Tales of deception 1

Old Nanny Alice quickly sprang into action as Rhiannon gasped awake with fear, engulfing her head onto her lap to soothe her. "There, there, my dear, it's alright. It's just a bad dream," she cooed, gently rubbing Rhiannon's back to calm her down.

Rhiannon's eyes were red and swollen, tears streaming down her face as she took in her surroundings. She hugged Nanny Alice tighter, whimpering as she tried to articulate what she had just dreamed of. "It was Rowan," she stuttered, her voice trembling with emotion. "He was...beheaded in my dream."

Amelia, Rhiannon's handmaid, stood nearby, her hand covering her mouth as she sobbed. "Oh, my lady," she whispered, her voice choked with tears. "I'm so sorry."

Nanny Alice continued to comfort Rhiannon, reassuring her that it was just a bad dream. "Rowan is still alive, my dear," she said, patting Rhiannon's back gently. "He's just out in the stables taking care of the horses. Everything is alright."

Rhiannon nodded, her grip on Nanny Alice's clothing growing tighter as she shook from her tears. As the sun began to set outside, casting a warm glow across the castle, she slowly began to calm down. The sounds of horses neighing and birds chirping filled the air, indicating that it was morning in the castle.

Old nanny picked up the amulet worn over Rhiannon's neck as she examined it. "It isn't working...". She muttered, "I'll go complain to the healer".

Slowly, Rhiannon sat up, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. "Thank you, Nanny Alice," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Nanny Alice smiled warmly, patting Rhiannon's hand. "You'll always have me, my dear," she said, her voice filled with love and affection. "Now, let's get you cleaned up and ready for the day ahead."

Amelia stepped forward, offering Rhiannon a fresh set of clothes. "Here, my lady," she said, her voice gentle and reassuring. "Let's get you dressed and ready to face whatever the day may bring."

Rhiannon nodded, taking the clothes from Amelia's outstretched hand with a sigh.

~

Rhiannon stepped onto her patio, taking in the beauty of her surroundings. The warm sun beat down on her face, and she felt the gentle breeze blowing through her hair. The patio was lined with lush greenery, with flowers of every color bursting with life. Rhiannon's favorite plant, a vibrant purple orchid, and her mother's favorite caught her eye. But something was wrong. The once-beautiful plant now hung limp, its petals withered and brown.

Rhiannon's heart sank as she realized what had happened to her plant. It was Ariadne, her evil cousin, who had added a poisonous substance to the water and spread it to her beloved plant.

Sighing heavily, Rhiannon turned her attention to the courtyard below. Her eyes locked onto Rowan, who was laughing with Axel as they led the horses back to the stables. A small smile tugged at the corners of Rhiannon's lips as she watched Rowan's easy laughter and the way he ruffled Axel's hair. It was a sound of pure joy that filled Rhiannon's heart and made her feel warm inside. She placed a hand on her chin and leaned in, lost in her thoughts.

Suddenly, a familiar voice caught her attention. It was Draven, accompanied by four women who giggled at whatever he was saying. Rhiannon rolled her eyes, knowing the type of man Draven was. She had seen him several times spending time with more ladies than men. He was a ladies' man, always charming and charismatic, and she wondered if the man had anyone he was committed to.

Draven who had just walked into the courtyard of the castle, surrounded by four giggling ladies, felt a gaze fixated on him. He looked up to see Rhiannon staring directly at him, her expression unreadable. Draven's charming smile never faltered as he whispered something to his companions, eliciting another round of giggles.

As the ladies left, Draven waved his hand at Rhiannon, greeting her with a courtly bow. "My fair lady," he began, "how did you sleep last night?"

Rhiannon rolled her eyes and replied with a hint of sarcasm, "Oh, Lord Draven, I slept like a princess in my tower, waiting for my knight in shining armor to rescue me."

Draven chuckled at her remark and said, "Ah, well, unfortunately for you, my lady, I am no knight in shining armor."

Rhiannon raised an eyebrow at him and retorted, "I never said I was waiting for you, Lord Draven. But if you're so eager to play the part, be my guest."

Draven grinned at her and replied, "As you wish, my lady. Is there anything else you require of me?"

Rhiannon was slightly stunned at Draven's words and she for once suspected that Draven could read minds. With hesitancy, she spoke. "Lord Draven, would you be free to have tea with me later today?"

Draven's expression turned to one of amusement as Rhiannon invited him for tea. He raised a skeptical eyebrow and gave her a sly smile, "My lady, are you trying to make King Vlad jealous by inviting me for tea?"

Rhiannon rolled her eyes and replied with a hint of annoyance, "Please, Lord Draven, I have no interest in making your king jealous. I simply thought it would be nice to have some company for tea."

Draven chuckled at her sarcastic remark and reassured her, "Of course, my lady, I will be there. It would be my pleasure."

With that, he offered her a courtly bow and took his leave, his mind wandering about the true intentions of Rhiannon. A mischievous grin appeared on his face, Vlad was going to be so... Mad!

As Draven disappeared from view, Rhiannon released a series of held sighs and then turned her eyes to the direction to see Rowan gone, with that, she left the patio heading back to her room.

Rowan who had been sticking to one of the statues in the courtyard finally emerged from where he had been eavesdropping on the ongoing conversation, wearing a grim expression on his face.

~

Lilith slowly and quietly opened the door, careful not to make a sound. She tiptoed into the king's chamber where she also stayed with him. Her eyes landed on the king-sized bed, adorned with the finest and richest silk covers, and then she scanned the room.

The king's chamber was a sight to behold, with opulent tapestries adorning the walls, and golden candelabras casting a warm glow across the room.

The windows were still shut and the bed had been occupied by the king who seemed to still be asleep. With a sigh of relief, she tiptoed over to the dresser, hoping to avoid waking him up.

But just as she reached the dresser, her husband stirred and opened his eyes. His gaze locked onto her, and Lilith froze, her heart pounding in her chest. She watched as he sat up in the bed, his eyes never leaving her, with his nightwear crumpled and his face twisted with a deadly frown.

Lilith knew this look - it was the same one he gave before he would lash out in anger.

"Where have you been?" King Roderick demanded, his voice low and menacing.

Lilith's hands trembled, but she hid them beside her not wanting to let her husband notice. "I have gone to have a little morning fresh air," she said softly.

Roderick smirked coldly, making every nerve in her body race with fear. "And why didn't you wake me up? Don't you know you're not supposed to leave the room before me, every morning?" he spat.

Lilith's heart sank. She knew she had made a mistake, but she had hoped he wouldn't notice. "I'm sorry, my lord. I didn't want to disturb your rest," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

Roderick's frown deepened, and Lilith could see the veins pulsing on his forehead. "Have you done something you're not supposed to do?" he asked, his voice dangerously low.

Lilith watched the man who had spoken, and a pulse of disgust was threatening to show on her face. If it hadn't been because of her greed for power and riches, she would never have bent so low to marry a devilish man like him.

The man was the pure contrast to who the late previous king was. Cunning, manipulative, evil, a murderer... And an evil game twister, but two could play this game.

She put on her fake meek demeanor and then bowed her head to speak, her eyes wide with fear. "No, my lord. I would never do anything to go against your wishes," she said, her voice shaking slightly.

Roderick didn't say a word anymore but his eyes narrowed. Leaning back on the headboard, he beckoned her. "Strip for me, Lilith. Strip and walk to me naked!".