Chapter 9: Fears Come True; I Have Been Found Out!

My greatest achievement over the past week has been moving furniture a metre, a few centimetres every night to avoid detection. I moved the furniture to help conceal the secret passages. Dusting takes on a whole new meaning in these kinds of situations. I never thought I would see that day where I was purposefully bringing dirt inside to making this messier. Harriette still hasn’t gotten back to be on if she is going to court Aldous yet. The lack of an answer is really getting on my nerves. So, I decided to confront her on it. I found her in the courtyard watching the twins play.

Harriette smiled when she saw me. “Hey Amice, how is it going?”

“Fine, not much happening, how are you?” I sat down next to her.

“Oh, quite good. Still got that chain around my legs, but otherwise, things are good.” She turned her head up to watch the clouds in the sky. “How is the dusting coming along?”

“Good, making sure to get every nook and cranny. It’s what I’m paid to do.” I made a small clap with my hands to ensure I had her attention. “So, have you decided on if you are going to court you-know-who?” I asked with a sing song voice.

“No, he seems like a good guy, but, I just can’t bring myself to do that. My duty since I was born was to defend the kingdom against him. Courting him goes against that. I still hate him, maybe not the him in this life, but all the previous hims I can’t get past all they have done. I might reconsider in the future, but for now, it’s a no.” She poured out her heart.

I touched her shoulder. “Okay, if that is how you feel.”

“You’re not going to try convincing me that he is my soulmate?” She seemed surprised I was so cool with this.

“You had my opinion, you thought about it, and now you have decided. It’s your life, if you don’t want to, then don’t. I’m glad you are keeping an open mind for the future. It’s only been a few months since you’ve met, there is no need to rush.” I told her.

“Thank you for understanding.” Harriette gave me a hug.

I hugged her back. “That’s my job.” We went back to watching the twins. “So how are the little ones doing?”

“Well, they are doing great. They seem to like everyone, they are growing so fast, they are going to be taller than you in no time!” Harriette laughed.

“Hey! They still got a couple of years before they reach my height, I’m not that short!” I snapped back at her.

“I am worried though.” Harriette then confided in me. “Aldous, King Aldous, was talking to me about the twins beginning combat training next year. I’m scared. I don’t want my babies to be put in danger.” She was holding back tears.

“I’m sure it’s nothing, just some standard self defense training. How old were you when you learned to fight?” I tried to comfort her.

“I don’t want them to end up like me okay!” Harriette suddenly exploded into rage. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell at you. I-I want them to choose their own path, make their own story. The day I was born, everyone knew I was to become the captain of the royal guard, and yes, I wanted to, I loved my job. I still had days though, where I wished I had a choice. I want my kids to choose their own fate, not be trained for serving someone else, doing what he orders and nothing else. That is what I’m scared of, them not having a choice on what they become.”

“You want them to be free.” I stated.

“Yes. It feels almost like I was a prisoner before Aldous came. I could do as I pleased, but I don’t think I was truly free. Does that make sense?” She turned to me with tears rolling down her face.

“It does.” I hugged her, it was the only thing I could think of that could help.

“What can I do?” Harriette wailed.

“I-I don’t think there is anything you can do.” I hugged her tighter, letting her know, she wasn’t alone.

Throughout the day, I’ve observed that Harriette and Aldous have been friendly with each other. These things take time, I still believe they will get together at some point, I might loose the bet, but it’s of no consequence if my best friend is happy. That evening as I was getting ready for bed, there was a knock on my door. I was still in my undergarments, which by the standards of my old world, would be considered somewhat conservative streetwear. “Come in!” I called.

Ignatius let himself in. “Oh my stars! You’re not decent!” I yelled at the top of his lungs.

I looked at what I was wearing, then at what he was wearing, a wrap shirt that showed off most of his chest, in the game he is from, he takes it off in phase two of his boss fights. “I’m wearing more then you.” I stated more like I asking a question.

“Still, this is gross and wrong.” He shouted.

“Anyway, what do you want?” I sat down on my bed and stretched.

“Is Lady Harriette going to ask my master to court her?” Ignatius asked while refusing to look at me.

“No. She is still hesitant, she is going to keep an open mind for the future, but for now it’s a no.” I answered sternly.

“Ugh.” He scoffed. “Why?”

“Countless generations of fear is not simply undone just because of a crush. Give it time. So what if you lose out on some money, Camillus clearly needs the money.” I leaned forward, resting my elbow on my knee, and my head in my hand.

“Um, true. Still, it would be in her best interest to, cozy up to him. She had slain many of our men, now she walks among us like there isn’t blood on her hands.” Ignatius finally looked at me with a toothy grin, trying to intimidate me.

“It can be hard looking in mirror. Blood was split on both sides. It’s time to let these things go.” I remained unfazed.

“You worry me.” He then grabbed me by the throat. “You don’t seem to comprehend what I am capable of. I could kill you, and like you said, only Lady Harriette would miss you. If you were found dead in the morning, you would be replaced by nightfall. Do not make me mad, or I will make you an example.” He slammed me down on my bed. He extended his nail into a claw the size of a large knife, the slashed between my collarbone and the top of my chemise. He let me go as I rushed to cover the wound. “A reminder of my warning. Now, keep encouraging Lady Harriette to court my master, before it’s too late.” He teleported away when he finished speaking.

A fellow maid ran in. “Amice, I heard shouting.” She saw the blood. “Ah! You’re bleeding! Are you alright? What happened?” She grabbed a cloth and tried to dap up some of the blood.

I opened a hidden panel in the wall, I pulled out a health potion and drank. “I’m fine.” I almost growled. I gazed back over to the hidden compartment. “Hm, getting low.”

“Amice! What was that about? Why do you have a stash of health potions?” The maid asked in a panic.

I stared her dead in the eyes. “It’s nothing, it’s best if you stay out of this. You didn’t see any stash, okay? This will only put you in danger. I appreciate your concern, but please, keep yourself out of this.”

“Um, okay. Uh, it looks like you have a scar now, his attack must have been cursed.” She murmured.

The next day was laundry day, one of my least favorite days. While carrying so clean bedding, I was thinking to myself. This isn’t a truly medieval setting, more simply the medieval vibes. A lot of things more had Victorian inspirations, and the castle isn’t laid out like ones from my old world. It makes sense that things would be different, given that this is a completely different timeline.

I turned a corner and saw a figure jump in through a window. I hid behind the corner to avoid detection. I recognized him, his name is Trockalon, a minor lord from Storia. He has been in the last three instalments of the franchise, I’m not a fan. I didn’t understand the point of his character, he wasn’t too bad in his first appearance, but he kept becoming more annoying. I thought Fredrick said that they weren’t going to make any moves without Harriette, Trockalon must have gone rouge. I’ll let things play out, I don’t care if he lives or die. I’ll simply pretend I didn’t see him.

As I went to leave, I heard a little scream. I turned back to see what had happened. Trockalon had pinned a maid to the wall, covering her mouth with his hand. I was unable to hear what he said, but I didn't like the look on his face, or how scared the maid looked. I reached into my skirt and got my knife ready, I kept it hidden under my apron in case someone happened to walk by. Trockalon removed his and from the maid’s mouth and replaced it with his lips. The maid was trying to push him off, all I saw was red. I dash forward, disregarding the Landry and my cover.

I slashed at Trockalon, I hit him, but he jumped away to avoid the full power of my attack. "Run." I told the maid who did just that. She went to up the stairs screaming.

Trockalon growled at me. "Tch, what's your deal? I'm a good guy. I'm here to save you, I deserve a little reward."

"That's not a reward, that's attacking an innocent woman. You are not a good guy. I am Amice, and I won’t let you hurt anyone else.” I declared.

“Heh, I am Lord Trockalon, prepare to die, traitor.” He drew is blade and charged at me.

I dodged. I tripped him with my foot. He stumbled but didn’t go down. He slashed at me, I blocked with my knife. If it wasn’t enchanted, Trockalon probably would have forced my own blade on my face. I ducked and lunged at him, striking him in the stomach. I then put my weight onto one hand on the floor, I spun my legs, knocking him to the ground. I didn’t waste a moment; I got on top of him and hit him with a flurry of slashes and stabs. I was so caught up in making sure he stayed down, I didn’t notice that two demon lords that had came down the stairs.

“Wh-what the-“ One of them stammered in shock.

“Is that, the maid our grace told us to keep an eye on?” The other one asked his companion.

“I think she has a mole just below her right eye, it’s hard to tell with all the blood. It doesn’t matter who she is, we need to go tell the king!” The first one grabbed the second by the arm and they both ran back up the stairs.

That is when I stopped. I knew that I was caught. I might as well turn myself in, along with this jerk. I could still hear Trockalon moaning, meaning he was still alive. I grabbed him by the collar and dragged him up three floors to Aldous study.

The door was open, the two demon lords were each yammering to Aldous about a maid stabbing someone, covered in blood like a maniac. He seemed unimpressed, like his wasn’t believing them, and then he saw me out of the corner of his eye. We stared at each other for a moment, his eyes wide. The two lords turned around slowly, both screamed and held each other. I threw Trockalon forward, he landed just in front of the door. Aldous stood up. “You two can leave.” As he made his way to the door, he summoned Ignatius and Narcissus.

“Ah! What the heck!?” Narcissus screamed, unsure whether to look at me or the body.

“Bring these two inside.” Aldous motioned with his head; his voice was gruff like how I’m used to hearing him in the games. Narcissus dragged Trockalon in, while Ignatius ripped my knife from my hand and pulled me inside. Once inside, Ignatius summoned cuffs and put them on me. “Search her for weapons.” Aldous instructed.

“I was right.” Ignatius declared.

“Now is not the time!” Aldous barked. Ignatius searched my person for any more weapons, he took everything out of my hair and took my sheath for my knife. Aldous then grabbed me by the wrapped part of my hair. He held me in the air, level to his face. He showed me my knife. “This is enchanted with ghostly energy, where did you get it?”

“Black market.” I stated coldly.

“You are more then just a maid, what was your full job before I took over?” He asked matching my coldness, this was pure business.

“Yes, I’m a spy. Counterintelligence, hence, why I live as a maid, it doesn't raise suspicion.” I was panicking on the inside, a million thoughts were passing in my mind, but I kept my words calm.

He moved onto his next question. “Did you aid this man, was this a botched scheme that you were a part of?”

Internally, I was insulted that he thought I would be working with Trockalon willingly. “No, I saw him break in, he attacked a maid, I responded accordingly.”

“Did you ever plan to use this weapon, and the others Ignatius just found in your hair against me or my forces?” He asked one final question.

“Only in self defence, but no, I never planned any assassinations, nor was part of, or aware of any one else’s plans.” I couldn’t hide my fear anymore as I gulped.

“Self defence? Ignatius…” Aldous sighed, before returning to his regular intimidating self. “Your room will be searched, and you will be thrown into the dungeon until I figure out what to do with you. Take her away.” He dropped me.

Ignatius pulled me to my feet and led me out the door. Harriette was there right outside. “Amice!” She screamed. “Whose blood is that?” She looked inside. “Lord Trockalon? Oh, reasonable.”

“Ah, Harriette, just who I wanted to see next.” Aldous snarled. The guards forced her inside. “Everyone besides her leave. Take the intruder to the physician, the the dungeons, and keep him away from Amice.” The guards and Narcissus left with the unconscious Trockalon. Aldous placed the knife on the table. “So, little Amice is a spy under your command? What was it you said about the truth always coming to light?”

Harriette ignored his question and asked her own. “What are you going to do to her?”

“She never tired anything to my knowledge, a few days in the dungeon should ensure she never does.” He and Harriette began to circle each other. “Did you know about this?” Aldous questioned.

“No, what I did hear from the outside, was that anyone who disapproves of your rule, wasn’t going to do anything without me. I’m sure Lord Trockalon acted on impulse and came here alone. It’s the kind of he would do. Try and foolishly play hero.” Harriette replied.

“You’ve been hearing from the outside? How interesting.” He stared down Harriette as they continued to circle each other, it was almost like a dance. Aldous smiled. “Do you really hate me all that much?”

“Does this answer your question?” Harriette swiftly snatched my knife from off the table and stabbed Aldous in the back.

Aldous grabbed Harriette and threw her to the ground; he ripped my knife out of his back. He pinned Harriette down, holding the knife to her stomach, he then threatened her with is face only a few centimetres from her’s. “Give me one good reason not to gut you here and now.” Harriette kissed him. Aldous blushed. “Uh, um, that’s, uh.” He threw the knife across the room and kissed her back.

Harriette has told me all this that had happened after I been imprisoned three days later, a few hours after my release. “So, you two made out?” I asked curiously.

“Yes!” Harriette answered through her hands, hiding her face in embarrassment. “I don’t know why I kissed him. He was going to kill me, and my reaction was to kiss him!” She took her hands off her face to shake them violently.

“So, um, was making out all you did?” I braced to be hit because of my question.

“Uh,” Harriette’s face somehow got redder. “Maybe. I mean no! It’s none of your business!” She snapped at me.

“Hehe,” I giggled. “Don’t worry, I don’t want details. Your secret is safe with me.” I leaned my head on her shoulder. “I’m just glad everything turned out alright.”