NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11: Too pretty
"The royal castle?" Her stomach churned. "Why? how?"
"Well, that is the only place that you'll be safe." Matteo said.
"Safe? I worked so hard to escape that place, And now, you want to take me back there?" she was almost yelling. The dreadful thought of the brothel masters rang bells in her head.
"Listen, you were taken there as a slut, and that is why you wanted to run. Those monsters aren't there anymore," Matteo's voice was so calm and soothing, one could get lulled to sleep by how gently he spoke to her.
"Now, it's just the normal royal family and their workers. No one else. You can blend in as a kitchen maid. That way, that crazy man that tried to kill you can't reach you." He said.
"He is a Duke. He also has access to the castle," she said, thinking about Eden. The next time.he gets a chance, she's sure he wouldn't hesitate to kill her. And what worried her the most is that she doesn't know why.
Why was the sweet ma who'd done everand anything to make her happy try to kill her?
"Yes, a Duke can enter the Royal castle. But only on special occasions. And he does not have access to the kitchen and the workers there."
Matteo's words were making sense. But she had no idea what working in the kitchen entails. What if they find out she's an imposter.
"What if he sends his men to search for me? he has men everywhere. What if they recognize me?" Her blue and blonde hair was not going to make it any easier to hide.
Even though she knew she wouldn't be the only one with the features, it still wouldn't be enough.
"You'll lay low and try to blend in." Matteo said, "Trust me, this is rhe safest option we have. No one would suspect it. Unless, you have a better place we can take you to."
"No, no, no. This is the best," She smiled. "Thank you Matteo. For caring," she leaned in on him, his warmth filling her body.
They rode all the way theough the city which was quite. The markets were closed. Shops, bakeries. There was only a handful of people on the roads.
"The king is really dead?" Iris murmured. That would be the only reason why everywhere was so quite.
The whole of Aestheria would be under this lock down for about three days. And since the capital is where the king resides, it would even last longer.
"Sad how he died," Matteo said in whispers.
"He fell off his chair in the ball."
"The Great Demon King who has ruled all fove kingdoms of Aestheria, fell of a chair and died." he yawned. "It's quite unbelievable."
"It is," Iris agreed. She couldn't help but feel bad for him.
They were now on the rocky mountains that led to the castle. She could already see the long dark walls. For the second time.
The first, she had no choice, while the second, she also had no other option but at least she consented.
"So what's up with you and the Duke that tried to kill you?" Matteo wrecked her train of thoughts.
Of course he wanted yo know, and she didn't mond telling him. but, she didn't want to talk about it honestly.
It doesn't make any sense.
"He's actually my brother," She sighed, knowing she had to tell him. he deserved to know.
She could feel his body go rigid at her words.
"You brother, put a knife in your neck?" je spelled out slowly.
"Yes," she said, his words assuring her that it was real.
"But why?" He asked, disbelief was evident in his voice.
"That is what I don't know. He has always been so sweet and caring. But suddenly, he wants me dead. I hate that I don't know why."
Matteo was silent for a moment, as if he was trying to digest what he had just heard.
"I've never been scilded of punished by him. It has always been love. I don't know what changed," she sighed.
"Maybe it was thirst for power?" he raised a brow.
"Nah, He is the Duke of Taff Hills. While I am just his little sister, nothing more." She said. But the fact that Dominic's death was involved raised questions in her chest. Questions she couldn't utter.
Eden had mentioned Lord Hencler, Lord Dominic's Uncle. Was he involved in Dominic's death alongside her brother.
If so, that means it was way deeper than she would ever imagine.
A lot of secrets amd puzzles that would probably never be fixed.
"Maybe it was all a play, he just played loving until it was time to strike." Matteo said.
"Maybe," was her only reply. But she didn't want to think that she had lived a lie all this while.
It would burn her even more than it already is.
Soon, they reached the castle walls and since Matteo was a castle guard, they had access to the back gate were only castle workers could go through.
Matteo led her through a wooden door, behind it was the palace kitchen.
This is where she'll be working from now on.
This is her life.
"Wait here," Matteo said, leaving her by the long never ending aisle.
He walked towards an old woman who was on the otherside of the kitchen, directing all the young ladies.
"Move it!" one girl with a long tray yelled almost pouring the content of the tray on Iris.
"I'm sorry," Iris said, giving way for the girl to do her thing.
"Stupid, blind girls are all that we have here," The girl spat before walking away.
Iris tore her gaze from her, exploring the rest of the kitchen with her eyes.
That was when she noticed that everyone in the kitchen wore the exact smae outfit as her.
Including the chubby, grumpy old woman who was marching towards her with Matteo beside her.
The woman glared at her from head to toe, as if trying to read her.
"She's too pretty Matt. She wouldn't do,"
Her scowl was filled with disgust and irritation.