Princess of Darkness

by Adrianna J Tetnowski

  Athon had been leaning over his throne and whispering to Dallius, but he shifted his gaze to the Princess as soon as she entered. He wasn’t too happy to see her again, and he didn’t doubt that she felt particularly overjoyed to see him either. “May I help you, your Majesty?” he asked behind clenched teeth.

  Adelaide raised a brow at him, hands on her hips. She was ready to put him in his place. “Let's make this clear.” she began, ignoring the crowd of castle inhabitants who had gathered; and now all stood watching behind the pillars of the hall. “We both don't like or respect each other, King Athon. That's why I'm here to win your respect.” the Princess continued.

  Athon stared at her a moment, stunned into silence. He let out a sudden roar of laughter, pounding his fists on the arms of his throne. “You want to win my respect. I tell you now, Princess of Iradas, you already have it, only because I have to give you it. I’d much rather conspire against the Valentis with an able bodied Redbane, a Prince or the Emperor himself! Not some girl who-,”

  “Hold your tongue.” Adelaide snapped.

  The King glared at her. Fool that he was, he clearly didn’t know exactly who he was speaking to. “What did you just say?” he dared to ask.

  Adelaide stepped closer towards his throne. “I want your best fighter against me. If I win, you have to start treating me with the respect that I rightfully deserve.” she began.

  The King snorted at her request and leaned back in his chair, raising a questioning hand to his Captain; who didn’t return the gesture.

  “You'll have to address me as Princess of Iradas and also, I'll have your men at my beck and call - whenever I want.”

  Athon was furious now. He rose from his throne with a tumble of his splendid robes, as they caught onto the arms of his seat amongst his angry fit. “I will not have my men taking orders from a child.”

  “And I will not have you mocking me, Athon.”

  Dallius wasn’t too sure what he felt more; admiration for the Princess as she finally stood up against the very likes of Athon, or sheer disappointment about the King’s treatment of his superior. It didn’t matter if Adelaide was a woman, even the Captain knew Athon owed his allegiance and respect to her.

  “Hold your tongue; I am the King of Faradwyn.” Athon hissed. He waved his hands around, a childish reaction to the fact he knew he was in the wrong here.

  Adelaide tutted at the King. “Oh, how my brothers will be shocked to hear about this, the Emperor in particular,” she began. “Refusing to pledge your allegiance to the Redbanes means that…you’re, against the Redbanes? Is that right? I don't see your best fighter, unless it's you. Are you going to fight me?” she asked. Adelaide knew she was getting cocky now but, the lack of colour in Athon’s face was too priceless to not enjoy.

  “Dallius.” King Athon called and beckoned for him to step forward. “The girl is calling for you.”

  Adelaide blinked hard at his announcement. But of course, the Captain, it was to be expected.

  Dallius gave his King a bow from the waist and turned towards the Princess. “Adelaide, I don't want to fight you,” he began.

  The Princess shook her head.

  “If Dallius wins, I'll have you sent back to your brothers and I’ll have them teach you a lesson about respecting men.” Athon yelled.

  Adelaide looked at Dallius and found him shaking his head, quietly begging her not to accept the challenge. She ignored him. “It's a deal.” she said. The Princess hadn't realised her Guardians had appeared amongst the crowds and were watching her with eager eyes.

  The corners of Myron's mouth tipped up and he leaned against one of the pillars, arms crossed tightly over his chest. He silently cheered his Princess on.

  Dallius sighed, unsheathing his sword, he signalled his opponent to do the same. Adelaide swung her sword around for a moment and then looked at Dallius. She could see it in his eyes that he didn't want to do this and she could hear every thought within his head, playing on repeat like a sad song. Fear of hurting her. Fear of angering the King.

  Dallius started the challenge off as he swung his sword at the Princess but, she dodged quickly. He wasn't trying, he didn't want to, and he just wanted this to be over with the girl remaining in one piece. Adelaide swung her sword this time and Dallius blocked the blow with ease.

  The Captain grabbed onto her and pulled her closer to him. “We have to stop. I don't want to fight you.” he whispered in Adelaide’s ear.

  “I'm not going to let Athon get the best of me.” she whispered back. Adelaide pushed him away and swung her sword against him once more.

  Yet Dallius dodged the blade with ease. “Adelaide you have to listen to me, please.” he begged, dodging yet another one of her blows. He swung his own sword again, blocking the Princesses blade as it came down on him.

  Adelaide jumped back as Dallius lunged at her.

  The Captain, however, managed to reach her this time, and he grabbed onto her tunic. Pulling Adelaide closer towards him, he spoke again. “I'm done. I'm not fighting you. The last thing I want is to hurt you.”

  Adelaide blinked hard at the Captain. “Why are you telling me that?” she asked, her voice dropping to a hush.

  “Because I actually care about you!” Dallius snapped, his voice far louder than he had expected.

  The crowds had been whispering amongst each other before and their conversation immediately died down when Dallius spoke.

  Adelaide stared at Dallius, wide eyed, and she sheathed her sword. The battle had been cut short. “You do?” she asked, having lowered her head, so the Captain didn't see her blush.

  King Athon clapped his hands together. “If you two are done sharing your affection for each other, continue the fight. I will not lose a challenge to a girl.” he growled.

  Dallius shook his head. Extending his sword to the Princess, he dropped to one knee instead. “I am gladly offering my loyalty and service to you, Princess of Iradas.” he said and bowed his head.

  Adelaide didn’t know what to do. After a moment, she took hold of the sword stretched out before her, shifting her gaze between the blade and the Captain. She was speechless. She didn't expect the fight to end so quickly, or like this. “Please stand up.” she whispered to Dallius, still in shock about his gesture of loyalty.

  Dallius looked up and smiled. As requested, he stood up and took his sword to sheathe it. “You have me, and my men, at your beck and call.” he gave Adelaide another bow, just to seal the deal.

  This had turned out a lot better than she had expected, easier too. Adelaide had the Captain’s men at her beck and call? Excellent! Now what?

  Valerius

  Valerius stood outside Aderico’s room as he opened the door, his golden hair looked neatly brushed and he wore black breeches tucked into boots and a fine silk tunic, light blue to match his eyes. His cousin smiled at him.

  “Can I come in?” Valerius asked.

  Aderico stepped to the side and watched as he brushed past him. As he went to close the door a serving maid rushed in, turned and bowed down low. Once she had greeted her Lords accordingly, she looked around the room in search of something. “Forgive me my Lords, I didn't think you would be busy. Where is Princess Serendipity, I've been given orders to help her change?” she spoke in a rushed tone and in her hands she held a long black dress.

  As if the room hadn't gotten any busier, another serving maid rushed in and gave both Lords a curtsey of her own. “My Lords.” she said before turning to look at the other woman. Both were older than Serendipity, even older than Valerius, and they wore their simple uniform of a black dress and white cap. It was nothing too special, Marcus didn’t believe servants were worthy of a little lace at the end of their sleeves or even a few patterns across their tunics or gowns. They were here to serve, not be pampered.

  Eventually Serendipity strolled out of the bathroom, wondering what all of the sudden commotion was about. She wore a silk robe, wrapped tightly around herself, yet the maids simply slipped it
off and pulled Serendipity with them towards the wardrobe and behind a large dressing screen.

  “May I help you?” she asked quietly and peered past the screen at the young Lords, hoping they could tell her what was going on, since the women clearly couldn’t. Or wouldn’t, if there even was a difference.

  Valerius shrugged and stepped back as one of the serving maids brushed past him and his cousin to get to the wardrobe.

  “What’s going on?” Serendipity asked no one in particular. “What are we doing that is so special it requires some of the finest clothes to be worn?”

  “We’re to dine with Councillor Karideen Mortain, that's all.” Aderico called out from behind the dressing screen; as he leaned on his desk and waited.

  “We are?” Serendipity asked, having thought it was going to just be her and Aderico. She had had enough of that man.

  The serving maid, after having rummaged through the drawers of the wardrobe, pulled out a corset and some laces.

  Serendipity emerged from behind the screen, her petticoat trailing after her as she walked. She let out a growl. “Oh, I hate this damn thing.” she complained and began kicking her legs about underneath it.

  “Your Majesty,” the maid holding her corset and laces began. She followed after the Princess. “I do wish you’d stop wandering around whilst we’re trying to dress you.”

  Serendipity carried on nonetheless. “I’m trying to escape from that corset you’re waving around in my face. Don’t you dare try to put that on me.”

  The woman approached Serendipity again and wrapped the corset around her anyway, winding the laces through the holes, she worked silently.

  “Lady Serendipity doesn't like to wear corsets.” Valerius told them.

  The maid shook her head. “Well your father has ordered that she wears one. Pardon me, your Majesty; it appears we haven’t moved all of your clothes to Lord Aderico’s quarters just yet. My apologies.”

  Serendipity rolled her eyes. “Since when did Marcus start caring so much about what I wore?” she muttered.

  The maid pulled at the laces and the Princess gasped, placing a hand onto her chest, she sucked in some air. After a moment she let out a scream of pain as the stupid woman squeezed the corset too tightly against the Princesses wounds. “Careful, those wounds are still healing.” Serendipity snapped.

  The maid only muttered something under her breath and loosened it the slightest. She always forgot about the variety of lash marks and bruises on the Princesses back; or perhaps she just wanted to pretend they weren’t there, they were that horrible to look at.

  In all truth, the wounds had gotten better but, that didn’t mean they didn’t hurt whenever Serendipity got dressed. Especially with the help of maids like the one she had now.

  The other woman, slightly younger than the first, was a lot more pleasant than her companion and she actually smiled. “Just wait until we fit you for your wedding dress.” she began and looked briefly at Aderico. “If it’s not too bold to say, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Lord Marcus decided to marry you himself. He’s certainly been giving off the impression.”

  Serendipity clicked her tongue. “That was too bold.” she simply replied and watched as the maid shrunk back.

  “Forgive me, your Majesty.” she mumbled and returned to dressing her in silence.

  *****

  After having changed into more suitable evening attire, the three young nobles walked down the corridor towards the dining hall together; sharing an unbearable and awkward silence.

  As he walked, Valerius found himself leaning in closer to Serendipity. It was a protective habit he had developed over her time here. Apparently his cousin had too. Aderico had his arm wrapped around his fiance’s waist and he consciously pulled her further away from Valerius as they walked. After a moment he said, “If Karideen says anything else about you being this Dark Maiden, assassin whichever you prefer more, I think I might kill him myself.”

  Valerius rolled his eyes. “It's annoying you too? I just think he's mad.”

  Serendipity laughed at the idea. “That’ll be one less person whispering in Marcus’ ear.”

  Valerius pushed at the doors and they gave way with ease. The dining room table stretched out before him and both his father and Karideen sat around it. Reynald had apparently joined them too, to Serendipity's disbelief. The Councillor watched all three of them with a heavy gaze. What was running through his mind as they took their seats, they decided that neither of them wanted to know – even if Serendipity could. Alexandria hadn’t been permitted to this dinner, neither had Kalyani and Soraya, and that had only made the Grand Lord’s daughter more jealous of Serendipity.

  “I hope we did not keep you long.” Valerius said as a way of greeting.

  Neither of the three nobles had noticed the woman sitting beside Karideen. She was a thin lady, pale skinned and blonde haired; she looked younger than the Councillor. She wore a fine dress, a gift from Karideen himself no doubt; as a part of Valerius knew she wouldn't have been able to afford it herself. It was a navy dress, lined and laced with intricate gold patterns and it widened at her hips. Her neck was exposed; which Valerius was sure Karideen had ordered to be kept bare; should he want to have an occasional bite. It sounded like a foolish idea; one wrong move and the woman would be dead from the purposefully inflicted wound.

  The Councillor watched Serendipity for a moment and then looked to the others. “Ah, forgive me. I should introduce you all, this is Ava Mortain, my mistress.” he began and looked to his side at the woman.

  Ava smiled and as she did, she revealed a set of her own filed fangs; as they hung over her painted bottom lip. “I've heard so much about you, Princess Serendipity. Aren't you a beauty?” she said and her lips parted slightly further, so her teeth were more visible.

  Serendipity blushed. “Thank you.”

  “I'm sure you taste just as stunning as you look.” she added in without a second thought.

  Serendipity creased her forehead at the supposed compliment. “Excuse me?” she asked with a touch of annoyance.

  Ava shrugged and held a hand out to her, her red nails flashing in the candle light, yet Serendipity didn't take it. She was made up with so much makeup, it hardly seemed appropriate to be out in public like that. “Will you not greet me politely?” the vampire asked, apparently amused.

  Serendipity watched as the woman extended her arm further, yet they both said nothing to each other.

  Ava flashed her fangs at the Princess. “Very well then, an interesting character you are, Serendipity Redbane. Don't you think, Karideen?” she said and turned her attention to her master.

  The Councillor laughed and brought his chalice to his lips, the red liquid swaying around in its place as he did. “Indeed.” was all he said.

  After that the hall fell silent as the nobles ate their meal. Yet Ava's gaze never left Serendipity throughout and Karideen said nothing about it.

  Adelaide

  After yet another awkward breakfast with King Athon, Adelaide was really starting to feel desperate. What she wanted most was to go home but, she still hadn’t persuaded the King to join the war. Desperate times called for desperate measures and this war wasn’t going to end anytime soon, not with the amount of allies the Redbanes had. Not all families within Iradas had re-pledged their allegiance to the Redbanes. Where some had sworn oaths of loyalty, others had sworn for revenge. Even Saff had only half managed to convince Athon to help his family. The King’s stubbornness was a slap to the face for both the Redbane Prince and his sister.

  “What if we were to write up a contract swearing the King’s allegiance to your family, then just forge his signature? Or would that be too obvious?” Dallius asked. It was a helpful suggestion but, not a logical one. “You would have proof, whether it’s honest or not, of the King’s loyalty and surely no one would question it. There’s no time for doubting.”

  Adelaide had stretched herself out across her bed, her curls trailing down one side un
til they just brushed the floor. She was deep in thought. “I don’t know. It sounds very risky.” she replied after some time. “Could it work?

  Dallius dropped onto the bed beside her. Bracing his elbows against his knees, he tucked both fists underneath his chin and shook his head. “I was kidding. It wouldn’t work, I don’t think. Even then, forging a King’s signature is a serious crime – punishable by death. I understand you’re the Princess of Iradas and everything but, I don’t think you’re excluded from such a penalty.”

  Adelaide rubbed at her eyes in disbelief. All her efforts to get Athon to join the war were exhausting, even more so because she wasn’t getting anywhere with it. “Maybe we’re trying to persuade the wrong person.” she suggested.

  Dallius furrowed his brows as he looked at the Princess. “What do you mean? Didn’t your father and brothers want you to ask the King in particular, not just anyone, to join them in the war?” he was confused.

  Adelaide rolled onto her stomach and tucked a fist against her cheek; propping herself up like that. “I know – and I’m not suggesting we go and ask just anyone. So one Broadblade won’t listen to us but, there are others. There’s Ahvi. He’s seems like he enjoys a good fight here and there.”

  Whilst Adelaide thought the idea was on the brink of brilliance, Dallius didn’t seem sold. He rose from the bed and crossed his arms as he began to pace the room. “I don’t know,” he began. “What makes you think Ahvi will want to side with the Redbanes if his own King and nephew doesn’t want to?”

  Adelaide thought about it. It was a good question; trying to find friends in the castle of a spiteful King was going to be difficult. But not impossible. All she would have to do is single Ahvi out when she had the chance, perhaps when he was at the Ordathian Camp rather than the castle; far from Athon’s ears and wandering spies. “If we can get him alone and speak to him in private, I might have a chance of persuading him and his men to join the war. All we really need is one Broadblade to agree to help and the others will follow suit.”