Beautiful Dreamer

Chapter 22 (mature content)

The morning was very young when the servants came to my door. They had brought an outfit that King Cardwell requested I wear. It was a dark purple dress that ran to the length of the floor. One woman helped me tighten up my corset while the other helped slip the dress over my head. My hair was brushed and braided into an updo that seemed most intricate to me. I was to wear jewels and I decided on these beautiful emerald earrings that dangled a little bit down my ears. I chose a dainty gold chained necklace with a little rose charm. I looked at the servant girls.

“Might I ask you a question?”

They looked at each other nervously.

“What is it milady?” 

“You have been tending to me quite frequently. What are your names?”

They seemed to deem this an acceptable question.

“I am Drisellda,” one answered. 

Drisellda was a very skinny girl, she looked unremarkable to most, except for her piercing green eyes. The other servant was a fair skinned girl with dark eyes and raven hair. She was extremely timid in nature and always seemed to be looking at the ground as to avoid eye contact with anyone who might meet her gaze.

“My name is Linna, Milady.” She said almost in a whisper that I could barely hear her.

“I appreciate all your help ladies. I do hope we can be friends.”

They both looked at me hesitantly like what I was saying was completely outlandish.

“Milady, you need not make friends with us. We are just lowly servants. We are just humbled to be in your presence.” Drisellda said.

Linna was nodding in agreement to her words. The concept that I could not be friends with them seemed outlandish to me. I was really no different from them. I was barely even a queen. I knew nothing of my royal status until only recently and I already hated it. Nothing here felt right to me and I wanted to escape it as soon as I could.

“I do not think anyone is beneath me though. In my opinion my life holds no more importance than anyone else’s. Truth be told I have become rather lonely in this castle. It is hard having no one here I can talk to.”

“Well Milady, if you need to talk, we are willing to listen.” Drisellda said smiling.

I smiled back and appreciated her kind words. It was a little comforting knowing that I at least would not have to suffer in silence anymore. Even if my servants had no real loyalty to me, I would at least have a chance to vent my frustrations to someone. I would still have to choose my words carefully around them. I really could trust no one but myself here.

“Milady, it is time to go.” Linna said in her little voice.

They led me down several hallways until we arrived at huge double doors. They were heavy, made of wood with intricate patterns carved into them that were unfamiliar to me.

“Do either of you know what these markings mean?” I asked my servants while feeling the wood.

“They are the texts of the ancient ones who came before us. The royals who first came and built the castle were once strong magic wielders. A lot of the castle history is built into its very walls.” Drisellda told me.

“Fascinating!” I said excitedly.

“We must hurry, the king is waiting for you Milady.” Linna said hurrying me along.

We entered a large room. The ceiling was high vaulted with murals of various scenes depicted along the top. Surrounding the room were serval statues made in images of the kings before which Drisellda had informed me. She was quite knowledgeable about the castle’s history. A long purple runner ran the length of the throne room from a pair of double doors that was the front entrance leading up to two large ornate chairs that were befitting royalty. The taller of the two King Cardwell sat upon. I bowed before my king and then took my place on the second throne beside him. He smiled at me, pleased that I was falling in line with his wishes.

“Open the doors.” Cardwell commanded his guards.

People filed in taking their place in line to talk to the king and express their grievances. Most of the people came bearing gifts and expressing their adoration towards the crown. The king seemed quite pleased with the proceedings until a man in tattered rags came before him. He had no offering to give but bowed before the king. He expressed his plight to us. There had been an increase in taxes and the man did not have the funds to pay. He had a wife and daughter at home. If he were to pay the taxes his family would not be able to make it. He pleaded with the king to be merciful and forgive him his debt so that he may provide food and shelter for his family. I looked over at Cardwell, his facing looking displeased. He vehemently denied his request and looked at the man disgusted by his very presence.

“My king, surely there must be something we can do.” I quietly pleaded with him.

“If you forgive one peasant’s debt, they will all expect it.” He hissed at me appalled by my mere suggestion.

I could not stand idly by though as I knew this man was struggling. I got up from my chair and approached him. I took off both my emerald earrings and placed them in his hands.

“Please take these and feed your family. Selling them should provide more than enough food for you all.”

“Thank you, my queen! I will never forget this great gift you have bestowed upon me this day!” 

He bowed and quickly left the room. I turned and Cardwell’s eyes were filled with fire. I sat back down but could still feel the heat emanating off of him.

“Bring the next person forth.” He said through gritted teeth.

We went through several more people that day without any more incidents. Most of them were lords and ladies just coming to pay respects or some who had civil squabbles. All of which were easily handled. After the throne room had been completely emptied both myself and the king were escorted back to his quarters. I stood in his room and watched him pace back and forth so vigorously I thought he would start leaving an impact on the stone floor. Finally, he looked at me, the same fire still in his eyes.

“You had one job,” he said calmly, “You were to sit QUIETLY by my side. You just could not manage that though. You had to undermine me, your king!” He was now yelling.

“I was just doing what I thought was right. They were going to go hungry.”

He raised his hand and slapped me hard across the face. I lifted my hand to touch as I felt it sting. My eyes welled up with tears in fear of him.

“I do not remember asking for your opinion. You will speak when I tell you, you can speak. Do you understand?”

I nodded trying to fight back the tears. 

“Good. Now let’s see that pretty face of yours.”

He took my face in hand and gently kissed the cheek he just slapped. I winced a little from the pain.

“There all better. Maybe you will think twice before crossing me again. We would not want to see that beautiful face of yours bruised, now would we?”

I agreed with him and headed for the door, ready to go back to my room.

“Where do you think you are going?” He asked with a malicious look in his eyes.

“If you have no more use for me my king, I thought that I would retire to my own room now.”

He came close and pinned me up against the wall.

“Oh, I still have use for you my queen. There are some wifely duties you have been neglecting as of late.”

There was a hungry look in his eyes and he licked his lips as if to say he would devour me. He pressed himself close and began kissing my neck. His kisses turned to biting and I felt and intense pain as his teeth pierced my skin. I whimpered through the pain. He began lifting the hem of my dress up and became annoyed with it. He ripped the fabric off of me piece of purple fabric were strewn along the floor now. I wanted to get away but I did not know how without using my powers and possibly hurting him, as well as my chances of getting my memories back.

“My king, perhaps we postpone this for another night.” I tried pleading with him.

He ignored me, instead taking off his pants. When I tried to protest again, he covered my mouth with his hand.

“Be a good little wife do what you are told, and do not fight me.”

He picked me up and threw me on the bed and spread my legs apart. He lowered himself onto me and began thrusting hard inside of me. I felt the pain spread through me as he took me. His hot breath in my ear. I lay there staring at the purple canopy over his bed just waiting for it to be over. After what felt like forever, he let a loud groan as he came inside me. He rolled off of me out of breath as I continued to lay there, afraid to move an inch without permission. He sat up and pulled me to my feet.

“You may leave now.” He said with a smirk.

I began to walk away.

“Oh, and Analise, just think how great it would be if you were to carry my heir after this.”

I flinched; I did not want to carry his anything. I hurried out of his chambers and back to mine my dress completely in tatters. I sat against a wall and cried quietly into my knees hoping that no one could hear me. Unfortunately, it was not quiet enough. I looked up, wiping my tears away from my face to see Drisellda standing over me. She bent down next to me.

“My queen, what is wrong?” 

She wore worry on her face.

“Is he always like this? He is just so evil.” I sobbed.

She knew I meant the king and she rubbed my back to calm me down a bit. 

“Please be patient. I am sure in time you will grow to love him.”

“Love him? I am not sure I will be able to even survive him. How can I love someone who would treat me this way?”

She had no real answers for me, so she just held me instead and let me cry into her shoulder. I was stuck here, more than a prisoner, I was now a victim of Cardwell’s twisted little games. I could not let him defeat me though. I needed to survive his attacks and grow stronger. I would not be here forever. I just needed to bide my time.