“Well, bright side, it makes my ass look amazing.”
Luckily, the softness of the leggings helps to counteract the lace, so it’s not quite as uncomfortable as I thought it would be. The gown, however, is a different matter.
Apparently, the women in Fifth Kingdom don’t have to breathe, because there’s thick boning built into the bodice of the dress. It cinches so tightly that I’m out of breath just by pulling the damn thing on.
I look through the rest of the dresses to switch it out, but they all have the same thing. Glaring down at the bodice that’s shoving my breasts up to my neck and holding my ribs captive, I act on impulse. My ribbons come out and snap the boning one after the other until I have enough give that I can actually inhale.
I look into the mirror again at the bodice that’s now kinked, with broken lines of bones jutting out awkwardly, and I smile. “Much better,” I say with a nod.
After slipping on my shoes and gloves, my ribbons tackle my hair by weaving it in a few braids that I pin up. Instead of hiding my ribbons completely, I loosely wrap them around my hips like a belt, shortening the length just enough so they won’t drag on the floor, and then I’m ready.
To everyone else, I probably seem unchanged. I probably look like the same gilded saddle, the same gold-touched favored.
But if you look closer, you might see the gleam in my eye. You might catch the twist of my downturned lips that hints at the discontent lying just at the edge of my mouth.
Walking back into my bedroom, I head straight for the door and heave it open. I stride out without hesitation, and a little thrill travels up my spine.
The guards standing watch in the hall are so surprised by my sudden appearance that the two nearest jump, while the other four in the hall blink at me as I begin to walk down the corridor.
“Erm…”
Muttering ensues.
A pointed whisper. “Is she allowed to leave?”
“I don’t know… Is she?”
“Why you lookin’ at me?”
“My lady?” one of them calls.
I turn with a pleasant smile on my face, glancing at all six men staring at me. “Yes?”
The guard who called me has light brown hair cut short, thick sideburns on either side of his face. “Pardon me, my lady, but you’re supposed to stay in your rooms.”
I give him a look. “Is that so?”
All six of the guards exchange glances, and I can see their uncertainty as sure as I can see my reflection in their gleaming chest plates.
“Umm, yes?” he answers with uncertainty. “You’ve been asleep for nearly three days. Perhaps you should…rest?”
I’m taken aback by that. Three days?
I tilt my head. “Well, if I slept for almost three days, then it seems to me I’ve rested plenty. What’s your name?”
The man blushes, like I’ve asked him something scandalous. Maybe I have, since they’ve probably been told not to speak to me. He clears his throat. “Scofield, my lady.”
“Scofield, am I a prisoner?” I ask.
His eyes go wide. “No, of course not.”
“Good. Glad we got that cleared up,” I say with a bright smile. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
I turn and walk away briskly, the guards stunned into momentary silence. One of them curses, and then a hissed argument breaks out between them, too low and rushed for me to hear. A few seconds later, two heavy footsteps hurry after me.
I look over my shoulder as I reach the stairwell. “You two drew the short straws, huh?”
I’m not surprised to find Scofield is one of them. “I don’t know anything about straws, my lady, but I’m the only one here who’s taken rounds at Highbell to guard you before. So the others, ahh, suggested I stay with you. And Lowe here served King Fulke, so he knows his way around the castle.”
I glance at short, ginger-haired Lowe, who doesn’t seem very thrilled to be here. “Great, then you can help me by giving me a tour.”
“A tour?” Lowe says, as if the idea tastes bad in his mouth.
“This is my first time at Ranhold, and I’d like to see more of it. Let’s go to the kitchens first.”
“My lady, if food is all you desire, surely we can have a servant send something up?” Lowe asks hopefully.
Scofield latches onto the suggestion. “Yes, we can have anything sent for you. There’s no need to take a trip to the kitchens.”
“Oh, I’m not going there for the food. I just want to walk around a bit,” I say absently before I stop at the landing and turn. “Now, there’s just one rule I want to make really clear to both of you. And it’s a matter of life and death.” The seriousness in my tone makes them pause. “Neither of you are to touch me. Ever.”