by Lily Wallis
“Why did this happen?” I say as I begin to cry.
Immediately, he takes me into his arms, stroking my hair, and calming me with his voice. Closing my eyes, I feel a comfort I so much needed in this moment, a comfort I never imagined to find again, at least not here.
“He will be angry, that I know. He will want to know what caused it, what you did.”
“I didn’t do anything,” I say.
“I know you didn’t. If he had just not been past the border.”
“What do you mean?”
“Then he could have come back,” he replies.
“And dispose of me right away?”
“No,” he says. “He is the only one that could have prevented this.”
“What? How?”
“With his magic,” he says.
“I wanted him gone. I was so relieved when he rode away.”
“I know, Violet. I know. Try to rest, and I will try to be here when he arrives.”
“Oh my God, please be here!”
“For as long as he allows it,” he says, and I know I can’t ask for anything else.
Watching Theroux leave feels like a stab to my heart. The comfort ripped away again, just when I found solace. Drying my tears, I lie back, and close my eyes.
Chapter Twenty-Five
I wake as the first rays of sun come through the window. I’m all alone, and feel cold. My mind is spinning and I’m trying to process what happened to me yesterday. Elodie came in to check on me several times to change sheets, and my clothes, but she stayed silent, almost as if she is worried. Getting up, I walk over to the window and look outside. The world outside is very different today. No one is outside, no one is enjoying an early morning walk. As I gaze out past the cypress trees, I hear a horse and that’s when my heart drops. Malvado is back. Immediately, I feel myself begin to shake, and my heart beats out of my chest. Closing my eyes, I begin to feel sick to my stomach, anticipating what will happen in just a few short minutes. As the door opens, Elodie comes rushing in.
“The physician is speaking to him,” she warns, and that’s when I hear his scream fill the mansion.
“Oh my God,” I say feeling myself collapse to the floor.
His footsteps grow closer, and I’m in fear for my life.
“Your highness,” Elodie says, curtsying as Malvado walks in.
He disregards her, not saying a word. His eyes are fixated on me, and he looks angry. Slowly stepping in my direction, I see Theroux rush through the door, along with his mother.
“You lost my child,” Malvado says, his eyes gleaming red. “What have you done?”
“I,” I begin. “I…I don’t know what happened.”
“Stand!” he demands, and shaking, I rise.
He begins to circle me, just walking without saying a word. My eyes find Theroux’s, but he holds no answers. After circling me a tenth time, he stops behind me, leaning close to my ear.
“What shall I do with you, Violet,” he says as shivers run down my spine.
“I’m so sorry, Malvado,” I say.
“That wasn’t an answer,” he replies.
“I can get pregnant again,” I say, trying to sound confident. “Please, give me another chance! Please!”
“Another chance? You are tainted, Violet.”
“Tainted?” I ask.
“Yes, tainted. I wouldn’t touch you anymore, not after this.”
“What?”
“You will never give me an heir. You are not the one, the Baron no longer needs you.”
“Please don’t kill me,” I say. “Please!”
“What do you offer?” he asks, with a wicked grin. “Do you want to become my plaything? You couldn’t handle it. You would ask for death within the first five minutes.”
“Please,” I plea once more.
“I could pardon you with your death, it would be the humane thing to do. I would even offer you something to where you don’t feel a thing.”
“Your highness,” Theroux steps in.
“Yes?”
“If I may,” he begins, and Malvado signals for him to continue. “I ask for you to spare her life.”
“Theroux!” Madam Benoit cries.
“Continue,” Malvado says, looking amused.
“It would be a waste to dispose of her. She could be a valuable asset.”
“As could anybody,” Malvado replies.
“Correct. Though, I believe she would be willing to learn and adapt to any role given to her. It would be an easy transition since she knows our ways.”
Malvado grins, walking toward me again. Placing his fingers on my chin, he lifts it up, smiling at me.
“You are quite obedient, aren’t you, my dear. Most of the time at least.”
“Your highness, please disregard anything my son has said,” Madame Benoit begins.
“Mother, stop! Sir, I give you my word, I will turn her into a valuable asset with your permission, and I will take full responsibility for her actions. If she makes one wrong move, you kill us both.”
Releasing my chin, he walks over to Theroux, staring him down for what feels like an eternity.
“Why her?”
“I have never asked for anything, and have only done as I’ve been told. Over the years you have taught me many things, how to read others, how to see their worth, and where they belong in our world. I trust that you have given me the insight I need to know what is right and wrong.”
“You are right. You have always served me well, and you have never been given any kind of reward.”
“I would never ask for a reward,” Theroux explains.
“And if I said you could?”
“Then I would ask for her.”
“You are willing to take full responsibility for a tainted soul, a used one?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Hmm,” Malvado says, looking at me. “Well, Violet. It looks as though you get your chance, but if you do anything to displease me, I will make you suffer, do you understand?”
“Yes, your highness,” I say, relief washing over me.
“Theroux, take her away. I no longer care to look at her.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
With those words, Theroux comes to my side, picking me up to carry me away. I don’t look back, not once. My face is buried in Theroux’s neck, and that is when I begin to sob.
“Don’t cry, ma chérie,” he begins, and I look up at him.
“Theroux,” I say.
“Yes?”
“Please don’t call me that,” I say. “Please.”
“Of course,” he replies. “It will never leave my lips again.”
“What’s going to happen now?”
“I will take you to the west wing of the mansion. It is where you will live,” he replies. “For now.”
As he carries me down the steps, I don’t notice anyone around me, but I do hear their gasps and whispers. As he opens a door, I look up and see a short hallway, and panic strikes as I think I may find myself in some sort of dungeon again.
“Relax, Violet. No one is going to hurt you.”
I trust him. It may be the dumbest thing I will ever do, but at this point I don’t have much of a choice. Opening yet another door, I find myself in a type of living area with bookcases, large ornate chairs, and dark mahogany tables. Setting me down on a chair, I straighten myself up and look around.
“This is where we will live until Malvado assigns us new quarters.”
“New quarters?”
“Yes, I fully expect to be demoted, and given different tasks, which means, I will no longer be privy to these quarters.”
“We,” I hear Madame Benoit say as she enters the room, slamming the door behind her. “That means all of us.”
“Right,” he says.
“Theroux, why would you do this?” his mother asks, clearly angry.
“Mother, what’s done is done. My reasons are my own.”
“We came so far, why would you put our live
lihood on the line for some stupid girl?”
“Mother!” he warns, and she backs off.
“You know if you go down, I go down with you.”
“I can put in a good word, you had nothing to do with this,” Theroux replies.
“Do you really think the King will regard anything you say at this point?”
“We shall see,” he says, sitting down in the chair next to me.
I am speechless. Theroux put everything on the line…for me. But why? Suddenly, my stomach begins to tighten again, and even though the pain isn’t as bad as it was, it still makes me stop in my tracks.
“She needs to lie down,” Madame Benoit says, reaching for my arm. “Come.”
Even though I don’t want to, I get up and she takes me through a set of double doors that lead into a bedroom. Moving the blankets, she places a folded blanket on the sheet before helping me into bed. Once I lie down, she lifts my dress, saying my bloomers will have to be changed due to the blood.
“I can’t imagine what you are going through right now. It’s possible that death would have been the easiest, my dear.”
“I don’t want to die!” I say, feeling my heart pound.
“When we came here many years ago, Theroux worked the stables, and I in the gardens. Eventually, we earned our right to move up, and Theroux was offered more than we could have imagined. Whenever anyone moves up in ranks, the entire family does. Theroux was on his way to becoming Malvado’s advisor, but that will never happen now.”
“I’m,” I say, feeling myself choke up. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. From the day he brought you here I knew he desired you. The sparkle in his eyes when he looked at you was undeniable. You were sought out for greatness, brought here with the intention of possibly becoming our queen. Theroux would have had no choice but to let it go, but now, everything is different.”
“Can I speak to Theroux?” I ask.
“He has gone.”
Where?”
“To find out our fate.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
I don’t remember falling asleep, but I feel as if I have rested for days. Opening my eyes, Madame Benoit is sitting in a chair next to my bed. A moment later our eyes meet, but no one says a word. The silence is awkward, and I wouldn’t even know what to say to her if I had the words. The door opens, and both of our glances head into that direction.
“Theroux!” Madam Benoit shrieks, awaiting our fate.
“Mother,” he says, as he walks over to me. “Violet, how are you?”
“I’m ok,” I say, and his mother walks over to the other side of the bed near him.
“What happened?” she asks. “Come on, son. Out with it.”
“We keep our position,” he replies, and Madame Benoit exhales in relief.
“Oh,” she cries. “Mercy be upon us. We will forever be in his Grace’s debt.”
“There is one thing,” he begins. “I have to make a decision by the end of the day.”
“What is it?”
“For Violet to be spared, the King wants to employ her in the mansion as well,” Theroux replies.
“You could have given that answer immediately,” Madame Benoit huffs. “What are you waiting for? To ask her permission?”
“She is to start tomorrow,” he replies, looking at me. “Violet, I do not want to put more on you than you have already endured. With what you have just gone through, I will leave it up to you.”
“Child, you best agree.”
“Silent!” Theroux’s voice fills the room. “Violet, it is your decision.”
I am to work in the mansion, and I have no idea what I will be doing. Right now, I don’t even feel as if I am capable to get out of this bed, how will I do this? I have to pull myself together, I have to be strong.
“I,” I say, and his mother shakes her head and walks off.
“This one will be the end of all of us,” she points toward me, but Theroux ignores her, grabbing my hand.
“Yes, Violet?”
“I will do what needs to be done,” I reply, my eyes making their way to Madame Benoit’s stare before looking down.
“Mother, leave us.”
“Excuse me?”
He doesn’t say another word, but turns his head to face her. Within seconds she disappears from the room, closing the door behind her. I exhale deeply, closing my eyes. I give myself this moment to replay everything, and then, I open my eyes.
“What will I have to do?” I ask.
“I will try to get you a position in the kitchen for now. One where you can still rest. The people there are very kind, you will find comfort there,” he says removing his hand as he gets up.
Instinctively, I grab it and hold it tight, taking him by surprise. He looks at me with questioning eyes, but no words leave his lips. I stay silent as well, feeling tears build in the corners of my eyes. Sitting down beside me, Theroux takes me into his arms, and it is the comfort I longed for. His hand runs through my knotted hair, and this is the first time I really feel safe. All the times before were just an illusion that Malvado created. This man put his life on the line to save mine, and even though I despised him months ago, he is all I have in this world.
“Thank you,” I manage to get out between sobs, leaned against his chest.
“There is no need to thank me, Violet. I would do it again, and again,” he replies, kissing the top of my head.
The next day approaches, and even though I feel weak, I manage to get myself together, awaiting Theroux to return with instructions. Of course, I am not alone.
“Violet, you will do the best you can, do you understand?” Madame Benoit says, giving me a disapproving look. “All of our lives depend on it.”
“Just as always,” I snap back, tired of her antics.
“What did you say? Girl, you best not see this as a game.”
“In all of this time,” I say, looking at her. “You do not know me at all.”
The door opens and Theroux comes in, wearing a smile. Getting up from the sofa, he walks over to take my hand, telling me that I have been assigned to the kitchen. When we reach the main hall, and it is filled with the same people, just as it has been since the day I arrived. Counting this very moment, I have looked upon this scene from three very different perspectives. The first, with fear. The second, with hope, and today I view it through the eyes of a survivor, but one that has to continue to fight. As Theroux leads me to the back of the mansion, it is then that I realize I’ve never even seen the kitchen. Opening the double doors, we are met with four women and two men.
“Violet, here we have Pierre, John, Sally, Missy, Raquel, and Adele. Everyone, this is-”
“Miss Violet,” one of the women says, stepping toward me. “My name is Adele. How are you feeling child?”
“I’m ok,” I say, surprised of the warm faces surrounding me.
“Welcome to my kitchen, I am Pierre and I am the head chef.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say, extending my hand.
A few minutes later, everyone returns to their work, and I am given an apron and assigned to peel potatoes. Everyone engages in conversation, laughter, and it feels very homey.
“I can’t imagine what you have gone through,” Sally says, as she sets another bowl of potatoes in front of me. “It must have been very difficult.”
“I’m still alive,” I say, wearing a half smile.
“If you call this living, then of course, ma belle,” John interjects. “I believe we are in the very center of hell.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Over this past week, I have gotten to know everyone a bit more closely. I learned that each one of the women were brought here against their will as well. The two men said they wanted to change their lives, and that is what lead them to Malvado. He promised a new beginning, a new way, and they did get that, just not the one they expected. Finishing up my work for the day, I hang my apron on the wall, and clean my hands at the sink. It
is very late, and I am exhausted. When I get to my quarters, I’m surprised to see Theroux sitting on the sofa on his own.
“Hi,” I say, as I close the door behind me. “Are you alone?”
“Yes,” he grins, closing the book he was reading.
“Oh, thank God,” I say, taking my hair down from being pinned up all day. “The last thing I want to hear is her voice right now.”
“I know the feeling,” he grins. “Come, sit. Did you get to eat?”
“I did,” I reply. “We had some leftovers.”
“Good,” he says, grabbing my hand, weaving his fingers through mine.
“Theroux?”
“Yes?”
“Can I ask you a question?”
“You know you can ask me anything.”
“How did you get here?”
“Hmm,” he says, looking at our intertwined hands. “It was long ago.”
“Was it your decision?”
“No,” he replies. “My father died when I was three years old, leaving my mother, my sister, and myself with an incredible amount of debt.”
“You have a sister? Is she here?”
“No, she’s not. Her name was Therese and she was seven years old, four years my senior. My mother had to work not only to support us, but to pay off my father’s debt as well. One day, she was short on money, and they killed my sister in front of her.”
“Oh my God!” I say, my hands covering my mouth. “That is horrific.”
“Yes, it is something she carries with her, and I believe it’s hardened her,” he explains. “After Therese was killed, my mother knew she had to run, and she did. I can’t remember the town, but I remember Malvado on a stage, telling a crowd about the new world. I’m sure most saw it as some sort of an entertainment, but my mother saw it as her only chance. That’s how we got here.”
“Wait, if you were three,” I say, doing the math in my head. “You said it was Malvado who was there? How can that be? He’s young, right? How old is Malvado?”
“That I do not know,” he replies. “All I can say is he doesn’t seem to age.”
