud of you.”

  “Yes,” I said softly. “What about Greta?”

  The Lady’s smile drooped. “Oh, that girl,” She sighed. “She’ll find a place soon enough.” She clapped her hands together. “Never mind about her, there’s work to be done. The Saxon’s personal Bloodletters are kept close to their apartments, you won’t need to worry about being cooped up in here anymore. Oh and you’ll need more dresses!”

  “Great…” I tried to sound enthusiastic, but my voice fell flat.

  ∾

  The staff wasted no time in moving me into a new room. While they bussed my ever-expanding wardrobe across the palace, I hovered around Greta’s door, waiting for her to come out. I raised my hand to knock several times but lost the courage and let my hand fall back down.

  Greta was a wild one, unpredictable and untrustworthy in my eyes. I pitied her more than cared for her. If I told her that I had been chosen to be a Bloodletter for Prince Edmund, I had no doubt that it would only infuriate her. I brushed my hand along the doorframe and turned away.

  The Saxon’s private apartments were on the west side of the palace and I was pleased to find that they were closer to the library than the other Bloodletters’ rooms had been.

  This room was decorated with bold colors and dark wooden furniture. A large four-poster bed, a wardrobe, a desk and a small round table and chairs. A pair of glass doors let in light from outside, leading to balconette that overlooked the snowy palace grounds. The top floor offered an unobstructed view of the world beyond. A door was ajar, and I was surprised to see that it led to a modest bathroom. Even in my days growing up in the manor, I had never had my own private bathroom.

  Lady Carrol caught the gleam in my eye that I hadn’t hidden in time. “Lovely, isn’t it, my dear?” She clasped her hands behind her back, watching the pair of servants organizing my clothing.

  I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

  “Just remember, the position of a personal Bloodletter is as wonderful as it is precarious,” Lady Carrol warned. Her voice was low and steady. “Win the Prince’s favor, or be cast away like a broken toy, that is up to you.”

  I carried the weight of her warning to me closely.

  Once I was left alone, I washed, groomed and dressed myself. I picked a flowing blue gown with laces at the sides. I cinched myself in, but unlike the servants who had been dressing me recently, made sure to leave some space to breathe. I pulled my damp amber curls into a loose bun at the base of my neck. On top of the wardrobe was a small jewelry box filled with earrings and necklaces. I added a set of pearl earrings to my ensemble.

  I looked myself up and down in the long mirror that stood beside my wardrobe. I smoothed down the airy silk that hung in layers at my hips. I was impressed with myself, looking more like a grown woman every day. The weeks free of Bloodletting had brought the feminine curves back to my body and the glow back into my cheeks.

  The Prince ought to be impressed.

  I wandered over to the window and looked out to the snowy grounds that stretched beneath me. Groundskeepers were clearing the freshly fallen snow from the walkways that wove through the sleeping gardens like a spider’s web. The move had taken nearly all afternoon, and the sun was beginning to set.

  My stomach grumbled a warning that dinnertime would be any minute now. As if on cue, there was a brisk knock at my door and a maid entered with a tray of food. Whatever it was, it smelled delicious, but my hopes of having social meals were squashed again.

  The maid set the tray down on the table. “Dinnertime, Miss,” she said. She kept her eyes on the ground when speaking to me.

  “Thank you,” I replied. Noticing the same tense feeling radiating from her as all the other servants I had encountered. “Excuse me, but could I know your name?”

  The maid shook her head. “No, Miss, please don’t. We’re not supposed to be familiar with the Bloodletters.” She whispered. She had a Northern accent.

  I raised my eyebrows. “Why ever not?”

  The maid’s face paled and her hands shook as she placed the silverware on the table. “Not my place, miss.” She wilted under the determined glare I sent at her. “It’s just that, you’re all short lived, miss. Don’t need to be getting attached.” She scurried out without another word.

  My stomach sank. Suddenly I didn’t feel so hungry.

  ∾

  As Lady Carrol had predicted, the Prince did not come to meet me until late in the evening. They had left me alone with my thoughts and a cold plate of dinner for hours.

  Just as I was thinking about getting changed for bed, there was a very soft knock at the door.

  I bolted up from my seat and smoothed the wrinkles out of my dress. I took a quick glance at the mirror to check my hair before calling out. “Come in, please.”

  The door opened and a young man entered. He was, if I had to guess, only a few years older than Prince Isaac, but he could have not looked more different. He was slightly shorter, with a boyish face, big dark eyes and black hair cut into a short, military style. He wore a crisp white shirt and matching gray trousers and vest. His gold cufflinks glinted in the light.

  I bowed my head low. “Your Majesty,” I greeted.

  Prince Edmund said nothing, his hands falling to his sides and no expression crossing his pale face as he looked me up and down. “Hm, so you’re the new Bloodletter that Lady Carrol has sent me?”

  I nodded. I had grown tense under his indifference. I bit the side of my cheek and smiled. I had worked for hours to be a picture of elegance and he hadn’t even seemed the least bit impressed.

  “Alright,” the Prince sighed. “I guess you’ll do.”

&nb
sp; I flushed furiously, biting into my cheek until I tasted blood.

  Prince Edmund took a step forward, tapping his chin. He walked around me twice. “Let me guess, Lady Carrol told you that I need someone to be seen with in public, a little doll to carry around with me?”

  There was an edge to his voice, one that I immediately recognized as the spite felt by an heir with too much to bear. My heart twisted for him, but I kept my answer proper. “Lady Carrol said that I would be an excellent Bloodletter for you, sir.”

  The Prince let out a humorless laugh. “I bet,” He said. He stopped circling me and looked me in the eye. His eyes were such a dark shade of brown that they appeared black in the low light. “And what do you think?”

  I was taken aback by his question. I took a breath before replying. “Your Majesty, I come from a wealthy family in Wythtir and I know firsthand the pressures that are faced by young nobility. If there is anyone who would be the best Bloodletter for you, it is me.”

  The Prince smirked and turned for the door. “We’ll see about that.”

  ∾

  Three days later, the Prince had not returned.

  The maid who tended to my room was named Judy. I had wrestled her name out of her the next day, and she hadn’t spoken to me since. I slept the days away, with nothing and no one to keep me entertained. I found myself wishing for any sort of company. Training from Lady Carrol or even a childish argument with Greta would have been a pleasure.

  When Judy came in with my lunch, I cornered her. “Judy!”

  The maid peeped and hid her face with her hands.

  “Judy, I know you’re instructed not to get to know me, and that’s fine,” I said, exasperated. “But please, answer my questions.”

  Judy peeked over her fingers. “Yes, miss?”

  “Where is the Prince?”

  “Prince Edmund?” Judy asked for confirmation. When I nodded, she continued with a sigh. “His Majesty is very busy, he is the Heir Apparent, after all. The Crown Prince has daily lessons, meetings, social events.” She rattled them off on her fingers.

  “I am well aware of that. But does he not need blood?”

  Judy went white. “Yes, of course, Miss.”

  “Then why has he not come for mine?”

  Judy blushed. “Why do you want him to so badly?” She looked at me suspiciously.

  I rolled my eyes. “Because I’m bored, Judy!” I screamed, my frustration bubbling over. “I’ve done nothing but sit in this room for days. I’ve been here in the palace for nearly a month and I’ve done nothing but get dressed up, eat and sleep. Surely the Prince has another Bloodletter that I could at least talk to?”

  Judy shook her head, going another shade of red. “No, that would not be proper, Miss. Prince Edmund’s other Bloodletter is a man.”

  I clenched my teeth. I had no idea that a co-ed Blood House was so scandalous.

  “And, if you promise to keep this between us, Miss.” Judy waited for me to nod before continuing to whisper. “The Prince, he won’t be seeing you often. Only for social events. He, um, well, he prefers the male blood.”

  TWENTY-ONE

  JUDY WAS RIGHT. Two more lonely days passed before I couldn’t bear it a second longer.

  Late that night, I crept out of my room and made my way through the dark twisting hallways until I found the library. I was unsurprised to find the room dark and empty. I grabbed a book at random and snuck up to the second level. I settled into a corner, reading in the warm glow of a single lamp.

  I had become immersed in a lighthearted narrative about a band of travelers when the sound of the door opening alerted me.

  I crept over to the railing and saw Prince Isaac lighting a lamp and sitting in an armchair. A heavy book rested on his lap and a handful of loose papers were stacked on the table beside him. He was muttering to himself softly, looking from the notes and back to the book, his fingers tracing the lines of text.

  I retreated from the edge, carefully weighing my options. One, I could sit up here and read, waiting for him to leave. Or two, I could go down and speak to him, then leave. He hadn’t minded last time he found me in the library, though Bloodletters were forbidden to leave their rooms.

  I drummed my fingers against the leather cover of the book in my hands. For the first time as long as I could remember, my hands weren’t unbearably cold.

  After only a moment of deliberation, I decided on option two. My unbearable loneliness won out against common sense. I had only stepped on the first step when the Prince looked up. Even in the dim light, he looked as handsome as ever.

  “Ah, can’t sleep either, huh?” The Prince asked with a smile.

  I was taken aback by his casual tone. “Yes, I have been confined to my room and couldn’t stand it any longer.”

  Prince Isaac nodded, rising to meet me at the bottom of the spiral staircase. He held his hand out to me.

  It took me a moment to realize his gesture and placed my hand in his. He kissed it softly before letting it go. His grip was strong and warm. I held my book to my chest to disguise my trembling.

  “I heard that they promoted you,” Prince Isaac said, returning to his chair and gesturing for me to join him.

  I sat nervously. “Promoted?”

  “To be my brother’s Bloodletter,” the Prince clarified and laughed at my expression. “Ah, so it’s true then. How’s that going for you?”

  I resisted the urge to be brutally honest. “It has been uneventful, thus far.”

  The Prince laughed again. “How polite of you,” he said and sat back in the armchair, studying me for a moment before continuing. “I know my brother can be quite the bore, but be happy about that, at least he won’t be draining you.”

  I forced a smile, and he laughed again. “Actually, the Prince and I have not gotten to know each other yet. Though, I’m sure he’s charming,” I said.

  Isaac snorted. “You’ll learn soon enough.”

  “So, what about you, can you not sleep either?” I asked, changing the subject to avoid any hot water. Bloodletter training had been helpful in these circumstances, always twisting the conversation away from yourself.

  The Prince shrugged. “You could say that. I often study late into the night.”

  I nodded, another familiar feeling, though I could not say so out loud. I nodded towards to book. “What are you reading?”

  Prince Isaac glanced down at the thick book sitting on the table. “History, mostly. Sometimes I change it up and read some military strategy or economics. Right now, I’m focusing on the reign of my great grandfather. I was young when he passed, but there’s no shortage of literature about him.”

  I nodded. “King Ronald Saxon. The king who introduced the Bloodletting Regulation Act.”

  The Prince cocked an eyebrow. “Beautiful and well read, who would have known?” He smiled.

  I shrugged off the compliment. “I had plenty of history lessons in my previous life,” I said and bowed my head modestly.

  “Hm,” Prince Isaac paused. “I heard rumors that you came from a wealthy family. Do you care to share who?”

  I went rigid, my heart pounding in my chest. Violet Ackerman was dead. “No, it’s too painful,” I whispered.

  The Prince nodded. “Alright,” he conceded.

  “Forgive me, sir,” I said after a beat of silence. “But why are you up studying all night? Are you not tutored all day; you must be exhausted?”

  Prince Isaac’s expression darkened, and I immediately regretted my question. “No,” he said finally. “I am not tutored all day. I did the usual schooling, but now that I am an adult, my father insists that I focus more on military matters,” He paused. “After all, I am not the heir.”

  I blinked, unsure of how to respond. I felt a chill run through me and had to look away from the Prince. “I see. I’m sorry.”

  The Prince shook his head. “Don’t worry about it, there’s nothing you can do about it.”

  My eyes met his, and I felt myself being
drawn closer to him. I blinked and inched away. “Well, I best be getting back to my room,” I said as I got to my feet.

  Prince Isaac bolted up, reached out, and grabbed my hand lightly. “Wait.”

  I looked at him, eyes wide. No one in this palace had even dared make physical contact with me. Servants sidestepped me and looked down, not wanting to get attached. His skin was warm against mine.

  The Prince immediately released me. “I apologize.” He clasped his hands behind his back. “I just wanted to ask you – will you be here tomorrow?”

  I tried to suppress my smile. The Prince wanted to spend time with me? After weeks of nothing but loneliness, I would have been a fool not to take him up on his offer. As a reading partner, perhaps. Nothing that would get us in trouble. I nodded. “I will.”

  Prince Isaac smiled. “Great, I’ll look forward to it.”

  I bowed my head and hurried out of the library, hiding a grin behind the book in my hand.

  ∾

  Judy worked wordlessly as she helped me dress for another meaningless day. She cinched me up in an emerald green dress and pinned my hair. She was getting better at managing the unruly amber curls.

  The maid left, and I was alone again. I sat by the window, reading the book I had taken from the library last night. I wanted to finish it today to ensure that I had a reason to return to the library besides visiting the Prince. I stared at the page but couldn't absorb the words, my mind was elsewhere. Lost in the memory of his emerald green eyes, the same shade as the dress I wore.

  Will you be here tomorrow?

  I sighed and pressed the book to my chest. I gazed out the window, watching the groundskeepers clearing snow from the paths again. It was nearing mid-February and the snow was still falling in full force. I wondered if I would be allowed to explore the grounds once the weather improved. Maybe on the arm of Prince Isaac, walking and flirting in the gardens.

  No. I forced myself to abandon those fantasies. That was just silly. He was the Prince and I was only a Bloodletter, and his brother's Bloodletter at that. I doubted that it was proper for us even to see each other as much as he already had.