Once Upon A [Fallen] Time

by Samreen Ahsan

  “Thank you,” I replied, too nervous to meet his eyes.

  “How did the teaching go?” He rested his back against the chair, looking completely at ease whereas I was on high alert, sitting upright with a straight back.

  “It was very good. Better than I expected.” I smiled, shrouding my fear, and looked at him.

  “Hmm.” He was rubbing his grey beard with this finger, but looked lost in some thought. “Edward told me you fed the children.”

  Did he? There was no point in making up any stories then. It was time to speak the truth.

  “I apologize for not seeking your permission, Your Majesty, but I thought Prince Edward held equal authority.” I tried to calm myself down. Maybe he had just called me to ask about today’s learning session.

  “I’m not complaining, my dear. I want to know if this act would keep the children coming to the castle every day?” he asked.

  I watched him for a few seconds, trying to articulate my nervous thoughts.

  “The children were indeed hungry, Your Majesty, and they were a bit reluctant to learn. If giving them good food is all it takes to bring them to the castle every day, then I suppose this should not be a bad deal.”

  “Hmmm…” He was observing me in a strange manner, still rubbing his beard, his sharp eyes focused on my face, as if he was trying to memorize me. “So, you think the children would visit every day?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” I replied.

  “And will you be able to teach them every day?”

  I looked at him for a moment, trying to read his mind through his eyes, but he wasn’t giving me any clue. I didn’t know what he wanted me to say.

  “As long as I’m here, Your Majesty, I will teach the children every day.”

  “And how long do you think you will be here?”

  “I beg your pardon?” I wasn’t sure what he was asking.

  “I’m asking, how long do you intend to stay here?” His tone sounded a bit urgent, which sent my nerves into overdrive. I had no answer to this question.

  “I’m Prince Edward’s captive, Your Majesty. He’d give you a better answer.”

  He chuckled and looked up. He shook his head and looked at me with his drunken eyes. “He’d be a fool if he let you go.” He was watching me intently, speculating about my every move. I felt uncomfortable under his watchful gaze so I shifted in my chair. He leaned forward and picked up the crystal tumbler. “Would you like a drink, my dear?”

  “Thank you for asking, Your Majesty, but I don’t drink...”

  ...not with a perverted man like you. I suppressed a shudder.

  There was another crystal tumbler, with water in it.

  “Some water then?” he asked while picking up the water tumbler.

  “Yes, please. Thank you,” I smiled again. My throat felt dry already. I was thankful he offered me water.

  He took his time pouring water in the goblet. I leaned forward and picked up the goblet myself before he could hand it over to me.

  Without saying anything further, I gulped all the water in one go. It smelled like fresh spring water but was tad too warm for my liking. I still drank it because I was too thirsty to be fussy.

  I placed the goblet back and still found him watching me. I sat quietly, looking around the room, waiting for him to start the conversation. I had no idea why he had called me—or if he was done talking, why wasn’t he asking me to leave?

  “You have seen this side of the castle for the first time, I suppose?” he asked, breaking my trail of thoughts.

  I looked back at him. “There are many places in the castle I have not visited, Your Majesty. It’s up to Prince Edward if he is willing to show me.”

  “Hmmm…” He kept his gaze locked on my face. “How is my son treating you?”

  He is my true Prince Charming and I love him more than anything despite the dark side to him. He is amazing, with a heart of gold, and his touch has the power to show me the stars, even in the daylight.

  “I’m his prisoner, Your Majesty. He treats me like a prisoner should be treated.” What else could I say?

  He stood up, not saying a word, and walked around the room.

  “Lady Farrow, you have only been his prisoner for two days.” He kept pacing slowly without looking at me. I was able to breathe better without his eyes on me. “I have worked really hard to train my son, in order to make him a stronger king than I have been.” I looked up, my gaze following him. He was wearing a beige shirt, with matching breeches, and a dark brown velvet cape, clasped around his neck. I had read that in the Middle Ages, hair thinning or alopecia was quite common in men after forties, but by looking at King Stefan, no one could say that he ever had this issue. His hair looked as healthy as Edward. His walk was regal—he stood with utter pride, and I hated to admit that he was a graceful king and must have been very good looking at Edward’s age. Grey trimmed beard, shoulder-length salt n’ pepper hair, and he had kept himself physically fit, his body strong and muscular. Perhaps, this gene of handsomeness ran in the entire Hue bloodline.

  “I have trained him both physically and emotionally to be a strong person so he could be a better king than any of the past kings of England.”

  If he thought nothing affected Edward then he was sorely mistaken. I knew how loving and compassionate Edward was. I didn’t say anything in return. Just sat silently, waiting for him to say more.

  “You’re the very first woman in his life where he is claiming his ownership,” he said. “Whenever he kept women in the tower, he freed them later on.” He knew about that? I thought Edward had always told him they had either died of hunger or the punishment had killed them. King Stefan was smarter than we thought. “I tried and tried and tried to make my son strong enough to claim and own a woman and keep her in his hold, but every time a woman came into his prison, he freed her.” He stopped walking and gave me such an icy look that I felt my spine freezing. “You’re the first woman, Lady Farrow.” When he approached me, I straightened my back and tried to think straight, but damn! His presence was making me a nervous wreck. He stood opposite me, bent forward, and held the armrest of the armchair I was sitting in. He was too close! I could smell his sherry breath, his massive demeanour clouding my vision. I was not even able to look at the exit. There was a crystal tumbler on my side. If I hit him on the head, would I be able to escape? But attacking the king would be death of me. He held my gaze, making me even forget to blink. Fear had frozen my blood. “What I had been trying to do for so many years, my dear, you made him do it in one day.” I finally remembered how to blink, but I didn’t know what he was saying. I had always belonged to Edward, and I was here because Edward desired me.

  “I beg your pardon, Your Majesty but I don’t know what you’re saying,” I asked him honestly.

  He read my eyes for a moment. His gaze was as sharp as a scalpel, noticing every movement, every twitch of my muscles, every beat of my inner fear, every flick of my expression, and then he leaned back to straighten up. I was able to breathe again. His presence too close to me had made me nauseous.

  “I called you here to thank you for making him a man like I wanted him to be.” He started pacing again. “Thanks to his control over you, he is learning to control his emotions, he is learning to claim ownership over a woman, and he is learning to punish her when it’s needed.” I gulped his words. If he thought that Edward had chained his mind and feelings then he was making a fool of himself. If he thought Edward was a sadist like him, then he could go to hell. If King Stefan was buying the idea that Edward was finally the diabolical son he had always wanted, Edward must have faked it well.

  “Now he is exactly the way I wanted. Do you know where he is, my dear?”

  “I don’t know, Your Majesty.” You sent a servant when your son was busy kissing me.

  “He is entertaining the guests at the table. Perhaps he hasn’t told you, but his betrothed Elizabeth is here.” I looked at him, speechless—jealousy slicing right through me. “I’
ve given my word to the McQueens; Elizabeth will soon become Edward’s bride.” Why was he telling me? Why hadn’t Edward told me they were coming? He had asked me about Steve but never told me anything about Elizabeth? “We will decide the wedding date in a day or two,” he smiled devilishly. “But that’s not important. The reason I have called you is to give you good news. My son is a very private man, and I know he doesn’t even talk much. Does he talk to you?”

  “No, Your Majesty.” But he kisses me like an insatiable lover.

  “Do you want me to tell you the good news?” he asked, and oh—how much I hated his cocky grin. When I didn’t respond, he continued. “The good news is that you’ll no longer be his prisoner once he’s married. It’s a ritual that we free all the prisoners on the wedding day.” I sucked in a deep breath. He walked closer to me again, surrounding me in his sherry aroma. “But you’ll still be our guest and you can stay here as long as you want.”

  I looked up at him, nervousness spreading through my body. “That’s very kind of you, Your Majesty.” Edward’s impending wedding was making me feel unwanted all of a sudden. I felt disowned, lonely, and abandoned. I was on fire with envy and rage and longing for him. Edward, where are you?

  Before I could consider the news even more, King Stefan offered me his hand. I hesitantly placed my hand on his, and he helped me to stand up. He held both my hands in a firm grip.

  “You’re a very beautiful woman, Lady Farrow, and any man you’d choose would be the luckiest man in this world.” The words coming out of his mouth were giving me chills. If Edward had said the same thing, I would have kissed him senseless and told him there would be no other man than him. But I was standing here with King Stefan—not the man I wanted to hear these words from.

  “I apologize if Edward has treated you indifferently.” He squished my hands. “He is different than other men, but I’m sure he’ll become a better king. He will marry Elizabeth because I have chosen her as his life partner already. And like a good son, he will obey.” He smiled again, and I had no idea why was he even telling me all this. “Courtesy of you, he has finally learned how to control a woman, which will be helpful in the future.” I looked at him, stunned. A pang of jealousy hit my heart when I pictured Edward standing in the chapel, exchanging his vows with Elizabeth. “And since his wedding is close, he may not get the time to show you the entire castle.” He smiled again and led me to walk to the other side of the room. “I thought I’d show you the castle myself.”

  “That’s very kind of you, Your Majesty,” I responded with no emotion. Even if I tried to smile, my face would crack like an eggshell. I didn’t want to feel anything. Thinking that Edward was at the table, talking to Elizabeth and discussing wedding dates with his in-laws was enough to throw me into abandonment.

  “Have you noticed anything unusual about this castle, my dear?” We walked past the armoire, past the ebony bed, and stood by yet another door. I knew where the door led to, but I wondered if he’d take me to the library today.

  I cleared my throat. “Your garden…” I looked away, not sure how to word it.

  “Yes, the garden is not a garden,” he acknowledged. “Do you know why?”

  “Your son hardly speaks, Your Majesty. I asked him once why nobody is taking care of the garden?”

  “And what did he say?” His curious eyes bore into mine.

  “He didn’t reply.” I cleared my throat again. It felt too dry and scratchy—as if I had swallowed a cotton ball. “He doesn’t talk.”

  “The child you healed today, do you know who she is? Did Edward tell you?” I knew he was talking about Emma. He already had all the news. Lying to him was pointless. There must be people hiding somewhere to listen to everything. The guards would have informed him. Haakon might have been right about the walls having ears and mouths. When I didn’t show any reaction, he continued, “She is Edward’s niece.” There was hatred in his eyes at the mention of Emma. I wondered why he was changing the subject from the garden to Emma, but perhaps he didn’t want to disclose the curse right now. I was a stranger to him, after all.

  “You mean your granddaughter, Your Majesty?” I wanted to see how he’d react.

  He took a deep breath, his eyes sparkling with irritation. “Edward had a twin sister who died recently. The child was illegitimate and brought shame to the Hue Family.” What a dickhead! “So, Edward returned the bastard child to her blood family.”

  “You mean to her father?” I asked innocently, as if I didn’t know anything about it.

  “The father is also dead.” Because you killed him, you arsehole. “Edward gave the bastard child to her father’s sister.”

  “Oh! I didn’t know. Sorry to hear it,” I said.

  “We are not sorry, Lady Farrow. My own daughter brought shame to our family. I’m proud of Edward for making the right decision.” Pride was glinting in his eyes. I knew what kind of hell Edward had gone through. I had been right there, on the other side of the mirror, the day his soul had died.

  “I didn’t know who the child was, Your Majesty. All I know is that she is still a child and she is not well. If she is an orphan then I believe there is no one to help her.”

  “You’re very compassionate, my dear.” I could sense sincerity in his voice for the first time. “You have a kind heart.”

  Noticing his good mood, I dared to ask: “I’d like to seek your permission, if you’d be kind enough to let me keep the child with me in this castle?”

  “Have you told Edward?” I knitted my eyebrows on his question. “Does he know you plan to keep the child?”

  “I wanted to ask you first. Edward is your obedient son. He will listen to whatever you tell him.”

  His hand was still holding mine, and his gaze was trying to dive into my mind. He had done this many time with Edward, reading his soul. If he was looking for honesty, I’d give him an honest answer.

  “Very well, Lady Farrow.” He smiled at me. “If that’s what your heart desires, you can keep the child.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  “Have you visited our library yet?” he asked, changing the subject abruptly once again. I was not expecting him to show it to me today, and Edward had warned me not to go there because according to him, King Stefan intended to test the water on me.

  “You have a library?” I asked, faking astonishment.

  “Yes, my dear. I thought you might like it since you’ll need books to teach the children.” He slid the door open, and my heart started pounding loud in my chest again. Was it safe to take this risk without Edward? Would he hurt me down there? Would he force me to drink water or drown me in it? I looked around, trying to find a possibility to run away, but I knew that running away from King Stefan would tell him that I knew everything about the secret library, about the water—he’d know Edward had shared everything with me, and that would compromise my identity. It was better if he thought that Edward had treated me cruelly. I decided to just shut up and act as innocently as I could.

  “Follow me.” He let go of my hand and picked up a lantern that hung on the wall beside the door. I followed him to the spiral staircase; it reminded me of the tower stairs—how claustrophobic and damp they were. Whoever had built this castle had truly loved these windowless passages. I had climbed many spiral staircases and passages in towers and churches in my time: Pisa Tower, St. Paul’s in London, St. Mark’s in Venice, Belem Tower in Lisbon, Giralda in Seville, Galata in Istanbul, and many more, but they all had some opening, some slits for air—but this spiral passage right here was completely closed off. I was convinced that one would die due to the lack of oxygen if they stayed here for more than half an hour.

  It was a long spiral staircase, and I assumed the library was much deeper than the normal basement in this castle. I wondered how much time it had taken to complete the castle’s construction. So much stone had been used, and there was so much I was still unaware of. Was there any area that hadn’t even been discovered by the Hue men?
/>
  “You’re very quiet, my dear,” King Stefan spoke while taking the steps down. There was so much I wanted to know, but I put a lid on my pot full of questions.

  “I’m just wondering where we are going,” I replied.

  “Like I told you, we are heading to our castle’s library,” he glanced back at me and smiled.

  I cleared my throat. “That’s a strange passage for a library.”

  “You will find many strange things here, my dear. This is just the beginning.” I knew it was a warning from his side.

  Upon reaching the ground level, he stopped walking and let me take in the surroundings for a moment. I could see a long passage ahead of me, which disappeared in the darkness. I had seen this library in Edward’s book, but I had never imagined it to be so huge. Edward was right in his book. Although there were no windows, it felt airy in this room. I was no longer feeling claustrophobic.

  “It’s beautiful.” I looked around in the darkness. The only light came from King Stefan’s lantern.

  “It’s just the beginning. You haven’t seen anything, Lady Farrow.” He walked to a wooden table on our left side, where he picked up the taper, burned it with the lantern, and threw it in a hole in the wall behind the table. Within a few seconds, the fire travelled all throughout the passage. I sucked in a deep breath, trying to absorb everything. Though I had seen this library in Edward’s book, I was still taken aback by its size.

  King Stefan had told Edward that the library had been Jasmine’s paradise. Indeed, it could be a paradise for every book lover.

  “It’s beautiful.” I smiled at King Stefan and walked past him to explore the books. I looked all around me, touching the treasures ranging from papyrus rolls to parchments to the leather-bound books.

  “We have books from all around the world. You will find books from Arab, China, Persia, and the rest of Europe,” he said proudly as we kept digging into the library. Were there books from the future too? I could expect anything here. “This is a private collection of our forefathers.” He was such a liar. All this had belonged to Jasmine. “But we have some interesting books here which really don’t make any sense.” He stopped walking and turned to the shelf on his left side. I took a deep breath and saw they were the same books I had noticed earlier—the books that I believed had the Hue men’s past lives stored in it. He picked up exactly the same book I had read in Haakon’s bookstore in Morocco.