Chapter Forty-eight: HER NAME IS CLARA
“What happened?” Beth rushed in, “I saw her leave with the guards. I thought they were going to take you with them. I’m glad they didn’t. What did she want?”
“Apparently she had other plans,” I took my hands off my chin as I turned to face her.
“Oh my God.”
“Is it that bad?”
“Hmm… Apart from the fact that you have a red chin, then no.”
“Oh God,” I rolled my eyes as I turned towards the window.
“I should apply a balm over it.”
“Yeah, I just hope it goes sooner. Ryan shouldn’t see this.”
“See what?” Ryan walked in.
Oh shit.
I placed my palm over my chin the same time I turned to face the door were he walked in. But I was sure he didn’t see anything.
“Hey, Ryan. Back so soon. How was the trip?”
“It was no fun only work, so much work.”
“Good day Sire,” Beth said to Ryan and then turned to me, “I would go get the balm.” She walked out.
“Balm? What do you need a balm for?” He asked moving closer but I retreated and replace my palm with a piece of clothing.
“Uhmm… It’s for my feet, I have been walking around and now they ache.”
“Your feet?” He asked moving closer.
“Ye… Yes,” I stuttered.
“What’s over your face?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why the clothing?”
“It brings a cooling sensation to it so I decided to place it there for a while.”
“You know you are very bad at lying right?”
“I was hoping you would believe me.”
“Let me take a look.”
“No.”
“C’mon, you can’t fight it. Just let it go,” he said as he took the piece of clothing away from my face.
“Ryan…”
“What happened?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Who did this?”
“Like I said, it’s nothing.”
“This is clearly not nothing. Would you speak or do I go and find out by myself?”
“Ryan, it’s…”
“Clara a red face does not just spring up from nowhere so its either you tell me now or I would go out there and bring out the truth someway somehow, you know I can do that right?”
“It’s Patricia.”
“Oh, I should have thought.”
“She came here and I said something really hurtful to her.”
“You never get tired of defending her, do you?”
“I just don’t want anymore drama, she could have done something worse to me but she didn’t. I think we should just let this slide.”
“I’m sorry but no.”
“Ryan, look…”
“Clara, you should be on bed rest. Not receiving hot slaps. You are just recovering this isn’t good for you health at all. Who knows what could have happened to you?”
“Well, nothing happened asides from my red cheek and I am grateful for that. Let’s just end this. It’s just a few weeks left right?”
“I would be right back,” he turned to leave and I held him back.
“Please don’t do anything dreadful,” I said, he placed his palm on my cheek and looked directly into my eyes for while but he said nothing instead he turned back and headed out.
My heart raced as I paced around the room. I didn’t know what step to take next if I should fall back on my bed and forget anything ever happened, listen to old tales from Beth and drink cinnamon tea until it all fades into a bad memory. Or run after Ryan to stop whatever tragic event that was about to unfold. It was just all packed in my head. My confused mind had already began to take over as I missed steps stumbling on my pace. Perhaps my mind already knew the answer to what I should do next. I grabbed a veil placing it over my head to over my face as I ran out following Ryan’s trail.
“Patricia!” He barked, his voice echoed through the walls.
“Patricia!” He called out again.
“Ryan, darling. Why do you call me that way I am here,” Patricia stepped out in a fine flowing sleep dress that revealed her shoulders.
“You would address me as your lord!” He said.
“What’s going on?” I saw the confusion in her eyes until she rested them on me.
“I warned you Patricia but you are just so stubborn.”
Ryan’s voice had been too loud that everyone had left their duty post and gathered towards the hallway. I trembled as I watched the drama unfold from the distance.
“What is going on?” Beth whispered behind me she had returned with the balm.
“Ryan found out about it.”
“And he sure didn’t find it funny,” she said.
“I am still in the maze Ryan… Uhmm my lord, what is this all about?” She chuckled looking around, the guards already surrounded her.
“I told you that Lady Clara is not a slave and you disobeyed my orders by going into her room to assault her.”
“No, was that was she told you,” She laughed hysterically, “Oh silly girl, she must have been exaggerating. Yes, I went to confront her. I mean who wouldn’t but an assault, that’s too far. Look, Ryan whatever it is, we can sort it out indoors without the crowd. Everyone go back to your duty post!” She yelled but no one seemed to listen to her as they didn’t move an inch.
I felt her frustration as she looked around lost and short of what to say. Ryan already had his eyes in bloodlust as rage had taken over and so I knew that there was nothing I could do other that watch from a corner just like everyone else.
“You shouldn’t have disobeyed my orders Patricia you of all people should know what I do to disloyal subordinates.”
“Ryan c’mon, it’s not that serious.”
“Seize her! And make sure she doesn’t see light again.”Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
“What?” I gasped.
“The dark room, she is been taken to the darkroom. That’s even worse than the dungeon,” Beth whispered.
“I know, I have been there before, it is really a horrible place,” I said.
“Let me make this as a sound warning to everyone. That lady over there,” he pointed towards my direction, at this point I wanted to be swallowed by the earth.
“… is not a slave. Her name is Clara and anytime you see her anywhere around you, you treat her with utmost respect. Anyone who disobeys this would face the consequences. She should be treated as a queen because she is one.”
Oh Ryan what are you doing?
“I just hope that she gets to see that. And with that being made clear, you all can return to your posts.”
As Patricia was being dragged away, she turned towards me with a vicious stare. Whatever thought that she had going through her head, I knew very much that it didn’t include me living. It was as though the more I tried to feel free, the more it appeared that I wasn’t. Indeed freedom came with a cost. I was at war.