How to cure a Dark Lord

After spending the night tossing and turning, I woke up with a slight headache the next day. It still felt like a dream knowing that Mr Kellan is the Dark Lord.

I sat up in bed and looked out the window. It really was morning, I hoped it wouldn't be. Managing to get out of bed, I washed my face with the cold water in the wash basin hoping it would somehow ease my pain but it doesn't.

 If I didn't know better, I'd say Mr Kellan was a normal, maybe even likable person. But he was a murderer, a cruel villain with a messed up personality.

 Why was I hesitating to put an end to his life yesterday? Maybe it was just the shock of knowing who he truly was. That was all that there is.

 I haven't forgotten that he ordered for my Papa to be killed, right before my very eyes. He wasn't going to get away with that.

I heard a knock on my door while I was drying my face with a clean cloth. Mirabel poked her head through the half opened door.

I waved for her to come in. She looked quite excited. She usually had her emotions written on her face.

 "How did it go yesterday?" She asked me.

"It went well. I was able to serve the Dark Lord the first dose of his medicine." I said like it was something completely normal.

 "Did you see him? I mean, his Majesty?" This time her hands were clasped in front of her chest.

 I nodded.

"How did he look? Was he as evil and mysterious as they always said he was?" She said the last part in a whisper so no one overhears us.

How would you feel if you realize that the so called Dark Lord was someone you knew and worked with? , I thought to myself and contemplated whether to tell her the truth or not.

I decided against it. Only the elite staff knew and if Mirabel was supposed to know, she would have known before now. I'd rather not tell her and get her into trouble.

 "He looked normal, a bit younger than I expected. The room was dark so that was all I could really make out."

"Since you're able to see the Dark Lord now, does that make you a member of the elite staff?"

My head turned to Mirabel. Did that really make me a member of the elite staff?

"Mirabel." I started unsure. "Tell me about this elite staff, what they do and who they are."

She chewed on her lower lip in thought before supplying me with information I need.

"The elite servants are not regular servant like me, my father or the head chef. They are mostly from noble blood and work closely with the king. So far I know a few; Gilbert, Benjamin who is in charge of mobilizing the guards, Victor who is in charge of the treasury.

"Alexis usually checks the ports and borders. And then Mr Kellan, the king's right hand man."

Who was also the king. I thought dryly.

"They are the only ones who have seen the Dark Lord's face. And there's also you now."

I studied her for a moment. Why did she look so excited that I might be one of the elite team now?

 "What about the brewing? Will you be making more medicine today?" She asked and I nodded. I was actually running late because I had to pick those plants early in the morning before the sun gets so hot.

 Mirabel excused me while I took a bath and dressed up in a gown that wasn't too big or long which would enable me to maneuver around in the woods.

 Then I walked downstairs for breakfast. Yesterday morning I had seen Mr Kellan after breakfast. He had personally given me a guard and a maid for helping me out. Today I hoped I wouldn't see him because I knew I would never look at him the same again.

 Greeted by the aromas wafting from the kitchen, my spirits lifted a bit. Mr Roman served me bread and omelete and a cup of freshly squeezed apple juice.

I took the guard along to the woods behind the orchard and began mybsearch for fresh the plants I needed.

 "Miss." I heard the guard, Max call softly to me and walk to where I stood, examining the plants.

 I looked up.

"I think someone is out here and tried to rob our carriage. Permit me to go and check it out."

I nodded as I couldn't care less. Having a guard wasn't necessary.

 "It's okay. I'll be right here."

"I'll be back in a moment." He promised me. I went back to picking the herbs I needed. If the carriage wasn't so close to where we were, I would have bolted and ran for my life. After all he was only one guy and if I fought hard enough or I ran fast and subtly enough, I might be able to get past him and be free. But it was too risky. And I was not the type to take risks unless it was thoroughly calculated.

I heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Max was done checking what the problem was so quickly?

 "Did you find someone?" I asked him but there was no response. I looked up and saw that Max wasn't here and I was the only one. From the corner of my eyes I saw a dark shadow.

It disappeared as quickly as it came. Not paying much attention to it. I was almost done herb picking and I see no sign of Max.

I felt the twisted crunch as someone came closer from behind me and I knew it couldn't be Max. Feeling the being come closer and closer, I began to panic internally but I calmly walked forward trying to increase the distance between me and whatever it was that was following me.

 Soon, I heard rapid crunching indicating that the person was now running after me and I ran as well, as fast as my legs could go. I could remember this feeling, the feeling of being pursued. The last time I felt like this was in the nightmare I had about a week ago.

Was it that my dreams were now coming true?

I felt relieved when I saw a little rock cave by the corner and ran into it. The person after me wasn't too close behind and he might not see me once I dash into the cave.

And by running into the cave, I ran into the strong muscular arms of someone I knew well. 

I looked up and was met with a genuine smile.

 "Rowland?"