Return of Rumplestiltskin | COMPLETED | Book 1

35) Inside

UNEDITED

At first, I wondered why my mother did not comment on the ring that was sitting on my finger when she should have recognised it. I came to realise later that none of my family members -- or no one really -- cannot see this strange ring that sometimes shone dimly like a flickering light. Family dinners no longer included my father. He was mostly out of the palace and went either in the Senate Headquarters or the Feidroff Mansion.

"I wish your father would lessen the burden in his shoulders," Mother once said when we were having dinner. "He wouldn't even tell me what was happening. He is bottling everything inside and it's not good for his health."

"He doesn't want you to worry." I told her.

"But what he's doing now is worrying me." She sighed.

Madeleine was still glued on my side, now more than ever as Father became paranoid. Without him in the Palace, he assigned personal guards to each one of us but since I was of particular interest to Ryszard, my protection is much severe. All of us can't help but feel a sense of foreboding, as if something is approaching that will ultimately change everything in our lives.

I was reading a book in my bed chamber when the door opened. I was expecting Madeleine, per usual, but I was surprised when a different maid entered. I've seen her before once or maybe twice and couldn't remember her name but I remembered her to be a lively girl. But now, she looked meek and she was wearing a grim expression as if something bad happened.

"What is it?" I asked as I eyed the parcel she was holding.

"Your Highness, the King sent me to fetch you." She drew closer to my bed where I was sitting and placed the parcel on my bed. I leaned forward, trying to get a better look as she proceeded to open it.

"What is that for? Why does Father want me?" I couldn't help but feel nervous as I watched her carefully unwrap the thing apprehensively.

When the parcel was fully opened, she held out a mourning dress as black as the night.

"Your Highness, tonight, you are to attend the funeral of Lord Markus, one of the Senate Heads."

***

Lord Markus was killed, just like the other two. His body was found in his library where he was stabbed at the back of his neck. I soured my face when I listened to the grotesque description of his murder from Charles.

I was wearing the mourning dress that Mother sent to me and waited for the carriage along with Charles and Leonard. I kept biting my lip as I felt my heart thud against my chest. The few weeks that passed since Lord Carolus and Lady Barbara died was spent in dysphoria. Everyday felt like something is about to happen and sleepless nights consumed our energy.

And now, this happened.

"It is wise not to approach the King as of now." Charles warned. "He is prone to losing his temper. He won't be attending the funeral today as well as the other heads."

"Why?"

"The spy is still not caught, Erinne. He managed to slip past the guards and kill three of the Senate Heads. We don't know where the spy will strike next." He explained. "His Majesty is investigating everything, along with the remaining Senate Heads. The spy should be seized as soon as possible. In the meantime, it is decided that the Heads will stay in the Palace for better protection. We can assume that the spy's target is one of them."

I sighed. "And Madeleine?" I somehow felt afraid she would be the next target. I spent my time with her and couldn't help but grow fond of her. She was always stern and I couldn't help but feel that she's my older sister.