Blood on the Sheets

Next morning

Beatrice was dead to the world when her maidservant, Clancy burst into her room, loudly fussing as she entered her chambers. With one swift jerk Clancy opened the drapes and let the morning sunshine pour in. Princess Beatrice was startled awake with the sudden splash of light on her face. Her body slowly came back to life. She had had the most bizarre dream, she thought to herself as she stretched her sleepy limbs.

She had dreamed that it was a full moon last night and that she had danced with that demon in and out of bed. She felt it then. The dull soreness in her muscles, and inbetween her thighs. Her eyes shot open then. Last night with the demon hadn't been a dream.

Last night Princess Beatrice had promised herself that she would burn her gown, along with the bed sheets, and replace them before Clancy, and the rest of her ladies maids came in. She had completely forgotten about it. It was too late now. She was mortified.

Clancy was like a big sister to Princess Beatrice. Beatrice had never lied to her, but she knew she had to if only for Clancy's safety. She could not tell her what was going on. This was going to be a disaster this morning, Princess Beatrice thought.

"Good morning, Your Royal Highness. How did you sleep?" Clancy warmly greeted the Princess.

Like the dead, she thought. This was the first real sleep she had enjoyed since the death of her parents. She hated to give the demon any credit or thought, but it was hard not to.

"Good morning, Clancy. I slept well, thank you," she answered politely, watching her ladies maid tidying up the chamber. She saw the look of shock come across Clancy's face and watched her gasp in shock.

"Your Majesty! What happened to your night gown? It's in shreds." Her eyes were wide with surprise and fear, as she held up the delicate material that was once the princesses night gown.

"Oh...I- I snagged it on a door handle... an- and it ripped. Cheaply made fabric, I suppose." She lied nervously. This was all so new to her.

"Aye, Your Majesty," she agreed.

Her facial expressions contradicted her tone of voice. Letting Beatrice know she didn't believe her. "I will get it disposed of. Let's get you a new one," she went into the wooden cabinet and found another nighy gown similar to the one she was she wearing last night.

She recalled she had been so shocked when he had ripped it off of her. Clancy assisted Beatrice out of the bed. She looked down at her bed and gasped in horror.

"Your Majesty-" Her face went pale and she looked as if she had seen death itself.

Why did she look like she had seen a ghost? Beatrice wondered. Not thinking about the consequences of last night. She finished pulling her nightgown down, then turned around to face Clancy. She saw what had shocked Clancy. The blood stained sheets.

"I shall call the guards! Someone has violated you! Tell me the truth of it Your Majesty," Clancy was frantic now and the air was tense from all of her new, shameful discoveries.

"No, Clancy," she said just above a whisper.

She held her head down in complete shame. What had she done? She heard the footsteps of the other Ladies maids coming in to serve her breakfast and help her pick out her attire for the day. Her Mahogany chamber doors opened. The small group of beautiful young women.

It was as if they were walking on the air. Cheerful banter flowed from their sweet lips. It all came to a screeching halt when Clancy spoke.

"Babbette ! You and the rest of the ladies come no further. Her Majesty does not wish to break her fast just yet."

The other three women abruptly turned around, closing her bedchamber door behind them. She let out a sigh of relief. She hadn't known she was nervous until then.

Clancy looked at her then.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty," she whispered and began removing her bedsheets immediately.

A few moments later, her bath was ready. She

undressed herself and got into the tub. Her muscles felt insanely better in the lavender filled, warm water. She used a sea sponge to wash her body gently. Her inner thighs and calves were tender.

She also noticed a small, red bite mark on her right breast. It made her recall how it was given to her. She dunked her head in the warm water trying to forget. Deep down she knew that the Priest had been right. Princess Beatrice should have never used the book. Now she was rendezvousing with a demon.

She had always thought her virginity would go to the man she married, not a demon spawn she would only see once a month for the rest of her life. The thought of it made her stomach turn. She had to find a way out of this deal. She didn't like lying to the people she cared about. Her beloved Clancy looked at her differently now.

When she got out of the tub she was fully washed and rejuvenated. She went back into her room. Her bed linens had been changed. Her room had been cleaned and her breakfast waited for her on the coffee table by the chaise lounge.

"You look much better." Clancy beamed at her. "Go sit and have breakfast,Your Royal Highness."

She obeyed and sat on the chaise. She picked up the plate and began eating. The food tasted better than usual.

"Your Majesty, you know, I consider you like my own sister. If anyone in or out of the castle is harming you and you are afraid to speak up, you can always count on me to help you."

Beatrice stopped eating. "My dear, Clancy, I am fine. I am such a lucky girl to be able to call you my family. I cannot speak on the things you've seen here today. All I can say is that I am fine. It is my will and no one must know, Clancy. No one can find out about me not being pure. It could start another war, I fear."

"y-yes, Your Majesty is quite right," she agreed. She changed the subject. "Prince William Patrick has sent word that he is to arrive here today. He wishes to hold court with Your Majesty." She reminded her.

She was pleasantly surprised by that news. She truly liked him. Prince William Patrick was a prince in name only. His lands had been taken because of the tyranny that ran in his bloodlines. He was a true Prince in every other way. A handsome, charming, well versed, well liked, Prince. It didn't hurt that he was extremely good looking either. Before the war she had always enjoyed his company at social events immensely.

After the civil war and her parents burial, no one had bothered to visit her. She was glad he was among the firsts. So many firsts for her, she thought.

"It will be nice to see him again." She admitted to Clancy.

"Aye, Your Majesty," she agreed. "I wonder if Your Majesty will be getting a proposal soon." Clancy smiled.

Princess Beatrice froze. A proposal? How could she go through with it ? She didn't want to mislead him or anyone else.

"A proposal so soon after mother and father, Clancy. That, I am not so sure of."

"Your Majesty, you are alone. No real kin. It's time to start your family now. You deserve happiness, not some thief in the night telling you pretty lies."

Princess Beatrice rolled her eyes at the last statement. If only she knew it was because of the 'thief', they were all alive and thriving.

It didn't matter if she did or if she didn't. Princess Beatrice knew in 28 days she would have to succumb to its every desire once more.

No, Clancy didn't know...