MRS RÓDRÍGUÉZ - EPISODE 17

Lady Castel.

She paced about in her Chamber that night. She looked bothered.
She definitely was troubled.

Earlier today, she has decided to get a precised flower from the garden herself when she met Audrielle and her friend sitted a bit far from where she stood. They faced her from behind.

She had paid less attention to them as she went about doing what she came for even without their notice.

But something caught her attention in what they said.
She wasn’t mistaken. She was sure she heard Audrielle’s friend speak of Magic.

Magic- that wasn’t the right time to speak of it.

Magic was a practice the forefathers strived so hard to put behind their backs till today. And it has been so. Why then the sudden topic of magic?

She listened further and got the solid source of it all.

Old Esme. The frail looking old woman who stays not to far from the blacksmith’s shop.

She’s aged and so considered to be wise. She has seen things and lived the fullest.

Why will she speak of Magic to Little children?.
The word magic, is sacred.

She breath hard. This is madness.

No one believes in magic. Except some few persons who choose to.

Why did she have to tell children about magical myth?

Lady Castel stared at her husband who laid on his bed. He was fast asleep.
Earlier today, she summoned the medicine man who gave him some herbs. But to her, it seems her husband would be needing an advanced treatment than herbs.

She feels he needs to be taken care of properly.

He’s a king after. He certainly deserves the best of treatment.

Lady Castel thought for a while. Her mind wandered in a different dimension.

She breath low and reached for her black hood which she put on without hesitation.
It was dark. She didn’t mind. She walked out of her room and picked a lantern by the side of the hallway. She lit it and sneaked her way out of the palace.

The blacksmith’s shop isn’t far from the palace.

****

She tapped on the wooden door for the second time and it creaked open. Causing a croaked sound.

“Esme…”

She recognized the voice at an instant. And as soon the hood was removed from her face, old Esme knew without doubt, her thought was correct.

“Your majesty” she paid obeisance.

Letting her into her poor cottage. The suprised loot on. Her face wasn’t hidden.

“What brings you here at this house?… My queen… The robbers might be at work. Don’t you think?”

The old lady counted her words just like her steep steps.

“The hat brings me here is no joke Esme. At this hour, you should know it’s serious”

“I know. So what is it?”

The small lamp burning on the table before them.

” I heard you spoke of magic today?…”

Esme paused. A bit surprised. Rumour flies

“Children your majesty”

“Why? I thought we agreed never to speak of Magic since it doesn’t exist anymore?”

” It no longer exists but what about the past? The past certainly exist. And so is magic”

“Enough!!!” The queen cut in.
” The practice of magic was long abolished. The land is void of it. Why bring it back to the minds of the people? Our children?… Do not sow a seed of discord Esmeralda. Do not tarnish what the past rulers tried to hard to build these years”
The queen added, on a serious note.

“It won’t happen again.” Esme assured with a slight bow. Causing a relief to her queen.

“My son is married now to his better half. There’s no longer a worry. We are safe from anything”

“Till she bears a child remember? Till then, the land isn’t that free. We might not be in the era of magic. Magic might have been something if the past but we shouldn’t forget the land is not totally safe.

Especially your household, my queen. You know so well the fate of the prince, your son. And Even his bethroted? You and I know the reason behind this union. Their bond.
Till they produce an heir…. No one is safe”.

” I am aware of that!!!. Do not remind me of my pain! Do not remind me of something I wish to forget!” She unconsciously yelled at the old woman. But Esme didn’t flinch, neither did she relent.

“Something like the Red Witch?”

“The WITCHES are dead!!!! ” The queen angrily snapped in frustration.

“The WITCHES are dead and so is magic. My son is married now for his better half. Their destiny is fulfilled… The land is safe. No more talks on Magic and any Witch. Next time, I won’t take the risk of coming here myself. I’ll put you to rest with your ancestors without a blink of an eye.
The Ródrígúéz and Royal family so also the land is safe. Goodnight”

After pouring out all her frustrations, she picked up her dim lantern, covering her face back with the hood she walked over to the door.

“I hope your assumptions are correct my queen” Esme said. Halting her steps.

Lady Castel took a deep breath and walked out.

“I hope so too” she said under her breath and began her way back to the palace.

********* ********* **************

Antonio faced the other side of the bed. He has never been in this inconveniencing position before.
Beside him laid audrielle. Both facing either sides of the bed.

Antonio felt so much heat. He couldn’t just stay caged in this position till Dawn.
He thought. Pulling the thick blanket away from himself he got up from the bed. He certainly don’t want to spend the night here in Same room with Audrielle.

” Leaving again?”
Her voice paused his movements.

“Yes. You should have enough space” he replied

“Did I ask for any?” She asked, not sparing him a glance. To her, it wasn’t necessary.

“You never have to.”

“We just got married. Shouldn’t we get to know ourselves? ” She found herself saying.
Despite the fact she hated putting up a conversation first, she just couldn’t bottle up her disturbed feelings

This isn’t the kind of marriage she had wished for.

“Obviously…,I’m stucked” he scoffed.

“It’s not my fault.” She said low. She feels deep within her that the prince blames her for their union. And she isn’t far from the truth.

“Probably not. It’s the debt your father owed” … He scoffed.

Audrielle turned to face him this time.
” My father did whatever he did to save my life. ” Her eyes swelled with tears

“And look where it brought you. You should be happy. It’s an unmerited favor”

The tears slowly fell from her eyes.

“I never intended to take away your happiness. ” she held herself from sobbing.
She doesn’t always have to prove weak.

“But somehow, you did” he turned to stare at her. His face void of expression.

Audrielle sniffled. She hated him right now. So much…

She Tried so hard to bottle her emotions. The tears that threatened to fall.

She got Down from the bed.

“I should leave you.”
She muttered and walked out of his presence without a second thought.

******

A tap came on tarsia’s door. She wasn’t too deep asleep, she got up to answer it.

“Oh my goodness. Audrielle?”
Audrielle walked tearily Into the room.

“Can I sleep here… With you?” She sobbed.

“Off course. You can. Sure. What Happened?? Why are you in tears?”

Audrielle couldn’t contain her emotions any longer. She let out the tears freely from her eyes

“Gosh. Come here” Tarsia’ sadly pulled her in to a hug.

“It’s okay now ..” she soothed her

“He blames me for everything…” She gasped.

“That’s enough. Just forget him and whatever he said. Sleep here tonight.. without a worry. I’ll take care of you.”

Tarsia’ assured. Assisting her to the bed.

They both laid down,… With Audrielle’s hands wrapped around her friend. She sobbed into her clothes.

Her eyes were becoming too heavy. Heavy and sore. She shut them and her tears slowly dried up….
It wasn’t long before she fell asleep in her friend’s arms.