13

There’s A Monster Under The Palace

I left my chambers to find a few more guards than usual in the halls. Specifically, ones leading to my room. Once again, I dare not bother them. The temptation was there, though today there were a few things I needed to do. I went straight to Elyon’s chamber where I found her bathing. I always found it odd that she and the rest of the elven servants had to bathe from a small pot while I bathed from a wooden tub. I made a mental note about that.

“You’re well?” She asked as I came to stand next to her.

“I’m not… while I feel I’ll never be the same, there’s something I must do. Can you prepare six times the amount of breakfast, please?”

“As you wish, Your Highness,” She said while continuing to bathe.

“Thank you. Where might I find Apple?” I asked.

“He’s resting in a spare room. Soon he’ll be sleeping in your chambers once he has learned what’s expected of him as a Valet. Among many things, he’ll prevent you from running the halls in nothing but your nightgown.”

I looked down upon myself to see this to be true. I gave a sigh, as she escorted me back to my room and dressed me properly. She seemed to purposely ignore Alais. I made a mental note to ask them about their relationship. Giving my thanks to Elyon with a hug, I rushed from my room, and into that of sister Violet’s. She was not there, though I did take a moment to breathe in the perfume before exiting. It was lavender and I couldn’t seem to get enough of it. Turning around, I pressed into the lap of my sister’s chambermaid.

“Good morning, Your Highness.” She said cheerfully. “Do you seek Lady Violet?”

She was elven but unlike Elyon, her skin was much lighter, and had a motherly smile.

“I am, I mean… I do. Could you tell me where I might find her, please?”

“You humble me with your politeness.”

“Thanks to Elyon and sister Violet,” I said with a small blush.

“I would agree with the first perhaps.”

My eyes frowned with confusion.

“The first?”

“Well, Elyon has always been such an intelligent woman, you’re so lucky to have her.”

“I fear anyone less and I would be as intelligent as a potato,” I chuckled.

“An adorable potato I’m sure. She’s down in the dungeon. Please, allow me to guide you to your sister.”

She held out her hand though I was hesitant. My face flushed and her smile made me uneasy. The elven servants were beautiful but I found myself bewitched by this one. My better judgment stayed my hand.

“Please, don’t trouble yourself. I’m sure I’ll find my way.”

I stepped past her, walking swiftly down the corridor. I took a deep breath of fresh air feeling much better. Picture sitting in a nice hot bath with lavender in the air… or whatever you fancy. Maybe some music in the background and add your lover to top it off. Now wrap it up in a locked cage and your would-be lover pulls off a mask to reveal someone else. That’s how I felt while in that room. Perhaps it had something to do with my sister’s threat of locking me in there. Either way, if ever I have to visit such a place again, Elyon must be at my side. Now, where was I?… Ah, the dungeon under the palace. Normally I’m told never to go there but given the circumstances, I must speak with my sister. While I could have easily asked one of the two guards to go and fetch my sister, I wanted to see what monsters lurked under my bed, so to speak.

“Take me with you, please,” I asked the guard. Thanks to their strict uniform of white armor plating with red leather lining the cracks, knights all looked the same so forgive me for not describing them.

“That,” The knight before me began. “Doesn’t seem like a good idea, young lord.”

Young? I’m nine, plenty mature to see what’s down there. Dear goddess, I’m starting to sound like my sister Mary, I thought.

“May I ask you your name?” I asked.

“Hudson Bark, Your Majesty.”

“Mr. Bark, I would assume you have a son?”

“I… do?”

“And is it common for sons to be curious about new places? Specifically, places that might be a bit more dangerous than some?”

“That is quite common, yes. However, fathers are there to keep them safe so their curiosity doesn’t get the best of them,” He explained.

“I see… surely it must be great to have a father, Mr. Bark. I sadly don’t have one.”

And just like that, I got to go in. It was both dark and it smelled horrible. Not as bad as Alais however.

“I only ask that you stay away from the bars, young sir,” said Mr. Bark.

“I swear, no matter the temptation. However, there is a cat in that cell, Mr. Bark. Here kitty, are you a cat burglar?” I chuckled.

From the ball of fluff, I could make out a fuzzy head turning and looking in my direction.

“I suppose I am. I broke in and fucked your mummy.”

While daunting, its voice was soft.

“That’s… probably not true. But what is true, I feel you and Alais The Merciless would be great friends.”

An odd silence fell over us as we stared at each other.

“… She was my friend,” Said the Cat Burglar.

“She was?” I asked, my eyes becoming wide.

“She died in battle hundreds of years ago.”

“Impossible, was she not once called Alais The Unbeatable?” Its sharp eyes focused on me as it sat up, saying nothing. “I must go now, it was nice to meet you, cat burglar.”

I turned, walking away with Mr. Bark. The further into the dungeon we went, the louder the screams of pain could be heard. Coming around the corner, I could see a chamber filled with instruments of torture. And I could see my sister on top of the snow owl, thrusting her lap into hers in the most violent of ways. I had an idea of what was happening before my eyes, given my studies of the human body. But what I saw before me was another reason to question my sister’s sanity. However, the question in my mind was either to stop such action or leave before either of us was noticed. I might be scolded but Mr. Bark could end up in a cage if my sister found out I was down there. A thought that hadn’t crossed my mind before.

“I’m leaving,” I said. “When I’m gone, inform Violet of my need to speak with her. I don’t want you getting in trouble.”

I turned away only to find my sister’s chambermaid giving me a warm smile.

“Lady Violet,” She spoke out in her motherly tone. “Your brother wishes to speak with you.”

She spoke out quickly making our presence known. My eyes searched her warm gaze and I felt sick to my stomach before finally vomiting on the stone floor.