Chapter 11 #2
The maid nodded and hurried out the room. With the door still open, I could hear her engaging in light conversation with my guard. I could tell by the playful, inviting tone in her voice, she enjoyed flirting with him.
I wrinkled my nose and picked up a tiny jar of dark crimson paste.
With one well practiced motion, I picked up some pigment and warmed it between my fingertips.
Slowly, I applied it to my lips, slightly overdrawing my natural lip line.
I did not feel comfortable using much lip stain.
It almost made me feel like I was putting too much effort into it.
I usually preferred to enhance only my eyes, but today, I was in a different mood.
Once I was finished, I gently patted the leftover pigment onto my cheeks and looked in the mirror, satisfied with the results.
When Sally came back, it was already time to go. I glanced at Kent, but he would not look at me and it made me want to do something crazy. I lifted my head high.
Two could play that game, and if he wanted to show me how little he cared about me, I could definitely do the same.
As we entered the lavishly decorated dining hall, my eyes took in the fresh bouquets of crimson red roses, crisp white tablecloths, and countless candles that bathed the room in a soft, almost ethereal light.
The light bounced off the tall crystal glasses and reflected in multiple mirrors in heavy golden frames on the walls.
The eyes of every person in the room turned in my direction as they stood. I was too preoccupied with my own thoughts to dwell on it as Sally guided me to an open spot near the head of the table.
“Lady Alina, you look spectacular!” Lord Adger exclaimed.
I managed a faint smile and took my seat, then the men immediately sat down. I smoothed the folds of my skirt and glanced around. I was seated between Lord Dayton and Lord Rutherford. Up close, he was a handsome man with soft, kind eyes. He smiled and raised his glass, I nodded back.
Even the evening meal was a ploy to get me to interact with suitors from the gold and white clans. The undeniable fact immediately agitated me.
I examined my plate, trying hard to conceal what was on my mind.
How did they decide who was going to sit with me? Did they toss a coin?
“Lady Alina, I’m glad that I finally get to talk to you.” Lord Rutherford smiled.
Looking at him, I noticed that his skin was incredibly smooth, as if he spent a lot of time on his appearance. His long, blond hair appeared really well cared for. I caught myself thinking about leaning over and touching his hair, just to make sure it was real.
“Likewise, Lord Rutherford.” I smiled back.
"It may be a strange thing to say, and I apologize for being so forward, but I love the way my name sounds on your lips," he said softly.
I nodded politely, picking up my water glass. More than anything I wanted to steal a glance in Kent’s direction, to see if he was watching me, but that would not be wise.
“I don’t know if you have ever visited Alsaard, milady, but at this time of year, the magnolias are in full bloom. It is incredible to see.” He continued.
“Alsaard? Is that the capital of white clan?” I asked.
“Yes, the most beautiful city in the entire world. The city of vertical gardens and a sanctuary for numerous species of birds.”
“How is that possible? The disease and lack of resources . . .”
“Ah, I understand. But, if we live in tandem with nature, nature will provide. We had to seal and guard the borders, but within the city, we nurtured life as it always was.”
“That’s incredible.”
“I hope one day, you could visit and see it all for yourself.”
I nodded, not trusting myself to answer.
“Do you enjoy music?” Lord Rutherford continued.
“Yes.”
“Maybe I could play for you later?”
“Do you play a musical instrument?” Against my will, my face betrayed my amusement.
“I confess, I truly enjoy music. And I could not ask someone to play for me every time I wanted to hear it, so I had to learn how to play.”
“I would love to hear it.”
Forgetting about my past resolution, I glanced at the gloomy figure standing by the opposite wall. Kent had the perfect angle to see my face, and he was close enough that he could just hear everything we were talking about. My cheeks flushed and I immediately looked away.
“How do you like the capital, milady?” Lord Rutherford continued.
“I haven’t seen much, but I hope to explore it more in the future.” I responded politely.
“Railand is not the way it used to be before the queen got sick. It was a very different place.”
“Was it?”
“We saw more of her those days. She was fond of festivals and celebrations. All that was done in moderation, of course. In more recent times, we rarely see her leaving her chambers.”
“How old is the queen?”
"Let me see . . . We celebrated her hundredth birthday last January. She's almost one hundred and one now."
"One hundred and one?"
"An amazingly long, prosperous life."
“It is.”
“The council is trying to supplement her absence, but it’s difficult for the people to respect the crown if they don’t see their ruler.”
“I understand.” I checked if the others could hear us.
“If I could be completely honest with you, that's the reason why I am here, trying to get to know you.” He leaned closer to me, lowering his voice. “There are many people, I’m afraid, that don’t have anyone else's interests at heart but their own.”
“And you are different?” I lowered my voice, matching his tone.
“You are an extraordinary woman.” He flashed me a smile, a real one this time.
“I think my attraction is heightened by all the circumstances surrounding my situation.”
“No doubt you are simplifying it way too much.” His eyes roamed my face and for the first time, I regretted putting so much makeup on.
“I wish.”
“Do you believe that one person can change the lives of others for the better?” he asked at length.
“Yes.”
“Then that is common ground for both of us, because that is exactly what I believe. And I will do anything in my power to ensure that the right person occupies the throne.”
I looked back at him surprised.
What did he mean? What was behind his words? Did he just threaten me?
“And how would you ensure that?”
Instead of answering he took my hand and placed it to his mouth. I was not expecting that, and could only look at his lowered head, completely lost for words.
From the corner of my eye, I caught a movement where my guard was stationed. Kent had crossed his arms over his chest. I avoided looking at him, trying to maintain a serene expression.
“I believe that the time for a new ruler is rapidly approaching and we all need to be ready for some changes,” Lord Rutherford continued.
I raised my eyes and caught the stares from all the other suitors that no doubt felt left out. Lord Adger, who sat across from me, made an attempt to strike up conversation and started an endless monologue about his horses and stables.
When the rows of servants brought the second course, a sudden uneasiness gripped my chest. I looked around and met the gaze of my guard.
Something did not feel right. For a brief moment, it was as if I were watching everything from outside my own body.
There was the clinking of silverware, and soft voices exchanging the latest news of the capital filled the air, but with my next breath, everything changed.
Screams echoed, glasses shattered, red wine spilled, and vases of flowers were knocked over.
Then my eyes fixed on the strange object that had crashed into the center of the table.
In a daze, I leaned in closer, and that’s when I realized what it was – a human arm, torn at the elbow, laying atop the pristine white tablecloth.
It was grey with a bluish tint, its fingernails dirty and stained.
Every muscle seemed contracted, as if whoever it belonged to, death had been agonizing and painful.
But what chilled me to the bone was the size.
It was a small hand, likely belonging to a child.
My breath caught in my chest, and I screamed.