Lucas flinched, just barely, but then the corner of his mouth lifted in a dangerous smile.
"Foolish," he mumbled and released her wrist slowly, taking Emilia aback and the dagger plunged forward, piercing his chest.
A sickening gasp escaped Emilia's lips as the blade sank in and blood gushed out, hot and vivid against the pale fabric of his white garment.
Lucas winced, gripping the hilt with one hand and pulled the dagger free, then tossed it across the room.
"Are you satisfied?" he muttered through clenched teeth and Emilia widened her eyes, frightened.
The wound is deep but not fatal. The blade is barely an inch away from his heart.
Emilia stared at the spreading bloodstain, her breath catching in her throat. She did want to harm him, but now that she did, she wondered if it was the wise thing to do.
The sight of blood suddenly made her sick and nauseated and her hands trembled as she tried to step back.
But before she could move, Lucas grabbed her, pulling her down onto the bed with him, his strength undiminished.
The suddenness of it paralyzed her and his blood smeared across her dress and when she finally came to her senses, she thrashed beneath him.
"Let go of me!" Emilia screamed, struggling furiously, spitting the words into his face.
"Stay still," Lucas breathed, his voice low and strained.
He cupped her cheek with blood-slick fingers and leaned toward her neck and Emilia closed her eyes, horrified, bracing herself for the worst, but instead of a kiss, or worse, he whispered into her ears.
"Take the northern route to your quarter and don't breathe a word to anyone," he whispered in her ears, and then his body shuddered and then collapsed, his body limped against her.
Emilia's eyes flew open, and she waited to see he wasn't moving but heard shallow and ragged breaths which showed that he was still alive.
Panic surged through her, and she shoved him off with all her strength, stumbled to her feet, her chest heaving with every breath. She shook his body once, twice, but nothing.
Is he…?
She didn't wait to find out and bolted from the chamber, throwing the door open with trembling hands.
She ran down the corridor, barefoot, following his instructions and was relieved when she met no one on the way.
Emilia didn't stop until she reached her quarters, her hands fumbling with the latch before slamming the door behind her.
Quietness settled with her as she stood alone.
She had already calculated that those at the Queen's quarter would also retire for the night because she was to be with the King.
Luckily she was right.
Emilia bent over, panting, shaking uncontrollably. It takes several long minutes before she can force herself upright again.
Only then does she look down at herself. Blood. On her neck, on her dress and on her hands.
Everywhere.
She ripped off the soiled clothes and scrubbed herself fervently, having barely finished changing into a clean nightgown when a knock came.
Emilia's hand froze on her body, but she heard June's voice instead.
"Your Majesty, what are you…"
Emilia pulled the door open just enough to yank her inside along with Alice beside her.
She slammed it shut again.
"I thought you were in the King's chamber tonight…" Alice trailed off as her gaze landed on the bloodstained gown crumpled on the floor.
June gasped.
"Your Majesty!"
"Are you hurt?!" she rushed forward, eyes scanning Emilia's body for wounds.
"I just… saw my period," Emilia lied.
They stared suspiciously at her, not sure what exactly happened but knowing for sure that she was lying.
Alice remembered the dagger earlier and gasped. They thought she wanted to bring it along for her protection and didn't expect she would use it for something as reckless as this.
The eyes shot out with fear, but they simply hid their thoughts with trembling fingers.
"Your… Majesty…" June started again, her voice faltering.
Alice cut her off with a subtle shake of her head and kneel to pick up the dress carefully.
"We'll take care of it," she said, and, together with June, disappeared into the bathing room to fetch warm water.
Emilia sank onto the bed in silence, her heart thundered in her chest, echoing louder than any music or footsteps outside.
~
Emilia jerked awake with a scream, her chest heaving. The morning light barely creeps through the curtains, but her heart is pounding like drums of war.
The remnants of her nightmare cling to her skin like sweat, visions of a blade raised high and King Lucas's cold decree echoing through the execution grounds.
June burst into the room, closely followed by Alice. Both maids dropped to their knees by her bed, panic written all over their faces. Neither of them had been able to sleep a wink.
They kept their eyes, fearing something else might happen.
"Your Majesty!"
"What happened?" June asked, trembling.
"It's nothing," Emilia muttered, her voice shaky. But I can't help but feel that anytime from now, soldiers will burst in to arrest and execute her.
She sat upright, clutching the silk sheets as a heavy silence settled over the room. An hour passed, and she wondered why hadn't anyone come to arrest her yet?
After what she did last night, Lucas's men should have stormed in by now. The fact that they haven't only deepened her anxiety.
"Did you hear anything from the King's quarters?" Emilia asked, her voice barely above a whisper, but June and Alice shook their heads.
Emilia's mind raced with different reasons why she was still being allowed alive.
No news at all? Either he's dead and everything's being covered up, or worse, he's alive and biding his time.
Her gaze landed on the glass and the cup laid on the table. Fury surged through her. In a fit of rage, she swiped the tray off the table, sending it crashing to the floor.
"I can't continue to wait in fear," she muttered, standing abruptly.
She threw on a robe from the hanger and walked toward the door. Alice and June exchanged worried glances before hurrying after her.
The walk through the palace halls is eerily quiet. Not a single guard stood outside the King's chambers.
It's very weird.