The mansion of the Norman’s was as big as the one Lord Alexander owned but this one had tall walls around it which made it look more like a fort. There were guards at every interval as they walked in and it didn’t take her much time to understand that a person would only have this amount of security only when he was hiding something precious or if he wasn’t capable of holding his own sword.
The walls were grey and white, marble made statues were placed in the garden and when she entered inside the mansion she felt like she had stepped into a huge castle. Stairs on either side of the main hall that went to the next storey, leading to many doors. A huge chandelier hung up the ceiling, sparkling with light.
Malphus had asked her to escape but she couldn’t with so many guardsmen and the man named Leroy was a man with a huge muscular build. If she had to escape she would have to wait for the right time. Three weeks had passed and there were two more weeks before the period of the trial would end.
“Katherine,” she heard her name as Silas walked through the entrance with a delighted smile, “You can leave Leroy. I believe I haven’t been a good host to you and decided to move you to a comfortable space. Follow me,” he said and Katie followed him gingerly.
When they came to stand in front of a particular door, she saw a red-headed maid quickly make her way to open the door for them.
“This will be your room and this one will be assisting you around the mansion,” he said pointing towards the maid who had her head bow downed, “I hope you like the room not that it matters as soon you will be sharing my bed. If it’s not to your liking I can get it changed,” he said but not a single word passed through her lips.
Seeing her hesitance, Silas waved his hand for the maid to leave them alone and when they were the only ones in the room with the maid closing the doors behind her, she felt herself take a step back when the man took one step forward.
“Do you know how long I have been waiting to have you here in the mansion. So many sleepless nights trying to find you but here you are now. I will give you everything you ask for and keep you happy here,” he said closing the distance between them and snaking his hand around her waist ready to kiss but Katherine pushed before her hand raised up instinctively leaving her hand print on the man’s face.
He twisted her arm painfully. He then caught hold of her face in a tight grip, pressing his fingers over her cheek making her groan in pain.
“Ah! Don’t touch me!”
“I knew you were a feisty one and would need a little training but don’t worry once I’m off work I will turn your disobedience to obedience. Soon I’ll have you under me,” he warned her with a smug smile, “Be a good girl and follow the rules and that way you will have nothing to worry about. Don’t forget you have no where to run, Katherine.”
With that he turned around and left on his heel.
When Silas left the room , Katie felt her legs give away and she fell on the floor. Closing her eyes she took deep breaths to calm herself down. She had to bring strong. Strong for the people she lost and for herself.
Last night Malphus had advised her to use her womanly charms but feeling an other man’s hand which wasn’t Alexander made her body shiver in a bad way.
She hadn’t heard the maid renter the room and when she did, the maid informed her that she would be having dinner with the Norman’s at the dinning table. Right now what she needed the most was space for herself.
“I don’t feel well today. Would it be possible to have my dinner up here?” she asked the maid.
“I’m sorry, milady but Lord Norman gave me strict orders to get you down for dinner today. If you don’t I will be get in to trouble,” she said already sweating with the thought of it. The maid looked anxious, waiting for her response in dread.
“Alright,” Katie replied seeing the stress building up on the maid’s face, “What’s your name?” she asked the young woman.
“It is Judith, milday,” the maid answered and seeing her press her lips over something Katie asked, “You don’t have to fear me, Judith. Speak freely,” she tried befriending the maid which made the woman slightly relax and smile.
As asked, Katie then went to have dinner with Lord Norman and Lord Silas. Apparently, Lord Silas’ mother was away and would arrive the next day therefore they were the only ones at the long table.Having dinner like this after a long time reminded her of the time in Valeria. Sylvia, Elliot would always have something during dinner while Lord Alexander would ignore them like children. She even missed the butler now.
Sleep was far away as the thoughts of Malphus and Ralph’s death kept haunting her mind. The scene playing in front of her closed eyes repeatedly.
The next day she had done nothing but lock herself up in the room. During evening, when Judith was helping her with the strings at the back of her dress, the maid questioned,
“May I ask you something, milady?”
“Yes,” Katie wondered what she wanted to ask as she held one side of the bed post.
“Um, excuse me for my intrusive question but why would a lady as yourself reject a high class man like Lord Silas while most of the women in Mythweald are trying to win his affection.”
“He isn’t quite my type,” she replied, keeping the conversation at it’s minimum. One wouldn’t know if the maid who was serving her was sent by Lord Silas to only eavesdrop on what she thought.
“I see. But he is no less than a prince charming,” the maid said tying up the strings firmly, “It’s all done.”
“Thank you, Judith.”
She was never waiting for a prince charming. She was waiting for her king.
Before the time of dinner, Katie was informed that Lord Norman’s wife was going to join them for dinner. When asked about the woman, the maid had asked her to be careful and to be on her best behavior as the Lady of the empire wasn’t forgiving and was rather frightening.
Katie stepped inside the dinning room when the man waiting at the door opened it for her, she saw that Lord Norman, Silas and the lady had already taken their seats at the table. The woman was sitting with her back faced to her and therefore she saw only the blonde hair cascading down her back as she walked towards the table. Seeing that the butler had already pulled out a chair for her in front of the lady, she went and sat down before the seat was pushed in.
When she looked up to see the Lady of the south she felt the air being sucked out of her lungs. She could hardly believe her eyes and beating of her heart only increased. It must a coincidence she told herself, trying to stay calm. The woman had the bluest eyes she had come across and when the lady smiled she felt the color of her face drain.
She was the doll that she had found in Mr. Weaver’s house.