Heart of Darkness

Angelica decided to go to the castle with her brother. Thankfully, her father was still asleep when they left, so she would have to endure the scolding later. But this time, she would scold him as well. If he was thinking of killing the King, then he was putting them all in danger.

But why the King? Her father must have seen something? He wouldn’t just turn against the man who gave him a higher position for no reason. And what about the danger signals the King gave her? That couldn’t be just because he was different. She had to follow her gut feeling, and it told her the king wasn’t the killer, but he was definitively not harmless.

Once they arrived at the castle, Angelica felt nervous as they walked in. “Where do you have your lectures?” She asked William.

“I have my theoretical lectures indoors, but I am sure the sword training will be in the soldiers’ quarters. They have a large yard where Knights and other soldiers can train.”

Angelica nodded.

William took them to the soldiers’ quarters and as they walked through the halls, every soldier that walked past them would look her way. They would stare and some would even attempt to charm her with a smile from a distance.

As long as they continued to keep their distance, she didn’t let the stares bother her.

When they came to the yard where the soldiers trained, the smell of sweat and blood filled the air. Several men were fighting each other using wooden swords, and others used actual swords.

At a corner, she saw a few boys training, but they were a little older than her brother. Her brother should have waited a few more years. She regretted bringing him here.

When she turned back to the men, she saw that many of them got distracted from their training and looked her way. Some whispered to each other while eyeing her. Unknowingly, Angelica moved her long hair forward to cover herself.

“Lady Davis,” a dark voice caressed her back, and Angelica turned around.

A pair of obsidian eyes sucked her in and made her freeze.

“I see that you have personally brought your brother,” he said, looking between her and William. “I’ll take care of him from here.”

Angelica blinked a few times. Was he telling her to leave?

“I can wait,” she said.

It was his first time training, and she just wanted to make sure that everything would be alright.

“You are a distraction for the soldiers,” he told her, while he didn’t seem the least distracted by her. He didn’t even look at her as if she was a woman.

“Oh. I… I’ll wait somewhere else,” she said, but he didn’t bother to let her finish her sentence.

He nodded for William to follow him and walked past her.

How rude, she thought.

“I’ll wait in the main garden,” she told her brother.

He nodded and hurried to follow Lord Rayven. Angelica watched them for a short while before deciding to leave. More men were beginning to stare, and she didn’t want to provoke Lord Rayven.

Leaving them behind, she tried to find her way back to the main quarters when she came across the King in the hall.

He was walking with two of his men when he took notice of her. “Angelica.”

The way he said her name so casually every time threw her off balance.

“Your Majesty,” she curtsied with her heart pounding. She did in no way believe he was the killer, so why was she more frightened than usual?

He narrowed his eyes and looked at her with concern.

“Have you been well?” He asked. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀ​ꪶ​

She looked into his calm blue eyes and his gentle expression. He didn’t look like a killer, but she had never seen a killer to make a correct judgment. Her brother had said that he was a good person, and the people liked him as their King. He was a good King. He had changed many things for the better in their kingdom. Could that all be a mask for the man underneath or was this the true him?

“I have been well, Your Majesty. Thank you for your concern.”

He nodded, but kept looking at her the same way.

“If you have any problems or concerns, you can tell me.” He told her.

Why, she wanted to ask.

“There is one thing concerning me, Your Majesty.”

He nodded for her to continue.

“The young women dying, it will continue if nothing is done.”

“We are looking for the killer,” the King said curtly, as if he didn’t want to disclose any more information. That made him look suspicious.

“Thank you,” Angelica forced a smile.

“Would you like to have some tea while waiting for your brother?”

How did he know?

Well, there couldn’t be another reason for her to be here.

“I would love to,” she replied.

If she was going to get away from Sir Shaw, the King would be the right person to run to. Sir Shaw wouldn’t be able to go against the King.

The king’s garden was beautiful, and they were served more than tea. Angelica loved sweets, so she had some with her tea, but mostly she observed the King. She wanted to know more about him to make a final judgment. Was he the killer? Was he trustworthy? Could he help her brother, or maybe even her?

“You have been very kind to me and my brother,” she began.

He watched her for a long moment and Angelica detected sadness behind his eyes. “I like you and your brother,” he smiled.

His smile was forced, but she felt his words were honest. He was a mysterious man.

“You didn’t call for me,” she blurted.

What was wrong with her? She wanted to slap herself. Why would she say something like that?

He smiled, looking down. It made him look shy at that moment, and she found him to be more handsome than he already was. She never thought that could be possible. The man was carved to perfection.

“You do not want me to call for you, Angelica.” He said, emphasizing the word “not”.

“Why not?” she asked.

“I am not what or who I seem to be.”