Morning.
Marketplace.
Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.
*****************
The custors leave with smiles on their faces, one refused to take a pillow bag while the man almost made a show of calling a cart he couldn’t afford. Helena thought perhaps he was trying to impress her, but she was already impressed by another.
The custors were satisfied with their purchases and the delightful experience of interacting with the sweet-talking pillow seller.
"Oh? Look who it is" a voice made her look up from the design she was sewing onto a white pillow she was making. Lady Jerald.
"Lady Theodores’ handbag" a new face delivered.
Helena rolled her eyes. "I see two confused ladies," she said sharply.
"You are not to talk back to us, we are not of your status, you are way beneath us, learn to talk properly" Lady Jerald scowled as she stepped forward.
"Where did you get the money to rent a shop?" a question Helena had hoped she wouldn’t be asked popped out of the troubleso lady Jeralds mouth and it did everything to shock Helena.
"She could be one of those howreckers after noble husbands" lady Fatridge mumbled, her excess double chin, and long eyeballs popping out.
"If he were so noble he would never see anyone else" Helena jibed.
Lady Jerald appeared appalled at that comnt from Helena. "My, she just admitted to being a whore"
"I could bring out the pillows that he had loved for you to purchase too. Maybe that way you can keep him," Helena said casually, her smirk springing up.
She hated when won tried to drag other won down the mud. It has always been so in a society, won would be nice and loving but to themself, they would rather criticize and broadcast whatever it is one of them has done wrong. The dog eat dog, kill before you get killed ntality runs freely in their veins, but it is never obvious on the surface because won are mostly hypocritical and would start a friendship with another lady’s secrets. It was a sad truth but nonetheless present between won.
"You have such a sad life and without a stable life I feel uncontrollably sad for you" the magistrates wife comnted, Helena wondered where Lady Lively was for Lady Jerald to have to walk with this pushover today.
"For soone who gets drunk to lay in bed with her husband, you have a lot to say to a spinster about getting married" Helena.
She blanched imdiately. "I... lady Jerald let us leave, she is a nasty cockroach"
The two ladies without another word to Helena rushed off leaving her to her shop and new custors.
"Now where is Lively?"
Their voice trailed off while she gave a sigh of relief, if they knew what she actually was and did they would not walk away but instead throw stones at her.
She hadn’t been sure who it was that got drunk but she had a prognosis.
And she was right, now she just had to wait for the cart she rented to co for her so she can go ho and count her Crits.
*
* *
*
Afternoon.
Eastside, Citadel.
Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.
***************
He had to talk to her, that was what Theodore knew as he marched towards a direction he had been told she was at.
"Martha"
The head maid turned to the call of her na, her brown eyes couldn’t keep out the shock in them. Her chin quivered lighty before he reached her.
"Where is -" he started but she cut him off.
"Your Highness" she acknowledged him with a bow, he clenched his jaw without responding.
"How are you?"
That question surprised the lord. It had been more than a while. Martha is the mother of a knight that had followed Theodore to war years before but had unfortunately never returned. He was lost in battle. Theodore had felt horrible for the poor mother who only had her son only for him to be lost to a kingdom that he had barely enjoyed, so he had beco nicer to her and closer until he wasn’t anymore.
Theodore held her gaze for a beat but she dropped it too quickly for him to discern what her look carried.
"Martha, I need to hear it from you directly." he started instead of answering her, she nodded. "Did you truly witness my wife stealing the queen’s crown?"
"My lord, I speak only the truth. I saw her with my own eyes, clutching the crown in her hands." Martha responded curtly.
"This is a grave matter, Martha. I implore you, do not let those with power manipulate you." she gave him a blank look so he continued. "If there’s any form of coercion, any hint of falsehood, you must co clean. My wife’s life hangs in the balance, and I cannot bear the thought of her being unjustly condemned for treason." she definitely didn’t do anything but he wasn’t about to start arguing with the individuals of this castle. He only needed to get his wife back.
"My lord, I swear upon my honor, there was no coercion. I saw what I saw, and I reported it out of duty to the crown and to you."
"Very well. Your honesty should give so comfort but it does not, that is my wife in the dungeon. But I will personally oversee the investigation to ensure fairness. If my wife is innocent, I will move heaven and earth to see her vindicated." he declared his eyes solemn and hard.
The head handmaid nodded, her feet shifting in position, she was nervous. She wished she could turn around and leave but that was not a possibility.
"Martha, we were once close, almost like family. Tell , did you truly witness my wife stealing the queen’s crown?" Theodore couldn’t help but ask again, if he slacked any bit then Lydia would spend the night in a dungeon and that wasn’t sothing he would let happen if he was still alive. He had already taken too much ti before coming back from work and he could only imagine what she had gone through.
"My lord, I saw what I saw. There’s no mistaking it." she replied surely, her voice firm and inflexible.
Theodore gulped, he was trying, he wanted this to go the right way before he escalated.
"We grew up together in this castle. You used to confide in Martha, but now you are distant, avoiding my gaze and everything. What have you done?" Theodore exaggerated, his voice compelling and soft, he was putting in his all.
"Things change, my lord. Responsibilities shift, loyalty takes precedence." but she was lying yet how was Theodore to know?
"Loyalty? Loyalty to whom? To those who wield power and manipulate the truth? Do not let them use you to condemn an innocent woman to the dungeon or worse, to death for treason." Theodore bellowed but she shook her head, her eyes now holding his.
Her palm held themself before she started. "My lord, I am loyal to the crown, to the truth and I will not falter in my duty."
He stretched his neck, he couldn’t believe this was duty. "Duty? Or fear? You refuse to et my eyes." He believed Sandra must have threatened her.
"You are hiding sothing. Tell the truth, maid. My wife’s life hangs on whatever it is you speak." he pleaded
"That is why I shall speak the truth, I have nothing against your wife but complete happiness for you, your highness" she confessed.
"If you may excuse , I shall be on my way" her next word after a nod from him.
Theodore stood still in the hallway as he decided he was letting go of the little sanity he had used since he found out his wife had been taken away from where he had left her.
If they didn’t want peace, then he would be sure to give them a dose of the craze and fear clouding his mind since he rembered Lydia.
The fear of losing her would guide him.
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