At the center were white marble sculptures towering over us, formed in different varieties of majestic men and women, some wearing armors while some had barely any clothes on. Gigantic creatures stood with grace while others menacing but were all equally magnificent.
I was startled when the footman cleared his throat, “My Lady?”
I realized I entered the hall and stopped to admire everything and I wanted to explore more but it was rude to keep Lady Katherine waiting. Another time perhaps but highly unlikely, such a waste it was only at Andrew’s disposal. I doubt he even enjoyed staring at these men and women who were superior looking than him and they were not even alive.
We arrived at the drawing room and the footman announced my presence to Lady Katherine who stood and smiled warmly when she saw me approach. Inside was like a summer season, full of colorful flowers in stylish vases and the wide windows welcomed the afternoon sun.
“Please Lady Elaine I hope I did not interrupt you with your afternoon plans,” Lady Katherine spoke in such a refined manner.
I smiled. “No Lady Katherine I had nothing better to do and please call me Ellie.”
She smiled back. “I will if you call me Katherine in return. Please have a seat.”
We sat across from each other on a classic comfortable cream and white couch and between us was wooden table of the same color all carved in graceful details. As we took our seat, a footman served us tea and a three layered plate with small golden brown cookies and colorful pastries on it and was placed on the center of the table.
We drank our tea in silence and the way she sipped with so much poise and her shiny brown hair neatly tucked in a bun as expected from all the Ladies, and her beautiful pale yellow daytime gown showing her chest and neck, and with sleeves above her elbow made me feel I was the lowest creature in this most elegant room.
I was about to speak but she took the first opportunity.
“How was your journey home?” she asked in her soft natured voice.
“It was wonderful. I was so happy seeing my mom and dad again.”
“That is nice, how are they?”
“They’re doing well actually. They were so excited when they heard I was coming home.”
She grinned. “I could imagine their anticipation… Coastal City was it?”
I nodded eagerly. “Yes, have you been there?”
She shook her head. “Sadly no but maybe someday I will get the chance.”
I smiled warmly at her and she in return, and once again there was silence. I didn’t think she wanted to talk about my journey home.
“Katherine,” I said politely. “My apologies for saying this but was there a reason why you called me here?”
She had a nervous grin. “I should be the one apologizing I made you feel uncomfortable but…” She took a sip from her tea before continuing. “This place was getting a bit lonely since my daughter Kat left for the Yuvaika Institute.”
“When was this?” I asked gently.
“When you were away.”
I suddenly pitied her, living in such a big place alone without Kat to keep her company and only with Andrew. If I was her, I couldn’t bear it especially with him around.
“I see,” I acknowledged and I understood why I was here. “Katherine, if you ever need someone to talk to, you can always call on me anytime,” I offered willingly.
My words changed her mood to gratefulness. “Thank you Ellie, this means a great deal to me.” She beamed.
After that our conversation was more at ease. She shared about how she misses Kat and how difficult it was leaving her at the Institute. She said Kat cried all the time and she did her best to comfort her and promised to visit her often.
We then talked more about her. I found out she loved playing the violin and how it relaxes her. I asked if I could hear her play, she shyly agreed the next time we would spend an afternoon together. She continued to talk about her family and where she came from. She revealed her match with Andrew was a business proposal since the dukedom she came from was rich in fuel which the steel plants needed to run its operations. She wasn’t dwelling much about the details but I knew she meant her match was paid by either her father or Andrew’s father. Bribing the Numen chief programmer to set up a match manually instead of random was against the law but everybody knew Elites who came from very wealthy powerful houses weren’t discreet in doing it, and nobody dared objects about it out of fear.
We continued to spend the afternoon enjoying each other’s company and we talked about mostly everything about her life except Andrew. She rarely mentioned his name and it made me wonder if she was happy with him. Andrew was arrogant, manipulative, and domineering. I couldn’t imagine how such a very beautiful and gentle spirited Lady like her was doing with a tyrant like him. I wanted to ask how she was doing but I stopped myself since it was not my place to interfere, and I doubt she would talk about it, not when she seemed to be terrified of him as well. The only thing I could do for her was to let her know I was a friend, willing to help if ever she needed it.
***
Ladies were expected to have their breakfast in their own chambers but the day was too beautiful, it would be a waste to stay in my room. It had been raining a lot lately except for today, the sun was up and the air was cool so I decided to go to the breakfast room and eat there instead. Ladies eating in the breakfast room was allowed but never expected and only the Lords or Dukes usually dine there but I was never keen on following their rules especially the ones made by Elites.
Curtis was already eating his breakfast when I entered and he glanced up from his plate looking surprised when he saw me approaching. I took a seat across from him smiling brightly. He had a puzzled look probably confused why I was here and he was about to say something but he suddenly changed his mind then chuckled instead while shaking his head as he continued eating his breakfast.
It was my first time here in the breakfast room and everything was bright including the walls and ceilings. It had a more accommodating setting than our dining room, with less excessiveness and grandeur. There was a table for six covered in smooth white cloth and wooden light brown chairs. The balcony was open letting the cool air in and the large windows with thin white curtains hanging freely on the sides swaying with the wind, and the sun was shining directly in the room and I welcomed it most eagerly.
A footman served eggs, a freshly squeezed juice and coffee, and one by one he would present a tray full of the choices of either bacon, hams or different slices of meat, potatoes, breads and muffins, and each time I nodded, he placed a piece on my plate.
“Somebody is hungry,” Curtis teased.
I grinned in return. “If only I knew you had better food here then I would have joined you before.”
He laughed lightly.
“But this place is so lovely, I prefer to have my breakfast here,” I sighed in awe.
“I think you already know no one can stop you.”
We ate our breakfast talking about today’s plans accompanied by intervals of silence. Then a footman approached me while I was about to drink my coffee.
“My Lady,” he bowed. “A letter for you arrived today.”
I looked up at him, baffled, who would send me a letter? I placed the cup back on the table and the footman presented me a black envelope and I reluctantly accepted it before he left. It had my name written on the back in red ink and on the front was a seal of half a red sun and half a black moon.
“It’s the seal of the Sovereigns,” Curtis said in astonishment.
I gazed at him with ambivalence and he met my eyes and then he nodded. “Go ahead, open it.”
I stared at the envelope then gently broke the seal and took out a black card with white writings. I read the content and it filled me with great excitement and fear at the same time.
“What is it?” Curtis asked sounding concern.
“It’s from the Crowned Prince,” I answered with hesitation and I gave him the card, he accepted and
read it.
“He has invited me for a couple of nights stay as his guest in his private manor at Sunglow,” I continued.
“And it didn’t say anything about inviting anyone else,” he observed while scanning the note.
“But why would he invite me? I thought what he said at the ball in Blackard was just something he told me to be agreeable. I wasn’t sure he was serious about it.”
We met the Crowned Prince at a ball after Ambrose’s ceremony in Blackard. It was my first time seeing him, he was lean built and had blonde hair up to his shoulders. There was nothing intimidating about him at all but you could tell he was vain like the rest of the Elites, only he was not pretending not to be one. He was bored but when he caught sight of me and knew I was a Beta before, he immediately showed interest.
“You probably made an impact on him,” Curtis speculated.
Being invited by a Sovereign was the highest honor even the Elites would tremble for this chance but I was no Elite, and yet the Prince chose me.
“What should I do?” I asked Curtis with extreme worry.
Curtis looked directly at me and calmly said, “You need to accept the invitation Ellie. The Sovereigns will not take it lightly if you refuse them.”
“But… just me?” I spoke in horror.
I could tell from his face he was uncomfortable of the idea as well then he finally said, “The Prince only invited you but I could join you at Sunglow and stay close by if you want.”
I was ecstatic by his suggestion. “Really? Would you do that?”
He gave a chuckle. “Yes of course if it makes you feel better, I’ll go with you.”
I was still terrified. “But why would he want me there at his manor without you?”
Curtis sat silently then he reached out his hand with palms up across the table and I gently placed mine on top of his. “Ellie, he’s the Crowned Prince, he can invite whoever he wants… maybe he’s just bored, he does that sometimes, inviting Elites to his manor for his parties. It’ll be alright,” he reassured lightly squeezing my hand.
I smiled nervously. “I hope you’re right.”
But deep inside I felt uneasy, the Prince seemed harmless and also there was no indication in the letter it was just the two of us in the manor, there could be others joining, probably more Elites, then it made me more anxious. The last time I was surrounded by Elites was easier because Curtis was around but if it was just me, how would I survive this.
CHAPTER 2: CAPREA
CURTIS
Pinewood was always peaceful, covered in green trees and grasses and only had two climates, either rainy or sunny, sometimes both. It was one of the wealthy dukedoms in the Empire. It had villages and towns of a very accommodating aura. The citizens were known to be simple folks of farming and agriculture, each often friendly to the other, warm to their neighbors, and hospitable even to strangers but since the explosion at the steel plants in Westwood, Pinewood was never the same. The explosion was the doing of the Defiers with my help, after we found out that my brother were enslaving villagers to work at the plants. The once approachable folks of Pinewood became afraid and even hostile.
The Protectors, those who uphold the Empire’s laws, in their black and red uniforms, were sent by the Emperor to assist us in search for the Defiers. For the past few days, they doubled their efforts searching for the perpetuators who they believed were still in Pinewood. The towns and villages were heavily guarded and everyone who entered and left the place was all subject to strict search and identity check. Stories of the abusive Protectors circulated among the citizens of Pinewood which elevated the tension more. There was no leniency, no kindness, and no remorse on the part of the Protectors.
The people were on the edge and full of resentment especially towards their Duke and Lord, and here I was continuing to do my duty unwillingly having no other choice. They had no idea I was a Defier so I had to tolerate their hate and I had to pretend doing my duty as their Lord if I wanted to continue playing my role for the Defiers to succeed.
I was outside the manor grounds on my way to board the transport ship with the Protectors for another patrol when Mr. Logan called out.
“My Lord!”
I turned around and waited for him to approach me. He bowed then said, “His grace expects you to find them this time, he says this has gone for far too long.”
Mr. Logan was Andrew’s legal representative and he does whatever my brother tells him to do. He was an Alpha from a very wealthy family who owns a successful law firm headed by his father, a family of lawyers from what I heard. Alphas can study any profession they want like the Betas as long as they passed the screening test of their occupational choice. The only difference was the Alphas were the owners of these large corporations or companies while the Betas worked for them.
“Tell him I’m on it,” I said annoyed by his presence, I was about to leave but he continued, “His grace also likes to know what were the contents on the Sovereigns’ letter addressed to Lady Elaine.”
I frowned. “How did he know about that?”
He pushed his glasses up on his nose before answering, “His grace is always informed on all the letters that comes through the manor.”
This would surely make Andrew envy Ellie and the thought of it made me relish on his anguish. Andrew always wanted attention and power; being acquainted and invited by the Prince was an honor all Elites craved for.
“Then inform him that Lady Elaine was invited to the Crowned Prince’s manor in Sunglow,” I declared grinning.
Mr. Logan always had this unaffected and distant expression on him, always professional in his expensive business suit but not this time, the words I told him caught him off guard. I briefly saw his mouth dropped then quickly close and inquired further, “Does the Lady intend to go?”
I nodded. “Yes of course and I’ll be accompanying her,” I boasted.
“Very well my Lord, I’ll inform his grace.”
I hope he would tell him soon, the look on Andrew’s face was going to be priceless. This was a triumph for Ellie over Andrew. The invitation she received made me very uncomfortable though, I heard before that the Prince sometimes invite Elite guests to his manor. What troubled me was that he knew she was Beta and his intentions were unclear. The only consolation I had was she was strong and I had confidence she knows what to do whatever happens.
I disembarked the transport ship with Captain Furlong wearing his all black uniform and the Protectors in the largest town at Westwood called Caprea. A very populated place but it was the cleanest and the most splendid in all of Pinewood with its sand colored brick roads, structures and houses, and this town was popular for its rare ingredients and spices.
Merchants from all over the Empire came here to sell along with the local agriculture produce, and people traveled here to buy what they had to offer. The market was arranged in rows of wooden display tables under a red cloth canopy, each a meter apart from each other. On a regular day this was crowded but since the Protector’s presence, less came, and the drizzle today made the ambience less hospitable.
We flew here in response to a report from the Protectors who were patrolling this area that they had gathered a few suspects who could be Defiers. We were welcomed with angry stares and hostility when we arrived, and I was used to it by now as we made our way through the town. Most of the townsfolk were hiding indoors and those who were not intimidated by us remained outside.
We passed by a group of men conversing among themselves, one of them spit on the ground in front of me, mere inches away from my shoe, then he glared with disgust and a threatening look. I stared back intensely. I chose not to confront him as I slowly continued to follow the rest of the Protectors.
I was on the rear part of the group when I stopped and noticed a hooded man on the left side of the narrow path leaning beside a stone wall of a house staring at me and he caught my attention. He subtly motioned his head for me to follow him. I hesitated at first then the hooded man went far
ther down the path without waiting, I was looking around making sure no one saw what I was about to do and the Protectors already went ahead without me so I followed him.
A few meters away, he led me to a less crowded area and entered a small house. When I approached, I stopped before the open doorway and had my doubts going in, he could be one of those townsfolk who despise their Lord luring me into a trap but if he wanted to hurt me, he would have done it by then. I stared into the dark room and then finally decided to enter. The man was standing on the far side of the room of an empty house. He took off his hood when I walked towards him revealing a man somewhere in his thirties. He slightly bowed.
“My Lord, I bring word from Olfren,” he whispered.
“Is he here?” I eagerly asked.
He shook his head. “No my Lord, ever since the Protectors are everywhere he can’t come and go as he pleases. Only the ones who are left in Pinewood like me are their only means of communication which is why they asked me to deliver to you this message,” he paused and briefly glanced at the door behind me then continued in a much lower voice, “It’s time my Lord...”
I stared at him, skeptical. “What are they going to do?”
“We know about the invitation from the Crowned Prince.”
“What? But how?” I asked.
“We have spies everywhere my Lord but that’s for another time. The plan is…” He approached closer then whispered, “We need you to help us abduct the Prince.”
I was stunned then frowned thinking he must be out of his mind. “What you’re asking from me is impossible to do.”
“It won’t be, if you help us.”
I shook my head. “You know he‘ll be surrounded by his guards.”
“This plan will work my Lord. We’ve already taken into account… ”
“How exactly can they make this work in the first place?” I interrupted with a hint of annoyance.
The Prevalence: Sequel and Final Book of The Premortals (The Premortals Series 2) Page 2