Angelica sat in her bed and watched the fire on the hearth while her thoughts drifted away. She kept repeating Lord Rayven's voice in her head, wondering why it sounded familiar.
Why did it feel like she had heard his voice before when she was sure she had never seen him speak?She wouldn't forget such a voice so easily. It was deep and husky and pleasant to the ears. But the underlying threat and danger in his tone made her shiver.She had watched him ride away on his horse into the darkness of the night. Something about him evoked many questions in her head. Who was he really? But most importantly, why did she care?Putting aside the book that she hadn't been reading, she lay down to sleep. She had already waited long enough for her father to come home, and now her eyes refused to stay open. Soon after, she fell into slumber.A loud voice woke her up early in the morning. Angelica felt relieved when she heard that it was her father who came home. He was loud, yelling and cursing, maybe even breaking things. The sounds of things crashing made her concerned.Quickly, she slipped on her robe and rushed downstairs. Her father was now shouting louder at the maids and they were surprised to see him in this state. Her father never came home intoxicated, but now he was completely out of control and reeked of alcohol. He could barely keep his balance and stumbled left and right."Father." She hurried to his side and grabbed his arm to help him stand, but he pushed her away."He is coming." He said in a low voice.His eyes searched the room in panic."Who is coming?" Angelica asked.He shook his head. "No, he is already here. He is watching us all the time. He is ruling our kingdom."Angelica was confused.Her father turned to the maids, "he is in disguise. You won't even know when he walks past you."Angelica didn't understand what he was talking about."I wasn't supposed to see him," he croaked, wrapping his arms around himself while shaking. "But I did. I looked into his eyes. I saw Him.""Who is he?" Angelica asked.Did he see the killer? Her heart skipped a beat.Her father turned to her, the fear in his eyes evident."He… he is...he is the…" he started losing his balance and before Angelica could grab him, he fell unconscious to the ground.Their butler, Thomas, helped move her father to his room where he could sleep. Anglica was surprised by everything that had happened and by what her father had said."Do you know who he might be talking about?" Angelica asked Thomas.He shook his head. "No, my Lady.""Could it be the killer?""Your father has been in the army for too long. I don't think he would be afraid of someone who kills women, but…" Thomas paused, looking thoughtful."But what?" Angelica almost demanded an answer."They say it is not a human who is killing the women. They believe it might be an animal."An animal?Suddenly she remembered the Kings words when he ordered Lord Rayven to escort her. He had said that Thomas wouldn't be able to protect them from "whatever" that was killing the women. Not whomever.But this was still suspicious. If it was an animal, it should attack anyone and not just young women. Maybe someone was killing the women and making it look like an animal attack."What animal?" she asked."Maybe a bear or a wolf." He shrugged."Why do they believe it is an animal?""I am not sure, my Lady." He said."Let me know if you find any new information." She told him.He nodded.When she left her father's room, she was met by her brother, who woke up from the loud noise. "What is happening?" He asked."Father had a little to drink. He will be fine," she told him.She wrapped her arm around his shoulder and led him away from the room. "Why don't you get ready and we'll have breakfast," she suggested."Alright," he said and went upstairs.After getting ready for the day, they met at the dining table and had breakfast without her father."Can we go see the tournament today?" William asked.Angelica didn't feel alright with leaving her father without knowing what had happened to him, but she also didn't want to make her brother sad. She knew how much he looked forward to watching the tournament."Of course," Angelica replied.Seeing a smile on her brother's face brought her joy. William had no one but her. Angelica became sad thinking about it sometimes. He never got to meet their mother and their father was too busy being other things than a parent. She didn't want to blame him. He gave them a secure life, after all, and he cared in his own way.After having breakfast, Thomas prepared the carriage and waited for them outside. Just when they were about to leave, a Royal carriage followed by two soldiers on their horses arrived outside the gates.A soldier stepped down and walked up to her. "Are you Lady Davis?" He asked."Yes," Angelica replied."His Majesty, the King has invited you to accompany him at the tournament. We are sent to escort you." He motioned toward the carriage.So the king was still curious about her it seemed."Well, I was about to take my brother to the tournament. I hope he can accompany me," Angelica said."If that is what you wish," the soldier spoke.Angelica and her brother got into the Royal carriage and then they rode away to the tournament field.When they arrived Angelica stepped outside and was surprised by how many people came to watch the fight. Many carriages stood outside and others just arrived. A green carriage caught her attention. She knew who it belonged to.A well dressed Hilde stepped outside and looked around. Their eyes met, and Angelica felt the tension between them. That was before Hilde recognized the Royal carriage she came with. Then a slight frown settled between her eyebrows and animosity shaded her eyes.Shortly after, Veronica stepped out of Hilde's carriage. To see them arrive together just confirmed that her friends were indeed meeting each other. She was the only one that no one came to meet.For a moment, the guilt she had been feeling disappeared. Why should she feel bad when they had been treating her like a stranger? But still deep down, she dreamed of the friendship she had with them before things turned sour.At first, Veronica smiled at her when she saw her but when she took notice of the Royal carriage behind, her genuine smile slowly turned into a pretentious one."My Lady, this way," the guard said motioning for her to follow him.Angelica tore her gaze away from her friends and followed the guard. The tournament field was filled with people who came to watch the fight. The noble families sat separately from the peasants. The King, his men and the highest nobles sat separately from the rest.The guard escorted her and William to where the King sat, surrounded by his men. He was talking to a few in a low voice when they neared."Your Majesty, Lady Davis is here."The King stopped talking and turned her way. His eyes lit up and his lips curved into a smile."Your Majesty," Angelica curtsied."Angelica, I am glad you could come," he said.He then looked at her brother. "William, I see you are doing your job as the protector. Did your father come home?""Yes, your Majesty." Her brother.There were two empty seats, as if he knew she would bring William with her. Maybe Lord Rayven had told him.Angelica went to sit next to the King and William sat next to her. Two of his men sat on each side of them. Angelica realized all of them were there except for Lord Rayven. She wondered if he would take part in the tournament."I hope your father came home unharmed," the King spoke."He is alright, Your Majesty. Thank you for your concern." Angelica replied."Do you like watching fights?" He asked, turning to the arena."It is too gruesome for my taste, Your Majesty."He chuckled. "I am sure William has a different opinion.""I love it your Majesty. Thank you for inviting us," her brother spoke.The King smiled his usual charming smile. There was something about when he smiled that seemed so genuine. It could be the reason her brother liked him, but Angelica would reserve her final thoughts about him.From the corner of her eye, she spotted Veronica and Hilde watching her intently from where they sat amongst other noble women. She could also feel the other women watching her, wishing to be in her place. If they only knew that it wasn't the ideal place to be in. If the king tossed her aside after satisfying his curiosity, no other man would take an interest in her.Angelica wanted to respectfully tell the Ki
Angelica held her breath as the fight began. The big man went on a full attack and she would flinch and close her eyes every time he swung his sword at Lord Rayven. But each time she opened her eyes again, Lord Rayven would be unharmed. Slowly, she began to relax. Maybe she didn't have to worry. Lord Rayven was doing well so far.Some of the crowd that had been cheering for the big man yelled in frustration. He wasn't doing as well as they expected, missing each time he swung his sword that looked more like a plaything in his enormous hands.Lord Rayven didn't seem to have any difficulty avoiding his attacks. It was as if he could predict the big man's next move before he even moved. While it looked like Lord Rayven had just got started, the big man was already puffing.The crowd wanted blood and the ones cheering for Lord Rayven shouted for him to attack.Listening to their demands, Lord Rayven began to attack, and the flock cheered louder. Angelica could tell that he was prolonging
Angelica's father started to act more and more strangely after he told her to never meet the King again. He also stopped her brother from going to his lectures at the castle and told them to never leave the home. Meanwhile, he came home late every night, intoxicated.He would yell a few words no one could understand, and then he would pass out. Angelica was worried for her father and asked him several times what had happened to him, but he always seemed too frightened to tell her. After that night when he first came home drunk, whatever he had seen had been haunting him. But why couldn't he tell them what he saw?Thomas, who went out unlike her and William, would tell her about what happened outside the walls of their home. More young women were found dead, and no one knew what or who was killing them. The people of the town believed it was Lord Rayven. Why she wasn't sure?"Do you think Lord Rayven is the killer?" Angelica asked her brother while they had lunch."No," he said. "Peopl
Angelica couldn't believe that her father threatened to throw her out of her home and not seeing her brother. She knew he could be ruthless sometimes, but this was a whole new level of being heartless. What would she do now?She turned in bed, unable to sleep."Is something wrong?" William asked who was sleeping next to her."No," she lied.Even though she was facing the other way, she could tell that her brother didn't believe her."Is father forcing you to marry Sir Shaw?""Yes," she replied.He was quiet for a long moment. "I told you, we are better without him."Angelica turned around, disturbed by his comment."William, he is only doing what he thinks is best for me. Truth is, I need to get married." She explained."Then he should find someone you are content with."That was the problem. She was never content."It is taking too long to find someone I am content with and father is getting concerned.""You don't have to make me like him. I am alright with liking you only," William
"What did Lord Rayven want?" Her brother asked once she came back."You will go to the castle tomorrow and start your training," she told him.His eyes widened. "Really? Did he agree to train me?"Angelica nodded.Her brother became excited, but it only lasted for a moment before his face turned sad."What is wrong?" she asked."Father won't let me," he said.Angelica smirked. "He has no choice. I am sure His Majesty asked Lord Rayven to train you so you have to go to the castle."And her father also had to go to the castle. What was he thinking by neglecting his royal duties? The punishment could be severe.What if he was busy trying to kill whoever he wanted to kill? If he killed someone, things would turn ugly.Angelica was becoming frustrated with his behavior. She had been trying hard to make her father and brother get along. She had tried to make his actions appear to be out of care so her brother wouldn't hate him, so her brother wouldn't feel like he only had her, but maybe al
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' qu
Angelica felt the deeper meaning behind his words. Most people weren't what or who they seemed to be. What they presented to the world was different from their true self. People showed their best side to the world or what they wanted the world to see. They portrayed themselves in a certain way that was beneficial to them.Other times, the reason for hiding their true self could be because of insecurities, shame or fear.What was the King's reason for hiding his true self?Angelica wanted to ask him what or who he truly was, but she knew he wouldn't tell her if he was hiding it. They weren't close enough for him to be vulnerable with her or trust her with his secrets."Are you very different from what or who you seem to be?" she asked instead.An unknown emotion flickered through his eyes before she saw the same sadness as before. "It depends on how you perceive me.""My brother says you are a good person."His lips curved into a wide smile. That truly made him happy. "Your brother is
Angelica watched Lord Rayven through the window of her carriage. He rode his horse beside them and even though the sun was still up, she felt safer with him by their side. How ironic considering that he was the man people thought was the killer and the man close to the one her father thought was the killer. It was very confusing and Angelica didn't know who was real and who was hiding behind a mask."How was your training?" she asked her brother."Lord Rayven let me watch, mostly. He wanted me to observe how others fought before I could try.""How did you get the wound?""A boy hit me with his wooden sword. It's nothing serious. I missed blocking his attack."Today, she was surprised to hear that her brother wanted power to protect her. She didn't want to be a burden to him. She was supposed to protect him."It was your first time. I am sure you will get better," she encouraged him. "Just be careful."She worried that Lord Rayven would be too hard on him. "Was he kind to you?" she ask