The Crown

Chapter Eight

I care for you.

Why can't his words leave me be already, Beatrice thought, stirring the food in her plate, they're just meaningless anyways. I don't care about him – I couldn't! I'd get fired, my life ruined, my family brought to shame. He's royalty, and I'm from the lowest class. That should be reason enough.

As Beatrice consumed herself with her thoughts, Christina spotted her. She slowly made her way to the table, sitting down. 

"Hard day?" Christina asked slowly.

Beatrice glanced up and forced a smile. "Just deep in thought."

Christina nodded. "Are you planning anything for tonight?"

She shook her head. "I think I would much rather prefer being alone in my bedroom."

Christina sighed. "Don't get so hung up in there. You should explore the castle - these walls have many things to offer."

Reluctantly, Christina left her best friend alone. She looked back, knowing something had to be wrong for her to behave this way, but deemed that she would prefer to be left alone than talk. 

Knowing there was no future in finishing her food for the night, Beatrice stood and walked over to the bin. She placed the tray on the cart and stopped at the familiarity of the servant beside her - Tori. 

"Hello, Tori," Beatrice greeted. 

Tori grunted beside her, looking up momentarily as she placed the tray on the cart. Beatrice furrowed her brows at the sight of her wearing sunglasses. Sunglasses in the basement? How odd.

"Are you alright?" Beatrice asked, reaching for Tori's shoulder to turn her around.

Tori gasped and grabbed Beatrice's wrist, shocking her. Beatrice gasped, her eyes wide at how violent the situation had gotten so suddenly. Tori's sunglasses fell to the tip of her nose, revealing a large bruise surrounding her eye.

Beatrice felt fear instill in her as she let go of Tori. She followed her persistently down the hall, pausing to notice she had gone into the storage room. 

Too large of a coincidence for Tori to have a black eye after I had thrown a punch at my assailant. Her grab was eerily similar to the same hand from the storage, Beatrice thought to herself as she entered the dark storage room. 

"Why are you following me?" Tori snapped.

"Take off your sunglasses!" Beatrice snapped back.

With a sneaky smile, Tori pulled off her sunglasses, tossing them at Beatrice's feet. "Happy?" when she didn't get an answer, Tori continued, "I never expect you to give me a black eye."

Beatrice stared in anger at her revealed attacker. She wanted to give her another black eye and report her for the attack, but instead, she stood there listening.

"If you're willing to cooperate, I'd like to take you somewhere," Tori said slowly, circling Beatrice.

"You expect me to follow you after you attack me?" Beatrice looked down at her hands and remembered how she had felt when her knuckles collided with a human face. "You forced me to hurt a person. I've never hurt anyone before."

Tori stopped circling as she looked up at the not-so-weak girl in front of her. "Your reflexes are admirable, then."

"What? That's not the-"

"Shut up and follow me," Tori interrupted and motioned her to follow. Reluctantly, Beatrice followed, grabbing a stick on the way for protection.

They walked to the end of the cleaning supplies storage. There, Tori moved a sliding door and stepped inside, disappearing from sight.