Allerleirauh

by Chantal Gadoury

  “I thank you for your generosity, Lord Haven. If there is anything I can do to better help Tränen and your people, please allow me to assist,” he paused, directing his gaze to me. “Allow me the pleasure to introduce Aurelia,” Klaus’s expression softened as he looked to me. I couldn’t stop my stomach from sinking with the twist of dread. I wanted to avoid this confrontation completely. I wanted nothing more than to tell Klaus I was in need of rest, but I knew I had a part to play for the both of them and for myself.

  “Like you, she’s from Tränen,” Prince Klaus continued.

  “Oh, how curious,” Lord Haven said politely, bowing his head towards me. I could see his brow raising inquisitively. Perhaps he was surprised by how much truth I had shared with the prince. I echoed his bow as I dug my nails into the fabric of my gown.

  “We must speak of your home and how you came to Saarland der Licht,” Lord Haven said as he extended his hand to me. “As long as you don’t mind, Your Grace.”

  By the way Klaus clenched his jaw, it was apparent he did. But he took a step back and shook his head.

  “By all means, of course.”

  37

  A s I turned my gaze back to Lord Haven, I was met with challenge in his eyes; daring me to refuse him in front of the prince. He knew I avoided making a scene. Exasperated by his provocation, I took his hand. Lord Haven pulled me towards the rest of the dancers, as a small smile grew on his lips. Looking over my shoulder to Klaus, I discovered him watching me closely. Lord Crestwood came to stand beside him, looking breathless as he too, watched me being carted off by Lord Haven.

  “What an act to uphold, Princess Aurelia,” Lord Haven taunted. “It surely took you no time to weave your enchanting spells over the prince. It seems he is completely infatuated with you.”

  I remained silent as Lord Haven reached for my grasp. I quickly pulled my hand away and narrowed my eyes. I was about to turn on my heel, when I felt his forceful touch on my elbow, yanking me back. I nearly yelped out in pain.

  “You understand he has every intention of following through with the arrangement, don’t you?” he asked, raising his brow inquisitively. I jerked my elbow away; my eyes were wild with anger as I nearly snarled, “You know nothing of Klaus.”

  “Klaus?” Lord Haven asked as his dark glance turned amused. “Quite the informalities.”

  I ignored his snide remark and began to step away again.

  “I’m quite sure he’ll change his opinion of you the moment he learns your virtue has been taken. You’re nothing but soiled goods. You’re no longer a useful asset in any sort of arrangement for the prince. You belong to the König.”

  “I belong to no one,” I hissed. “I will never belong to him.”

  “You, stupid child,” Lord Haven murmured under his breath. I was too focused on Lord Haven’s words to realize a presence had come to stand beside me. I nearly jumped at the sound of Lord Crestwood’s voice.

  “The both of you look quite engaged with each other,” Lord Crestwood interrupted as he looked between the two of us. The sense of relief washed over me upon seeing Crestwood’s face. At least for a moment with him, I was safe again.

  “The König of Tränen has just come from his rooms. He was asking for you, Lord Haven,” Crestwood said with a polite nod. “. . . and I will take this opportunity to borrow Aurelia.”

  “Perhaps Aurelia would like to meet the König of her home? He has always enjoyed meeting his people,” Lord Haven suggested with a smirk.

  “Perhaps later,” Lord Crestwood replied, pursing his lips. “I have need of Aurelia for now.”

  He left no room for discussion or argument. Lord Haven gave a frustrated nod to the both of us. By the way he fidgeted with his hands, this certainly wasn’t a part of his plan. But none-the-less, he turned on his heel and departed in the other direction.

  “Danke,” I whispered to Lord Crestwood as I leaned toward him. He smiled and patted my elbow with gentle fingers.

  “I apologize for taking so long to get to you, princess,” he murmured knowingly.

  “Thank you for just coming. I needed air,” I replied breathlessly.

  “Come, let’s get you back to Klaus before he makes any sort of announcement. Perhaps now would be time to tell him your truth,” he suggested as he offered his arm to me. I knew upon taking his arm, everything would change. What had occurred in Tränen between the König and myself would be known. With this knowledge, Klaus would change his mind about his feelings towards me. Perhaps this would only drive him further from me.

  “Don’t be afraid,” Lord Crestwood reassured me. “He will understand.”

  I sucked in a breath and carefully wrapped my arm around his. I knew he was right. I knew Klaus would understand, for he always had. Klaus insisted for me to trust him over the past few weeks, and he certainly had earned it. He deserved my trust after everything.

  “Where is he?” I asked, glancing around the room. Lord Crestwood tilted his chin forward. “He escorted the Princess of Foix de Lille just to the other side. I’ll take you to him.”

  Lord Crestwood led me through the throng of dancers, past the few tables adorned with goblets of wine. As we reached the other end of the long corridor, I saw from a distance the König – my father. Lord Crestwood’s hand squeezed mine as I paused in mid-step.

  A greyed, frail and wrinkled man stood in place of whom once had been my father. He still had the appearance of strong arms, though the rest of him was curled and hunched. My father carried most of his physique, but he seemed different: weak, and injured. His facial features were distorted with burn blisters scarring the length of his cheek and jaw. Perhaps the disease of his mind finally played a part in his physical deterioration.

  “Aurelia,” I heard Klaus’s voice beside me and I snapped my gaze to his. I couldn’t contain the panic that filled my heart and lungs. I found it harder to breathe as I tried to stifle my terror. The words of my father rang in my memory, despite trying to push them away:

  You are the only one who will do . . . You will be my bride. You will come to me.

  No.

  I think you should stay here with me dearest. Where better to stay than with someone who knows what’s best for you?

  Never.

  You will not leave. You will remain here. You will stay and do this with me. This is your duty.

  Terror jolted down my spine again and again. I wanted to run away, but my feet were frozen in place.

  “Are you alright? You look as pale as a ghost,” Klaus murmured concerned and lifted his hand slowly to touch my arm. I turned my gaze back out to the crowd, to him. It had been safer to watch from afar earlier that morning, but in the vast crowd where I was vulnerable, I wanted to disappear. I saw the König’s dark gaze lift and drift around the ballroom.

  At last, he saw me. My fingers grabbed a hold of Klaus’s arm—an instinct. A small smile lurked on my father’s lips and I darted my gaze away.

  “Perhaps she needs some air,” Lord Crestwood suggested. “A walk in the gardens might do her some good. I think the room might be too warm.”

  Klaus’s anxious gaze met mine, his green eyes silently asking if I desired this. I gave a curt nod. I began to search the room again as Klaus led me through the crowd of courtiers and guests; I wished to keep a close visual on my father and Lord Haven.

  “Aurelia, are you alright?” Klaus asked again, his voice riddled with concern.

  He turned my chin with his fingertips, drawing my gaze back to his. I saw his concern as he studied me, searching my eyes. I tried to retain my focus on walking to avoid stumbling.

  “Do you recognize the König?” Klaus tried again, but I didn’t respond. Lord Crestwood mentioned telling Klaus the truth, but I didn’t know where to begin. I saw Lord Haven from the corner of my eye lurking with a goblet of wine in his hand. He began to move swiftly in our direction; the König followed closely behind. Alarm began to build in my chest.

  “Bitte,” I began as I tried to shroud the
terror in my voice. “Take me outside for air.” I did not want Lord Haven or my father to come any closer to me. I had not faced my father since escaping the palace as the wild girl in a thousand furs. The room suddenly tilted and blurred all around me. I was grateful to feel Klaus’s hand on my elbow, supporting me.

  “Come, let’s go outside,” he said softly, continuing to guide me with apprehension.

  “Your Highness!” Lord Haven called and lifted his hand for Klaus to notice. Klaus turned his attention to Lord Haven with a raised brow. I dug my fingers into Klaus’s arm.

  “I wish to introduce your guest to the König,” Lord Haven said with a tight smile as he nodded towards me. Klaus rested his hand against my back as he tried to gesture to the door.

  “We were about to get some air. Perhaps when we return?”

  “It’ll only take a moment,” Lord Haven said, ignoring him as he turned to look behind him. “Your Highness, this was the girl from Tränen I was telling you about. May I present the guest of Prince Klaus? What was your name, milady?” Lord Haven tilted his head curiously, with a cold grin from ear to ear. He was playing a pointless game; a game I would lose. I bit my lip as I gazed from Klaus to the König. I didn’t want to speak my cursed name. I longed to hide behind my new identity . . . Allerleirauh.

  38

  “Her name is Aurelia,” Klaus murmured before I had the chance to respond.

  “Au . . .re . . .lia . . .”

  The König’s dark blue eyes grew wide as he repeated my name. They were the same eyes that once held me captive as he tore my clothes from my body. He wore an uncanny grin as he turned his gaze back to Lord Haven, who in turn, reflected a knowing look.

  His manservant nodded, silently reassuring the König’s hopes wordlessly. I was in fact his daughter—the missing bride-daughter to be. I shuddered at the sight of his sickeningly crooked smile. The scars of his burns had pulled a corner of his mouth into a permanent upward stretch. His tongue lapped from his mouth, like he was a dog begging for his meal.

  Much had happened to him physically: his face had a large scar from his eye to his lip and on the left side of his face, his skin was mottled and blotched. He extended his hand out for mine, his limbs quivering as they pushed forward for me. There was a slight bend to his back as he held onto a long cane, which I imagined helped him to walk.

  “I promised to find her,” he said, turning to look at Lord Haven with his repulsive smile of delight. “It’s Aurelia.”

  I noticed Klaus shift uncomfortably, his gaze leapt between the three of us. I could only imagine the confusion he must have felt.

  “You know Aurelia?” Klaus asked confused as he took a protective step closer to me.

  “Know Aurelia? Good prince, the König is your guest’s father. You have been harboring this fugitive princess in your home for all these weeks!” Lord Haven snarled with a chuckle. I swiftly turned to look at Klaus with frantic and apprehensive eyes. How was I to explain myself? What answers could I supply now? Now that it was too late . . .

  “Klaus, bitte . . . I can explain,” I managed to say as I searched his face. I sought the kindness and understanding I once saw in the forest the day he found me, the night I cut my hair, the night of our kiss.

  His bewildered green eyes met mine; they were seeking the answers I hadn’t been able to share in all of our time together. Why couldn’t have I been braver? Why couldn’t I have trusted Klaus before all of this?

  “Indeed, you could,” Lord Haven interjected. “But anything you say now, the prince will suspect is only full of lies.”

  “That will be for me to determine,” Klaus interrupted and held his hand up to silence Lord Haven, his transfixed gaze never leaving mine. I felt a sense of relief as Klaus’s gentle hand moved from my back to my elbow. His touch spoke silent words: Trust me. And this time, I would.

  “You are the daughter of the König of Tränen. That would explain your story about the arranged marriage,” Klaus said aloud thoughtfully. Had he recalled the rumors Adelais and Crestwood had shared of Tränen and my father the morning after my arrival? “You said you ran away from your home because your father was arranging an unsuitable match.”

  “That is what I told you,” I replied, nodding hastily.

  “All lies, Your Grace,” Lord Haven interjected haughtily and glanced to the König who continued to gaze at me hungrily. I could feel my skin begin to crawl upon seeing the desire still burning wildly there.

  “If you interrupt again, Lord Haven, I shall have to ask you to remove yourself from my presence until I’ve spoken to Aurelia,” Klaus replied, agitated. “I want to hear her truth.”

  “I beg your pardon, Your Highness. I have known this girl since she was a child. She has an eccentric mind. She believes in things far from reality.”

  “If that is what you believe, Lord Haven, then why are you so worried about what she says to me?” Klaus asked as he looked quizzically at Lord Haven. “I still wish to hear what Aurelia has to say.”

  Lord Haven closed his lips and took a long sip from his goblet. Klaus studied him and my father with a raised brow.

  “What do you want with Aurelia?” Klaus asked, his hand still holding my elbow gently. Perhaps he was afraid I would run away. I nearly had a mind to do exactly that. But I knew if I ran now, I would run for the rest of my life.

  “We simply would like to bring Aurelia back to Tränen when we return home,” Lord Haven replied. “She belongs with her father.”

  “She is under my care,” Klaus retorted, narrowing his eyes. “If Aurelia chooses to leave here, it shall be of her own accord. Neither you or I shall make any decision for her, Lord Haven.” He looked to me, as if to gain my permission for what he was about to do next. I simply watched and listened.

  “Now excuse us, Lord Haven, Aurelia and I need to speak alone.”

  The König grabbed my arm in a rash movement and edged closer near my ear for my hearing only.

  “It would be in your best interest to come with Lord Haven and I tonight. If you choose not to, I’ll tell the prince what truly happened—how you threw yourself at me. He’ll be disgusted with knowing such a harlot and you’ll be nothing . . . nothing.”

  I looked at my pitiful, strange father and shook my head.

  “You have no power over me anymore.” In all the moments he had haunted me, I would never again allow him to do as much again. “I’m going to tell Klaus myself and it shall not be me he throws out of Saarland. What you did to me is unforgivable.”

  I believed with all of my heart, Klaus would not turn me away from him—not now.

  “If you do not come back to me now, I will always be determined to find you. I will always follow you no matter where you go. I will never give up the bride that should be mine,” he taunted. “You know we are meant to be together.”

  “No,” I shook my head. “I will never be yours.”

  I didn’t care how many times I’d have to run away, how many castles I’d have to tarnish, how many dresses I’d have to request—I’d always find a way to escape him.

  “If you refuse me . . . if I cannot have you, then neither will he,” he threatened.

  “Come,” Klaus said angrily as he tugged my hand. He pulled me away from my father and his desperate threats. He towed me towards the main doors, ignoring the taunts coming from the mouths of Lord Haven and my father. Klaus didn’t stop until we were past the foyer, and out onto the main steps of the palace.

  Klaus’s face was hardened and anxious as he paused and let out a heavy sigh. The night sky was bright from a full moon, nestled between purple clouds. As I turned to look into Klaus’s face, I nervously began to rub my arms.

  “I know I have much to explain to you, Klaus. I know I must apologize for my dishonesty. I was just trying to protect myself . . . I was trying—”

  “It is true there is much to explain to me,” he nodded a bit sternly. “I would advise you to start at the beginning.” Klaus gestured towards me, inviting me to
speak.

  I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear with trembling fingers before I began.

  “When my mother died, she made my father promise he would only marry a woman with her golden hair. When my father exhausted all of his options, all the potential choices of wives, his eyes wandered to me,” I began with a shudder. “My father has never been a healthy man, Klaus. Everyone knew what sort of man he was.”

  “What sort of man is he?” Klaus asked as he crossed his arms.

  “I’ve seen him hurt many people in the castle—maids . . . in the hall. We all lived in fear of who would endure his wrath next,” I replied, shivering as I felt the fear roll through me again. The image of the poor maid flashed in my mind again, her pleas for help.

  “Just when he lost hope, something changed and he decided I was the woman he wished to marry. I have the same golden hair as my mother.” I looked at the few strands lingering on my shoulders. Klaus’s eyes turned to my hair, an expression of realization softened his hardened gaze.

  “Your hair,” he murmured gently, reaching out to touch a curl carefully. Perhaps he was remembering the night he found me in the kitchen, golden pieces on the floor around my feet. I continued with my story, allowing him the chance to piece things together for himself.

  “He began to give me gifts, brought me gowns, jewels, and hosted parties.” With a pause, I looked down and began to twist my fingers nervously.

  “There is more, isn’t there?” Klaus asked as his fingers reached to touch my hand cautiously. I trembled. I didn’t want to lose Klaus. I knew I couldn’t bear the thought of being turned away by him; not now.

  “The stories are true then, aren’t they? The König wished to marry his daughter . . . you. Just as Lord Crestwood said,” Klaus continued, searching my eyes for the unspoken truth. I hesitated, wanting to admit to everything—wanting to reveal all that happened, but the fear radiated throughout me.