Updated: 09/20/22
I quickly recovered the shock on my face. After seeing the Count and his son with my father my face held surprise. I didn’t want my father to see it so I hid it as fast and best as I could. I walked over to my father’s desk and sat down the tray “Good Morning Master Sparrow.” I said before bowing to leave. A voice filled the room before I could however. What the man said gave me chills all over my body and made me stop dead in my tracks. “How much for the maid Marquess Sparrow?” The Count’s son asked my father. His voice held a smirk to it. I winced with my back still to them. The thought of my father agreeing would be even worse. I slowly turned filled with horror. My father’s face was filled with cooled anger, only someone who knew him well would know he was mad. “She’s not for sale, Lord Viscoff. Sorry to disappoint you.” My father replied with a grim expression. “You may go Lora.” He waved to me to leave. Lora was my middle name and was the name he used in the presence of h
~Thorn~ “Follow me to my study, your grace. We can discuss the matters you are here for.” Marquess Sparrow stated. We walked into the manor and to his study in silence. I’ve never cared much for the Marquess Sparrow. His sons were alright and I had never met Josephine since she was sent off before she debuted. Once inside he ordered a maid to bring us some refreshments. He waited for me to take a seat first. I sighed to myself and sat down on the chaise. He followed me and sat down on the other one. We sat in a comfortable silence. At Least it was comfortable for me. I would see the Marquess fidget every so often. Before long the maid returned, setting the tea and treats before us. She bowed before leaving us to discuss business. “To whom do I owe the pleasure of your Majesty?” Marquess Sparrow questioned as he poured two cups of tea. He sat back bring his tea to his lips. “I’m here to see Lady Nyx, I’d like to officially court her.” I stated point blank. There was no reason for
~Nyx~ Shock filled my being, what he just said had to be a lie. The Crowned Prince would never be so bold. Why would he be so interested in me anyway? The kiss he had managed to land on my lips came to mind instantly. It made me want to internally groan. Speaking of that, why did he even kiss me to begin with. He is to be married soon. I stared at my father, my eyes wide with fear. I felt like I was suffocating in this room. “Is there something you would like to tell me Nyx?” My father questioned me. I gulped at the venom and annoyance that was evident in his voice. I shook my head and uttered a quiet no. He sighed and rubbed his temple. “Why is it that you can’t help but get the family into deep shit.” He slammed his fist on the desk so hard it made me jump. “Do you know what the Duke could do to our family Nyx?” He shouted at me with pure anger. I stayed quiet and shook my head. Being careful to keep my eyes on the ground. My father sat back in his chair. “Leave me, you’re
~Nyx~ The week had been uneventful and slow. Fear lived deep inside me that Ariel would blab her gums about what she had seen. It would be my undoing and the punishment that would come for it would be the worst one. It would be the demise that would send me to the grave. I’d be lucky if I survived it. Ariel had avoided me all week which was surprising since she enjoyed taunting me. I sat in the back side of the garden away from prying eyes. It was one of my favorite spots to come to. I was able to hide away from everything that this world had to offer me. I would lay in the soft grass and let myself dream with the clouds as they passed by. It was a childish dream that I would float away with them. Away from all the abuse and scars. Sadly that never happened. It was a nice dream though. I fell back onto that very grass that had given me solace and comfort ever since I was a child. I was letting myself daydream when a shadow overcast me. I opened one of my eyes to see who it was. It was
~Fallon Von Keem~ On my way back to my manor in my carriage I got lost in my thoughts. Thorn assured me it ws just a rumor but I highly doubt this maid would just make it up. Of course I left out the other parts of the rumors. If Thorn knew that she was being treated like a maid and less than a Noble he would try to save her. He would act upon hearing that news. It was a taboo thing among nobles to treat blood like a commoner. So when it does happen it’s kept pretty hush. I wondered what occurred for the Sparrow family to treat her as such. She is much more beautiful than her sister so it can’t be something like looks. She would make a strong marriage alliance and could even rival me. Her beauty would rival my wealth and status. The original rumors were that the Prince had eyes on the Marquess’s daughter, Lady Nyx. However due to her weak constitution the courting fell through. That’s when I became his betrothed. At least that is what we were all made to believe. I now know better,
~Nyx~ I looked up at the starlit sky, dressed in a black cloak that shrouded me in the darkness. I breathed in the sweet air. A small bag was perched on my back filled with a few belongings and clothes. Yareha and I had saved up two hundred gold pieces for me to start over with. But I couldn’t just start over anywhere. I needed to go as far north as possible. My father would never dare to step foot within Duk Noc’s territory. Not without full permission. I sighed once more and stoke myself up. I took quiet steps to the entrance. My breathing was labored as I made my way. To say I felt nervous would be completely laughable. I was terrified that I would be caught and that I’d land in the wrong hands. I’ve heard of the human trafficking trade becoming a looming problem. It was only an issue for commoners currently but I’m sure they would move to take nobility eventually. At this point in time nobles didn’t really care about the trafficking. But they sure would the moment a noble ends
~Thorn~ It had been two months since Lady Nyx went missing. I prayed daily that she was okay. I had planned to propose to her to get out of my marriage to the Duchess. But with her disappearance it makes it hard to make a formal proposal. Her father was against it but he couldn’t do anything if I did it anyway. I sighed slouching back in my chair. “Your Majesty, Duchess Fallon is in the tea room waiting for you.” Colby informed me. “Very well, thank you for informing me. Tell her I’ll be with her shortly.” I replied back waving him from the room. I ran my hand over my face. Her and my father have been on my case about the wedding plans. Why couldn’t either of them understand I don’t want to be married to her. I stood and headed towards the tea room. “My love,” I said nonchalantly as I entered the room she was in. “What brings you here unannounced today?” I saw her mouth move in a clenching motion. I had clearly upset her. And she was holding her tongue since there was a presence
~Noc~ The woman I had found on the road was interesting. She had traits that emanated those of a noble. Yet she didn’t look like a noble on the outside. I gave her a room in my manor until she could find work and a place to stay. One of my maids I had assigned to her for her time at my manor came to see in a panicked manner. She had helped Rose bathe and found scars on her back. From the way she described them the beating must have started at a young age. She informed me that they were deep and the scars were of different ages. I found myself thinking about her. She was very beautiful and very kind. It would be my assumption that she was running from something, or worse someone. I’d say she is rather lucky that I found her. The slave trade has reared it’s ugly head towards the North. They have taken an interest in my people. There had been a few kidnappings here or there. They never made it very far with my people though. My guards always saved them. It seems that the nobility of t