Chapter seven
Noir kingdom
Evening
'You have to say the truth now! Are you a spy?' a member of the army yelled authoritatively.
The king was looking at Perriguin without a trace of smile. She was in the middle of the court on her knees with a quiver full of arrows across. She had stolen them from Noir kingdom and had been using it to hunt animals for eating as well as defend herself.
They caught her as she was going to get or rather, steal some supplies as usual. She was not caught in the act but they took her as she was not a citizen. They guessed she was a spy.
Speechless, she looked up and saw a letter coming. It read;
Perriguin,
Tell them you're a member of Jumbadiway's royal group
Duke
She raised her head up and looked at them, full of confidence and boldness.
'I'm a member of the royal family in Jumbadiway Kingdom…I'm not a spy!' she said clearly.
The soldiers stroked her.
'You lie! What will a member of the royal family be doing in the bushes?' the head asked.
Perriguin looked at them boldly.
'One more lash, you'll have to face te Duke of Jumbadiway Kingdom' she said fearlessly.
They took some steps away from her and then looked at the Duke. Perriguin was still on the floor because the soldiers had hit her legs terribly.
'You don't look like one but…The Duke of Jumbadiway Kingdom will be here by here tomorrow because he is on a voyage…if he claims not to know you…you'll be executed in a very painful way and if he claims you, we'll apologize and pay for it' he said sternly.
Perriguin, scared of the decision she had just made was already pleading with the Duke in her heart. He was not going to deny her, would be? She looked at everyone.
'Take her to a guest room' he ordered and some maids took her carefully to a room.
Perriguin was very tired and needed rest but sleeping was impossible. She was very restless. Apart from the fact that she was yet to save Reguin, she was scared of the Duke denying her the next day.
'Do you need anything ma?' the maids asked.
Perriguin nodded.
'A warm bath' she said and they left to prepare immediately.
Though scared, she was going to enjoy the opportunity. She sat on the comfy, big bed though her heads were full of thoughts.
When the bath was ready, she dived into the bath tub. Injuries from the valley of Lukana were still there, fresh and alive. The wounds started hurting as she enter the bath. She shut her eyes and absorbed the pain. The memories were fresh in her head. The voice of the Duke, giving her away, the voice of the duchess giving her to be executed, the sound of the strokes- they all echoed in her head. The picture of herself in the dark carriage displayed. Tears came down. Why was her life full of pain? After much crying, she raised her head up and exhaled.
Yes, she was born a slave but that was not a guarantee for her to go through hell while on earth when she was not even sure of escaping the actual hell. Even her stay in the bush was a nomadic one. Although she could not get Reguin, she was eventually going to get her of that discriminatig kingdom, Lumbridimaway.
Perriguin slept, full of fear. Every five minute, she woke up, panting fearfully.
The next morning, she was dressed in an elegant outfit that was brought in by the maids. The Duke of Jumbadiway Kingdom was coming soon. The day was very important because it was going to decide her fate. It was going to determine if suffering was going to continue or she was going to get a better life. As soon as the maids left, she saw a letter. It read;
Perriguin,
I promise to make you my duchess, I won't fail.
Duke
The letter made her even more restless. Promises in those letters were nothing but empty promises. She need a second plan because she could not believe in the letter that she was not even sure was real.
In the depth of confusion, a maid came in.
'The Duke is here' she said and started preparing her to move out.
Perriguin felt her restlessness was obvious so she stood still for a while and tried calming herself down. She exhaled and inhaled before moving on.
Getting to the main court, she paused. The Duke was looking at Perriguin as if he was attracted. Then, he started looking at her as if she was a stranger. Was it the makeup? The outfit? Or something else? The maids left and she walked to where the two dukes were. The Duke looked more handsome than ever or maybe it was because she had been seeing ugly people for long. She greeted them, giving the Duke more attention so that their eyes locked.
'This is the lady I told you about…do you know her?' the Duke of Noir asked.
The Duke of Jumbadiway drew closer and continue looking at her.
'Perriguin?' he whispered in a way that only both of them could hear.
Perriguin nodded, full of joy that he had called her name. She waited hopefully for him to decide her fate.
'Duke Jumbadi, if she's not of the royal family, be fast to say it. She was found around and she claimed to be of your family…' the Duke of Noir said plainly as he drank from his golden cup.
Duke Jumbadi turned to the Duke of Noir.
Perriguin's heart shifted.
'I…I don't think I've seen this face' the Duke of Jumbadiway replied without worries.
Instantly, tears travelled down to her jawline. Was he not the guy that promised her that he was going to help?
'So you lied…' the Duke of Noir began.
'Well, I'm not so sure because she looks like a maid in my kingdom' the Duke of Jumbadiway cut in.
The Duke of Noir stood up and walked to where Perriguin was.
'I'm going somewhere now. By the time I'm back, I should have an answer' he said and left the court.
Immediately the Duke of Noir was gone, Perriguin ran to where the Duke was and knelt before him, forgetting whatever happened the last time they saw.
'Please…you promised…You promised to get me out of her. Please …I've already gone through a lot' she pleaded, crying before him.
He stood up and went behind Perriguin.
'When did I promise you? Besides…I gave you our to Lumbridimaway's Duchess' he said slowly.
Perriguin grabbed the hem of his cloth and begged.
'Please…you said he's a strict king…I should be careful…else, he will kill me…' she cried.
He looked confused. Whatever was happening did not worry him at all. She wish he was not the one who came. It would have been better if it was Lamidat.
'See, listen to me…I never said those words to you! You remain here!' the Duke said firmly.
Perriguin was not going to let go.
'Plea…'
'Well, he may retain you as a concubine since you don't look too bad…' he cut in with a brief smile.
Was that not the Duke that bought her? Why was he giving her up?
'Please, I'm just a young girl…I can't be a concubine!' she begged, crawling and following him.
He turned and looked at Perriguin for a while.
'It's not about age…he cares less. Well, being his concubine is not good either because he's strict with everyone!' he yelled.
Perriguin wondered what was making him yelled. He looked confused. That did not stop Perriguin. She begged on.
'But…even as a maid…' she began, breaking into loud tears and sobs.
'...I've grown to love Jumbadiway Kingdom! In your kingdom, I discovered I could also dance, be loved,have friends, be happy…and even talk to and touch royalty…please, you can even retain me as a…' she paused, remember the Duke was not the type that would acquire concubines.
Despite the fact that Perriguin was crying and saying emotional things, he was not feeling a thing. He was neither smiling or frowning- just normal.
'Did you plan to say concubine?' he said, having disgust written all over his face. 'In fact, how old are you?' he asked.
Perriguin shook her head.
'I…I don't know my age' she stammered, almost crying.
He smiled briefly.
'I can't take you back to Jumbadiway because…I'm sure you'll remain a snitch! See…because of you, I may get married soon' he said without emotion.
Perriguin could swear that after he warned her not to say anything to his family, she didn't. She had never said anything she wasn't meant to say.
'...and if I don't get married…war will break out between Jumbadiway and Lumbridimaway…' he added with a bit of sadness in his tone.
'I'll fight for you' she replied immediately.
Perriguin could not tell when she voiced that out! She just continued looking at him and he was also looking. She was waiting for him to burst into laughter because she said she was going to fight for him with her neglible frame but he didn't.
Just between them, a letter fell. It read;
Perriguin,
I have to keep my kingdom. I have to make my family happy. I have to get married.
Duke
Perriguin looked at the Duke. Then, the last batch of tears came down. Right before her, the Duke turned his back and left with his guards. She watched them climb their camels and horses through the window. With her eyes, she saw them leave. Once they were out of sight, she fell down and tore her apparel.
The Duke of Noir came back and met her on the floor. He looked at her for a while with his red eyes. Those eyes made him look like a rich fool. People said his eyes were red because he was usually drunk.
Finally, he called his guards and walked away.