Lady In Red

8

The blunt and straight explanation of the situation wasn't expected. I suppose these people do not waste time thinking about how to speak in a softer manner. It intrigued me.

I look out slightly as the King stepped out.

I follow his body as he walks ahead and with him everybody else. I should say in such situations if it were our King, he wouldn't be told about such a situation or refrained from stepping out as it may be a trap. But here, it was the King who always stepped first.

My curious mind couldn't get enough as I stepped out of the carriage on the dirt road. Trees guiding both sides and towering over us.

"Your highness-"I turn around to see a young soldier on his horse.

"Please stay back, it is a gruesome scene."

Well, I have had my share of blood and wounds watching the sword fights in court. I look back and step forward. There laid that body of a poor soul between the six soldiers, our footmen. Sir Andrew and the King examining it.

I could only see the head but when some of the soldiers moved my gut fell. My heart felt like it would beat out of my chest and my stomach filled with fear. I held a gasp back as my eyes could not take in what I saw.

King Xerxes, as if he knew already lifted his gaze directly to my eyes and watched me.

That man's eyes, tongue, and hand were missing, torn off. Legs twisted to the other side. Guts spilled and the neck was cut open with dried blood covering the brown soil.

"Not a bear attack Sir. Not even a normal wolf, It was-" The soldier who had finished examining the body looked up at Sir Andrew whose eyes were on me.

In fact, everyone's eyes were on me as I stood there breathing heavily as panic set in.

Blood I had seen but this, I never could imagine. I was terrified. My arms started trembling slightly as the King walked past the men towards me shielding my view from that.

"Get back in the carriage Ruby."

He did not have to tell me twice as I obey in an instant and turn around. My hand stayed on my chest, trying to calm my heart down. My eyes look at the soldier who had now gotten off his horse, he had a face of worry as he looked at me. My eyes shake looking around and I looked toward the tree line once to look at something better like the green color before sitting when I saw something.

I stare at it for a minute before two hands wrapped around my waist scaring me. I gasp turning just a little to realize it was the King. A slight relief washes my eyes. Something in his touch calmed me down. He moved his one hand to settle right under my chest and the other touched my shaky palm.

Highly aware of his warm hand right under my highly sensitive breasts I tried my best to point at that thing that looked like a bag in the bushes.

"Uh, um. There is a b-bag?" I stutter. That bloody sight is still in my mind.

King Xerxes snapped his head to my finger pointing in a direction.

On the command of his eyes, the soldier standing before us walked towards that thing and pulled it out of the bushes.

"Carriage, now."

That wasn't the soft voice I felt before. It was a command and this time I go back in the carriage and King Xerxes closed the door walking back ahead.

I sit there for what felt like hours as they moved that poor man. A small knock made me flinch and I open the window to Sir Andrew handing me a bottle of water.

"Thank you."

I take a few sips before handing it back and giving a long sigh. I scoot to the edge of the seat and lean my body and head on the wall of the carriage looking at the trees and thinking about this to distract myself. My eyes fall on the hem of my dress. My cream gown, and possibly my second wedding dress had dirt over its hem. I sigh taking my kerchief and dusting it off but it only reminded me of that gruesome body.

I give up leaning back on that wall. And when the door opened again, King Xerxes said something before sitting and closing the door. The carriage moved as we pass over that soil which had a body just minutes ago. I was sure they did something. The time they took to move the body and find a local villager was enough to ensure it.

But I asked no questions.

"Ruby."

I wish he did not call me by my name. It made me melt slightly.

"Yes, your highness?" I whispered looking at him but not at his eyes.

"Are you feeling unwell?" He asked in a stern voice. His demeanor seemed sort of serious. And I worried if any word of mine might anger him more.

"No, Your Majesty, I am fine-"

I watch in fear as he got up slightly before moving my dress aside and sitting next to me. I stare at him as he put his hand behind my head and my heart almost beat out of my ribcage. My stomach flipped as his hand wedged between my shoulder and that wall then pulled my body to lean over his.

"It's just Xerxes to you when we are alone," he whispered in my ear and I felt as if my legs trembled at that moment.

Oh, they did tremble, for the way he whispered. But Somewhere in my mind, I was scared of him. Scared of his cruel demeanor and his real nature. I was scared of offending the King. I felt as if I had no right to even look him in the eye or touch him or speak to him.

His hand left my shoulder and setting on the head of the seat as I sat there with my head on his shoulder.

I didn't think he would even touch me.

As we sat in silence I finally dozed off. But once in a while when the carriage hit a dirt road I would wake up slightly but keep my closed to go back to sleep. I completely forgot I was sleeping on the King as I adjusted my head twice.

Suddenly I was lifted from my seat and I gasp as he settled me between his legs with my legs hanging over his thigh.

I search for questions or answers as he leaned back flustered and blushing red.

"I assume this might be more comfortable for you to sleep?"

I shook my head frantically and kept my hand on his chest only to push my body away.

"N-no. Forgive me, I-I can sit-"

"Sleep Ruby."

I had never been so close to a man before. This was so new to me. I was nervous every second. I have no clue what to do and King Xerxes wasn't holding back. Making it clear to me that he did not care about talks and people, I was officially his. Although I was worried if he could be gentle to me in bed. But I did not find his actions towards me offending.

His touch did not creep me, wasn't done completely against my will and I wondered if he just, knew I wouldn't dare refuse or I just didn't mind. That difference was something I ought to find

My sleep, I dare say became much more comfortable. He was warm, my head had a hard but softly enough man pillow. And before I knew it I was off to sleep. My mind woke up a while later. I heard slight chatter around.

We were passing through a village it seemed, As my senses came back, my body became highly aware of a hand on my lower back keeping me close to his chest. My head was lounging on his chest but one hand rested over his forearm and the other on my lap.

The carriage slowed and eventually came to a halt.

I heard King Xersex breathe in before moving. I was just so sleepy I didn't even care about moving my head. But I was aware of that big hand moving from my lower back to my waist and curling around me as the other opened the tiny window.

"A halt for the night sir. It is getting late."