Chapter Six

Chapter 6:

2 weeks later

Sitting on the comfortable bed, I watched as the sun shone brightly, the birds tweeting. It was as though I had grown accustomed to this life, I was suddenly leading. From etiquette, to manners, to history, to art, I was being prepared to serve ruthless and cold-blooded murderer. I could not afford to make a mistake.

*Flashback*

‘No, no, no! Vanessa! You are doing it all wrong.’ Elizabeth, or Beth as I have grown accustomed to calling her, scolded.

What could I do? I was never trained in anyway. All I did was serve my masters in accordance to what they ordered. I needed no manners nor knowledge to do so.

Conrad’s patience seemed like it was wearing thin. Sensing my discomfort from the gaze he was sending my way, Beth, held my hand.

“Your grace, I think she is overwhelmed by this sudden task bestowed upon her, could she be excused for today?” Beth pleaded.

“Overwhelmed? It has been almost 5 days, but she has not improved in any way at all.” He said almost as though growling towards me.

“Your grace, let me talk to her, please do not be furious…” Beth spoke out, trying to calm him down

“She had better improve within the next two days, or else…Beth!” he said as she nodded her head.

Beth came towards me pulling my hand, excusing us from the preparation room. One we were out of sight she let out a sigh, walking me to my bedroom.

“I only managed to free us once more yet again, I don’t know if there will be a next time.” she said trying to brighten the gloomy mood that had overcome me.

I could not help but slump my shoulders. I would probably be killed by the duke before I even get to the prince.

“Cheer up Vanessa! You’ll get there.” she said smiling. “But you know, I don’t know what it is that is hindering your mind and making you feel overwhelmed to the point you tremble even when pouring a cup of tea.” She said curiously.

Letting out a sigh, my hands rubbed my arms as a shiver ran down my spine. “The thought of being on the same ground as the man who had no mercy when he took the lives of my loved ones, is what’s causing all of this. The duke does not seem to understand the pain of having to live with that memory, that trauma….” I said my heart thumping painfully.

“Oh, but he does...” she said with a sad smile.

My eyes snapped up to hers, seeing her down demeanor.

“Keep this between you and me,” she said as she hesitated to tell me.

I nodded holding her hand, trying to ease the grim look on her face. Feeling my warmth, she let a small smile place itself subtly over the grimace she was trying to hide.

“His grace had lost his daughter and wife to the king’s tyranny.”

Wife and Daughter?

“So he knows your pain, but they are not the reason he wants to get close to the king, there’s another one, but even I am not aware of it.” she said as she shook her head slightly.

A reason even Beth is unaware of. What could be so important that he is hiding it even for Beth? Was it dangerous to even seek knowledge of his entire plan?

“So, let me ask you Vanessa, are the sacrifices made to keep you alive, not a reason to do your best and perfect your task to continue to survive? Remember, if you slip up, you will lose your life not by the hands of the duke, but the blood of the same king that had already taken o much from you. Would that not be an utter defeat?” she said looking into my eyes, her words emotionless.

My hands trembled at the words he had uttered.

“Well Vanessa, I will leave you to rest. Sleep well.” she said as she took her leave.

I could not help but let my hands come up to my throat. It felt as though for a second, I had lost my way of breathing.

*End of flashback*

Preparing myself for the rest of the day and the training I was still undergoing, I made my way to the preparation room. Beth and I had begun and soon the doors were thrown open.

Conrad walked in annoyed, his appearance a bit disheveled, from his rushing.

“You Will be going to the palace tomorrow.” He said.

As soon as the words left his mouth the teapot in my hand was dropped. What did he mean tomorrow? I still had a week of training to undergo! This made no sense; it was though for a second fate had decided to play against me and put me in harm’s way.

“Tomorrow your grace? But we still have not finished her training…. It is too soon.” Beth spoke out, just as surprised as I was, at the duke’s words.

“It will have to make do. The prince’s aide had requested for a lady-in-waiting and most of the noble aristocrats are putting their daughter’s up for candidacy, but I had managed to persuade the aide in Taking Vanessa. So, she will have to start tomorrow.” He said as he ran his hand through his hair.

“I-it’s too soon, I will surely die the moment I get there, I would not even last a day…!” I said as my hands trembled. I was not ready, I wasn’t prepared.

The duke made his way towards me, holding me by my shoulder. “Listen to me Vanessa, this is a matter of your life… so you have to be okay! You cannot afford to get killed!” he said, trying to get my thoughts in order. “You will be fine. You will make it,” He said in a soft tone, trying top ease the panic that washed over me.

I looked in his eyes looking for some deceit, but they only held truth and promise.

“…Okay,” I said with a shaky voice.

“Perfect. Prepare for her departure tomorrow, make sure she has everything she will need, and she should not fall short on anything.” He said, as Beth bowed towards him, heeding to his request.

“Yes, Your Grace.” She affirmed.

I was getting ready to go into a battlefield with a blindfold. I could not afford to remain blind. I needed to live.

No…

I had to.