Last day of annual festival
Grand floor
Noon
Perriguin never knew one day she could be on a Grand floor in a festival as great. The scene was a site to behold. The most fascinating thing was the fact that she was part of the dancers. She was putting on a very special outfit made with breads. She had lots of anklets that reached her knees, lots of bracelets that reached her elbow, lots of rings that covered her fingers and lots of nose rings and earrings. She went through pain getting her noise and ears pierced but she just had to fit into the culture. Going about without jewelry meant inferiority in the kingdom.
The members of the royal family were with many guests who were also from the royal family. For reasons Perriguin could not fathom, she was afraid the Duchess of Lumbidimaway was there too. The Duke's, though much were few in number compared to the duchesses and everyone knew why. The duchesses only came in search of the Duke's heart. Many followed him like modernized flies. He just kept it cool because he did not want to be cautioned by his mother. The Duke's brother, Lamidat was also watching the dance with his usual charming smile while daughters of duchesses flocked around.
Perriguin's feet were already feeling weak. She could no longer feel them because they were numb. She was told the dancing would take long but she did not expect it to take up to six hours without a break. The annoying thing was that not everyone was paying attention. They were just performing to keep the place lively while others ate, drank and discussed.
While Perriguin was dancing, a letter came and it read;
'Perriguin,
I miss you. I wish I could replace you with these duchesses
Duke.
As usual, it faded away. She looked at the Duke. He was looking at Perriguin with his usual blank look. The Duchesses indeed surrounded him but he paid no attention. Perriguin was scared of those eyes but she continued dancing. She was very thirsty and weak already but she continued. Soon, her eyes were no longer stable. She was becoming dizzy. Her legs started failing her gradually. Her head was aching badly. Her feet were feeling heavy and the sun was scorching. Her whole system was shutting down. There was no longer saliva in her mouth and tracts. Her head was spinning. Then, finally she fell to the ground, unconscious.
Her fall brought attention. Lamidat hurried , leaving the Ladies. In other to avoid much attention, they did cover up and silently took her to the health center. The head of entertainment and Lamidat stayed as the people who carried her left. The Duke of course did not bother coming though he saw what happened.
'Ahg…so sorry Perriguin…' he muttered, looking at her as soon as the physician was done.
The physician said it was nothing but stress and fatigue. This made Lamidat mad. He faced the head of entertainment.
'You know she's human…right?' he asked, trying to be calm. 'she's not meant to dance for more than four hours! She's as human as you are!' he raised his voice.
The head of entertainment, known as the Rafa just stood, receiving the quarel with head bent. Meanwhile, Perriguin's eyes were opening gradually.
'You don't talk to my staff in that manner…Lamidat!' the Duke said sternly as he walked in.
Immediately Perriguin discovered his presence, her eyes opened fully and she surveyed the scene. Immediately, she sat up, hoping that would cause the tension to cease. She tried remembering the last thing she could- she was feeling weak. Most likely, she fell and was brought to the center. She looked at the Rafa, whose head was bent and then, Lamidat who had stood up to meet the Duke. She hopes no fight would break out. She had caused enough.
'Thank you…I'm awake…I'm fine' she stammered, touching her head that was still aching.
They all turned and looked at her- the Duke, Lamidat and the Rafa. Lamidat walked towards her, heaving a sigh of relief. There was silence for some time as the Duke just looked with his hands behind him.
'Tell me she faked the whole thing up cause that's what she usually does' the Duchess of Lumbidimaway cut in as she opened the door and walked towards the Duke.
The Duke walked out and Lamidat followed him, giving the Duchess a glare because Perriguin had told him a couple of things about her. He didn't want to leave her with the duchess but he had to sort things out with his brother. The Rafa left to after a signal from the Duchess.
As soon as everyone was out, Perriguin sat up, preparing to leave so she could avoid the duchess. The Duchess walked elegantly with a smirk on her face and sat on the rocking chair beside the bed.
'Don't move' she ordered.
Perriguin became stiff. She looked at the duchess who was in her usual Golden Apenta, big crown and countless jewelries while she took the first bite from the fruit in her hand. When she had chewed the first bite, she sat up and looked at Perriguin.
'So tell me, how do you feel getting the kingdom's attention?' she asked.
Perriguin was speechless. Saying something contrary to what the Duchess wants to hear meant death so she was confused on what to do. She only took a look at the wicked Duchess who once possessed her. She was confident, elegant, beautiful- though her wickedness wouldn't let that to be seen. She was a great woman of war and that was why though a woman, her kingdom was powerful.
'Since you won't give a reply, I need you to tell everyone that you faked it. Else, you'll go back to Lukana and learn discipline again' she proclaimed sternly.
Perriguin's heart started beating uncontrollably. The word, 'Lukana' rang danger. Tears travelled down involuntarily. She thought the old memories were gone but no, she could feel them again. She remembered Lukana and Lumbri. NO! she was not ready for it. Also, she could not just say she faked it when she didn't.
'No…I swear…I didn't fake it…' Perriguin stammered, crying.
The duchess smoke her head and smiled, coming closer so their face almost touched.
'It's good you no longer stink…' she chuckled before moving away. 'Then…I'll call my guards to steal you' she threatened.
Immediately she said that, the Duke and his brother came in. Obviously, there was a fight- either oral or physical.
'I guess your little dancer have something to tell you' the duchess said, maintaining eye contact with Perriguin.
Perriguin looked at the people in the room especially Lamidat. She bent her head, seeing Lamidat's eyes. She played with her nails, trying to ease the load but her heart was still battling and struggling. She had to play safe.
'I…' she began. 'I faked it's she stammered as another batch of tears came down.
The Duchess laughed wickedly and walked towards the Duke.
'She deserves Lukana right?' she said, arching her wicked-looking eyebrows. 'She almost stopped the whole occasion…this has never happened'
She hated Perriguin for no reason. Not just her, the duchess had hatred for anyone that was not royalty. Perriguin was confused. She had complied to what the Duchess said. Yet, she was still mentioning Lukana. What was more scary was that she was mentioning it to the Duke who hated her also.
'She's like that…always causing havoc, purposely bumping into royalty, breaking rules deliberately…she has always been like that!' she added, putting more fuel to the spark she had started.
Lamidat looked at the duchess with disgust.
'Duchess Emaninewa, Jumbadiway is not and will never be Lumbridimaway…stay out of this…it's not your business…'
'Yes, it's true…she is rebellious' the Duke said.
Perriguin wondered if he was backing Lamidat or the wicked Duchess.
'Perriguin is indeed rebellious' he said without emotion.
Perriguin raised her head up and looked at the Duke, disappointed. Seeing the Duchess behind him made him look even more wicked than ever.
'Jumbadi…I don't understand what's happening here…I want to believe you're not listening to…' Lamidat stopped, realizing he was about to insult the duchess. 'what will you tell mum?' he said on a lighter note. 'she is important- a family friend!'
The Duke's brother kept speaking sense into the Duke. Perriguin just stayed on the bed, full of tears. She looked at the Duke. For the first time, she could she compassion in his eyes. A letter dropped on her laps. She opened it and it read;
'Perriguin,
Sorry, we have to part ways but I'll come back for you
Duke
Perriguin looked at him as the letter faded away while tears flowed like a river. The Duke was also looking.
'But I bought her…you have no way in this cause she is now ours. And if I want to punish her, we have our own prison…not your Lukana…' the Duke said.
Perriguin was glad that the Duke was supporting her for the first time in his life.
'She is going nowhere…' he declared.
Tears ceased flowing from her eyes. Was this the Duke she knew?
The Duchess' s smile vanished. Then, she clung to the Duke, facing him closely, holding him.
'I know you hate me…everything about me is evil! I know…' the Duke irritatedly pushed the duchess away.
'You can take her with you if that will make you leave my life!' te Duke yelled and walked away.
'What are you doing?' Lamidat yelled at the Duke as he walked away. He gave the Duchess a glare again. He could see the smile in her eyes.
'Jumbadi! Jumbadi!' he yelled, following the Duke after looking at helpless Perriguin for a while. He could not understand what was happening, why the duchess was having a place in the whole matter. He was sure Perriguin did not fake the fainting. It was real. The Duchess had compelled her. He wondered what was wrong with his stupid brother.
Perriguin on the other hand felt like the world had just been taken away from her. Jumbadiway was home. She refused to believe what was happening.
'Guards!' the duchess yelled, walking towards her.
As soon as the guards came, Perriguin remembered Lukana clearly. It was a place of pain, endless pain. Why was the duchess bent on making her life miserable?
'This is just to remind you of your root' the duchess whispered to her ears like a witch before the mascular barechested guard grabbed her hands brutally. 'you want to get close to royalty right? I'll place you where you belong' she said in the same tone.
Perriguin eyes were covered. The next place she saw herself was a dark place that she could not recognize or see.