Fleor I
Sitting at a table in one of the many halls in the castle, Fleor is sowing into a pink dress she is finishing up for her birthday in a couple of days. Her mother sitting next to her helping guide her to do it correctly.
Looking at her mother, Fleor knows that she is the spitting image of her and hopes that when she is her age she can look like the mother. Her long, shinning brown hair, her perfect white teeth. Her mother is one of the most beautiful women in the Empire and Fleor hopes that one day people will say that about her.
“Are you excited for your party hunny?” Her mother asks.
“Yes Mother” Fleor replies, not taking her eyes off of the work she is doing to her dress.
Fleor enjoys sowing with her mother, when it is just the two of them. However, Fleor knows that she has mastered sowing now and doesn’t need her mother’s advice. Although she asks for it anyway to make her mother feel better.
Her mother is talking but Fleor is too focused on her dress to pay any attention, that is until a hand appears in front of her and pulling the dress down.
“Are you listening to me young lady?”
“Mum careful don’t rip it.” Fleor shouts out.
“Now listen, there is something important we have to talk about it.” Her mother is looking directly into Fleor’s eyes.
Oh no, what have I done wrong now, looking to the floor and rubbing her fingertips together in her lap, My bed is made, my room is clean, I even helped with the cleaners clear away the dinner table last night.
“One of the maids made me aware that the other week was your first bleeding. Why did you not tell me?”
Fleors eyes burst wide open and looked directly at her mother, only for a second before her cheeks start to burn red out of embarrassment. Darted hey eyes straight to the floor and giving a simple shrug of her shoulders as an answer.
“Look at me young lady” Her mother says with a strict tone, one that Fleor knew better than to disobey. When Fleor meets her mother’s gaze, she doesn’t look angry, in fact she doesn’t know what she is looking like.
“It is nothing wrong my princess, you are going to be sixteen soon and this is an important age for you. You are becoming a woman and as a woman you have to take on more responsibilities.”
“I know.” Fleor grumbles, getting tired of always being told that she is becoming a woman.
“Do you know what that means?” Her mother asks.
“Yes.” Fleor grunts.
“And what is that?” She asks.
“I have to get married.” Fleor tells her.
“Not just that my darling.” Her mother says with a slight smile.
“Then what?” Fleor asks, this concept of becoming a women growing more and more confusing.
“Well, look at me with your father, he has many duties to attend to and lots of these I am to be seen with him. It is my job to make sure your father is okay.” Her mother tells her. Except Floer is confused even more by this, So do I just have to work to make other people happy my whole life?
“Listen to me,” Her mother continues, “your father is an important man and one day you will marry an important man. But a man is nothing without a good and loyal wife. And no matter what, I do my best to make sure he is happy and in the best frame of mind for his duties.”
“I think I understand mother.” Fleor says, looking down at her knees yet again “So when I marry, I just have to make sure my husband is happy all of the time?”
A finger hooks onto Fleor’s chin and pulls her face up to look at her mother sighing
“Yes, and no.” Her mother tells her, “You cannot always make your partner happy, and sometimes you will have to be the one to convince them if they are doing something wrong, which can annoy them. But a strong woman is key to any successful man. Without me your father would not be doing such a good job of running the empire.” She lets out with a laugh.
Fleor is still very confused from this whole conversation but laughs along with her mother anyway.
“Now put your back up straight, tuck your knees together and carry on with your sowing. You are a woman now Fleor don’t forget.”
Quickly doing as instructing she replies “Yes mother”
“Hello my girls” Her father’s voice calls out and she turns around from the table and smiles at him as he approaches.
“Hi Daddy!” She shouts. His footsteps come closer to the two sat at the table and Fleor watches her father place his hand onto her mother’s shoulder and lean forward for a kiss.
“Hello darling” Her mother saysto her husband “How is your day going?” Letting out a slight sigh and slumping his shoulder he replies
“Yes, same old same old. How are you two doing anyway? Are you excited for your birthday?” He asks, changing to topic to Fleor.
Opening her mouth but her mother’s voice being heard instead “Yes she is very excited. We have just been talking about her becoming a woman.”
Her father’s hand appears and ruffles her hair with a laugh.
“That’s true you are becoming a woman” He tells her.
Fleor grabs his hand with both of hers and pushing him away just before her father says, “But you will always be my little princess”
He is so embarrassing
Fleor sits back up straight and tells her father.
“Please daddy I need to finish my dress, now leave me in peace please.” Turning her back to her father on her last word and picking up the pink dress, she continues to sow into it.
From behind her father’s voice says “Well don’t let me interrupt. I will see both of you women later.” She hears another kiss, assuming it was her father and mother before the sounds of her father’s footsteps disappear into the distance.
The next night.
The sound of little girl’s laughter fills Fleor’s bedroom, four of her friends have come round to spend the night before her birthday.
The four girls are all sat on the floor, all wearing their sleeping gowns and each holding a separate doll, while Fleor is sat on her bed silently watching.
“Where’s your doll Fleor?” Cassie, Fleor’s best friend asked.
“I am going to be a woman tomorrow,” Fleor tells her defiantly” and women do not play with dolls.”
“Well, what do women do?” Cassie asks.
After this question, all of the other girls go silent and turn towards Floer.
Fleor, being the eldest of the group often takes it upon herself to be the most mature.
“Well, we wear fancy dresses, and go to balls and we help powerful men rule land” she says to her friends. Sat up right and speaking with newfound confidence in her womanhood.
“Ew you will have to get married!!” Another of her friend shouts standing up and jumping on top of Fleor, making her fall onto the bed. Both the girls began to laugh out, Fleor’s matureness disappearing as quickly as it appeared.
Another one of the girls, Janic shouted from the floor “You know, I have kissed a boy” she says with a whisper.
All of the girls instantly go silent, Fleor pushes her friend off and shouts.
“No you have not! Tell me!”
All of the girls gather around Janic and patiently wait to hear.
“Shhh, you can’t tell anybody” She says as the friends all huddled together “Well I was studying last week with Auntie Sheona and when she left for our midday break, Paul came into my room.”
Footsteps are suddenly heard outside the room and the girls stop, remaining perfectly still. Once they started to disappear Janic continued with a whisper.
“He told me he had a present for me, so I followed him to the park and when we went behind the big tree there, he kissed me!” All the girls howled with laughter.
“Did you like it?” Cassie asked her friend.
“Nice enough that I did it again!” She says falling backwards in laughter. “But you must know what it is like Fleor, now that you are a woman?”
Oh my god. Fleor panics, having never kissed a boy before but not wanting to admit it to these.
“Erm yes obviously, I kissed another royal boy not too long ago, but a real woman doesn’t kiss and tell.” She shouts out.
“Oh, tell me about it Floer, was he good?” Cassie asked and Fleor’s stomach dropped, she knew she wasn’t a good liar and was worried they would easily pick up on it.
Deciding that she couldn’t lie about it, Fleor stands up an says out loud.
“A lady doesn’t kiss and tell. Anyway, I am going to the bathroom so you little girls can gossip amongst yourselves.” And she quickly steps out of the room.
Please Allfather, let them get distracted by something else! She pleads.
Standing with her back to the bedroom Fleor looks up and sees a man walking down the corridor, a familiar, friendly face
“Uncle Marley!” She shouts, running up to him and throwing her arms around his shoulders. “Wow you stink!” She makes fun.
“Well don’t you know how to make a man feel special” Marley laughs before letting go of the hug.
“Daddy said you have been on a trip, where did you go?” She asks, looking up at his face. He must have travelled a lot because his hair was messier than normal and he smelt like he hasn’t bathed in days.
“Oh well I have been all over, a nice little well needed holiday” He says with a laugh.
Fleor loves her Uncle Marley as he was one of the friendliest adults she knows.
“Did you get me anything?” She asks, giving him her best sad eyes that usually work on her Uncle.
“I am sorry my dear I haven’t. I must get going to see your father, but I will see you at your birthday tomorrow.” He tells her.
Fleor is a little gutted that Marley hasn’t got a present for her, but a smile quickly took over her face as she gave another hug to her smelly uncle.
After he had leaves, Fleor returns to her bedroom and all the girls are now talking about who’s doll was best dress. Giving out a sigh of relief Fleor returns to her bed and joins in with her friends.
“Happy birthday” is screamed loud enough to be heard across the entire continent and Fleor steps out into the courtyard. Recognising a few faces that are friends of her fathers and lots of the helpers from the castle.
Walking through the crowd, loud noises take over Fleor “I cant believe you are so old” to “What a pretty one you are.” Must have been said a thousand times.
Cassie comes running up to Fleor and gives her a tight hug
“Wow Fleor that dress is amazing!” She says.
“Thank you Cassie, I made it myself you know.” Fleor replies.
Finally letting her go, Cassie says
“That is so cool. You look fantastic.”
Fleor thanks her for the compliment before seeing her mother stood by a table talking to some foreign lady that Floer doesn’t know.
Running over to her mother to say hi and find out who this strange looking lady is.
“Fleor this is Alyasa, say hello dear.” Fleor remembers what her mother said to her earlier about being a woman now does a small curtsey
“Hello my lady.” She says.
The woman’s skin is darker than any she had seen before, smoother than any as well. Although Fleor has no idea where this exotic woman has come from she remains quiet.
“Hello dear, it is lovely to meet you” The woman says, her voice soft and angelic.
“Lovely to meet you ma’am, I hope you are enjoying my party.” Fleor says in her most soft tone to almost imitate the lady
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“Why aren’t you polite?” Alyasa says, “ Yes I am enjoying it thoroughly. I am sure you will too young lady.”
Fleor watches as the strange woman extends her hand and offers her a glass of wine. Never being allowed to have wine before, Floer looks to her mother for approval.
Her mother stares at her few a few seconds, not giving any indication of an answer before finally nodding yes with a straight face.
Grabbing the glass from the dark skinned lady she takes her first sip. The taste of steel and wood fills her mouth and she almost spits it back into the glass, but knowing better than to do such a thing in public.
“Thank you ma’am” She says before handing it back. “You’re most welcome young lady.”
Fleor feels a hand grab hers and she is pulled away, looking up she can see it is her mother taking her into the crowd of people
“Who was that dark woman mother” Fleor asks loudly.
Her mother stops dead in her tracks and turns to her daughter, crouching down to get eye level she says in a strict and angry tone “Don’t you ever say that again. That is rude and if you do it again I will smack you, even at your own birthday party.”
What did I say? Fleor thinks to herself in confusion.
“Do you understand me young lady? A mature person doesn’t say such nasty things.” Her mother scolds her.
Fleor, still trying to figure out what she has done wrong simply nods at her mother, not wanting to anger her anymore.
They carry on walking through the crowd until they get to the buffet table at the centre of the courtyard. The sun beaming down, even though it’s nearly winter it seems the gods have blessed Fleor with good weather.
Filled with all kinds of food, one bowl full of the greenest apples Fleor has ever seen, another with a mixture of oranges and bananas, the colours almost blinding. Then in the centre of the table is fully cooked pig, its skin glowing brown with steam pouring out of it. Fleor’s mouth waters just looking at it.
The young girl does to grab some of the delicious food with her hands before her mother yanks her back and gives her a disapproving look.
Right, Fleor thinks, I am a woman now.
Straightening up her back, she ever so slowly walks towards to table but before reaching the plates a man, who looks to be a few years older than her, hands one to her.
“Here you go, Princess Fleor.” He says with a smile.
Fleor’s face burns bright red and she can’t stop herself letting out a little giggle “May I say you look beautiful today my lady.” This handsome man says, moving ever so slightly closer. His sent reaching to Fleor, the sent of a full grown man.
This stranger pulls his hand up and brushes his brown hair back, flowing back as though it had wind blowing through it the whole time.
This strange man sending waves of confusion through Fleor. His plump yet inviting lips hypnotising Fleor like the spell of a power witch. Feeling his lips press against her cheek, Fleor can feel her legs physichally shaking beneath her.
“Oh erm, thank you sir” She whispers whilst letting out a small giggle.
“Please, call me Keith” He replies.
Floer can’t take her eyes off of the man, Maybe these feelings is what mother meant by being a woman? She thinks.
“I hope to see you again soon my princess.” Keith says with a charming smile. Then, as quickly as he had appeared, he was gone, disappearing into the crowd leaving Fleor standing there holding the copper plate that he handed to her.
The young girl spends a few moments trying to find where he has gone, she frowns at missing the chance to speak to this Keith
Taking the plate, she looks around the table. Any normal day Fleor would take a piece of everything, however, trying to seem like the mature and womanly person that her mother wants to be she only takes a few pieces of fruit, as to not be seen stuffing her face.
More people that Fleor doesn’t recognise wish her happy birthday and greet her which she politely replies to whilst nibbling at the bits of fruit.
Looking around, Fleor can’t see her father and realises that he hasn’t wished her happy birthday yet.
Pushing her way around the crowd of people she finds her mother and touches her arm.
“Mother, where is father?” she asks in a polite lady like manor.
“Hmm you know that is a good point, come with me and we will go find him.” Her mother replies.
Taking her mother’s hand, they walk towards his meeting room, Fleor knows that when her father is not with either of them he is usual having some sort of meeting.
As they walk out of the courtyard, they turn the corner in a corridor and her father appears. Smiling at him, he says.
“Hello, my darlings”. Her father gives his her mother a kiss on the lips before he wraps his arms around Fleor’s body.
“Father where have you been?” She asks.
Stopping the hug, her father stares at her with a straight face.
“Father?” He laughs “No daddy?”
Re-adjusting her stance, Fleor replies “No father, I am a woman now and I will not be carrying on in my childish manors anymore.”
Her father looks at his wife before they both give out a little chuckle.
“How are you my King, where have you been in all seriousness?” Sandra asks her husband.
“In another meeting with Marley” He replies.
“How is he doing? He looked a mess when I saw him last night.” Fleor’s mother asked.
Fleor remains silent for the conversation, realising this was sounding serious, she thought better than to join in.
“He found the only survivor of the Wigston Massacre, Lucas’s cousin Cian.” Her father said.
“That’s good news right?” Her mother asked.
“Unfortunately not, he is still recovering now from his wounds and he cannot remember anything from the attack. So I have sent him to Warringston to meet with Mattheon to follow up another lead.” Her father said.
“Oh, so he is off again already? Does he know the killer will be there?” Fleor’s mother asks.
The conversation now boring Fleor and wanting to return to her party, or more importantly, return to find that Keith man she met earlier.
His smell, hair and lips burning into her brain, she has never taken much interest in boys in the past, This must be the new found womanhood that mother told me. She thinks.
Her mother and fathers’ conversation had continued whilst she was in her own daydreams.
“And have you gotten any news off of Tatton yet?” She hears her mother ask.
“Mother, father. Can I return to the party?” Fleor asks impatiently
Her mother looking confused turned to her daughter and tells her “Yes dear you go enjoy yourself”
A grin goes from ear to ear on Fleor’s face as she returns to the party, music is playing loudly and it looks as though everyone is enjoying themselves. Then, as if out of nowhere she spots Keith again, he is talking to a few other men.
Fleor, decides to take a stance of confidence, stands up straight and walks right over to the group of men.
“Hi again” she says addressing only the handsome man and not the others.
“Hello again princess, how’re you enjoying the party?” he asks taking a swig of his wine.
Looking at the glass, Fleor takes this opportunity to prove herself to this man as a mature older woman. She wraps her hand around his glass and bring the edge to her lips. Gulping down a mouthful of the wine, the taste not getting any better than her last one and forcing a harsh cough out of her.
After her cough the other men begin to laugh.
“Be quiet!” Keith shouts at his friends, “leave her alone.”
A huge smile takes over Fleors face and she goes to hand the glass back but is stopped by his the touch of his hand.
“No, you keep that one princess, I will get another.” He tells her.
As Keith walks away, Fleor can feel the eyes of the other men stuck to her, all staring in silence. Looking around, she clutches the glass of wine as she impatiently waits for Keith to return.
Letting out an awkward grin at the strangers, not used to being stared at so obviously.
Then suddenly, she hears Keiths voice in her ear.
“Why don’t we go somewhere a little more quiet Princess? so we can actually have a conversation?”
Fleor, ecstatic with the idea, turns and nods in agreement.
His fingers intertwine with her as her heart feels as though it’s skipped a beat. Her breathing is heavy as she follows him through the crowd of people and away from the party.
Finally stopping, Keith leans back against a wall in the corridor, with a smile he says.
“That is a beautiful dress my lady.”
Fleor’s face beet red, takes another gulp of wine from the glass and meekly replies
“Thank you, I like your outfit.” before hiding behind another sip of wine.
“Why thank you my lady, I apologise on behalf of my friends laughing earlier. They are fools. I am surprise though, not many girls like wine at your age.” He tells her.
Fleor stops drinking, her face completely still as she defiantly tells him.
“I am not a girl, I am a woman.” Then raises the glass to her mouth and starts drinking more wine to prove it.
“Woah woah, I think you should slow it down princess” Keith says while trying to take the glass away from her mouth.
Yet again, his fingers are touching hers and Fleor feels like her body is going to explode, her head light and her skin feels almost like it is tingling.
As he lowers the glass down Fleor pushes it to the side and in one quick motion moves forward and plants her lips onto Keith’s.
The kiss feeling like eternity, her eyes slightly closed as she felt her puckered lips touching this handsome man’s. His soft lips pressing back against her and filling Fleor with joy. Finally having kissed a man, and not just any man, a handsome man.
Eventually she moves slightly back and opens her eyes. Staring into his deep brown eyes, Keith is smiling back at her.
When Keith didn’t speak, Fleor begins to feel self-conscious and panics that he didn’t like it.
“I am sorry sir, I didn’t mean to offend you. I shouldn’t have done that” She whispered, her mind running with thoughts on what Keith might say to her.
Finally, she feels his familiar warmth of his hand landing on her right cheek.
“Please don’t apologise my princess.” She looks up to see his gaze, then, he is the one to lean in this time and the two share a second kiss.
This time Fleor can feel his soft lips moving against her more, breaking and then kissing her again.
She has no idea how long this kiss is lasting for, in her own world it feels like it could be forever. However, she is quickly dragged back into reality at the sound of her mother and father’s voice coming from around the corner of the corridor.
She begins to panic that she is about to be caught kissing a stranger, she turns her head and sees a door. Grabbing onto Keith’s hand, she drags him to the door, opens it and the two go inside and shut the door quietly behind them.
Both of them try to control their laughter, Fleor’s cheek begin to grow sore from smiling.
I can’t believe I just kissed this wonderful man, this is the best birthday ever! She thinks, not letting go of his hand.
Looking around, Fleor realises they are in one of the maids rooms, very simple dresser, bed and a few chairs.
After waiting a few moments to make sure they couldn’t hear any more voices Fleor says.
“Okay I think we should be safe to go”
Before she has a chance to leave, Keith’s hand tightens around hers. Feeling him pull her back to him, before she knew it his lips are once again against hers.
Closing her eyes, Fleor can feel this amazing man’s tongue slowly work its way inside of her mouth. Another few seconds go by and Fleor finally breaks the kiss, knowing they need to get back.
“Come on, before we get caught.” She says to him.
“Just one more kiss my princess, I do not want this moment to end yet.” Keith says in a soft and seductive tone, slightly pulling Fleor back again.
Although she wants nothing more than to stay with him, she replies.
“I would love to Keith, but we should probably get back to the party.”
She laughs and again turns to the door.
Again, his hand tightens onto hers.
“Come on you can’t just give me a kiss like that and then leave,” Keith whispers, “why don’t we just stay in here a little longer.” His tone turning from seductive to what Fleor thought sounded almost as begging.
However, not wanting to risk even further of getting caught, Fleor defiantly said “No Keith, come on let’s go.”
She turns again and attempts to walk towards the door, instead, Fleor stumbles to Keith and lands onto his chest. His grip now strong and pulling her towards him.
“Come on princess, just give me another kiss. You know how much you enjoyed it.” His tone not begging, or seductive. Fleor feels as though it sounds like a demanding order.
He suddenly grabs onto her face and pulls her towards his, feeling her lips touching his but his hand was hurting her, his fingers digging into her cheeks.
This is definitely not as enjoyable as last time and feeling very different she goes to pull her head away but his hand firmly holds her still.
Moving her head to the side to be able to open her mouth she says.
“Keith, let go of me, this isn’t funny.” But his grip on her face gets stronger “Keith, you’re hurting me!” To which he doesn’t reply or stop.
What is he doing, I told him to stop. Why isn’t he stopping?
Keith lets go of her face but Fleor can still feel his tight hold onto her hand though.
“You’re so beautiful princess.” He says in a sinister manor.
Finally, Keith lets go of Fleor’s hand and she thinks this is all over. Until he grabs onto her waist and brings her body closer to his “So beautiful and sexy” he says again. Staring at her.
Looking into his eyes, he is staring at her body rather than her face and he has some sinister smile.
She attempts to grab his hands to push him off but his strength is greater than the girls. She feels a small push from him and her heart sinks as she falls backwards. Then to realise she has landed on the small, uncomfortable bed.
“Keith, please, let me go now. I don’t want to be in here anymore.” Fleor says as she feels tears begin to form in her eyes.
Looking at this man who she thought was one of the loveliest people she has met, but now, he seems deranged.
“Stop crying, you know you want this too” He says, his voice very stern. Fleor’s eyes shoot wide open as she watches the man untie his belt, suddenly realising his intentions.
“Keith stop doing that. I am a princess!” She shouts at him, hoping he will stop at the realisation.
Except, Keith doesn’t react in anyway. Fleor hopes that he simply didn’t hear her so she repeates herself “Keith I am your princess, and I will not be doing this with you, or anyone out of wedlock!”
Fleor feels Keith’s hand press harshly against her head pushes backwards onto the bed until she is lay flat on her back. Two strong, hard grips are on her ankles causing her to let out a squeal in pain.
“Keith get off me now!” She shouts as the man continues to force himself onto her with no response.
Keith continues to grab onto her ankles, lifting her legs and her pink dress falling down to her waist. Tears are streaming down Fleor’s face as Keith slowly moves downwards towards her.
Making eye contact for the first time since this all started, Floer hopes that if he can see how upset she is then maybe he would stop. Looking into his brown eyes, no longer the loving eyes she once saw, but hungry eyes, met with a grin coming from the right of his mouth.
Fleor has been taught about sex by her handmaids, but she has never seen anyone else’s naked body before, her mother told her that she wouldn’t until she was married. But now, she can feel Keith’s penis prodding at her.
Her eyes open wide in shock, knowing this needs to stop before it goes too far she screams in anger
“HELP ME! KEITH GET OFF ME NOW!”
The air is suddenly dragged out of Fleor’s lungs as she feels a harsh dig from Keith’s right hand crashing into her rib cage, forcing her to gasp for air. Struggling to breath, Fleor manages to raise a hand to Keiths face, her eyes begging him to stop.
In a fit of panic, Fleor digs her nails into Keiths right side of his face and scrapes them down causing blood to form around him, leaving at least 3 straight lines of cut flesh.
“Ah FUCK!” Keith shouts and grabs his face. Getting some air back and seeing this as her chance to escape, Floer manages to shout “PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME!” but she is met with 3 more punches into her ribs. The pain forcing her to flop straight on the bed, unable to make a sound other than gasps for breath.
Too weak to even speak, Fleor feels some pain coming from between her legs, Keiths body moves forward and she feels him resting on top of her.
“There you go you fucking whore. You throw yourself at me and then try to run off like a tease. I am going to show you what a whore like you wants.” Keith says, looking into her eyes.
Feeling the man on top of her thrusting forwards, Fleor feels as though something inside of her is being ripped, desperate to cry and scream but fearful of being hit again she lays perfectly still. Watching the man she thought was a nice, handsome person, ravage her with an animalistic look.
Lying on the bed, Fleor faces the ceiling and her body aches. With no more tears left to cry she lies in silence.
“Thanks for that princess, I needed it.” Keith’s voice says coming from the other side of the room.
Fleor has no idea how long they have been in this room but she is thankful that it’s over. Not moving her head, she hears him say.
“And if I were you, I wouldn’t go around telling anyone about this. You don’t want the entire Empire to know that you are a used woman, no man would want you again if they knew that you give it up so easy. You would be cast out like a whore.”
Not wanting to see his face, Fleor grumbles “Whatever”. She hears him reply but doesn’t care enough to listen. Then the door opens and closes and Fleor assumes that he has left.
Fleor stares at the ceiling, knowing the she needs to get up and return to the party and hoping nobody has realised how long she has been gone.
Standing in front of a mirror in her bathroom, Fleor stares at herself. Tears in her eyes and her face a deathly pale.
Pulling up her night gown, Fleor exposes the black and blue bruised skin all around her ribs. The lasting reminder of her night before with Keith.
You stupid whore. She thinks to herself while tracing her fingers over the bruises. Why did you do that? Teasing a stranger and running into an empty room with him. A bedroom no less. You are so stupid.
Tears began to fall down the young girls face, blaming herself for the attack and knowing that if anyone finds out then even her own family will turn against her.
“Fleor, come to your father’s and my room at once!” Her mother’s voice came from outside.
Oh no, please. I wish to any god that can hear me, please don’t let them know! Fleor prays.
She pulls down her gown to hide the bruising and quickly wiping away the tears. As Fleor open the door she realises that he hands are uncontrollably shaking. Thinking that this could be it, her parents may know and this can be the end of the life that she had such high hopes for.
Taking a deep breath, Fleor attempts to control her shaking and heads to her parents room.
Fighting back the tears, she walks in and sees her mother and father sitting on their bed with a gap in the middle.
“Yes Mother, Father, how can I help?” Fleor asks with a lump in her throat.
“Come sit down.” Her mother says to her, both staring at their daughter as she trembles towards them. Sitting in the middle and looking at the ground, Fleor can’t bear to make eye contact with either parent.
“You know that foreign lady that you met yesterday?” Her mother asks.
Fleor’s head begins to spin.
Did she see me go into the room with Keith? Did she see Keith leave? Did she see me leave?
Fleor nods at the floor, waiting for whatever it is she is about to be told.
“Well, her son is the High Lord of all of Denil.” Her mother pauses before her father interrupts
“Now that you are of age, we have agreed that you are to marry her son, you are going to be the High Lady of Denil my darling.”
Fleor looks up at her father, confused “What?”