Heart of Darkness

Chapter 193 The cat's out of the bag

Roxana fought the best that she could as they tied her up and forced a piece of cloth into her mouth before tying it in place.

“What did you do to your face?” Ulric asked.

She just glared at him.

“Oh right. You can’t speak.” He taunted with a chuckle. “You are much more appealing when silent.”

She cursed at him but it only came out as a strangled sound. “Are you cursing at me?” He asked grabbing her already bruised face. He pressed hard on the bruise she got from the fight with Ronny.

Roxana tried to move her face away, but he grabbed her by the hair to hold her still. “Does that hurt?” he asked pressing harder. “What will you do now when you can’t speak with that smart mouth of yours?”

What would she do? She was doomed. He was going to take her to the king where she would not only have to see his disappointed face but also endure torture afterward and then die at the end.

This would be her end if she didn’t come up with something clever. She didn’t know why she kept thinking of saying that she was disguised to be near the king as if that would make him excuse her betrayal. And now she couldn’t even lie about being Rox’s sister because the bruises on her face would expose her. Besides, Ulric knew so he wouldn’t let it go so easily. He would demand to see Rox.

“Where is your friend? I am sure he knew of your disguise.”

Oh no. Hopefully, Fanny wouldn’t come back anytime soon.

“I am sure we will find him in time, but first I can’t wait to see what His Majesty has to say about this.” He smiled wickedly.

Roxana regretted deeply that she didn’t escape earlier. Now, what would happen? Would her life end like this? Like in her nightmare? Without seeing her parents and her sister again. Without saying goodbye to those she loved. Not even Fanny.

Well, it was her fault. She was only paying for her sins. It was a miracle she survived this long, anyway.

Ulric threw her on his horse and rode away with her to the castle. When they arrived he pushed her off the horse. Roxana couldn’t even protect herself from the fall because her hands were tied.

She fell on her shoulder and hip and groaned in pain. Then she just lay there, trying not to cry from all the hurt that was going on.

Ulric grabbed her by the hair and forced her up. Then he put one arm under hers. One of his men came to crab the other and then they dragged her to the gates.

The guards at the gate seemed to somehow recognize her. “We have a traitor and we wish to see his Majesty,” Ulric spoke proudly.

“This is not the time where his Majesty receives complaints. You have to come back on Wednesday.”

Ulric shook his head. “This is urgent. Let me speak with someone else then. Who is responsible for the guards? This is a woman who has been disguised as a guard.”

The guards looked at each other and then one of them ordered them to follow him.

They didn’t even care to let her wear her shoes and now dragged her body, across the ground, barefoot.

They were taking her to the defense quarters. This was bad.

At the training ground in the defense quarters, Sir Fulker was instructing his trainees. The guard went to him, whispering something into his ear, and then Sir Fulker turned to them. His eyes narrowed, just like the rest before widening. They recognized her. She could see Ronny’s eyes being the widest and then hysterical whispers began.

“Be quiet!” Sir Fulker ordered giving them his attention for a short moment before returning to her.

Ulric pushed her forward, her feet were now bleeding she was sure. Then he pushed her down on her knees. “I brought you Rox, Sir,” Ulric said.

Sir Fulker was speechless and Roxana avoided his gaze. Ulric began to remove the cloth from her mouth and then gave her a push on the back. “Speak now, woman. Tell him how you deceived everyone.”

Roxana looked up at Sir Fulker, her eyes burning with tears. She was not going to cry.

“Rox?” He was utterly confused.

“Sir Fulker.” Her throat tightened with a cry. She shouldn’t. She had dug her own grave and now she would have to lay in it.

“What is happening? How… how can you…” The rest of the trainees gathered behind him, curious to take a closer look.

“His Majesty will…” Sir Fulker began when he was interrupted.

“What is happening?” It was Alexander’s voice.

Roxana wished the earth would open and swallow her. More than the fear of death and torture was the fear of seeing his face when he found out the truth.

The trainee stepped aside clearing the path for him and then she saw his boots come into sight. She kept her head low, refusing to look up.

“Your Majesty,” Sir Fulker began and she could tell by his voice that she had put him in trouble as well. He was mainly responsible for new guards. “Rox is a girl.” He said.

A silence followed and Roxana kept her head low.

“These men found her. I don’t know who she is.”

“Her name is Roxana, Your Majesty.” Ulric grabbed her arm and pulled her up. “Speak up, woman! Tell his Majesty what you came here for?” He yanked at her forcing her to look at the king. Her eyes met his hesitantly. Regrettably. His face held no expression, but those eyes, she could swear that those eyes could take a soul.

A tremor of fear went down her spine. Maybe she would be lucky and he would kill her here at once. The thought of him killing her with his own had made her feel like she was being choked. She couldn’t speak. Not to lie nor to tell the truth.

Gary and Peter stood on each side of the king and watched her confused as well. Almost all her life, she had deceived people. Lied. Stolen. She knew it was wrong but anger and determination had driven her forward. It had been a way for her to deal with all the unfairness and cruelness she faced. As much as she felt bad for the way she was, she never felt bad toward those she stole from. Or lied to. Until now. Until she came to this kingdom. She had met wonderful people who gave her hope. Who showed her care. But she found them too late. She found them when she had already come with her lies and if she had never lied she would never have met them.

Was this a good way to die then? Having had friends. Having more than one person to mourn her death. Perhaps it wasn’t so bad.

“How dare you touch my guard?!” Alexander asked.

His voice was calm yet venomous. His words made the air fall silent as well. Everyone was confused.

“Do you know the punishment of touching a king’s guard?” He asked Ulric.

“You-your Majesty..” Ulric stuttered. “I-I…”

“Release her at once!”

Ulric flinched and began to untie her with trembling hands. Roxana looked at the king but he was watching Ulric intently. What was happening? Why was he angry at Ulric?

Sir Fulker looked between her and the King confused.

When her hands were free, Ulric turned to the King. “My apologies, Your Majesty. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t being deceived.”

“You find me a fool?” He asked.

“N-no. I wouldn’t dare.”

“I know Rox is a woman. She wanted to be a guard and I allowed her with the conditions that she proves to me that she can fit in like any other guard which she has clearly proven she can.” He explained.

A lie? Why would he lie for her? And he knew. Since when?

Roxana felt her head spin. The fear suddenly left her limbs and left her feeling weak.

“Sir Fulker.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Has she shown any signs that she is unfit to be a guard?”

“No, Your Majesty.”

“Very well then. I have decided, now that Rox has proven herself, that women can apply to become guards if they so wish.”

What–what was he doing?! Causing uproar?

“Your Majesty, she is a th…” Ulric began but was cut off.

“If you utter one more word about my guard, I will have you hanged,” Alexander warned. “But now you shall receive your punishment for touching what is mine.”

He gave a nod and suddenly guards surrounded them, taking Ulric and his men away. Roxana was suddenly left standing alone on the other side while everyone watched her. She was just as confused as everyone else while she hesitantly covered herself with her arms. She was still wearing the simple gown she slept with.

“What are you staring at?!” Alexander asked them and they stepped back afraid, finding somewhere else to look. “Follow me, Rox!” He then ordered before walking away.

Roxana’s head began to spin. She was unsure of what just happened and whether she was still in trouble or not. From the way he called her, he was upset. Very upset.

Could she at least hope that the worst was over?