Chapter 3: For a hundred gold coins
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Ben's POV:
I walked once again to the Adderley residence and the maid came out. Her eyes lit up when she recognized me.
“Good sir. You are back.”
I nodded and smiled politely.
“My lady has returned as well. You may come in.”
She led me into the big building and took me out on the other side where we seemed to be in a garden. A garden of roses.
“My lady loves roses,” the maid said as if reading my mind. “She's reading somewhere here. Oh! There she is! Shall I call her for you?”
“No. Thank you. I'll do it myself.”
“If you need me I'll be inside sir,” she said before leaving.
I looked at where she had pointed and saw a tall, woman with a rose in hand. She inhaled the scent of the flower and smiled. I was so frightened by how similar she looked to me. As if she sensed my presence, she looked up with pale blue eyes. There was a look of astonishment on her face. Her eyes slowly filled with tears as she started to walk towards me.
I took a step back and she immediately stopped. For a long time, we just stared at each other until she burst into tears. I just watched her, not being able to say anything. I thought I would be outraged or angry when I met her. I thought I would shout at her and scream. But I was just overwhelmed by sadness.
“My beautiful Benjamin... you've grown into such a fine young man...” she whispered.
She took a few steps closer and stood in front of me.
“Lady Adderley,” I said clearing my throat.
I could see the pain in her eyes.
“Benjamin. ”
“I'm only here to fulfill my father's dying wish.”
“I know...I heard of his death. I am so, so sorry Benjamin. He was such a good–”
“Stop! Just–Just stop! ”
She looked at me with confusion, “Stop what? ”
“This act. This facade. This act pretence that you care about him. Or me... You can't fool me. Save both our time and just... don't.”
“Benjamin...Of course I care... I loved your father and I always will...”
“So why would you leave?”
She looked at the ground and sniffled, “I have no excuse for my stupid decisions. I was young, full of... absolute madness. I didn't know that when I left I would...have this void in my heart. For the last 23 years of my life.”
“I don't believe you.”
“I understand. I wouldn't either. Believe it or not, this garden is for your father. He always loved roses. So...I planted all of these for him. Each and every single one. And if you don't believe me, come inside. See for yourself.”
”No. As I said I'm here to deliver a message. Nothing else. Father said...he loved your to his last breath. It also was his wish for me to meet you. I have. Now I'll be in my way.”
I turned and stomped out of the garden. I heard her crying out my name but I didn't stop. I couldn't.
Marjorie's POV:
The room was dark and I was fast asleep when I felt a hand turn me over. I squealed as it startled me but was relieved when I saw it was just Gregory. I had been living in Aldrich for almost two months and I had successfully avoided any physical contact with Gregory.
“What are you doing you ?” I snapped. I couldn't help it.
“Watch it Marjorie,” he warned ,“I might be your husband but doesn't I'm not the King.
“Sorry,” I apologized, causing him to smile.
I smiled and chuckled, realizing what he had done, “ Doesn't mean you're not my Gregory does it? ”
“Your Gregory?”
“Yes. My friend. The Gregory I used to play with and climb trees. ”
“And fooled around with in your room. And I would touch you like this...” he said reaching for my breast, “...and make love to you until you could not even walk...”
I rolled my eyes and thought to myself; I should just get it over and done with. Greg wouldn't be able to contain himself. Not with him that excited. I sighed as I felt his aroused manhood against my thigh.
“Aghh. Fine. Go on.”
I could almost see his grin in the dark and in a second, I was suddenly under him, “ I love you. I promise you'll enjoy this.”
The next morning I woke up and Greg was gone. Thankfully. The door opened and Annette walked in with a tray.
“Your Highness!” she squealed running over to my bed. “How was it?”
“How was what? ”
“Your first time! With the king!”
I felt my face redden as I held the cotton bedding closer to me, “Well...I...it...”
“Spit it out already! ”
“It wasn't my first time! ”
Annette's eye's widened so much I was scared they would pop out, “What!? ”
“Keep it low you silly girl!” I hushed her.
“What do you mean it wasn't your first time?!” she whispered harshly.
“Well... Gregory and I already had our first time. On our wedding night. ”
“But you said– you told– Your Highness! ” she whined like an infant.
I laughed. Annette was like a little child sometimes.
“Agh. You're going to spoil my good spirits. I have news for you!”
“What is it?” I asked sitting up.
“Well I have been hiding a secret from you too.”
“Yes?”
“I met a man a few weeks ago and after we met a couple of times he confessed his love for me! He is a little shy but that just makes him all the more appealing! ”
“Annette!” I said excitedly. “I am so happy for you! "
“So am I! Tonight, he invited me to his house. There will be a huge celebration today for his birthday. So I wanted to ask you if you'll let me go?”
“But of course Annette! On one condition.”
She seemed to read my mind before I even said it and frowned, “No. No. There is no way you're going! I could–I could get into so much trouble Your Highness!”
“Annette. Annette. I promise you won't get into any trouble. I'll wear a disguise. No one will recognize me in some of your clothes and without my crown. Annette please! ”
She huffed, “Like I can ever refuse you!”
I cheered and hugged her, “I promise you won't get into any trouble. None. I'll make sure of it .”
Annette brought the man to the castle and I met them in the gardens. He was a tall good looking lad. A perfect fit for my Annette.
“Your Highness,” he said bowing.
“Sir Franklin Amberjack,” I smiled at him.
“Just Franklin Your Highness,” he blushed.
Annette had not exaggerated. The man was a shy one indeed.
“If you wish , Fredrick it is. I trust Annette has told you about my request?”
“Yes Your Highness.”
“What do you think?” I asked him.
“Well...I guess if you wore an ordinary dress and took off your crown, maybe did something with your hair. Something different. We can do it.”
I smiled at him, grateful, “Thank you so much Fredrick. This means the world to me.”
“It's no problem. It's the least I can do. For the queen.”
Benjamin's POV:
I walked down the buzzing streets of the huge town of Aldrich. There was still, even after two months, celebrations of the queen's arrival from Agarwal. I had decided I would stay in Aldrich because back in Hetchington, there was nothing left for me. Lucky for me, Leigh-Anne lived the other side of the city so it was unlikely that I would meet her.
I was busy looking for some work. I needed clothing and food. Or else I would keep looking like a begger.
“Aye! You!”
I looked up to see a man calling for me. I walked up to him. From his clothes I could tell he's not a poor man.
“My name is Fredrick Amberjack. I couldn't help but notice you've been walking around for the past couple of weeks.”
I raised a brow at him.
“I work over there by that stall,” he said quickly. “I'm a mapmaker.”
“Ahh. And just what does that have to do with me? ”
“Nothing actually,” he murmured. His eyes lit up again, “Would you be in interested earning some coin? There will be a big celebration at my home tonight. It might be an odd job but... I need some company for the party. ”
“Why?” I questioned him. Odd indeed.
“Well...I need to be alone with a certain woman.”
“I still don't understand how my services are needed here.”
“I just need you to go with me, drink some beer, eat and that's it. She's bringing a lady friend. I need you to keep her company so I can be alone with my Annette. ”
“Find someone else,” I said walking away.
“I'll pay your well! 100 gold coins!”
I stopped in my track. A hundred gold coins. Was he insane?
“You are going to pay me 100 gold coins to stand around, eat your food and talk to someone?”
“That's about it."
“I will say I thought you were a man of more sense.”
He shrugged, “Love makes us do the most bizarre things.”
I cringed at the word, “Ok. I'll do it.”
“Excellent! You can come to my house. To take a bath and I'll give you three changes of clothes. And you can have lunch with us.”
I shook my head, “I'll choose how I spend my money. ”
“Oh it's not included in your wage! It's my token of gratitude.”
The man really lacks sense. Showering a stranger with all of this for free?
I shrugged, “If you insist.”
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