How to cure a Dark Lord

Startled, I spun round and saw the butler I had been looking for all this while.

 "I apologize, Miss Frieda but the west wing music room is out of bounds." Gilbert's usual unruffled voice said, his hands now going behind his back so that he resumed his usual strict and uptight posture.

 "B-but why?" I asked.

"It's the king's orders. He doesn't like to be disturbed when he is playing."

 "You mean the king is the one playing?" I asked in pure, utter disbelief. Gilbert nodded. Well, I guess Mr Killjoy the Dark Lord had other talents than being a tyrant.

 "I have come to give him his medicine. He has to take it before he gets cold." I reminded him with a sense of urgency.

 "Yes I know. But his Majesty does not like to be disturbed. He will come out at his own time."

 "How long does he usually spend in there?" I asked so I could know how long he could take and whether there was hope of the medicine being warm by then.

 "As much time as he needs to." Gilbert told me.

What? Was that even an answer? What information could I glean out of that which would be of use to me?

 "Now if you'll just follow me Miss Frieda."

"B-but..." I tried to protest but Gilbert was already leading me away.

. "What about his medicine? He still needs to recover!"

 "I'm sure he can do without it just for today." Gilbert said.

No way I was going to let him break my streak. I couldn't let the medicine get cold and if it was reheated, it would reduce the potency of the night shade and I couldn't afford that.

 "I'll wait for him! By the door, I won't disturb him, I promise!"

 Gilbert gave me this expressionless look he always had before nodding.

 "Fine. But remember he must come out at his own time. For your own good."

 "How is that for my own good? If his medicine gets cold he'll be the one who'll be at a loss. I've made this very clear since the start." I reminded Gilbert.

"I get your point Miss Frieda. But I say it because the last person who interrupted the king, his previous second in command... It didn't end so well for him."

 "Don't tell me he murdered the person." I told Gilbert even if I knew the answer to my question.

 Gilbert looked away. That was my answer.

 "Fine. I promise." I sighed in resignation and went to sit beside the door. When Gilbert was sure that I wasn't going to cause any trouble, he turned and left.

I have never been this determined about anything in my entire life. Even if it took waiting all night for the Dark Lord to be done, I would do it. Thank goodness that the porcelain pot could retain the heat for a while.

 The music coming from the music room was beautiful yet despondent. Did everything about the Dark Lord have to be so dark? His dark personality had to reflect in his music too. How did he know how to play so well. All these questions kept running through my mind as I listened to the sound of the piano.

 The more I heard the sad music, I felt my eyelids turn heavy. Maybe it was because I was tired after running to and fro, trying to complete the day's work and now I was seated at one spot. I was terribly sleepy and I yawned.

 I opened my eyes and found myself at the orchard. What was I doing there? I looked around and saw that It was a bright and sunny late summer day, and the apples were ripe and ready for picking.

I walked through the trees on a non existent path to an unknown destination. The air was fresh and carried the smell of sunshine and ripe fruits. The warm wind caressed my cheeks and led me on.

 My feet moved and then stopped at some point like they had a mind of their own, leading me to what seems to be the biggest apple tree in the orchard.

 For some reason, I reached out to pick the lowest apple my hand could reach. I could already taste the apple in my mouth. I grabbed the red ripe fruit and bit into it. It didn't taste as good as I imagined. Nope, it was rotten. I spat it out as I watched the apple in my hand melt, it's blood red color dripping past my wrist and elbow and falling to the floor.

 I was chilled by what I saw, trying to make sense of it when I heard the wind call me.

 "Miss Frieda."

It called me again. "Miss Frieda."

My eyes snapped open and looked up to see The Dark Lord, Mr Kellan looking down at me with amused eyes.

I guess I had fallen asleep and I had been dreaming. I rubbed my eyes and stood upright.

 "Good evening, your Majesty. I-I mean good morning... What time is it now?" I asked, not totally sure what time it was.

 "It is evening, very late. I know my music is alluring, I'm flattered you have to sit at the door just to listen." He said, amusement dancing in his golden eyes.

 "Actually your highness, that isn't why I'm here. You have to take your medicine." I said, showing the porcelain pot which luckily for me, was still warm.

"Are all physicians this dedicated or is it because your life depends on it?" He asked me, taking a step towards me.

 It's because your death depends on this, I thought to myself.

 "I'm just doing my job. It is the duty of a physician to take the life of the patient as importantly as he takes his own."

 He smiled wider and turned away. "I see." I heard his voice quietly say. "Come with me."

I followed quietly behind him out of the third floor and up the spiral staircase. My eyes were fixed at his back as I watched him lead the way.

 What I had imagined the Dark Lord to be was what he wasn't. I had expected him to be huge and burly and mean looking. I didn't expect him to be lean, goodlooking and sly. And too narcissistic for his own good. How was a man so good looking on the outside be so rotten on the inside?

"Say it."

"What?" I asked. He didn't stop, he just kept on climbing.

"Say it. It's not good to keep it in your mind. I know there is something you are curious about." He told me again. What was I to say to him now?

"Uhm...your Majesty, who thought you to play so well?" I smiled cheekily behind him.