CHAPTER SIX MORNING AFTER
Ophelia
As the sun began to rise, there was pounding on the door. Oxwell would not leave my side. I could not get up without his hands around my arm, waist and neck. Poor boy is still so scared from the night before.
Trever had to open the door.
I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying as I continued to try to bribe Oxwell off of me in order to make a proper greeting.
Trever was standing there, his eyes staring into mine and hands behind his back.
“Prince Hun has been sent by Duke Warlington to escort the Celik’s for the remainder of the journey towards the City of Timberdenn. Where further–”
A man standing at the same height as Trever pushed forward. He had blond hair and bright eyes. His clean shaved face and clothing were of near perfection telling me I am in the presence of someone whose class is higher than my own.
“Excuse mademoiselle, I am Prince Hun Batz. You may refer to me as just Hun. I am here to escort you and Count Oxwell to the Marble Castle where you will be greeted with open arms and protection from the Duke himself.” Prince Hun's smile seemed fake. I can’t tell why it seemed fake-it just does.
Oxwell glared at him.
“I don’t know you.” His words were muttered into my breast. I glared at my brother.
“Hush, you cannot speak to a Prince that way.”
“No matter my darling Ophelia. I could not imagine the horrors you have faced in the night. Please, allow me to give you a moment to prepare for the journey.” Prince Hun held out a hand.
I felt weird. Having this strange man so close to a bed in which I was staying in. I looked at Trever but his face was on the floor.
I wrapped my arms around Oxwell and held him tightly. “I appreciate the offer but I was hoping we would just return home.”
“Nonsense. The duke has summoned you. He is a patient man and will understand if we arrive a little later than expected.”
“A week later perhaps?” Trever was glaring at the Prince. My heart fluttered. Something happened between the two of them?
“Of course not! A few hours at best! I expect everyone in my carriage before midday!” Prince Hun laughed as he left the chamber.
I looked at Trever, hoping to find some comfort in his expression. Instead he was opening up the trunk and laying clothes out on the silk seats. He brought clothes for Oxwell in the bathing chambers then sat down on the bed.
“Oxwell,” Trever put a calm hand onto Oxwell’s back. Oxwell loosened his grip on me and looked over his shoulder. “I know you are scared. But I swear nothing will happen to you or your sister so long as I am around.” His face was so kind and genuine. I want to just stay in this bed, the three of us, forever in comfort and grieve together.
Oxwell nodded and let go of me. He grabbed Trever’s hand and Trever led him to the bathing chamber to help him dress in the proper attire required for a presence with the Duke.
A maid soon let herself into the chamber. I got out of bed and pulled a fresh slip over my head. Then I slid ivory colored stockings over my legs. The maid tightened the garters around my thighs and I thought back to when Trever slipped them off of me. He was so much gentler and the touch sent a completely different sensation through me than what is happening with the maid.
She dressed me in the corset, tightening to the point where I thought I was going to snap in half.
The petticoat she draped over me was one of lilac. It had blue silks sewn into the base of the dress and held a very rococo style to it with ivory colored silks coming from the middle and robes filled with lace and ribbons. The boots were simple traveling boots, of brown color that completely clashed with the lilac and blue colors. But I didn’t care. I simply pulled my curls from my face and tied them back with a ribbon in a half up do.
The maid knocked on the bathing chambers and Trever came out dressed in a suite of charcoal colors. He looks so handsome in the straight pant style with the ivory colored peasant blouse underneath the charcoal suit jacket. The buttons brightly polished. Oxwell wore the similar fashion, but where Trever’s was charcoal, Oxwell’s was the same blue that were my ribbons.
“You look like a princess! I have not seen that outfit before!” Oxwell ran into my arms with a huge smile. It warms my heart to see his burden appears to be lifted, even for a short while.
“The Duke sent these clothes ahead of time for you to present yourselves before him.” The maid answered, putting our sleeping clothes away.
“And why would the Duke do that?” Trever inquired, helping her snap them shut and then bringing the trunks over to the door to be loaded onto the carriages.
“The Duke sent a note indicating an important announcement is to be made soon after the arrival of all the Counts in the region. But there is a rumor of quite a bit of secrecy and urgency.” The maid kept blushing under Trever’s gaze.
I felt a twinge of jealousy but pleased at the same time. I am not the only one who falls for his charming demeanor and good looks.
“And tell us good maiden, what are those rumors about?” Trever leaned closer to the maid.
She looked at me and hesitated before leaning into Trever’s ear. He held his smile but shot me a look that appeared to be one of concern. The maid giggled and skipped away.
“What was that about?” Oxwell demanded, standing in front of me with his arms folded.
“Nothing that concerns you Sir Celik. Come, let us tell the footmen we are ready for the journey.” Trever placed a gentle hand on Oxwell’s shoulder and they bounded off out of the room.
Trever
“Race you to the carriage?” I laughed as Oxwell took off in a full sprint, knowing full well that I was not going to run in my condition. The bath made me realize I had a huge gash in my left leg and this morning I awoke with a throbbing pain from it. I leaned on the bar near the entrance of the Inn and waited for someone to approach me.
“Sir?” the innkeeper asked. Her hair is a bright red color with tight curls. She reminded me of the cooks back at the Celik estate.
“I am in need of some medical supplies before we leave. Do you have a sterile needle and thread by any chance? And some bandages you can spare?”
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She nodded, not phased by my inquiry. Apparently, it was obvious when I arrived that my leg was bleeding to everyone except myself. I followed her behind the counter to her private bathing chambers where I stripped my pants off and allowed her to begin cleaning and sewing the gash up.
“Why not tell the Countess Celik of your injuries? Surely she would delay travel for you?”
“She would if she could. Have you heard of these rumors going around about the Duke making a decree to find a wife?”
My question caught her off guard.
“I can’t speak on any facts my lord.”
“No need for titles here. Just some people of equal class sharing gossip,” I assured her.
“Well.. all of it is of concern. It is common knowledge that traveling during a full moon is a bad omen as monsters are at their strongest during. The request is of poor timing. And the clothing and fetching of the Prince…” she looked over her shoulder at the door as if she was prepared for someone to barge in and attack.
Her hands began to shake. I took them into my own and stared into her eyes. “You are safe with me. Nothing is going to come back to you.”
She nodded slowly, “you are concerned about the wrong mystery. Prince Hun Botz was sent to escort the Celiks for their own protection. It is as if the Duke knew ahead of time there would be problems on your journey.”
“How do you mean?”
“I mean, only clothes were prepared for Countess Ophelia and Count Oxwell…. There was nothing for their Father and rumor has it, the Prince was sent to ensure Count Celik Senior was not going to make it to the Duke’s palace.”
“And rumors of the marriage announcement?”
The barkeep laughed as she attached the last bit of bandage on my leg, “only a mere rumor. Started from the Prince himself.”
As I walked out of the inn, my mind racing of the intentions of the Duke and the safety of the Celik family, I could see Ophelia speaking very sternly towards Oxwell, his face puffy with tears and snot running down his nose.
“Now Oxwell. I know it’s scary. I am scared too. But we have many more soldiers with us and Trever is right here to protect us.”
“I AM NOT GOING! I DON’T WANNA! YOU CAN’T MAKE ME!” Oxwell was screaming. His fear is expressed in his face and body as he goes dead weight against Ophelia away from the carriage.
I leaned close and put a hand on his shoulder, “would you prefer to ride with me? I am sure I can get a horse and we can–”
“I am not going!” Oxwell screamed in my face. I look over to Ophelia whose concern for her brother’s well being apparent.
I stood up straight when Prince Hun began to approach. The hairs on the back of my neck now standing straight.
“You will do as you are told young man!” The prince grabbed Oxwell’s arm and yanked him away from Ophelia. Instinctively, I stepped forward but Ophelia was already there.
She slapped the Prince across the face, her leather glove making a wack sound at the point of contact.
“I do not care who you are or what station you reside from. You will unhand my brother at this moment!”
The prince glared at Ophelia but let go of Oxwell who ran right for me. I pushed him behind me and stood right behind Ophelia. I could sense her rage brewing. My hand already moving to the hilt of my sword. I could see soldiers beginning to approach.
Prince Hun laughed, running his fingers through his blond hair. He reached into his back pocket and squatted low, addressing Oxwell.
“I apologize. I am not around children often. Come, will you help me with this? I cannot put the name of this sweet scent. It’s okay.. You are safe. Just let me know what this smells like and if you can name it accurately, you do not have to make this journey.”
Oxwell let go of my clothes and started forward. Looking nervously at Ophelia; she seemed just as confused.
“You pomwis?” Oxwell was sucking on his thumb, something he had stopped years ago and is seemingly picking it back up again.
“Of course,” Prince Hun smiled wickedly.
Oxwell walked forward and put his nose to the cloth. Immediately, Prince Hun grabbed the back of the boy’s head and smothered his face with the cloth. Soldiers adorning the colors of the Royal Family closed inn and blocked Ophelia and myself from getting close to the boy.
Within seconds, Oxwell’s body goes limp.
Ophelia
“OXWELL!” I couldn’t help my scream as my knees go weak. The solider blocking me caught me, preventing me from hitting the ground. I grabbed his arms, trying my best to catch my breath. My eyes glued to Oxwell’s body as a different soldier carries him into the carriage.
“My apologies Madam,” Prince Hun strutted over to me and pulled my face close to his. I could smell a strange chemical substance as he folded the rag back up again.
“You see, the Duke has already waited long enough. It is midmorning and we really don’t have time for temper tantrums of small children. Your brother should be awake by the time we arrive. He is perfectly safe. It is a new thing, this chemical called 3CI and it is used during surgery. How fascinating modern science is! Come. Come! We have our own carriage.” Prince Hun smiled at me and began to walk away towards the carriage behind the one Oxwell was placed in.
I could feel the soldier start to drag me forward. I pushed off of him. Trever is close behind me now. I leaned onto him until I could gain a breath.
“I would prefer to ride with my brother and Trever.” My voice felt weak and I am unsure if the words even came out or if I just thought them. My throat feels so dry.
“Of course, but would you not allow Oxwell to rest quietly during the journey?” Prince Hun continued to smile at me. Trever’s hands wrapped around my waist protectively. I could feel his heartbeat quicken and his grip slightly tighten around me.
“How improper! I do not know what kind of house the Senior Count Celik allowed, but this will not happen in my presence!” Prince Hun turned around and grabbed my elbow, dragging me to his carriage.
I turned back around, refusing to let my eyes off Trever. His face is one of fury and sadness.
With a shove, I was seated across from Prince Hun and soon, the carriages pushed forward.
The carriage was all mint green. It was bigger than the one my family used. Trever seated across from me. His eyes would not remove from my face. The seats were stiff as if unused and the smell of paint told me, my assumption about the usage of this carriage was correct.
“Do you play cards?”
“I am afraid I am not of the mood to engage in such idle play.” I kept my eyes on the town of Deershell passing us through the windows of the carriage.
I could not help my emotions. Anger at this man for putting his hands on me. Fear for my brother’s safety. Concern about what Trever is thinking and feeling. None of which are of the light hearted nature required for a good time.
“I really insist you make an effort to please me, Ophelia Celik,” Prince Hun’s voice oozed menace.
My stomach dropped. I have heard of men who do this. Who threaten women and take what they want-leaving them maidenless and inable to marry. My cousin and many of my father’s friends were of these character tropes.
I crossed my legs and leaned on the door of the carriage. Keeping my eyes on the trees passing us at speeds I did not realize was possible by carriage. My palms began to sweat inside the gloves but I dared not remove any article of clothing. My head feels light as I continue to struggle to find my breath.
“Fine. Be difficult.” Prince Hun leaned forward into my ear, “I always enjoy a good challenge.”
The mint green carriage seemed to shrink in size as Prince Hun settled into his seat. His posture is one of predatory, each movement calculated to unnerve. A sinister smile played on his lips, revealing teeth that seemed too sharp for courtesy. His fingers drummed rhythmically on the armrest, a disconcerting beat that echoed the growing tension in the confined space.
Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his knees, his eyes never leaving me. The glint in his bright eyes hinted at a perverse satisfaction, like a predator relishing the vulnerability of its prey. His gaze traveled slowly, possessively, over my body, leaving a cold shiver in its wake.
As the carriage jostled along the road, Prince Hun's movements remained deliberate. He reached into the pocket of his impeccable attire, retrieving a small vial of the mysterious 3CI. Twirling it between his fingers, he studied the liquid inside with a disturbing fascination, as if deriving pleasure from the anticipation of its effects.
"Ophelia Celik," he purred, his voice carrying a chilling undertone. "You have a spirit that intrigues me. I do hope you'll find a way to entertain me during this journey."
I feel as though fear had it’s fingers wrapped tightly around my throat. Desperation pulling at the strings of my heart.
“Cards sound wonderful,” my voice shaking and eyes darting back and forth from the fast moving road and Prince Hun’s hands. He placed the vial back into his pocket and pulled a deck of cards out from underneath his seat. Seemingly satisfied with the offer.