CHAPTER SIX CITY OF TIMBERDENN

Trever

The City of Timberdenn. One of great wealth and prosperity. Our carriages were moving steadily through the forest. What would normally take an entire 24 hours to reach the City from Deershell, only took about 10, causing us to arrive at the dead of night. Still, the city was alive as if it never knew the sun was down.

The streets crawled with life as people indulged themselves in whatever they fancied, be it dancing, gambling, or more elusive pleasures, everything seemed available to them once the sun fell.

I have heard of the rumors regarding the loose living that surrounds the Palace where Duke Welington resides. But I never thought of them to be so blatant. While the pace of the carriages slowed dramatically inside the city, we did not stop until we reached the gates of the palace where a giant iron bridge dropped, allowing us over the moat that surrounds the Castle.

I shook Oxwell’s shoulder to try and wake him. But he still snored in a fitful sleep. I tried to not think about what was happening with Ophelia in the carriage with that monster who has no concern or remorse drugging a small child to get what he wants. I shook the thoughts away. Focus on Oxwell. The carriage pulled to a dead stop and I immediately opened the carriage door before the footman could and rushed over to Ophelia’s carriage.

I opened the door and immediately she fell out of the carriage. I caught her-but barely. I scanned her face and body. Each ribbon seemed to be still in place. Despite the 10 hours, it seems she had not moved once she sat down in the carriage. I set her on her feet but she kept falling into me.

My hands were on her shoulders tightly as I ushered her back over to the carriage where Oxwell continued to sleep.

“Are you alright?” my voice is more of a hiss than a whisper.

“My legs feel numb..” Ophelia looked up at me. There were tears in her eyes. Don’t think about that now. Just get them away from here. “Oxwell?” Ophelia crawled into the carriage, ignoring proper posture procedures. I could hear her whispering to her brother, trying her best to awaken him.

“I would be concerned if I were of lowly class as you are No Title Boyd.” Prince Hun strutted over to me and lifted his chin into the air. My fists clenched tightly ready to smash his smug face in.

But Ophelia beat me to it.

“Why is he not awake!” Her strength seemingly returning within seconds of realizing her brother's status.

“My dear sweet stupid girl. I may have used a higher dose than he needed. But rest assured, he will be fine come morning. I shall have the footman–”

“You shall do nothing! Stay away from me and my brother!” Ophelia was screaming now. Guards, soldiers, and servants were gathering around us now.

Prince Hun’s face twisted into something that appeared sinister. He looked nervously around him. I couldn’t help but notice he was very concerned with the audience of mixed people rather than the much smaller audience from Deershell Town.

I took my opening.

“Prince Hun, it seems you have been rather forward and rude to the Countess Celik. After the tragic attack we endured and the rushed travel you insisted upon. Where, pray tell, is the Duke Warlington even at? Was it truly so imperative that we arrive TONIGHT if the Duke is not even available to greet us?” I can’t hide my smile as the words slithered out of my mouth causing even more whispers to rise up.

“Daddy?” the small voice of a sleepy Oxwell escaped the carriage and Ophelia lifted her skirts to run over to the carriage.

“It’s okay, sh… it’s okay. I am here.” Ophelia pulled Oxwell out of the carriage as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. While much too old to be carried like a baby, Ophelia used all of her strength to carry him before setting him down on the ground gently. His head in her lap. She pulled his face into her neck and started rocking him as the wails of a grieving, scared child filled the courtyard. I moved, protectively shielding the two as the whispers around us began to fasten. I could hear more and more people talking, and the more people spoke, the more furious Prince Hun became.

Women dressed in beautiful matching fashion descended down the stairs of the palace and bowed before me. I nodded and scooped Oxwell out of Ophelia’s arms who stayed close by my side, continuing to usher words of comfort to Oxwell. She did not seem to notice Prince Hun as we passed him, her fear of him disappearing as fast as his reputation was spreading.

The palace was immaculate. Everything sparkled. The walls were high and strong. With columns that lead to arches for the windows. A winding staircase stood before us. The Lady’s in Waiting escorted us up the stairs and to the left where we continued down hallways that all matched the grand entrance. The wood floors of Rococo pattern matched the arched walls and passages. Ferns were placed adding a pop of greenery to the ivory, browns, and gold fixtures. Up another staircase to another matching hallway. I began to feel slightly dizzy. The halls were illuminated with candles hanging from the ceilings offering a soft glow.

“This is your suite Countess Celik. Of course, there are four rooms attached as we were expecting your entire family to accompany us. A room for the head of the family and then two for you children.” one of the Lady’s in waiting explained as the other two opened the door and escorted us inside.

“Though, I suppose the main bedchamber belongs to you now, Countess Celik. Count Oxwell can go in here,” they opened a door showing a bedroom with a fireplace already lit and a giant toy box near the bed. I laid the sleepy Oxwell on the giant bed and began to remove his shoes.

“Please. Please send the surgeon to his chamber to check on him. I fear-”

“Countess Celik,” the lady in waiting grabbed Ophelia’s fists, I turned around focusing on Oxwell’s breathing, “I have already sent for him. He knows to just allow himself into the suite for your wellbeing. I am afraid Mr. Boyd was incorrect in assuming the Duke of Warlington was not waiting. He is in the dinning hall with Count Artur and Count Bodo.” She looked sad to share the news.

Ophelia nodded and stood up. Straightening out her skirts.

“Trever, would you please accompany me. I am now charging you as my formal escort. Where I go, you must go as well.” She stood tall and folded her hands in her lap as she walked out. I held her hand. My heart fluttering and wanting nothing more than to scoop her into my arms, carry her to the bed chambers, and never leave until she demanded so.

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“And please, please stay with Oxwell,” I asked the Ladies in waiting. The all nodded. The eldest of them, who was showing us around, led Ophelia and I down towards the dining hall, leaving the other three Ladies in Waiting to cater to and look over Oxwell.

“What do I call you?” Ophelia’s voice was quiet. I could tell she was getting anxious as she continued to pull on her fingers through the gloves. I wrapped my arm through her’s and allowed her to gently tug on my sleeve instead of her fancy gloves.

“My office title is Mistress of the Robes, you may refer to me as Madam Daana.” Madam Daana answered, seemingly unaffected by the lack of knowledge Ophelia had about court etiquette.

Madam Daana is a tall woman with layered red hair tied back into a tight bun. Her thin stature and strong but worried face seemed enlighted by sparkling green eyes. She has a birthmark reaching from the bottom of her cheekbone running towards her right nostril and ending on her left cheekbone. There is something comforting about her presence.

We stopped before the wooden doors. Already I could hear the crude laughter and clashing of cups. Madam Daana stopped before opening the doors and turned towards us.

Her face of worry and deep concern.

“Before you go in. Please, please excuse yourselves and chop it up to being tired. They have been at the drink for many hours now. I am afraid Duke Warlington–”

Ophelia reached up on her toes to place a comforting hand on Madame Daana’s shoulder.

“Please do not worry for my sake. I have grown up with these men and am used to their off putting behavior.” She smiled regally towards the Madam who nodded and bowed out of her way before opening the doors and making the announcement of our arrival.

Ophelia

I require too much from Trever, but there is little I can do about that now. I slowly entered the dining hall. There were long tables seated in front of a godly throne. The floors were sticky and the candles down to their last wick. Cobwebs clung to the tall points of the cobblestone walls. The lights dancing on the walls gave a false sense the air was moving when it fact it was stagnant with the smell of alcohol and body odor. I pushed my cracked glasses further up my nose.

“Countess Ophelia! How wonderful for you to finally arrive! Sorry Count Celik got murdered. That sucks!” Count Artur laughed, holding a drink high into the air. I was immediately reminded of Artur, my father’s nemesis. His soft chocolate hair now thinning at the top of his head, the missing teeth from his loud, pompous mouth. He was the epitome of aging poorly.

Count Bodo stood up quietly and stayed on his feet until I sat down across from them. His thin nose barely keeping his glasses from falling off his face. He was bald too. The few hairs he had remained around the base of his head and were a stark white color.

Duke Warlington said nothing, only sitting in his throne and appearing irritated that I interrupted their good time. The Duke’s fat belly protruding out from underneath the fancy robes.

“Thank you for the warm words.” I couldn’t smile nor show any emotion. The last time I was here, I was but a child. Brushed off with the nannies. And now, here I am. Sitting with them and technically holding the same title as themselves. Though with the disadvantage of being a woman of course.

“And who is your escort there?” Count Bodo asked, his whiny voice bringing memories of pity and dread back from the last time I heard it.

“This is Trever Boyd.”

“Ah! The Boyd character Han has told me so much about!” Duke Warlington smiled coldly and motioned for Trever to take a seat and have a drink. Trever sat next to me. I could feel his hand on my thigh and it brought a sense of comfort when he gently squeezed it.

“I am afraid my grief over the loss of my Father has left Mr. Boyd to behave in my defense causing the impression on the Prince to be… not the most accurate of representations.” I spoke calmly. Trying to take any attention off of Trever and onto me.

“I figured. Women always tend to ruin a good man’s reputation based solely on how they are ‘feeling’”

I smiled at the Duke’s harsh remarks.

“Now that we are all here, let us begin!” Duke Warlington stood up and thus the rest of us stood. He turned and started to walk out of the dining hall. I waited for the other two Counts but they were clearly waiting for me so instead, we all stood around in an awkward stance.

“Get your asses in here before I make all the decisions without you!” It was clear Duke Warlington still did not care for idle manners or etiquette.

Count Artur was the first to fall in line. I looked at Count Bodo and we entered the room at the same time. Unsure of where each of us stood in levels of comfort.

Inside the room there was a grand table with maps and numbers scattered all over it. I circled the table unsure of where I was to be seated but what intrigued me the most was the marks regarding the Celik estate. According to the maps, we were in the center of Deershell Town.

“Sire, I do not wish to act as though I have any idea what this is regarding. As your lordship keeps very good secrets…,” I began, unable to remove my eyes from the maps, “but there seems to be a mistake. Deershell Town is simply a town slightly larger than a village. The map here says my estate is in the center of it, but my estate is on the border of your majesties lands. We do not have a town–only the immediate farm and trade routes my father did tend after for your majesty.”

“A woman with ideas and concern is so adorable. Please, take your seats.” Duke Warlington put a giant hand on my shoulder and pushed me down into the wooden chair and pushed the chair in, locking me in place. My heart rate increased. Why did I have to say anything! Stupid!

“Now you may have all noticed the increased attacks of monsters on your lands…,” Duke Warlington began, “and these attacks are leaving me with less and less subjects. I met with the head of the monsters and we have struck a deal with the devil.”

“How do you mean you met with the head of the monsters? They are not organized?” Count Artur protested, his alcohol intake making him more bold than I remembered.

“They are organized. For how long they have been organized I do not know but I do know that they are indeed organized. They report to the Alpha-a monster who is able to transform into a beast by night and man by day.”

There was a gasp.

Of course, I have heard of the rumors regarding the monsters being shapeshifters, causing it great difficulty to catch and kill them when they are in their weaker forms. But to hear the Duke not only confirm these rumors but to also decree them organized? My head was spinning. I placed my hands on the surface of the table to stabilize myself.

Count Bodo twiddled his thumbs as if this knowledge was not new to him but he was embarrassed to admit that he knew all along what was happening and who the monsters were. Count Artur was simply following the Duke as the Duke paced. Ready to agree to whatever the mad man said or proclaimed.

“It appears the alpha has his eyes set on finding a mate to reproduce with. And since I have no daughters, figured I would turn to my Counts to offer up the woman who will ironically save us all.” Duke Warlington smiled wickedly at me.

“My lord, I have but only seven healthy sons. No daughter to offer,” Count Artur smiled at me.

“My lord Duke Warlington knows my entire family has perished in the wild fires three years ago and I have yet to settle on another wife, I have no children to offer you,” Count Bodo would not meet my eye.

I tried to breathe but once again, the tightness of the corset was leaving me rather breathless. My throat felt tight and my shivers continued down my spine.

“And since Count Celik is dead, the only option seems to be…,” Duke Warlington leaned close to my ear.

I looked up at Trever who was leaning on the back wall. Our eyes met across the room and I am filled with regret for ever leaving his side. My palms begin to sweat again inside the leather gloves. My legs feel as though they are on pins and needs. I tried to close my eyes but I did not wish to become so unraveled in this room with these men. Trever straighted his posture, his hand on the hilt of his sword. My lips begin to quiver.

I can feel Duke Warlington’s hands on the back of my chair. I can feel his breath as he spoke. My world spinning away from me.

“You.”