Chapter 18
Aurelia's eyes darted around the opulent hallway, taking in the intricate tapestries and gleaming suits of armor that lined the walls. Yet, despite the grandeur, the castle felt more like a gilded cage than a place of luxury. Each step she took echoed hollowly in the vast emptiness, the silence broken only by the soft rustle of her skirts and the hesitant footfalls of Betsy, who followed behind.
Aurelia couldn't help but notice the subtle glances the other servants cast her way. Whispers followed her like phantoms, their hushed tones carrying a mixture of curiosity and fear. News traveled fast, and it seemed the rumors about the King's guest being a slave had reached even the lower echelons of the castle.
The heat of anger flared in Aurelia's chest. She was no slave, as some whispers seemed to suggest. The King's callous declaration still stung, a cruel reminder of the power he now held over her life. But Aurelia refused to be cowed. She was a victim of circumstance, not a chattel.
Aurelia came to an abrupt halt at the foot of the grand staircase, its steps now adorned with a crimson carpet that, for a fleeting moment, triggered a horrifying memory. The blood. The scream that had echoed through these very halls, shattering the night's silence. Then, the sight of the stoic butler...
"Betsy," Aurelia finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Do you ever find… anything… strange about the castle?"
The maid looked at her with a mixture of confusion and concern. "Strange, milady?" she echoed, tilting her head slightly. "I… I wouldn't say so. It's a large castle, of course, with many rooms and hidden passages. But strange? No, not really."
Aurelia frowned, her green eyes flickering across the ornate ceiling. Perhaps it was just the weight of recent events, the trauma that clung to her like a shadow. Or maybe there was something more, a subtle dissonance that only her heightened senses could detect.
Curiosity gnawed at Aurelia as she gazed upwards at the grand staircase. Its steps seemed to beckon her, leading to an unknown part of the castle. "What lies beyond these stairs, Betsy?" she inquired, her voice laced with a hint of cautious curiosity.
"Those stairs, milady," Betsy replied, her voice dropping to a hushed whisper, "lead to the upper floors. The King's study is located there, along with his private chambers and other important rooms." A flicker of apprehension crossed her kind brown eyes. "Maids are rarely permitted access to those areas. Only a select few are allowed to go up there for dusting and light cleaning."
Aurelia's brow furrowed. The information, seemingly innocuous, sent a prickle of unease down her spine. "And you, Betsy," she pressed, her voice a low murmur, "have you ever been up those stairs?"
Betsy shook her head vehemently. "Never, milady. The upper floors are strictly off-limits for most of the staff. The butler, Mr. Malcolm, is very particular about who goes up there."
Aurelia's eyes narrowed in thought. "Speaking of off-limits," she began, her voice carefully neutral, "what about the butler?"
"Strange, milady?" she finally replied, shaking her head. "Not exactly strange, no. He's a very… proper man. Impassive, you might say. Always composed, with a stern look that can silence even the most boisterous servant if they step out of line."
A flicker of something akin to respect crossed Betsy's face. "He keeps the castle running smoothly, that much is certain. But some say… well, some say he knows every secret this place holds. Like a silent guardian, watching over everything and everyone."
A shiver ran down Aurelia's spine despite the warmth of the castle. The mysteries of this place seemed to seep into the very stones. "Speaking of strange occurrences," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "did you happen to hear a scream a few nights ago? A bloodcurdling cry that seemed to echo from… below?"
Betsy's brow furrowed in confusion. "A scream, milady? From below? But that's impossible. There are no dungeons or basements beneath this castle. Just the foundation and storage rooms that are rarely accessed."
She knew this.
"Maybe I'm mistaken," she murmured, forcing a smile. She wasn't mistaken.
"Perhaps," Betsy agreed, her voice laced with relief. "The castle can be quite… echoing at night. Especially with the wind howling through the corridors."
But Aurelia wasn't convinced. The memory of the scream was vivid, raw in her mind. "But I could have sworn…" she started, then stopped. There was no point in arguing with Betsy, especially if the maid hadn't heard anything unusual.
"It's nothing, truly," Aurelia finally said, dismissing the topic. "Just the exhaustion catching up with me, I suppose." She straightened her shoulders, a mask of composure settling on her face.
"Tell me, Betsy," she asked, her voice casual, "do any of the maid have night duty? Perhaps someone who might have heard… anything unusual in the past few nights?"
Betsy paused in thought. "Well," she began hesitantly, "Agnes. She often volunteers for night patrol, making sure the fires are tended. "
As they continued their walk, a heavy silence descended upon them. Aurelia decided to change the subject.
"Tell me, Betsy," she began, her voice softening slightly, "are you familiar with the lands surrounding this castle? The forests, any villages nearby?"
Betsy shook her head regretfully. "I wouldn't know, milady. Servants like myself are rarely allowed to step outside the castle gates. Our world is confined to these halls and courtyards." A flicker of sadness crossed her eyes, a glimpse of the life she was denied.
Sensing the maid's dejection, Aurelia offered a small smile. "I understand," she said gently. "It was just a passing curiosity."
But the truth was, her curiosity was far from passing. The knowledge of the surrounding land, the potential escape routes, was a vital piece of information she desperately needed. A sigh escaped her lips, a sound heavy with frustration and a burgeoning sense of helplessness.
Betsy, mistaking the sigh for boredom, tilted her head in concern. "Are you alright, milady?" she inquired. Aurelia have her a brief nod.
The fresh air and vibrant colors of the castle gardens offered a welcome respite from the stifling atmosphere within the castle walls. Lush green lawns stretched before them, dotted with vibrant flowerbeds bursting with color. A gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of roses, creating a stark contrast to the tension that had coiled around Aurelia since her arrival.
Drawn to a secluded corner, she found the white swing nestled beneath the shade of a weeping willow. With a sigh, she sank onto the cool white wood, the gentle sway calming her racing thoughts. Betsy, ever dutiful, hovered nearby, her kind eyes filled with concern.
"This garden is quite beautiful, wouldn't you agree, milady?" she ventured, hoping to lift Aurelia's spirits.
Aurelia offered a small smile, a fleeting appreciation for the beauty surrounding her. "It is," she conceded, her voice quiet.
A pause settled between them, filled only with the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves. Betsy, ever the loyal servant, sensed Aurelia's need for solitude.
"Perhaps," she began hesitantly, "you might be interested in the castle library, milady. It houses a vast collection of books on every subject imaginable. A perfect way to… occupy your time."
Aurelia's lips twitched in a semblance of a smile. The idea of burying herself in dusty tomes wasn't exactly her idea of excitement in her current situation, especially when there were secrets waiting to be unearthed within these very walls. However, she didn't want to appear ungrateful for the maid's genuine concern.
"I see," she replied noncommittally, her gaze drifting across the vibrant flowerbeds. "Thank you for the suggestion, Betsy. I will explore the library at a later time."
Betsy's voice dropped to a low, mischievous whisper, a hint of conspiracy sparkling in her kind brown eyes. "There are even some… ahem unconventional tales hidden amongst the dusty shelves, milady," she revealed. "Stories that wouldn't be found in the usual history or etiquette tomes. Tales that make hearts race and cheeks burn."
A knowing glint flickered in her brown eyes. "Many a shameless maid," she continued with a hint of mischief, "has discovered a taste for the… more titillating tales hidden amongst the dusty tomes. Just a suggestion, of course, milady."
A single, perfectly arched eyebrow rose on Aurelia's face. Betsy's playful demeanor and suggestive whispers felt a little out of place. "Titillating tales," she mused silently, a hint of skepticism replacing her initial amusement. Perhaps the kind brown eyes held a touch more cunning than she initially gave them credit for. Library...Library...her mind repeated, searching for a way to use this new information to her advantage.
Escape. The word echoed in her thoughts, a constant reminder of her predicament. While forbidden love stories might provide a temporary distraction, they wouldn't help her navigate the labyrinthine castle or the treacherous political landscape that awaited her. Maps, on the other hand...
"Maps, Betsy," Aurelia interjected, her voice regaining its seriousness. The mischievous glint in the maid's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a flicker of apprehension.
"Maps, milady?" she echoed, her voice hesitant.
"Yes, maps," Aurelia pressed, her eyes fixed on the maid. "Does the library perhaps contain any maps? Maps of this kingdom, or even… beyond?"
"There are maps, milady," she finally admitted. "Maps of our own kingdom, of course, with detailed schematics of towns, villages, and even hidden pathways. There are also… maps of other lands, some meticulously crafted, others mere rumors whispered on the wind."
Intrigue bubbled within Aurelia. Maps, especially detailed ones with hidden pathways marked, could be invaluable tools for escape planning, after all she was barely aware of the land.
Aurelia's lips stretched into a sly smile, a plan forming in her mind like a spider weaving its web. The library, with its forbidden literature and meticulously crafted maps, was no longer just a refuge from boredom; it was a potential treasure trove.
Betsy, ever cautious, watched Aurelia with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. The playful banter about forbidden tales had taken a sharp turn, and the glint in Aurelia's eyes.