Chapter 16

I stormed down the spiral path, my blood still boiling. I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see that the Sovereign was following me.

I huffed and picked up my pace, but he did as well and was faster than me. Soon he was walking alongside me, our feet in step.

I was really quite annoyed at the fact that there was no alternative way down the tower.

Whoever designed this place hadn't been thinking.

We finally reached the bottom and I ran for the door I'd come through, only to be stopped by that same annoyingly, beautiful voice.

"I wouldn't go out that way if I was you." I could hear the smirk in his voice.

I dropped my hand, which had been raised to open the magnificent, wooden, double doors.

"And why not, my Sovereign?" I asked painting a forced smile on my face.

He tilted his chin down narrowing his eyes in displeasure, "Because you'll exit onto the main thoroughfare of the palace," He took a step forward with his hands clasped behind his back, "And I'm sure you wouldn't want that." He smiled falsely, squinting his eyes.

I clenched my fists and huffed, "So which door's mine?" I asked, spreading my arms indicating the whole of the library.

"That one." He said tiredly as he pointed to an identical one on the left side of the tower.

I squinted my eyes in confusion, unless the library had been rearranged while I was up there then, that's not the door I came through.

I walked to it, the Sovereign's dark eyes watching me carefully.

'Why hadn't he left yet?'

I heard voices coming from the other side of the door. I reached for the handle and pulled the heavy doors open.

To my horror I saw a street lined with busy horse drawn carts, and fruit stalls with people yelling and bartering. I quickly shut the door and glared at the Sovereign who was bent over laughing.

"I can't believe you actually opened it!" He said through his laughter.

I clenched my fists and teeth then stormed towards the door that I knew was mine.

I could still hear him laughing as I shut the ridiculously, heavy door behind me with a loud slam.

His laughter made my heart flutter and I hated it. I hated everything about that man and the fact that he could make my heart flutter only made it worse.

"Did something happen, your highness?" Brigitte's voice woke me from my seething thoughts.

I moved to my room and sat down on my yellow divan.

I took a deep breath of the fragrant air, filled with the sweet scent of lilacs and hyacinth.

Once I had mostly calmed myself I raised my eyes to meet my servant's.

Her light brown eyes were trained on the floor and her neck was bent in a permanent bow.

"Does it hurt to stand that way?" I asked. It looked very uncomfortable.

I could see her eyes dart in a panic.

"Please, be honest with me." I said as I placed my hand on the arm of the seat.

"Yes, your highness, it does hurt, but I am used to it now." She replied quietly.

"Well then. Whenever it's just you and me, please keep your head raised." I said.

Her head raised and her eyes were terrified, "No, no, your highness. I could not."

I tilted my head to the side in pity or sadness, "It's just you and me, please Brigitte. I don't want you to be in pain."

She nodded and raised her head so she stood at her full height. She was taller than me by a few inches.

"If you'll pardon my repetition, your highness, but did something happen in the library?" She asked rubbing her neck.

"Yes," I said, recalling the incident, "I ran into the Sovereign." I bit the inside of my lip.

"Oh, dear. I'm so sorry, highness. I assumed that he would be attending to his duties in the counsel room."

I waved my hand at her signalling that it was fine, "Can I tell you something… personal?"

Brigitte glanced nervously at the door, then the windows, "Yes, your highness." She said in a nervous voice.

"It's about the Sovereign." I warned.

She nodded.

I inhaled and swallowed, "I hate him."

Her mouth dropped open and she quickly covered it with her hand.

"Her highness should not say such things." She exclaimed.

"But I do! Everything he has done, having sixteen year old girls ripped from their homes just to become bed warmers for him is, is just sick!"

"Your highness, please."

I looked at the woman. She was trembling and her eyes were darting this way and that.

I sighed.

"I'm sorry Brigitte." I rested my back against the headrest with my feet on the cushion.

"It is alright, your highness. I will go tell the cook to prepare your evening meal."

"Thank you." I called after her.

The door shut and I was left alone with my thoughts.

I was sad that I could not confide my thoughts with anyone. I needed to vent my frustrations. I went and stood at the balcony. The smell of the sweet flowers mixed with the salty sea breeze was very calming.

I closed my eyes and rested my hands on the stone wall.

The sun was setting and with it the warm touch of it's rays.

I watched, sadly, as the sun sank below the horizon.

"Your highness, your meal is ready." Brigitte's voice broke me from my thoughts yet again.

"Thank you, Brigitte."

I turned with my gaze still lingering on the setting sun, then entered the room.