Blood splattered onto Alexander Claiborne's crisp white shirt. He grimaced. The shirt would have to be thrown out now that it had been stained with an imbecile's blood. The grey tweed suit was still pristine, however, so it could at least be saved.
"My gloves, please," Alexander held his hand out. The gloves were placed in his hands, his attention fixated on the sobbing mess on the floor. Slowly, he slipped his long elegant fingers into his gloves, then pushed back a strand of his blonde hair. He motioned for the men in front of him to move to the side.
Bending down, he sneered, "I really hate when I get blood on me. People already consider me a dastardly villain, I try not to look the part." He grabbed the sack of bones in front of him by the hair and bashed its face into the floor. Blood splattered over his suit.
"Now look what you've done, you've ruined the suit too," Alexander pretended to pout. Johannes Chevalier looked up at him, tears, blood, and mucus covering his once pretty face.
"P-p-lease, I-I'm so-orry," he sputtered through his busted lips. Alexander's face held no sympathy. From a young age, he had been dubbed the Duke of Ice, the moniker had stuck for a reason. He had no empathy for the sniveling human meat bag, only an icy rage.
"What are you apologizing for? Stealing from my casino," Slam, "for harassing my staff," Slam, "or for insulting a lovely lady?" Slam.
"A-all of it!" Johannes screamed through choking sobs. Alexander looked on contemptuously. He released Johannes' head and it let it fall to the floor with a satisfying plop. He scrutinized Johannes while he removed his gloves, allowing them to fall unceremoniously to the floor.
Johannes' beating had done little to quell his anger, but if he went any farther he would certainly kill the man. If Johannes was a normal noble, he could probably get away with it. However, Johannes Chevalier was the sixth prince of Aristen. The blowback from killing him would create headaches for Alexander for years.
"Tie him up, tend to his wounds and feed him. Don't let him leave this room. I'll be back." If he couldn't kill him, he'd just have to torture him until he lost interest.
He left the security office, or as his employees dubbed it, the interrogation room, and headed straight to his office. He collapsed in his chair and examined the reports on his desk. Benjamin, as usual, knew exactly what Alexander needed. In front of him lay all the documentation that proved the cad's theft.
That same Benjamin had the good sense to bring him a stiff drink. He sipped the liquor and stared into the fire. His thoughts took a turn he never expected, Edwina Knight.
Edwina Knight always seemed to be flitting about. Alexander Claiborne felt tired just looking at her. The girl was a genius, praised by her tutors from a young age, and allowed the privilege of acceptance into the prestigious Royal Academy despite being a commoner. She excelled there and was consistently at the top of her class, and that was no mean feat considering her year had not one but two princes.
Most of Alexander Claiborne's acquaintances saw Ms. Knight as an eyesore. A commoner who excelled above royals, even the highest nobility at that, why the very notion could incite rebellion! Alexander's father was no different. Every time he came home from the academy the topic of Ms. Knight was brought up at least once. He entertained his father when he vented about how the "Royal Academy was a farce if they would allow a commoner within its walls." He would placate their acquaintances as well, allowing them to vent their witless opinions to a seemingly caring figure.
In his opinion, Edwina was inconsequential. She was two years younger than him, so they weren't in competition against each other. She didn't draw that much attention at the academy either. She ate in the dining hall with a small group of friends. Her rival, his highness the crown prince, would call her out on occasion, their rivalry entertainment for the whole school. But the girl never disrespected anyone, and she kept to her station. She always greeted those above her with the proper honorific and her etiquette was impeccable. Alexander didn't understand why people cared so much.
The last time he had seen Ms. Knight was the day he graduated from the academy. As a top student, she was involved in all the school events. She and a few other students would help organize and volunteer for such events. Professors would pick and choose these volunteer students based on their ranking within the academy. Top students should excel both inside and outside the classroom, one of the school's many philosophies.
He remembered she had attempted to contain her curly brown hair with a barrette, but the unruly strands were escaping and getting in her way. It was a pretty barrette, silver with blue jewels in the center. He wondered where she had gotten the money for it, especially when it appeared her glasses were in a state of disrepair. Her uniform was a mess too, wrinkly and untucked. She had ink stains on her sleeves and crumpled-up papers sticking out of her pockets. It caused him to roll his eyes in disgust. Did she not know how to write properly? Who let her leave her room in such a state of rumple.
He remembered her voice the most, however. It had always been easy to pick out in a crowd. It was clear and precise and adequately pitched. She didn't speak in a high-pitched whine like most noblewomen. Her voice was melodic and had a raspy quality that demanded attention as she called out instructions to volunteers and answered confused graduates' questions.
He had forgotten about her after graduating. Out of sight, out of mind. Sometimes he would hear rumors and gossip at Peerage parties. She had graduated top of her class and was recruited by the King himself to work as the Royal Historian. She worked closely with the crown prince and his associates to institute tax reforms and social justice reforms. All items the Grand Peerage fought against.
The Peerage had begged Alexander to take a stand, but he never felt the need to bother. Tax reforms were constant, and if you were smart you could avoid taxes regardless of the changes. Social justice reforms did nothing to hinder him, so why bother getting involved. His associates had thrown their hands up but said nothing. They still came to the parties and indulged in the lifestyle his family offered and protected.
He never thought much of her, even though his associates seemed to be annoyed by her antics. From an outsider's perspective, they must have seemed like mortal enemies. He, an influential figure in an Alliance that opposed social and political reform, and her, a spearhead for new laws and new philosophies. But the truth was different. He had never once opposed her reforms. He was not the head of his family, so he couldn't vote even if he wanted to, a fact he used to shield himself from his conspirators' nagging. Instead, he marched along with a persistent indifference.
Until tonight.
Prince Johannes Chevalier from Arendal, sixth in line for the throne and as presumptuous as all royals tend to be. He had been in the same year as Ms. Knight. Alexander remembered how he and the crown prince tended to crowd around her. He assumed it had to do with the fact that they lost to her at the academy. He had watched as they had lost to her intellect at every turn. He had never cared for Johannes. Stocky, blustering, and composed of two left thumbs, Johannes was lacking in the grace expected of royalty. Compared to his siblings, Johannes was of little consequence, possessing no qualities that would improve his chances of inheriting the throne of Arendal. Alexander and Johannes had interacted on many occasions both inside and outside the academy. International relations were always a tricky subject and the meetings and affairs to promote unity se
Edwina Knight devoted her life to her studies. For nineteen years she had spent every day honing her intellect and it had taken her very far. At twenty-four years old, she was now the Grand Historian. The King of Wintenborough had appointed her personally, due to her exceptional performance at the Royal Academy. She was the first commoner to receive a role on the King’s Court, made up of only his most trusted advisors.Born in a remote village to the south of the capital, her parents were kind, simple people. Her father had worked as a stablehand and her mother worked as a maid for Baron Schloss. For the early part of their lives, they had lived in the servants’ dormitory but after marrying and giving birth to Edwina, they had moved into a small house in town.Together they raised Edwina diligently and they were happy. Edwina never remembered much from this time, but when she tried to recall this period of her life she felt nothing but warmth.When E
Edwina latched onto the opportunity the Baron had given her. She met with him daily and in a month she was able to read the fairy tales all on her own. Now she could escape to these distant worlds without the help of the Baron, and she took every opportunity.The baron had a chair prepared for her in the library. Instead of idling away her time in the kitchens, Edwina now spent most of her days curled up in her generously large red velvet armchair.The servants were so impressed. A commoner who was able to read was fairly rare. They were happy at the many opportunities that were now open to Edwina, who all of them had come to cherish.The Baron didn’t stop by just teaching her how to read. He taught her math, history, and philosophy as well. He taught her about military strategy and politics. He taught her about science and agriculture. He taught her everything a young noble should know, and she soaked it up like a sponge.Her mother encouraged her
“Eddie!” Crown Prince Thackeray opened the door to Edwina’s office with a bang. Edwina’s head jerked up in surprise, her glasses slipping off her face. Breathless, the brown-haired, brown-eyed prince stormed up to her desk, “We can catch him!”Scrambling to adjust her glasses Edwina replied, “Catch who?”“That Claiborne bastard!” Thackeray slammed his hand on Edwina’s desk, obviously feeling very gung-ho about his news. “I got word that tonight he’ll be meeting with the heads of the Grand Peerage. He’ll travel alone without any guards. He’s trying to keep the meeting location secret!”“We can snatch him then,” Edwina joined in, jumping up from her seat.“Exactly! Then we’ll interrogate him!” Thackeray clenched his fist.“And find out all the info about that Alliance of Assholes!” Edwina completed.Thackera
Edwina returned to her work. It would take the Duchess at least half an hour to arrive. Capturing Claiborne was important, but so were the documents Edwina poured over. “What are you working on?” Thackery opened one eye to stare at his friend. “I’m finishing up transcribing notes from His Majesty’s morning meetings,” Edwina explained. “Sounds boring.” “You would say that,” Edwina smirked. Edwina was in her office before dawn most days and other days she just never left, choosing to sleep on the red velvet couch that was currently covered with documents. She had never once taken a day off since she started her work. There was simply no one to replace her. Edwina worked as the King’s Royal Historian. Her tasks included taking notes during all of the King’s meetings with advisors and nobles, translating and preserving old documents, and advising the King when it came to general affairs. The work seemed endless and Edwina was constantly on
Alexander looked around. He was in a small windowless room. It was filled with overstuffed bookshelves and one small desk. The molding on the wall was familiar to him. It was a design only used in the royal palace. They hadn’t been foolish enough to bring them to one of their personal rooms, had they? The room was a mess. There was parchment scattered all over the floor along with empty ink bottles, and broken quills. His eyes caught on a piece of parchment near his foot. It had a date on it, and upon closer inspection it was a document about a meeting the king had with farmers a week ago. My god, they brought me to Ms. Knight’s office. His head whipped up to stare incredulously at the three conspirators who didn’t have a single conniving bone in their body. Normally, when you kidnap someone you bring them to a neutral location and if you bring them somewhere else, you certainly don’t remove their blindfolds, especially if it's your private quarters!
Alexander woke to a dull throbbing pain radiating through his skull. He opened his eyes and saw…. Nothing. He was blindfolded and bound, his arms tied tight behind him and his legs tied to what he assumed were chair legs. He jostled a little. The chair creaked. He knew he could break it easily if need be. Calmed by that fact, Alexander took a moment to get his bearings. His head was a drumbeat of pain radiating from his temple. He took deep breaths and waited for the pain to subside. His composure regained, Alexander noticed a buzz of whispers. Two women, one man. He resisted the urge to smirk, recognizing some of the voices. He had been captured, all according to his own plan. “What do we do?” That was Ms. Knight. His mouth twitched, almost forming a smile. “To be honest, I didn’t think we would catch him so easily.” Another woman’s voice answered. “I say we just start with hitting him, just to get our message across.” Alexander recognized th
Capturing Claiborne had been a surprisingly simple affair. After their planning session, Edwina, Lily, and Thackeray decided bringing any guards would be risky and unnecessary. So the three secured an unmarked carriage and traveled to a street a few blocks away from Claiborne’s casino. Edwina positioned the carriage at the end of an alleyway located in a particularly sketchy neighborhood that Claiborne planned to pass by. Thackeray and Lily hid behind abandoned barrels and crates and waited for Claiborne to appear. Claiborne had sauntered down the alley, whistling a tune, oblivious to the attackers lurking and waiting for him. His grey tophat shielded his eyes and the echoes of the click-clack of his shiny black oxfords seemed to shield the anxious fidgeting of the Crown Prince and Lily. Thackeray rushed him and put him in a chokehold until he passed out and together, Lily and Thackeray hauled Claiborne’s limp body into the carriage. Thackeray carried Claibor