I've killed a lord.
Although a shit one, but killing him would mean my head on a pike.
After I burnt off my clothes, I was left naked, covered in slight splatters of blood. Despite the fact that I was butt naked, I was invisible. Luckily, those sounds of killing were mixed into the blend of sound of moans and sex.
I trotted between the tents looking for a set of clothes.
Half of these tents belong to lords who would cut off my hand for daring to come near. Between the tents stood drunken guards, watching over the nobles making love in the night light.
The only tent that was lit by candlelight, but it had no guards or noise from it. It was a modest little tent in the corner of the field. I crept inside, light on my feet. It seemed empty.
In the corner stood a dressing table filled with the scents of familiar perfumes and jewelry. In the center was a magnificent four-poster bed that was ready for sleep, but no one was in it. I pulled back the curtain into the other room. There sat a young woman with two huge braids on either side that reached her toes, dressed in a delicate gown.
It was the princess. Helena.
She yelped, her eyes bulging. I covered my crotch and any indignant areas. "I'm so sorry, Your Majesty... Your Royal Highness! I lost… My test. Tent is not..."
Where are my words tonight?
Her features went lax and then immediately went to a sort of longing, lingering. I could have sworn that her eyes landed on my crotch before she covered them, pointing towards her temporary cupboard. "There are some clothes that I saved for my manservant, but you can take them."
I snatched the fittings, quickly yanking them over my head and quickly covering my nudity. I plaster on a forced smile. "You can look now."
She slowly uncorked her eyes, her cheeks flushed. Landing on me, I was seated on her bed since there was no other chair in the room. Finally, the tiredness of the night lay on me. I shut down my eyes breathing in the scent of sandalwood.
"You came."
I whip my head towards her, surprised by her tone. It has a sort of longing quality that I still don't quite understand. Does she really remember me?
We were only kids when I was first brought to the royal court. She was a gentle girl, very shy. Loved to read outside the home, she could recite any book she could get her hands on. The king didn't really like that.
Back in the days when I was allowed to be around royalty without a whipping. We would play in the horse stables, we played catch. She used to pull my hair and then straddle me into the dirt.
"I'm actually lost."
"You didn't get my invitation?"
Already tired of the evening, I say, "I have no fucking idea what you're talking about."
I hate all these fucking mind games.
Fuck, did I just curse in front of the princess?
I back gulped and blurted out, "Fuck, I didn't mean… Fuck. I'm not supposed to curse in front of you."
I'm an idiot.
Her eyes focused on me, her concentration on me was frightening. "Still not answering my question, why are you here?"
Helena looked at me as if I were one of her books in one of the many dead languages she had learned. A thought occurred to me: this is a rather small tent for a princess. I heard in recent years the princess has become spoiled, it's a confusing place to find her.
"You're calm."
Helena stood up without breaking eye contact. She pointed out, "This is my tent, shouldn't I be calm?"
Her eyebrows crossed as if she was angry at the idea of being defenseless. I raised my hands innocently, she just glared at me even more.
I tried not to burst out laughing. "I'm a stranger, entering your bedchamber. Why shouldn't you be worried?"
"You're not a stranger. I know you. You're Tajiri."
Technically, my name was shortened. My original name is Tajiri Kogane no warai of House Kowareta. Not only could no one pronounce it, and the name is a reminder that I'm of noble blood. Therefore, I'm Tajiri.
Wait, does she remember me?
"Don't worry about me. Dad has given orders to the rest of the guests of the party. If anyone touches me before my wedding night, they will lose the affected limb." I slowly uncorked my hand from hers at that.
Now that her hand was free, she began to play with a silver bracelet. "And I asked for the area to be cleared, but fate must have other plans in mind."
I apologized, "Sorry for the inconvenience, but I desperately need a bed tonight."
I started moving away from the bed towards the chair, planning to sleep there. But as I scooted away, she scooted even closer.
Unwelcome heat crawled up my spine, curling against me like a cat. Despite myself, I forced myself to stiffen. Helena smiled mischievously at me. "And I desperately need a conversation."
"How lucky I am," the words dripping with sarcasm.
This is going to be one of those long nights.