28
"You vile, disgusting-" Queen Rosemary cried out, clutching her son's arm for support as her knees weakened.
"Mother," Damian held on firmly, not letting her fall to the floor.
"My children, all my beautiful children," She sobbed uncontrollably.
"I have heard rumours about Ferdinand creating unrest where he was sent to spread peace. Your son will be caught and brought back here to be charged for treason. I cannot doubt his involvement in this," Damian uttered deceptively calmly.
"He is not stupid like you, Prince. He has his arms around your neck and you don't even know it. Watch out, Damian, you never know when he may strike next," Damian's Uncle raised a grey eyebrow, challengingly.
"My son is worth a hundred times more than your son," The Queen burst out furiously, proudly. Tears marked the sides of her cheeks but her stance now was anything but pitiful.
"The Crown Prince is just a spoilt brat who couldn't even do his mother's bidding. He never took any of his Royal duties seriously. Where is the girl you chose for him, Rosemary? He could have had the security of a wife and an heir and yet he chose what I wanted for him," The older man bared his teeth in an exercise that could not be categorized as a smile.
"You! You were the one who told me about my mother's plans. You did not wish me to marry?" Damian's eyes went round with surprise at the depth and complexity of the treachery.
"Of course, I couldn't have allowed any of your spawn to come to this planet. How many royal brats must I kill off to have access to the throne?"
"Uncle-" Damian shoved the man against the wall in a burst of fury. The small table containing tea over turned on his feet spilling the warm drink but he did not care except about the pulsing neck that was thrumming wildly underneath his hands.
"Let him go, Damian, he is not worth it," The Queen ordered, coldly, "Guards arrest this man and take him to Royal dungeons."
"Mother," The Prince whispered as his trembling hands left their target.
_____________________________
Delilah broke her fast the next day with only a dry biscuit. The idea of consuming any more made her sick to the stomach. She had barely slept the night before worrying about the turmoil in the Royal family. While any decent citizen would find themselves concerned about the future of their Kingdom her anxiety was due to her empathy for the people involved in the aftereffects of treason. She could only imagine how devastating the blow would be for Queen Rosemary and the Prince had already shown how much he cared for his father. Delilah continued to ponder on the ramifications of her find when Cecilia pranced into the room with a large smile on her narrow pale face.
"Aren't you getting ready for the Hiking trip?" Cecilia asked cheerfully, showing off her new riding clothes and leather boots.
"Hiking? How can anyone possibly think this is the right time for hiking," Delilah grumbled wearily and her cousin's green eyes narrowed.
"Why not? The troublesome rain has stopped and even though the sky remains grey the sun has taken to shining through gaps every now and then. I can't see why we couldn't take the planned stroll."
"Please ignore me and my grumpiness. I think I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today," Delilah grabbed her head and pressed it hoping the forming headache would whittle away. She was no actress but she had to try and keep the truth contained as long as possible.
"Is there something wrong? You barely touched your food and I know you haven't slept properly," Cecilia held her arm desperately.
"It's nothing. I just feel a little under the weather," Delilah hoped her cousin would not probe any further.
"Then I shall cancel our plans and prepare for a lie in," Cecilia nodded decisively.
"No, no, you mustn't. I know how excited you are to wear your new outfit. I am well enough to travel and I cannot say I am not curious about what lies in the valley down south."
"If you are certain," Cecilia asked, slowly but the light in her eyes was starting to increase, "We must gather at the courtyard at around nine so I think it would be prudent if you started getting ready."
Delilah quickly changed into her more durable clothes that made Cecilia complain about the complete lack of form or taste but Delilah couldn't have cared less. The whole hiking experience was meant to be a physical exercise in a setting pleasing to the eye. Why she had to care about colour or cut of the gown was beyond her
"I refuse to move out of the door with you looking like that," Cecilia uttered for the umpteenth time like a stubborn mule, "You are wearing a sack."
"And why is that relevant to your hiking experience?" Delilah asked sternly.
"It isn't but I love you and I cannot let you this to yourself. At least do something about your hair."
"My hair is perfectly fine," Delilah brushed her shoulder length dark hair roughly.
"For once let it open. Not only shall it look nice but it shall keep your neck safe from the wind. See I am not lacking in sense as you think," The younger girl announced triumphantly.
Delilah sighed but her cousin took no notice. She swiftly took control of the brush and smoothened the ends of the already straight hair. Cecilia then braided two separate strands leaving them to frame Delilah's face.
"There, now, that's much better."
"But it'll get in my eyes," Delilah tried to tie her hair up but her cousin gave her a ferocious scowl making her stop.
"Come on, our friends shall be waiting for us."
The women strolled down the open corridors enjoying the soft breeze and the pleasant weather until they reached the courtyard where already there was a small crowd gathering. Bleary eyed men and women dressed in their sturdy finest were waiting for the clock to strike so they could begin their journey. Amongst them Delilah easily spotted their friends having an enthusiastic conversation in the corner of the crowd.
"Delilah, answer this truthfully, did Cecilia have to tie you up or did the Prince let her use his dungeons so that she could do something with your hair," Prudence grabbed hold of her as soon as they reached them.
"Neither, I was not in the mood to be in the company of a grumpy mother goose this morning."
"Humph", Cecilia stuck her tongue out though her frown evaporated because of something in vision from her point of view, "Who said you are going to keep our company. I think someone else intends to enjoy your company today."
Delilah turned around and was surprised to see the Prince is walking towards. He looked slightly weary, slightly pained by the sight of some many people but his smile towards them was genuine. He was accosted and greeted by many members of the party but he smoothly glided through the crowd to join the five ladies.
"Oh, pardon me; from the back I thought you were a girl but if turns out you are my root lover," He spoke in greeting.
"Ooh," Isabella turned out to be a vocally appreciative audience and Mary kicked her almost out of habit.
"I am afraid you are too late your Highness. I have claimed your root lover as mine though I do wonder why you call her that," Cecilia smiled broadly letting her arm causally rest on her cousin's waist.
"Since I am the Crown Prince the kingdom belongs to me and with the kingdom come the inhabitants who serve my family and lay allegiance of their life and property to me. Since you are part of this kingdom what you own is automatically mine," Damian argued without even a moment's hesitation, "And if she hasn't told you why she is called so then it's not my problem."
"Then keep her at least for as long as we can entertain ourselves with Mary's fiancé who comes this way. It is amazing how two people bound with each others futures can be so shy around each other," Cecilia clapped her hands frantically and ushered her little band including the furiously blushing Mary away from the Prince and her cousin.
"Such a poor mistress! Silly chit doesn't realize how easy it is to steal what is not kept under lock and key," Damian sighed indulgently.
"Considering that I am not an object to be bought and sold I doubt I can be stolen," Delilah protested without any seriousness.
"Well said, though amongst men, a woman's attentions are almost a commodity that can easily be obtained, fought for or stolen by another man," He frowned ahead at something or someone but she could not discern who.
"Is it too forward of me ask about the trouble that plagues you? I have heard nothing related to it amongst the grape vine and certainly I did not expect you attend this event."
"The root of all my problems was my Uncle. He is currently languishing in the Royal Dungeons," Damian shook his head letting strands of hair sway in front of his face, "I still cannot believe how much venom he held for my father."
"How is he?" She whispered searching his face for answers, "Your father."
"My father has not awakened but the healer has confirmed your hypothesis. It was Belladonna poisoning that was crumbling his mind," The Prince answered in low tones, "All the supplies of Belladonna were tainted."
"Then what are you doing here? You should be by his bed side."
"I wish, but my mother has thrown me out of my father's rooms. She thinks I shall make myself ill if I do not see a change of pace. Besides I need to continue our farce of a Ball without making the nobility suspicious of my father's condition," Damian made a sour face like a spoilt child which made his Lady companion giggle.
"You do have a tendency to fret," Delilah agreed while looking at her feet, hence missing the look he sent her way.
"You shall be pleased to know our night time efforts were also successful. The medicine is soothing him."
"I'm glad to hear that," The girl answered and they shared a smile they did not realize a lot of people were observing.
"Is everyone ready?" Lady Beatrix announced to the chattering groups standing in the courtyard. The people paused in their socializing to listen to the Lady, "Now, before we begin I want everyone to understand this is not the expedition for those who only move their feet on the dance floor. We shall walk a considerable amount through the southern gardens from where you shall be required to walk down hill for a good length of the way. The incline is steep enough that no horses can assist so I urge anyone who is not used to walking longer distances in rocky terrain to rethink participating in today's activities."
Delilah could see some of the group members eyeing each other nervously but none seemed to want to back out. The fact that they were enthusiastic enough to be awake and present at the courtyard indicated the general fondness for the outdoors.
"I see this particular gathering is more adventurous than usual which is excellent. We shall have a guard in front of our group who shall carry a red flag to indicate the way. In case of any confusion please consider the flag bearer as an indicator for which path to follow."
"This is so exciting," Cecilia spun on the balls of her feet letting her curled, red hair fly freely as she joined them again. A few young men sent her admiring looks but she did not seem to care. Isabella nodded enthusiastically while her other friends looked at each other with trepidation. They had obviously only consented because of their over eager friends. Cecilia gathered the group and hustled them forward. They chattered amongst themselves while Delilah and Damian followed a few steps behind.
The majority of the party found the pace easy to follow and the large group rumbled through the southern gardens enjoying the view and pointing out different produce they hadn't encountered in the conventional flowered gardens. Delilah suddenly paused at the sight of a familiar figure.
"Mister Jeeves, I apologize for not being able to attend our daily meetings. I was unavoidably preoccupied," She asked for forgiveness sincerely.
"No need teh apol'gize, youn' Miss. Teh weather has been grievous of late an' walkin' alone in it witout an escort wouldn't have been advisable for youn' Lady as yerself," The man bowed in greeting with a jovial smile.
"I can take care of myself, Mister Jeeves," Delilah grinned back, widely.
"I know it," Jeeves' eyes widened at the man standing behind Delilah, "Yer Highness," the gardener breathed and bowed so low that his Lady companion was worried that he would keel over.
"Arise, gardener," Damian commanded and then addressed Delilah, "We must start moving or else we shall be left behind."
"I take it youn' Lady yeh found yeh bane was truly yer cure," The gardener breathed making the Prince frown at him and Delilah wide eyed.
"Good bye, Mr. Jeeves," Delilah waved looking lost and the twosome joined the stragglers of the hiking party who were already having a hard time keeping up.
"You know the name of the gardener? I did not realize you detested Noble Company quite that much to start associating with the servants with such familiarity," Damian observed with an arrogant sniff.
