ALLEGIANCE OF THE INFIDEL

INCLINED TO OBEY

He approached her with an expression of discomfiture on his rather vacuous countenance.

He was trying to maintain the calm demeanour, but his conscience kept reminding him of the consequence that would await him if he failed.

Though his initial intent was to startle her, the constant disregard and disrespect thrown at him made him furious.

And soon the exchange of insults converted into threats.

"I would make sure that you don't see that knight ever again" asserted the boy with a hard expression.

Astrid lost all composure but didn't let it surface. Sweat beads formed over her forehead and her gaze was lowered towards the ground. As she couldna afford to embrace defeat, she tried to act ignorant. To be precise Astrid felt anxious and petrified, but held a placid demeanour. She remained inscrutable and passive like a sphinx.

Just when Astrid tried to leave, Sirius grabbed her arm and dragged her towards him. Her back collapsed with his broad chest. He seized the opportunity to whisper into her ear, "If you'd be pleased to accompany me as a concubine, then I might ponder on keeping these facts to myself."

Astrid was bewildered by the shameless request that the boy made.

Consequently, a jab from Astrid's elbow bestowed upon Sirius a black eye.

Thereafter, while holding his ear in a strong grip, she exclaimed, "Anguish and remorse will be your friend, my dear bastard brother. It is my resolve now to bury you with my own hands. I will make you regret your every word".

Thereupon, she stormed out in rage.

After reaching her chamber, she took out the letter that she hid earlier. After glaring at it significantly for an hour, she began to crush and crumple the paper. Still displeased, she tore it into a thousand shreds. Then, she settled upon her desk and began rewriting the contents of it.

After accomplishing her task of filling in the necessary details, she sealed it and hid it again.

With dissatisfaction, humiliation and rage inhabiting her mind, she lay on her bed. While muttering her prayers to the lord, she closed her eyes and drifted towards sleep.

The next day, after having her early meal, she placed an assemblage of sheets on her desk and then slipped out of her window as usual. With her face covered in a headscarf and a wooden sword belted around her waist, she dashed as fast as she could and reached the training ground.

Since she was earlier than usual, she had abundant time for training. She brought her sword out of its holster and then practised her moves against the half divaricated tree.

Her attacks were accommodated with a huge force which resulted in her bruising her hands.

The fact that comforted Astrid was that the bruises didn't bleed. They were just meagre scrapes.

On the contrary, there was also a lot of damage inflicted upon the tree.

After an hour, Stetson also made his presence on the training ground. He walked without limping and stood sturdily as a rock. It was advent that he had regained his strength back.

Knight Stetson seemed pleased with Astrid's zeal, and he knew she was prepared for the tough grind that awaited her.

Therefore, he cleared his throat to garner her attention and was greeted with reverence. Then, he divulged the secret about the anticipated tournament held for the younger men with the age limit of 20.

Astrid exhaled a huge breath of discomfort and grumbled, "Women are not supposed to be a part of it. It is incomprehensible for me to fathom your need to provide me an insight on that".

Her eyes went dark with hopelessness, and they held an unfathomable melancholy.

Stetson approached with assuring eyes, and while placing his hand on her shoulder, he spoke, "Making an accommodation for you is my dilemma as I will be taking care of it. Your cares should be bounded within your training only".

Astrid responded with a jubilant simper and gleeful eyes since he had just assured her that he would get her into the battle. After acknowledging the anticipated tournament which was bound to happen within a month, she began training rigorously.

Blisters and bruises were constant as well, but it didn't bar her from embracing her escape from drudgery and adversities.

Meanwhile, in the Caelestius Citadel, Prince Sirius stood inside the empty chamber of princess Astrid and carefully observed her personal belongings.

While striding across the room, he reached Astrid's desk. There was lying an assemblage of sheets of paper intertwined together to form documentation. He sat on her bed and read through it. He realized that it was Astrid's account of the deeds of all the lords and ladies of the noble class. There was a page dedicated to his mother, Lady Messalina too. It contained in-depth information about Messalina's affairs with several young lads that worked as squires and cooks.

Just when he was about to drop the document on the desk, he heard a huge mocking sound blasting his ears combined with vehement claps. He turned and his gaze fell upon the Lady Messalina.

"Since when did you begin visiting the tramp's chamber, Sirius? Where is she?", inquired Messalina.

After going through the deeds of his dear mother, Sirius was baffled by her display of the bogus outward aspect of geniality that she maintained constantly.

"Just the contrary, I confiscated a document which revealed a detailed account of a tramp's infidelity," asserted Sirius while stomping his hand on the desk.

His mother reached the desk, grabbed the document and went through it. While reading the content, sweat beads appeared on her forehead. Her thoughts were controlled by her fears, and she wondered about the source from whom Astrid gathered the intel on the same.

"It symbolizes nothing but her wish to slander my name, son", asserted Messalina while stuttering.

Sirius stood by crossing his arms and inquired, "Do you really mean that, or are you full of baloney as usual?"

Messalina tried to prevent Sirius from leaving, but her words were left unheard and her arms were jerked off.

Discomfort and melancholy took over her, and she began to leave the princess's safe space in tedious steps. The rejection of her only son troubled her heart.

Meanwhile, after getting done with her training, Astrid began to pack her belongings. Since Stetson had been witnessing the improvement that had been made by Astrid, he appeared quite pleased.

Astrid left earlier than Stetson, then ran towards the citadel in huge, long strides.

While spurting towards the castle, the grin was constant on her face. She was precisely wondering about the document that she left. She was convinced that there was a possibility that someone might have read it by then. After reaching the castle, she went through the hidden passage and then slipped back into her room through the window.

The documents that she placed before leaving were gone. Then, she inquired about the intrusion in her absence from Rosa, her attendant. Rose informed her about the menial inspection that was performed by Sirius and his mother.

Astrid simmered like a child and tears of joy began to drift from her eyes. She was convinced that there might have been an unavoidable altercation as the result of the document.

She held out a breath of relief and muttered to herself, "The effect was, indeed, presently accomplished by the advent of the mistress and her son".

Her joys knew no bounds; This small victory assured her that an impending victory might be possible in the wars that awaited her.

Soon, the moment for the evening meal arrived. Astrid as usual was made to sit beside Messalina. But something was unusual about that day. Messalina didn't interact with her or lecture her about the mannerisms of a courtly lady. She was focused on her meal. Astrid was pleased with the change that took over her but was unaware of the plan that the woman had hatched in her absence.

Messalina could not disregard the disgrace she felt. In order to retrieve the vengeance, she had already made her move. The only thing awaited was the proclamation of Lord Julianus Artorius Caelestius.

Just how she witnessed the apathetic behaviour of her son, she believed Astrid should be exposed to the same feeling. The only difference will be that it will be much worse than what she had to encounter.

The feast had begun and the sound of chatter filled in the air. All the commotion and mutterings were halted when Lord Julianus arrived.

It was arduous to believe that the hall was accommodated by more tha 50 people as the silence was as grave as in a graveyard. Just when everyone had their meal, Lord Julianus stomped the table in order to garner the attention of the people.

He glared at Astrid and addressed the crowd about the impending marriage that awaited them. The crowd was appalled by the sudden disclosure of the abrupt knowledge of the matter.

"Dear Astrid, your dear mother reminded me of your coming of age. Hence, it has been decided that you will be betrothed to Prince Andre ofPreonamond Kingdom soon. The marriage will be followed by the time span of three months", asserted Lord Julianus.

Astrid couldn't believe her ears. She was astounded by the adverse scheming of the venomous woman.

At the very moment when Messalina thought that Astrid was about to collide, she stood still and smiled gracefully at her father.

While the people witnessing the moment thought Astrid was pleased with the decision, her mind fell into a state of distress. She was engulfed in fear and pain.

But one thing she was convinced about was that it will not be feasible for them to hover towards the victory with ease.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

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