by Ivy Clyde
“Daria…” Concern clouded his beautiful blue eyes.
“I won’t heal her completely. Just enough, so she can stand the pain and heal faster. I’ll be careful not to reveal who I truly am.”
It was a moment before he spoke again. “You will find the royal pharmacy in the eastern wing of the palace. Show them the badge I gave you and they will give you whatever herbs you ask for. The servants’s quarters are further away to the east from the pharmacy.”
“Thank you. I’ll return shortly.”
“Stay on your guard.”
Giving him a nod, I turned around and hurried towards the pharmacy. Zane had burned through her skin and flesh. From personal experience, I knew the agony would be unbearable. Sympathy rose inside me for the young woman who always delivered food to Adal’s quarters. She was just a maid, intent on performing her duties well. A small mishap shouldn’t have brought her such an awful punishment.
The Baledonian sun beat down on me as I crossed the courtyards, heading for the eastern wing on the other side of the palace. Exuberant blossoms spilled from the landscaped gardens all around me, but my eyes were blind to them. All I could think was the way Zane treated a simple maid of the palace to make a point to the royal family. It was disgusting how the ruling prince couldn’t say a single thing to stop it.
The pharmacy building was easily noticeable due to the spicy and herbaceous aromas wafting from its open doors and windows. Stepping inside, I breathed in the cool air of the darkened interiors. The place was filled with wooden racks, each containing boxes of different herbs.
“Can I help you?” asked a grim voice from up ahead. A man in white robes strode towards me, his face set in a severe expression. His dark, oily hair was bound in a small knot at the top of his head. Piercing brown eyes swept me from head to toe. “Who are you?”
“I am Prince Adal’s handmaiden,” I said, taking out the seal Adal gave me. I handed it to him and watched him inspect it closely. “Could you please hurry up?”
The man slapped the seal back in my hand. “Some of the herbs here are extremely precious. I have to make sure I’m giving them to the right person or it will be my head that will roll for the mistake.” He stalked away towards the empty counter in the corner. “What do you need?”
“If you give me a piece of parchment, I’ll make a list for you.”
“You can write?” he asked, taking a closer look at me.
“Yes.”
He scoffed. “Of course, the scholar-prince will accept no less from his maid.” He leaned closer, whiffs of jasmine oil wafting from him. “You’re a pretty one too.”
“The parchment, please,” I replied.
“Are you this cold to the prince?” he asked, sneering at me.
I kept my expression neutral. Realizing he wouldn’t get much gossip or satisfaction from poking jibes at me, the man gave me a parchment and pushed the inkstone at me. Picking up the brush, I quickly made a list of pain-relieving herbs along with a generous amount of aloe salve.
I surveyed the area while the pharmacist collected my items. I pulled out a few boxes and found some very interesting herbs stored there. The man was right. Some of the things stored there were precious and would cost gold to be bought. At least, if I was ever in need of something, I knew where to come.
The man handed me a parcel wrapped in dried lotus leaves. “Everything the prince needs is here. I just cannot fathom why he would need herbs to soothe a burn.” His gaze raked over my body. A gray tongue flicked out to lick the corner of his mouth. “Where exactly did he burn you, little maid?”
“None of your business.” Turning around, I hurried out of the place. It was good if he thought the medicines were for me. Somehow, I could feel he was going to report it. To whom? That I had no idea. Even if it was Zane, at least, he wouldn’t know Adal’s maid was helping the woman he’d personally punished.
Following Adal’s directions, I reached the maids’ quarters. It was a group of several large cottages lined up in rows. Moving closer, I saw clothes and bedsheets drying in the sun and breeze. Women walked in and out of the houses, busy with their chores. No one minded me as I inched closer to them. Unlike the main palace quarters, there were no ornamental gardens around. Tall, leafy trees surrounded the area, giving it a peaceful, homely appearance.
Peering inside one of the cottages, I saw a hall filled with six cots. They were lined in a row with a single cupboard in the corner. After checking a few more houses, I realized this was the accommodation provided to all the palace maids.
The sound of soft sobs and several soothing murmurs halted me in my steps. Going closer, I stood at the threshold of one of the cottages. Three women surrounded the sobbing, thrashing maid on a cot. No one looked at me as I walked up to them.
The young woman’s wrist was a mass of burnt flesh. The smell was terrible, enough to make my stomach turn.
“It hurts too bad,” she cried, biting her bottom lip hard. “I wish I died than having to endure this pain.”
“How can one human do this to one another,” said one of the girls.
“He’s not human,” said the second girl, seething. “A beast resides inside all dragonborns.”
A harsh cry escaped the injured woman. She looked to be about sixteen years old with shiny black hair and light brown eyes. I moved forward, placing myself between the girls who surrounded her.
“Who are you?” asked one of them with a suspicious glare.
“I am here to help,” I said, placing a hand on the injured girl’s forehead. She was already burning up with a fever.
“Don’t touch Tori,” cried one of the girls, slapping my hand away.
I cast one warning look at her. “I told you I’m here to help.”
“You were there too,” said Tori in a weak voice. “You are the personal handmaiden to Prince Adal, aren’t you? I have seen you in his quarters recently.”
“I am.”
I rested my hand on her forehead again and closed my eyes, sending a sliver of my inner energy to penetrate her body. An instant gasp escaped Tori.
“You have a healing touch,” she said softly. Opening my eyes, I found a small smile tugging the corner of her mouth. “It still hurts but it suddenly feels much better.”
“I am glad,” I said, returning her smile.
“What is your name?” asked the girl who’d been previously rude to me.
“Darla,” I lied. Opening the package of medicines, I handed her three satchets. “Boil these herbs in water for ten minutes and bring it to her. It will relieve some of the pain and help her rest.”
“You brought her medicine?” she whispered, her eyes widening.
“Prince Adal is the kindest among all the princes,” said her friend, her eyes taking on a dreamy look. “No other prince would ever bother to help an ailing maid, but him.”
I cringed. Adal hadn’t really worried about her but at least, he was popular enough the maids didn’t think it was an out-of-character gesture.
“Go on,” I told the one with the satchets. “Brew them for her.” As she skipped out of the cottage, I brought out the tub of aloe ointment. “Use this salve every day. It will help to heal you quicker.”
“Thank you, Miss,” said Tori. Tears splashed down her cheeks as she looked at me. “Please thank Prince Adal for me. I’m so fortunate he was there when Prince Zane decided to punish me.”
I sighed internally, making up my mind to have a talk with Adal. He had to know how the maids and lower-ranked people believed him to be kind and just. They readily accepted his kindness without question. Even though he didn’t personally send me to help Tori, at least, he hadn’t stopped me from helping her.
“It will be several weeks before you are healed,” I told her. “But keep taking the medicine and apply the salve. If it gets over, come find me in Prince Adal’s quarters. I will get you some more herbs.”
“Thank you, Miss.”
Giving a nod to her two companions, I strode out of the cottage. Speeding
up, I hurried back to Adal’s quarters, eager to speak to him.
12
It was a long walk from the maids’ lodgings. I was slightly panting by the time I reached the familiar corridor leading to Adal’s quarters.
Reaching the doorway leading into Adal’s parlor room, I gently pushed open the doors. Adal was sitting in a corner, absorbed in a tome. A shaft of sunlight fell on him, making his curls glimmer like real gold. His gaze was completely focused on the page he was reading.
He looked up just as I stepped inside the room. A smile rose on his lips as his eyes met mine. “You’re back.”
Moving further inside the room, I noticed the table in the corner was clean. None of the dishes and plates from breakfast remained there. Had someone else come in here while we were both away? The thought had me rushing past Adal to reach his study room.
My pounding heart slowed down as soon as my gaze fell on Norvin’s figure, still lying on the bed as before. The only change was that his face was back to its usual glory. Not a single bruise remained there after my energy transfer last night. It was worth getting weakened to restore his beauty and health. Now, I just had to wait for him to wake up.
“No matter who comes to clean the rooms in my quarters, they are strictly warned against entering this room,” said Adal, laying a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Norvin is safe here.”
I closed the door and stepped into the corridor. “I am not used to being in the palace,” I said, looking into his beautiful blue eyes. Even thinking of the way the maids were treated made me doubtful I’d ever like it there. In Linmoor, the welfare of our maids was taken very seriously. It was surprising to see how different the palace was to my old home.
“You’ll get used to it,” he said with a smile. Taking my hand in his, he led me back to the parlor. “How about we ask for lunch? I am already famished.”
I felt hungry too but remembered about the maid who usually brought the food to Adal’s quarters. Tori’s flesh was burnt away by Zane and she’d been writhing in agony. My appetite died just thinking of her. She must be in terrible pain despite the little bit of healing energy I sent her.
“You are thinking about the maid, aren’t you?” asked Adal, his face close to mine.
“It’s hard not to. Did you know she serves your quarters?”
“Not really,” he muttered, glancing away. “I never take notice of the people who come in here for their chores.” Pausing, he looked at my accusing stare. “Hey, it’s not like I ever mistreat them. I overlook all their shortcomings.”
“That’s worse!”
“How so?” His eyes were intense again like he was trying to search for the answer within my soul.
“It’s like you don’t even care,” I said, trying to explain. “If you get angry or even punish them lightly, they would know they exist to you. Otherwise, it’s just sad to be ignored like they mean nothing and can be replaced with anyone else and you wouldn’t even bat an eye.”
“I never thought of it that way…”
I exhaled a long breath. “It’s all right, Adal. I am just shocked by the way the maid was punished by Zane. If I hadn’t stopped it in time, he would have burnt away her bones too. I don’t think I could bear it.”
“You kill people, Daria. On command. Why should it affect you so much?”
“Killing is one thing. Torturing someone for no reason is different. I never play the torture game until I am looking for answers and even then, I don’t let it go on for too long. I use fear to drive them. Besides, the men I’ve assassinated were monsters.” It wasn’t much of an excuse but I refused to place myself in the same category as Prince Zane and his brother.
“Sshhh!” Adal suddenly whispered, putting a finger to my lips.
As silence fell in the room, I heard the sound of fast approaching footsteps. In an instant, I sprang behind him. Next moment, a pretty young maid in a blood red dress appeared at the doorway. Her dark eyes glanced at Adal before resting on me. I didn’t let my facial expression show the surprise I felt at the sight of her scarlet attire. It reminded me of Helena’s maids.
“Yes?” asked Adal in a lazy, commanding voice.
The maid shifted her attention on him and bowed low. “Prince Zane extends an invitation to you and your maid to this evening’s feast.” She stretched her arms out, holding an envelope of red and gold. “My master commands that your maid present herself there as well.”
Adal’s eyebrows rose high as he took the invitation letter from her. “You may leave.”
When she left, I turned to Adal. “Do you think they suspect anything?”
“I can’t be sure. If they suspected something, they would ask for me, not you.” He moved a strand of hair from my eyes. “You need to be careful though. I am not an important prince of the realm but pressuring me would still be fun for Zane.”
“You are important, Adal. You just don’t realize it.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Do you have any idea how many women wait for you to make an appearance at these royal gatherings? They think you’re the handsomest prince in Baledonia.”
He chuckled softly, looking at me with a soft gaze. “How would you know that, Daria?”
“I heard them talk with my own ears,” I said, gesturing at my right ear. “They all look forward to seeing you. I heard you help with charities too. The people appreciate your efforts even if you don’t see it. When I went to visit Tori…you know the maid who was injured today?” I said at the look of confusion on his face. “She thought you sent me to her. Once she told her friends I was your handmaiden, they trusted me immediately. That’s the kind of effect you have on people around you and you don’t even realize it.”
“I just want you to want me,” he whispered, leaning down to press his lips on my cheek. “I don’t care about the appreciation of others.”
At once, heat bloomed in my face. We’d just been intimate a few hours ago but my body throbbed with need once again. I took a step away from him, hoping to cool the warmth flowing through me. “If I am to attend the feast, I need to go take a bath. I don’t want him smelling us on each other.”
“I wish I could share a bath with you, Daria” he said with a sigh. “However, I need to go and meet Cain now. Feel free to use the bath in my quarters without any interference. I just wish I was there to help.”
Heat spread through my cheeks at his words. “I wish that too,” I whispered, lowering my lashes.
Pressing a kiss to my lips, he walked out of the room. All by myself, I decided to go find the bathing chamber. Following the hallway on the other side, I began my search.
I tried several rooms until coming across a chamber built completely of white marble. There were several open windows set among the walls, inviting cool breezes inside. Walking in, I saw a round bath sunk into the center of the floor. Several jeweled taps were set around it. With the way it was designed, I wouldn’t even have to call a maid for help.
A carved wardrobe stood in the corner. Opening it, I found the top shelves filled with poultices, fragrant oils, and soap balls. Stacks of fresh linen robes filled the lower end. After days of traveling in the wild, this bathing chamber was the most luxurious place I’d come across.
With a grin, I hurried to get rid of my clothes.
Once I was completely naked, I stepped into the empty basin carved into the floor and turned on the taps. Clean water gushed out immediately, filling up the bath. Placing a hand underneath one of the spouts, I reveled in the feeling of the crystal cool waters flowing across my palm.
When the bath was filled, I lowered myself into the water.
A sigh of utter bliss escaped me. If I live through the emperor’s assassination, I’m going to demand a private bathing chamber just like this one, I vowed, soaking my whole body in the cool waters.
For the feast that evening, Adal brought me a kimono-style dress of black silk with large crimson hibiscus flowers embroidered on it. It was beautiful but I wondered if
it was appropriate to wear it as a handmaiden.
“Since you were invited by Prince Zane, it would be disrespectful not to wear the best you can manage,” said Adal, placing the dress on the bed in his chambers. I was still wearing a linen robe after my bath. “I also brought you these jewelry, so feel free to wear what you like. You looked so beautiful in red and gold that time in Linmoor Valley. I can never forget that image of you.”
“I am glad,” I said with a smile. “Helena ruined red for me.”
“Don’t let her,” he said grimly. “You look the prettiest in red.”
And just like that, red was back to being my favorite.
“Zane may think you’re just a maid,” said Adal. “If he approaches you, you must be on guard. I’ll try to watch out for you but depending on the situation, it may be better to keep a distance from me and do what you like to him. Lure him to some place where no one can see you and use the same poison on him. Let him think he’s gotten some disease.”
I chuckled. “He better not grope me,” I said. “Men have died in the past for that.”
Adal nodded, surprisingly not arguing the point.
When evening came along, I strolled down a garden path, staying a few feet behind Adal as he made his way through the crowd of assembled courtiers and royal members to reach the place where Prince Zane sat. Prince Kurozeru, the ruling prince of Baledonia, stood beside him. While he was dressed in his fine royal robes, he looked like a eunuch slave as he continuously bowed to Zane and acted as his servant rather than an actual ruler. It was both disgusting and shameful.
When Adal got closer, Zane’s eyes lit up. He waved away Adal’s greeting, his eyes seeking me. Sitting up in his chair, he motioned for me to come nearer.
With my head bowed, I went to stand beside Adal. Every fiber of my being was taut with tension.
“You’re the prettiest flower in Baledonia I’ve seen on this trip,” said Zane, keeping his cruel gaze on me.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” I replied, keeping my head low.
Zane got to his feet and swaggered towards me. Leaning close to me, he placed an arm over my shoulder. With a sudden move, he whirled me around. Stumbling, I crashed to his side.