The Fake Aria
It was early in the morning when Lord Blackwood and his crew arrived in the capital while carrying the princess on horseback. The palace was quiet as not many people had woken up at these wee hours of the morning. But that was not the case for someone like King Marcus. He had had sleepless nights hoping that his daughter would return soon.
Today was no exception for a sleepless night either. He had sat by the parlor all night long with a jug of wine accompanying him. He poured the last drop into his golden cup but there was nothing. Lifting the jug upside down to ensure he was not dreaming, he peeked inside the jug and saw that nothing was in it.
A boy came in just at the time he was about to call him. "I am glad you came in time. Fill more wine in this jug." The boy seemed hesitant to do what the king had ordered before Marcus stared at him anger evident on his drunken face.
"Are you deaf boy? Didn't you hear what I just said?" asked he stretching his hand to offer the jug to the boy.
"I am here to convey news about the princess my king." The king who was looking down looked up immediately at the mention of his daughter.
"You mean princess Aria?"The boy nodded," what about her? Where is she?" The king asked rising from his seat but he fell as soon as he stood up.
"Lord Blackwood has just arrived from the chase and your daughter, the princess came with him." The king's face lightened after hearing the news.
"Where is she? I need to see her right now." The king tried to stand up again but his efforts bore no fruit. "Don't just stare. Help me up boy," with the boy's help, he was finally able to stand up. His legs shook slightly but he was determined to see his daughter. Taking the first heavy step, he swayed to the side but immediately regained his balance before he could hit the table.
"Leave us!" A voice sounded across the room. The boy turned and spotted Lord Blackwood standing by the door. He bowed and left the room. Blackwood strode across the room and helped the king to sit in the parlor.
"Is it true that you found my daughter?" The king asked after he sat down. Lord Blackwood nodded and eyed the king skeptically.
"What will you do to her now?"Marcus knew that this man would do something to his daughter. Lord Lukas had not sent any word to him since that day they met and he was afraid that he had been deceived. He could not help but fear for his daughter's safety. She was now under his mercy.
"That decision is mine to make," Blackwood answered the king before he stood up ready to leave." Go and take some sleep now My king. Your daughter will not be happy to see you in such a state." He exited the room leaving Marcus seated there in the parlor.
Seeing that Blackwood was here, Marcus assumed that his daughter was safe. Blackwood affirmed it himself. So there was no need to worry for now. All he wanted was a good day's sleep. Dragging his heavy feet, he threw himself on his cozy bed and within minutes she was asleep.
Lylla woke up feeling dizzy and her body felt heavy. She looked around the room she was in and it seemed quite regal. Was she in a prince's house or what? Who had dared to bring her into a castle? She threw the blankets off her body and slipped her feet into the sandals that were there. The room was quite extravagant and large. She wondered if it belonged to one person.
Taking a tour around the room, she could not help but admire the silk curtains and the furniture around. She passed past a full-length mirror and halted. What exactly had she seen? Her heart began to race and yesterday's activities flashed in her mind. With held breath, she slowly tilted her head to face the mirror. What she saw was nowhere close to how she looked like. Princess Aria was staring at her with a surprised face as well.
Lylla moved closer to the mirror and waved a hand at the person behind her. Surprisingly, the figure repeated her action sending fear into Lylla's heart. She jumped back surprised and was almost hit by a nearby table. Taking a look at the mirror again, she found the figure there looking at her with the same intensity.
It then dawned on her and yesterday's events unfolded in her mind. She studied herself in the mirror once again and couldn't believe that she was actually alive after performing such forbidden sorcery. If she was caught she would be killed on the spot. She surveyed the room and understood that this was Aria's. So they took me thinking that I am the princess. Huh? She chuckled at that thought before her stomach growled and she knew she needed to eat something.
As if the gods heard her growl, Greta opened the door with a tray of food in one hand. Their eyes met and she seemed surprised. Putting the tray on the table, she was all over Lylla checking if she sustained even a minor injury.
"I'm glad you have woken up feeling better princess. How are you feeling?"She asked leading her to a seat. Lylla was about to speak but she remembered that she was not Aria. What if her voice gave her out? She didn't know how her voice sounded and she was afraid it would be the opposite of what the maid was expecting. But she could not keep quiet forever.
"I am fine," her answer came out merely as a whisper. But to her surprise, her voice sounded different from the one she was used to. It sounded exactly like Aria's. The maid gave her a hug out of the blue. Lylla was shocked by the behavior of this maid. Did she go hugging Aria around every time she felt like? But judging from how she was behaving, it seemed that they were close.
Left with nothing else to do, she hugged her back before they broke from it. Greta served her breakfast and tidied her room. "Make sure to pay a visit to your father. He is deathly worried about you." She said before leaving Lylla alone in the room.