The Scar-Faced King

by Isabell Schmitt-Egner

  Amon advised Lilli not to talk to anyone else about it until they knew more. On one point, however, they agreed: there had to be something that connected them both. And that something seemed worth protecting. Amon agreed that they should talk to Auntie Jahne, but to no one else, not even Constance, who worried about him far too much anyway; and the thought of a spell or curse would give his sister countless nights without sleep. Lilli confirmed this, thinking of the moment on the stairs and how desperate she had seemed because her brother was unwell. During breakfast she had seemed so relaxed, it had clearly done her good to see Amon eating heartily and smiling.

  “There. Enough work.” Amon slammed the book shut that Lilli was reading. “What do you want to do? We’ve earned a break.”

  “I agree,” Lilli said, leaning over and kissing him gently. “I feel like we’ve changed overnight. I don’t know either.”

  “It’s possible we did change.” Amon smiled. “What would you like to do?”

  “I want to go to the lake.”

  Amon stopped his horse, jumped out of the saddle, and then helped Lilli to get off. The grey lake lay glistening in the sun and Lilli had warmed up from the ride. In wise foresight, she had packed underwear that she could swim in. With Amon at her side, it was impossible to take off all her clothes, but with this underwear it would work. Full of anticipation of the cool water, she disappeared behind a bank to change while Amon tied up the horses so they could graze and not run away. Lilli hung her dress over the branches of a bush and then extended the tip of her foot into the water. Cool, but not cold. Wonderful. She waded a few steps, then flung herself forward and swam. The water ran along her body like a caressing hand, and she let out a little cry of joy. Freedom! Yes, that’s what it felt like to be free. Just to do what one wanted.

  A splash behind her made her spin around. The surface of the water rippled and then Amon emerged in a glistening shower of drops.

  “You swim?” Lilli cried excitedly.

  “Otherwise, I’d sink now, and you’d have to save me,” he said, catching up with her in a few strokes.

  “Can do,” Lilli stated, unable to take her eyes off his bare torso. Of course, his skin was completely unscathed and smooth. This was not where his brother had got him. Only on his face. Even with her possibly entranced gaze on him, she would have seen fine scars, if there had been any.

  “Can you make it across the lake once?” asked Amon.

  “Laughably. Of course.” Lilli strove ahead and Amon followed, catching up and then gliding along beside her.

  “Tell me ... if you don’t mind me asking now: Why did your brother actually cut your face?”

  Amon said nothing at first, but then he did answer, “Because he wanted the throne, of course.”

  “Then why didn’t he stab you in the heart? Or cut your throat?”

  “That ... I don’t know. Maybe his aim was bad in the dark.”

  “And what did you do then?”

  “Lilli ... I really don’t remember. I can’t remember. But I was told that I attacked and killed him. Then I fainted and they found me in time. I almost died from the blood loss.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Lilli looked over at him cautiously. “If my questions are tormenting you, just say so.”

  “It does torment me. But it’s all right. Maybe we really will find something to take some of this burden off me. The worst part is that I can’t remember. Not knowing what it was like exactly.”

  “You really don’t know anything?”

  “No. I woke up in insane pain and then struggled to survive at first. By then they had found me, and I was being looked after. They gave me something to make me fall asleep and not suffer so much. Only days later they told me everything. Nothing of the event itself, of the struggle, has remained in my memory. I know it’s strange, for years I’ve been looking for flashbacks, but there’s nothing.”

  “It’s really strange. But your brother’s attack, you can remember that, can’t you?”

  “Blurry. But yes.”

  “Blurry?” Lilli tried to catch his gaze. This was all more than mysterious. Would all the haunting dissipate once Amon regained his memory?

  “Yes, I only have shreds of it in my head now, shadows and clipped sounds. And I don’t really want that. I try not to think about it as much as possible.”

  “I see.” Lilli turned and continued swimming backwards. She gave him a smile and decided to leave the subject aside for now. At least he was talking to her now, but she didn’t want the outing and the swimming together to end up being too overshadowed. But she was determined to get back to it soon. If they were dealing with a spell, then Amon’s scars, and how they had come about, played a crucial role.

  Amon returned her smile, which widened into a grin, and just as Lilli was wondering what that meant, she bumped into an obstacle and cried out in shock.

  “This is a rise here in the middle of the lake. You can stand here.” Amon straightened up and was actually standing in the water in front of her.

  “You could have told me that,” Lilli said and stood up as well. It didn’t escape her notice that he was eyeing her inconspicuously in her swimming clothes and she countered by looking at him unabashedly. Yes, Amon was a handsome man and she caught herself thinking whether he thought she was really pretty too. Or just a little?

  “Lilli?”

  “Huh?”

  “I asked if we were going to swim to the other shore or if that was too far for you.”

  “Ha! Ridiculous.” Lilli tossed back her wet hair.

  “All right, little mermaid.” Amon darted forward and disappeared in a shower of glistening drops.

  “I’m not little!” Lilli exclaimed, hurrying to catch up with him.

  The wind did not manage to dry Lilli’s hair on the ride home. Barefoot, she sat on her horse as they rode along a forest path at a steady gallop. Lilli almost screamed with joy, for that irrepressible feeling of freedom was back and completely filled her. Amon reined in his horse, turned around in the saddle and laughed at her. His hair too hung damply in his face. At that moment, Lilli could no longer imagine marrying any man but Amon. Him or no one. She wouldn’t be able to laugh like this with anyone else, at least that’s what she believed. She thought of the stiff, horribly humourless candidates her father had invited back then. The horror.

  Amon brought his horse up beside her and bent to give her a quick kiss before the forest ended and they rode out into the open, up the path to Grauemfall Castle. By now, at the latest, everyone would be able to see them, and they kept their distance again. Lilli smiled conspiratorially at Amon, then they trotted on and reached the main gate a little later.

  Lilli’s first activity after the swim was to take a long hot bath, daydreaming to herself and thinking about how Amon had kissed her on the shore after the swim in the water. A very exciting moment that even now gave her a racing heart. She had put her hand to his chest and felt his skin. Only very briefly, of course! She imagined what her father would do when he learned that Lilli was flirting with the king, whom he would not accept as a son-in-law under any circumstances.

  The next moment she was frightened. Did her father have to agree to the marriage? She wasn’t sure of that right now, and besides, it would be a complete disaster! She bit her lips. So far, neither Amon nor her father had agreed. No wonder, they both knew nothing about Lilli’s plans. But would Amon kiss her and treat her like that if he weren’t planning to marry her? Probably not. Maybe she could take a chance and approach him about it soon? Surely, he had reconsidered his original attitude on the subject now that things had turned out this way with them both.

  The thought continued to occupy Lilli’s mind later when Amon smilingly picked her up for dinner. They dined by candlelight in the presence of Constance, who soon took her leave and left them alone.

  Amon told them that he planned to send someone to town to bring them all the books on phenomena and curses he could find. Lilli related her thoughts that maybe
everything would be resolved if Amon only remembered what had really happened that night. They decided to talk about it more often, hoping that the images Amon had repressed would return.

  It was late at night when they took their leave to their respective chambers. Lilli had barely been able to stifle a yawn, and Amon looked tired as well.

  A short time later, she lay in her bed and blissfully closed her eyes. With a quiet regret that Amon could not lie next to her, she fell asleep.

  The shadows moved and Lilli didn’t understand what was happening at first. She blinked and felt the sheet under her fingers. It had to be the dead of night. Again, the shadows moved. Someone was standing in front of her bed. Lilli threw herself back in panic, felt a hand grab her and squeeze painfully. By the grip, it had to be a man. Lilli shrieked and lashed out, kicking at her attacker, and managing to break free. She rolled away from him and fell to the floor. The sheet had wrapped around her legs and prevented her from getting up. Footsteps moved across the floor, she screamed in expectation of another attack and raised her hands in front of her face.

  “Lilli!” The voice came from the doorway. Footsteps again. Lilli sobbed and tried to wriggle out of the sheet, painfully bumping her bedside cabinet.

  “Lilli!”

  Yellowish light fell on her and it was Amon’s frightened face she saw. He set the lantern aside and then he was beside her, pulling her into his arms.

  “What happened?” he asked as Lilli clung to him with her heart racing and gratitude surging through her.

  “Someone was in the room and attacked me.” Lilli pressed against Amon’s chest, trembling, burying her face against his neck. His scent and body heat meant safety, rescue.

  “What, who?” Amon sounded alarmed.

  “I don’t know. I couldn’t see him.”

  Lilli felt herself being lifted up. Amon pressed her to him and carried her to the door.

  “Don’t. What if he’s still there?” Lilli clung to Amon’s neck.

  “Guards!” Amon shouted into the hallway. He had to holler twice more before several men came trotting up.

  “Majesty?” The guard’s voice sounded irritated.

  “Someone attacked the princess in her room. Search everything immediately. Arrest any stranger. I’ll take the princess to my chamber. Two guards will accompany us. The rest of you: Notify the captain at once. Hurry!”

  “Yes, sire!”

  “Search the princess’s room. Check windows for signs of burglary!” Amon dragged Lilli through the corridors. She continued to hide her face against his neck, but her heart slowly calmed.

  Shortly, the familiar smell of paper, ink, and leather enveloped her. They had arrived at Amon’s study. Amon instructed the guards to search this room as well. When they found it empty, he told them to close the door and line up in the hallway. Amon placed Lilli on his bed and then went to the door, where he advanced the latch. Lilli could tell by the sound of metal clicking into place. Still, she was glad when he settled next to her on the bed and wrapped her in blankets with care.

  “Did you really not recognize him?” Amon asked again.

  “No.” Lilli snuggled up to him and he stroked her head, kissing her forehead. “I want to stay here tonight.”

  “Of course, you’re staying here. I won’t leave you alone in a room again until the guy is caught.”

  “What did he want with me?” Lilli inquired, though she realized that Amon couldn’t know that any more than she could.

  “Since he managed to escape, it’s hard to tell. Did he have a weapon?”

  “I didn’t notice any.”

  “Did he say anything?”

  “No.” She pressed tighter against him, wishing she could crawl inside him. “Why were you there all of a sudden?”

  “I couldn’t sleep ... and then I felt I had to check on you.”

  “That’s amazing. Magical in a way, too.”

  “Yes, strange. Turned out all right, though.” Amon pulled the blanket tighter around her and she began to feel warm.

  “Majesty!” There was a knock at the door.

  “Wait a moment,” Amon whispered. Then he got up and Lilli felt terribly alone as he went to answer the caller. She heard voices and crawled out of bed, pulling the covers behind her. Lilli looked out of the slit in the curtain and saw Amon standing there with his sister and the doctor. Constance turned her back and she saw Amon shake his head.

  “Lilli is unharmed. You can just go back to bed. Have you found anyone?” He addressed the last words to someone Lilli could not see from her position.

  “No, Your Majesty, but everything is being searched, the gates have been locked immediately, he cannot have escaped.”

  “Excellent. If you have him, lock him up and guard him well. I will interrogate him personally tomorrow.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And now leave me alone. I have Lilli to look after.”

  “Amon ...” Constance put her hand on the king’s arm. “Wouldn’t it be better if ...”

  “I’ll manage. Good night, sister.” Amon nodded to her and immediately closed the door. The heavy latch clicked, and Lilli couldn’t imagine anyone getting in here.

  “Thank you,” she said as Amon approached her with a sombre expression.

  “The fellow will hang who did this to you.” He took her by the arm and pulled her back to the bed, where he gently pushed her into the pillows.

  “You’re going to hang him?” Lilli questioned, startled.

  “An assassination ... that’s the usual punishment. But if you don’t want that, we’ll find some other punishment for him.” He had added the last sentence quickly and Lilli smiled, realising how he was responding to her.

  “Will you sleep next to me?” she asked.

  “That would be my greatest joy and reassurance. I can’t allow anything else anyway.” Amon slipped off his boots and settled down on the bed. Immediately Lilli snuggled into his arms and felt the last of her excited heartbeats dissipate. She became calm and soon she was asleep in the warmth of his embrace.

  The night passed without further incident and to her surprise Lilli slept through until morning. Amon had lingered beside her, but as soon as she opened her eyes and he kissed her forehead, he jumped up to open the door and listen to the guard’s report. The report was poor. No one had been found, although they had searched the castle down to the deepest cellars. They had even thoroughly combed the servants’ quarters. The captain informed his king that the fugitive must have left the premises before the gates were closed.

  Amon gave orders to immediately take every stranger into custody without exception, not to let traders into the courtyard for the next few days and to keep the gates locked. Anyone entering or leaving had to be checked. He also decreed that four guards should follow the princess from now on. Before Lilli could go to her chamber to freshen up and dress, the rooms were thoroughly searched again, and Amon waited for her in her room until she came out of the bath.

  Around noon, the excitement subsided somewhat. Amon and Lilli went for a walk in the garden, visited the apple tree and then went to the library to continue searching for books that could help them solve the mystery. Amon had also sent a rider into town to get more books.

  They had dinner together with Constance, who was worried and asked Lilli if she would rather leave.

  “No. Amon takes care of me,” Lilli replied.

  “You’re right, he does.” Constance gave her brother a warm smile. “But he can’t always be by your side. Until we know why someone would want to kill you, we have to be careful.”

  “How would you know if he wanted to kill Lilli?” Amon asked sharply, causing Lilli to look at him, startled.

  “I ... I ... that was just a guess,” Constance stammered. She put a hand over her heart. “My goodness, I don’t know you like that, Amon.”

  Lilli looked at her worriedly, but Constance was smiling again.

  “It’s all right, dear. I’m just not used to my brothe
r looking after anyone other than himself.”

  Amon looked up. “Am I really that bad?”

  “Yes.” Constance took a sip of wine. Lilli giggled and Amon grinned wryly.

  “I wonder if I can still get better?”

  “I think it’s too late for that, dear brother.”

  Amon suddenly looked thoughtful. “Yes. Perhaps.”

  9

  Several days passed in which Amon did everything to make Lilli forget the event. He didn’t leave her alone anymore and recently started wearing a short sword and a dagger on his belt. She felt safe at his side. At night she lay next to him, always choosing the bed in his study and locking the door. During the day, too, Amon locked the door from the outside so that no one could sneak into the room.

  These precautions also had the great advantage that they were absolutely undisturbed. Lilli thought she was basking in happiness during these hours. She had Amon to herself, they talked, laughed, and kissed intimately, Amon told her about his work, what needed to be considered, and she listened attentively. He read her stories and she asked him about events in his life. In the process, she learned that he had basically always got along well with his brother. This sudden attack – Amon could not explain it. His brother Jheron must have hidden his jealousy from him for years. The fact that Amon was a few minutes older than his twin secured him the throne. But that had supposedly never been a point of controversy between them. Lilli voiced the thought that Jheron had only wanted to disfigure his brother so that they no longer looked alike, but what was the point? She just couldn’t figure out the mystery.

  Another possibility was that Jheron had only intended to kill Amon and at the last moment the hatred had exploded in this kind of attack, even if he had not summoned up the courage to stab him in the heart after all.

  Amon agreed with her and said that he could also imagine that his brother had lost his courage in the end. The terrible thing was that she would never know. Amon would never be able to gain clarity, as his brother had been buried for years.