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Chapter 9
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By Order of the King Chapter 10
Malcolm's jaw dropped open.What he had just heard was not at all the answer he expected.He fell to pieces. All his hopes had just vanished.Why should the King oppose him? What did he care who a girl he hardly knew would marry?"But my king, I don't understand why…" he began to say, trying to change King's mind. It was unthinkable for him to leave idle.He wanted to finally get rid of Skye, if possible, on the same day, at the exact moment.The King raised his hand abruptly, and Malcolm stopped talking."You can go in peace Malcolm. I'll see to it that a groom is found for Skye. You will hear from me soon, very soon."Malcolm's eyes twinkled. "Oh, Your Highness!" he exclaimed. "You have no idea how much joy your words will give to Skye.""Yes, yes, I can imagine. Especially Skye will be delight." said the King raising his eyebrows as he spat out his words ironically."Yes, of course" Malcolm nodded his head. A big smile remained plastered on his face.The more the King saw this, the
By Order of the King Chapter 11
It was Lord Malcolm's second day away from the castle, and it was already noon.Since the previous afternoon, Fiona had not left the large window that viewed the bridge, the only passage connecting the land to the castle.Sitting in her comfortable armchair, she was either reading or embroidering. She did not leave her spot even to sleep in their chamber at night.But Malcolm was nowhere to be seen, and Fiona sighed for the umpteenth time. She felt Malcolm had been gone for days, not just one or two. Evil thoughts began to invade her mind and tyrannize her. What if something had happened to him?No, no, she reassured herself by vigorously shaking her head to banish her unwanted thoughts.The time passed slowly and excruciatingly. This happened every time Malcolm had to be gone for more than a day; for Fiona, it was every time, like time had stopped.Skye also had the same feeling of 'dragging time,' but for different reasons. Her mind could not be calmed by the thoughts that her uncle
By Order of the King Chapter 12
Skye returned to her chamber, but no one was there to share her rejoicing.She closed the door and leaned against it. The broad smile on her lips was pinned there, and her palm pressed against her deliriously beating heart.She still couldn't believe that she had been worried these two days for no reason. Why hadn't she known earlier that her uncle had just gone hunting?She started laughing, jumping, and dancing, spinning around until her legs felt like they couldn't hold her anymore, and she collapsed on her bed. She felt the tension leave her body, leaving her relaxed and calm. A gentle breeze came in from the open window, cooling her glowing cheeks. Skye closed her eyes, and without realizing it, sleep took her sweetly in its arms.Soft knocks on Skye's door failed to wake her up.The banging became more intense, and a voice was heard. "Lady Skye? Can I come in?" it was Maysie.Skye forced her eyes open and sat up on the bed. She grabbed her head, still dazed from her deep sleep.
By Order of the King Chapter 13
Skye tried hard to remain calm and show no emotion. The good thing was that her uncle and aunt couldn't hear her heart, which had begun to thump in her chest.A decree from the King?Years had passed since the last time a decree had come from the King to the castle, and she was a little girl then; there was no matter of her marriage. So she wasn't that interested. But now things were different, she had grown up, and the issue of her marriage was now on the table. She shuddered at the idea that the decree might be about her this time—an order to a forced marriage.Skye swallowed hard."De-" she started to say but caught the hoarseness in her voice and stopped. She cleared her throat. "Decree from the King? A- and what does it say?"The uncle waved his hand casually."No, it's no big deal. His majesty invites us to attend an event that will take place in the King's castle. As it says in the decree, he decided to stage a farewell event to summer and welcome the coming autumn.""Just that
By Order of the King Chapter 14
Dunrobin CastleA week has passed since the day the King's decree was delivered to Lord Malcolm. The mission was a complete success, as King Cinaed had arranged. His clerk, Glenn, gave the decree in person and privately conveyed to Lord Malcolm what the King told him to say. Malcolm was completely satisfied, which showed in the wide smile that had spread across his face as soon as he heard the words coming out of Glenn's mouth."Rest assured," Malcolm had told Glenn. "You may assure his majesty that I will do as he wishes."Glenn left satisfied that his mission had been completed in success, and he was sure that Malcolm would keep his word because besides it being what he was interested in doing, Malcolm also feared the consequences if something went wrong. The last thing he wanted was to fall out of favor with the King.When Glenn returned to the castle and informed the King, King Cinaed rubbed his hands in pleasure."Very good, Glenn, excellent! I was sure I could count on you, and
By Order of the King Chapter 15
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! NO! NO! STUPID SEAMSTRESS! THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT COLOR! I ASKED FOR PURPLE AND THIS IS GREEN. AND IT'S ALSO AWFUL! LOOK THOSE SLEEVES, ARE SO LONG! MOTHEEEER!!!"Skye was sitting on her bed and pressing her ears with her palms.But she only achieved a little. The shrill sound of Iona's squeals quickly pierced the thickest walls and the heaviest wooden doors. The last few days that the daughter of lords had been returned, everyone had lost their peace with her yelling, screeching, hysterical crying, and the imperious tapping of her foot on the floor. She always demanded something, asked for something difficult or time-consuming to achieve, and wanted it at once.The maids didn't finish their work in time because they were indebted to serve the endless demands of the lord's daughter; as a result, Lady Fiona shouted and threatened to kick them out of the castle. The maids had no right to excuse themselves. It was always their fault.Everyone had lost sleep because of
By Order of the King Chapter 16
Skye had already packed her trunk with the things she would need for the trip. She did the work by herself because all the maids had gone to help Lady Fiona and Lady Iona get ready with their trunks and everything they would need, and for Lord Malcolm, of course.Two large trunks – the largest there were – were meticulously cleaned of every grain of dust and carefully placed inside linen, cosmetics, dresses, and anything else the two women requested.It took several hours for the maids to get everything ready. But the sight of the full trunks satisfied Fiona and Iona, which was a relief."I will close my own trunk," Iona said imperatively, and the maid who was about to close it stepped aside. Iona walked to the trunk, smiled contentedly, and gently touched the purple silk dress.The dressmaker had come three days ago and delivered the new dress. Fortunately, Iona had caused them no further trouble, and the dressmaker had quite rightly reasoned that all had gone well only because there
By Order of the King Chapter 17
Lord Malcolm's carriage went across the great gate of the King's castle the following day early in the morning. The steady sound of horses' feet pounding on the cobbled road soothed the fret of the weary passengers. After the big journey they were forced to undergo over rough roads, jolting each time the carriage fell into potholes was a great relief to all, and the view from the carriage windows rewarded them.The road to the castle door was amidst a lush green landscape of various trees, fruit-bearing and not, and colorful, fantastic gardens. Skye caught sight of a round wooden gazebo and thought it would be a great treat if she had the chance to take her tea there and enjoy the lovely view while reading a book, or better yet, she could paint the garden or part of it.There were so many flowers, and as if they had made a secret agreement, they mixed their various scents to create a unique blend.Skye opened the window a crack and closed her eyes as she took deep breaths, enjoying th
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