Master of the Region

Chapter 7

        Bernedette brings my dinner to my room after my bath. I feel better, but my heart is heavy to know that the servants of the house have to suffer through such things every day. Once I am finished eating, I release Bernedette for the evening and I go into my receiving room to relax in the chair by the fireplace. There is a nock at my door and I call for them to enter. Niko comes in. I grasp the blanket at my feet and pull it up, covering myself. Once again I am in nothing but a sleeping gown and the robe he provided me. He enters and takes a seat next to me feet at the bottom of the chair. I close my book to give him my full attention, nervous that, once again, my hair is down and crazy, very unladylike. He smiles at me.

               “I heard you went on an adventure today.” He says, peaking an eyebrow at me.

               “Oh… Yes, I did. I have never been in snow and was interested in learning more about it.”

               “I wish you had waited for me. Snow is beautiful, but very dangerous. If you had not found the servant quarters, you may have perished in the cold.”

               I smile. “It was no accident that I found the servant quarters. It was where I was trying to go.”

               He looks confused. “It is not heard of for a lady to go to servant quarters. Pray tell, what drove you to do such a thing.”

               “Well, truth be told, one of the servants told me what it is like to walk in the snow… the ache and cold that plagues the body after… I was trying to get an idea of what that experience was like.”

               He nods thoughtfully. “And what did the experience teach you?”

               I look down, feeling uncomfortable with what I wish to say. “May I speak directly?” I ask, avoiding his gaze.

               “Of course. I thought I made it clear when I brought you that I wish for you to be a trusted companion… How can be such if you are not comfortable with speaking to me directly about your thoughts.”

               I nod. “I find it almost cruel the conditions that the house staff must work in. To walk through such snow and then be forced to work all day in wet and cold clothing that not only keeps you in a persistent state of ache, but is heavier down by moisture… It is not a life worth living.”

               He nods and looks away, many thoughts passing through his mind. “I understand. But what would you have me do to help?”

               I shrug, unable to give him an answer. “I do not know. I understand that it would be unreasonable to have the carriage bring them over in groups… And there is not enough room in the palace to house them all… I do not know but I do know there must be something we can do to improve these conditions.”

               He nods. “I shall bring it to some of my most educated advisors and ask them how we may rectify this situation.”

               I smile and look at him. “Thank you.”

               “Now,” he leans forward, moving close to me. “There is another situation we must discuss.”

               I am made nervous by his proximity to me. “Yes, is there a problem?”

               “I warned you that Bartinmorgan was going to be watching everything we do. He spotted your maiden, Carolina, with a letter and confiscated it.” He pulls my letter out from inside his jacket. “Carolina came to me and informed me when I returned… I approached him and he returned it, giving me some excuse about how he came upon it…”

               My cheeks instantly burn with embarrassment. Has he read the letter?

               “Bartinmorgan told me that there were some interesting bits about me in here… but did not mention the school plans at all, so I guess our plans are safe.”

               “I did not mention the school at all, I kept up our pretense that I am here as a prospective bride.” I say, looking down at my hands in my lap.

               “So… in here,” he begins to open it slightly, “it just says that you are here as a prospective bride… nothing more…”

               I blush red and turn away. “No. It says more… thought I am embarrassed for you to know my private thoughts.”

               He stops opening it and closes it back up, holding it out to me. I look up and take it. “I wish for there to be nothing secretive between us Abby… I am trusting you with my secret… really, I am trusting you with my region. Should our deceit come out as my plan, I could lose my position and title… Please know I am trusting you with my entirety. I hope that you will trust me one day.”

               I look down, embarrassed. “I… I wrote to Agnes that… well, that I was uncomfortable with our intimate interactions…”

               Niko looks hurt. “I am sorry, I did not mean to cross a line. I thought I was very forthcoming that I wanted you to ensure that I was not making you uncomfortable. I will no longer engage in these activities with you.”

               “No… I don’t think I am being clear. I was uncomfortable with how comfortable you are… I wonder… Well… I wonder if you are so comfortable because these are interactions that you are accustomed to having.”

               Niko looks even more hurt. “Do you I a lecher Abby?”

               “No! Please do not misconstrue my words. I am just… unexperienced in these types of interactions. I am sure as High King, you have had numerous woman seeing to engage with you in these activities. I just… I didn’t know if maybe this was not your first time as it is mine.”

               He looks away… “In the name of honesty, I feel as though I must inform you that this is not. I had a betrothed prior to taking over Biarmaland. But when I moved here to take the Mastership, her father did not want her to come with me and ended our relationship… Ours was not just a relationship of financial arrangement. We met at a ball and began courting, I desired to have her as my wife. We did indulge in activities that we should not have before the confinements of marriage… But other than that, you are the only one I have embraced in such a manner. It would be disingenuous to say that my actions towards you have been only motivated by the ruse… as I do find you an intriguing, intelligent and beautiful woman.”

               My breath is taken away. I had no idea he had an attraction towards me. “As I too wish to be honest with you, I must admit that there is more about you in my letter. I confided in her that I do find myself drawn to you… that I desire to be close to you and in your company… and that I feel a burn within me when I think of you.”

               Niko moves closer to me, closing the distance between us. “So… we are in agreement… I am encouraged to know that our attraction is mutual… Should you not think it to forward of me…”

               Niko continues to move forward. I hold my breath, unsure of what he is about to do, but knowing that I want it to happen. I feel his lips gently press against my own and my eyes close as desire begins to rise within me. I drop my book to the floor and allow my hands to come up and rest on his chest. The feeling of his muscular and powerful chest beneath the thin fabric of his shirt only fuels the fire ablaze inside me. Slowly he wraps his arms around me, pulling me closer to him so that my breasts become flat against his chest, pinning me to him. He deepens the kiss and I feel his tongue swipe across my lips. I open my mouth in a gasp at his action. He takes this opening as an opportunity and slides his tongue into my mouth and rubs it along my own. I hear a moan and realize that it is I making the sound. I am unable to stop myself as my fingers curl into the fabric of his shirt and my tongue begins to lift and touch his. The burning within me moves and I feel myself blazing between my legs.

               There is a sudden knock at the door which causes Niko to fly away from me, leaving me seated alone and breathless. He looks nervously at the door. “I will retreat to your room and hide. I should not want to sully your good name with our actions.” He makes haste to my room and closes the door. “Please come in,” I call, hearing myself sound breathy and unusual. It is Carolina. “Lady Abigail. I came to apologize to you. I have failed in my mission. While taking your letter down to a carrier, I was stopped by the Director who took it from me. I have informed the High King and he is on an endeavor to retrieve your private correspondence. I would understand if you no longer wish for me in your service and I am here to accept whatever punishment you see fit to assign me.”

               I scrunch up my brow. “Punishment? What do you mean?”

               She sifts uncomfortably from foot to foot. “Well… Master Yanicoff would sometimes have the servants flogged for such incidences. Should that be your wish, I here to accept it.”

               I am horrified and can not hide the expression from my face. I stand and run to her, pulling her into my arms. “Carolina, I will do no such thing. You had no control over what Director Bartinmorgan did. I shall not cause you harm for the actions of another. And I do desire for you to remain in my service should you so desire.”

               Tears begin to stream down Carolina’s face. “Thank you, Lady Abigail. Your generosity is undeserved.”

               “No Carolina. This is not generosity. I will do everything in my power to make sure no one is treated so while I am in the palace.”

               I release her and she curtseys and leaves, covering her face, ashamed by her tears.

               When the door closes Niko returns from my room and wraps his arms around me. I am shocked by this action and the burning between my legs returns. “Lady Abigail… I believe I have found a kindred spirit in you…”

               “Did Master Yanicoff really beat them?”

               He holds me tighter. “Unfortunately, I have come to understand that it was a frequent occurrence under his reign.”

               I lean my head back, allowing it to rest against his chest, looking for my soul to be comforted. I think he feels my need for comfort and kisses the top of my head.

               “Abby, I should make haste and return to my room. I do not wish for you to become the topic of palace gossip.” I nod, but continue to rest against him, not wanting to let him leave yet, though he seems to not mind as he continues to hold me. After a moment, I feel his arms start to loosen and I stand, allowing him to release me. He walks around to my front and gently puts his hands on my waist.

               “I would like to take you on a tour of the village tomorrow if you would like… You need a warmer coat and I think the people would like to see the woman I have brough from Opana.” I smile and nod. He leans forward and places a gentle kiss on my lips, before bowing and leaving. I stand alone, held in my spot by disbelief. My aunt would be appalled to know that what I have just engaged in with a man who is not my husband. A wave a guilt washes over me. I stroll to my chair, pick up my book from the floor and continue to read, hoping to push away the feelings of shame that are rising within me.