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1824 Words
The second I get back to my quarters, I send a servant to get Alexanne. I need to talk to her. I won't allow her to use Camille as a pawn in our game.
Alexanne arrives almost immediately. She sweeps into my quarters in a gorgeous golden gown. She smiles, "You are just the person I wanted to talk to. I just met with my courter, you see. He's lovely."
I force a smile, "That sounds nice."
"I was wondering when you wanted to meet with your courter?"
My mind guiltily shifts back to Claudio. "I don't know...it's not really important to me right now. I'm still mourning my sisters and I'm not ready for that."
"The best way to move on is to meet new people and create new relationships."
I shrug, "I just don't think I'm ready yet."
She says, "That's fine, I guess. But your courter is waiting to meet you. Perhaps later this week?"
"Where is he staying?" I ask.
"I'm not sure, exactly, but he is within this city. He might be at one of the nice inns within the city. Anyway, it's not important. What did you want to speak to me about?"
I glance around the room. Both her guards and mine are in the room, not to mention our ladies in waiting. "It's rather private."
Alexanne immediately dismisses her guards and servants. While I don't want to be alone with her again, I need to protect Camille. Besides, my knife is strapped to my thigh, if I need it. I could protect myself for a few seconds while I call for help.
As the door closes behind, Alexanne's smile slips from her face, "I don't have much time. Make it quick."
I stand, so that I tower over her, "You won't bother Camille anymore."
"What are you talking about?" She tilts her head to the side, pretending to be innocent.
"You know what I am talking about. You threatened her in the middle of the night, saying that I was the one who hurt her."
She laughs, "Oh yes, that. Sorry, my dear, it's all part of the game. Which actually reminds me of a question that I have for you. Where were you last night? You weren't sleeping safely in your bed and your precious little guard wasn't there either."
"I don't see how it is your business."
"Oh, that is where you are wrong. Every single thing you do is my business. And if you can't tell me, perhaps I could convince your lady in waiting to talk. I'm not sure how much pain she has had in her life, but I may be able to introduce her to it."
"Stop. You will leave Camille out of this. She is not part of our little contest."
Alexanne pouts, "I don't see why you don't understand. Everything is part of our 'little contest'. Every single person within the castle can be used. Didn't you read the rules?"
I spit, "I don't want to be part of any of the rules you made up. Nobody deserves to be a part of this."
Alexanne shrugs, "That is a matter of opinion. But where were you last night?"
"I couldn't sleep. I went out for a walk."
"With your guard?" Alexanne's eyes take a malicious glint, "Oh, I see you. You went on a walk with your guard." She begins to giggle, "It all makes sense now. I see why he wanted to be your personal guard. It makes sense that you don't want to meet your courter when you already have your eyes are someone else."
My cheeks turn red. Whether it's from embarrassment or anger, I don't know. "No, Alexanne, you know it's not like that."
Alexanne laughs, "Don't worry about it. You don't have to lie to me. I understand. But you do know that it is against the rules to have a relationship with the guards and servants? You may get away without being punished, but your little boyfriend might be executed. In fact, I'm sure he will be executed."
"Stop, Alexanne. It isn't like that. You won't twist my words like that."
"I won't? Who gets to decide what I do and don't do? I know it's certainly not you. Don't worry, Admira, I'll keep it a secret. But you should know that this may just be another advantage I have over you in our little game. Perhaps you should be more careful, else your secret might be released."
"It's not a secret. I'm not involved with him."
"Prove it."
"How?" I'm terrified at what her answer might be.
She just shrugs, "I'll think of something. You guys are cute together. Oh, I can't wait to come to your wedding."
I groan, "Stop it."
She giggles again, as if we are only sisters talking about boys. As if she hasn't threatened to get Antonin executed just to prove a point. She's playing with lives, not boy's hearts.
She smiles at me, "Is that all?"
"No. Promise me that you won't hurt Camille."
She frowns, "I'm sorry, that's not something I can promise."
Before I can argue anymore, she strides from my room.
●◊●◊●
When Camille and Antonin enter the room, I try not to look at them. I don't want them to see the tears in my eyes. Alexanne has so many advantages over me. What do I have?
Nothing. Just too many people I care about.
I plan to go to meet Henri. I send a servant to find him and tell him to meet me in the Sitting Room in a few minutes. I change into a simpler dress for lessons and Camille brushes out my hair, pulling it back into a ponytail.
She asks me, "Can you tell me...something?"
I bite my lip and look away. I thought my lessons with Alexanne would give me bravery to tell Camille. It's only filled me with more fear.
Camille sighs, "Anything?"
"If I tell you, you will only be hurt."
"Do you think I can't handle it?"
"I don't know," I snap, "how are you handling those stitches?"
She says, "I knew it. I knew that I didn't just fall. Someone did this to me, the same person who is threatening you. Who is it? Some noble who wants more power? A criminal blackmailing you to get more money?"
I shake my head, "No, Camille."
"Then who is it? Someone that I know"
I look her in the eyes and shake my head, "It's no one that you know. They are only choosing you because they know that I care about you. It has nothing to do with you." If Camille thinks she doesn't know the person, perhaps she won't go looking for them. I don't have to worry about her going to Alexanne to confront her.
Camille says, "Who could possibly have gotten within the castle and hurt me, without anyone knowing?"
I shrug, "Perhaps they paid someone to do it for them. We may never know." I hate lying to Camille but it's for the better.
The servant returns, telling me that Henri has received the message and is waiting for me in the Sitting Room.
I ask Camille to go into the other room to retrieve my dagger. Once she disappears from the room, I turn to Antonin, "Alexanne is claiming that we are in a relationship. She plans to use it against us. I thought you should know."
"What proof does she have of that?"
"Real proof, none. But I'm sure she can make up something. She asked where I was last night, and I told her I went for a walk. Then she assumed that I went for a 'walk' with you. She says it makes perfect sense."
"It doesn't make any sense."
"It doesn't matter if it makes sense. The nobles will love it as gossip if she ever releases it. You realize that it's your execution if she releases that information."
"Will you be hurt?"
"No, they'll probably claim that you forced me into this. Don't worry about it. I won't let her do it."
Antonin's face hardens, "I don't know if you have any control in what she does, Admira. You need to kill her. Soon."
Camille clears her throat from the doorway, "You might want to work on your whispering and observation skills."
My face turns bright red. How much has she overheard? Surely she heard Antonin say that I had to kill her. Does she know who we are talking about? Is she loyal to me, or would she tell Alexanne?
I swallow, "I should be on my way to my lesson."
"Yes, you can go. I'm not going to leave until you tell me who you have to kill."
"Grace," I blurt, "I have to kill Grace, my old lady in waiting. She's the one threatening me and you. She's the one causing all these problems. I don't know where she is hiding, but she's managed to get threats through to me."
Camille's face softens and she wraps me in a hug, "Thank you for telling me. I'll do everything I can to help you."
I nod, wanting to take the lie back. I'll only added another enemy to Grace's long list of haters. Will Camille try to find Grace to protect me?
I say, "Can we go to my lesson with Henri, now?"
Camille nods and we head down the hall. We pass through the ornate corridors and I lose myself in thought.
Was it right to lie about Grace? At least now Camille will stop begging for answers and she will support me again. Hopefully she won't stick her nose somewhere it doesn't belong, especially in Alexanne's business. For now, she may be safe.
Unless Alexanne tries to spite me by hurting her again.
I'm broken from my thoughts as I run straight into someone. I glance up, mumbling an apology about my clumsiness and my need to pay more attention.
The words die behind my lips. Claudio stands right in front of me.
Heat spreads across my skin.
He bows, "My apologies, Princess Admira."
I curtsy, "It was my fault. I should have been paying attention."
It is not unusual for nobles to visit the castle every once in a while to work out trade or business deals. However, Alexanne told me that every noble had left after the ball.
Did Claudio merely slip her memory or is he not supposed to be here? Is Claudio who I thought he was?
I'm open my mouth to ask what he is doing her, but Henri pokes his head out of the door to the Sitting Room. He smiles at me.
With Antonin, Camille, and Henri watching, surely I can't ask Claudio what he is doing. It will only seem rude and suspicious. Instead I smile politely and step into the Sitting Room, my head spinning.
- Writer
