Paying For Silence ...
She reached into her secret pocket which was knit into the navy blue skirt she wore and pulled out a small leather brown bag filled with gold coins. She handed it to the healer. He seemed flustered but then spoke.
"Your Majesty, I am honored. I cannot take your gold. Your family has been far too kind to me." He tried handing it back, she refused to touch it.
"It is now yours, healer. Thank you for your help. You've truly been a godsend." She said, almost choking on her words, knowing they were lies.
She had to hide her shame.
"That's just it, Your Majesty. You saw with your own eyes. Last night he was running a very high and a very dangerous fever. He was close to death if not on the veil of death. His wound is almost completely healed, and he is walking and acting as if it had never happened. It is truly a miracle, Your Majesty."
" It is." She agreed.
She had to keep him silent.
"Healer, please tell no one of this or of my black knight crazy ramblings."
He chuckled at her self deprecating tone.
"Yes, Your Highness." He simply agreed.
"As holy as these councilmen are, I highly doubt they would think his speedy recovery was a miracle from God, or me talking about a black knight killing others was holy."
"I understand, your majesty. I will tell no one I have healed him and I thank you for your generosity." He bowed low to her to show his loyalty to her.
She hated it. People bowing to her never got any more weird for her.
"Thank you, Healer. Good day to you all,"she said, and exited the infirmary.
She hadn't thought he would be awake or healed. She had doubted the Demon King and once again it had proved her wrong. She again could feel like she finally could breathe again. She had felt such relief seeing Prince William looking so alive and much better than he had in days. She was truly happy to see him.
She tried to keep pushing the thoughts and visuals of all the things she and the Demon King had done while no one looked on. They had only met a few times but each time was more electric than the next. As much she hated to admit it she was curious about him. She was also terrified for what she had signed up for, how could she truly trust a beast, or anyone anymore. She felt alone in the world.
She walked out of the long dark corridor. Once out she could hear the busy hustle and bustle noises of the castle. She went to the grand dining hall, to partake in breakfast. Today, she chose to eat honey wheat cakes and quail eggs. She heard footsteps someone walked into the dining hall.
She looked up from her plate and saw it was her sister. She hadn't spoke with her since the memorial for their parents and wondered how their conversation would go now...