How to cure a Dark Lord

I went downstairs with Mirabel after a bath. She was so excited it almost seemed as if she was the one in my shoes.

As we walked into the castle's hallways, I immediately noticed that the place was bustling with servants that were performing several chores. Despite the fact that the servants were busy we were greeted with bows. More than they would on a usual day.

"What's with all the bustle?" I asked Mirabel who was walking beside me with a skip in her steps.

"You mean the servants?" she asked and I nodded.

"They are getting ready for the ball tomorrow." She beamed back at me.

Then I remembered Gilbert say something about me being invited to a ball the Dark Lord was hosting. The first ball in ten years, he had said.

"You must be quite excited. That grin seems to be stuck on your face, Mirabel." I teased her.

She didn't seem offended by this. "But of course, Milady. Something like this hasn't happened in ten years. I wonder how the kingdom would be buzzing with the news right now."

I remembered how fast new tends to spread, especially exciting news like this. Was the Dark Lord really glad to be healed that he decided to break his own rule and host a ball?

Normally, he liked his privacy and preferred to stay in solitude. I would like to see how he handles this occasion.

Taking a turn to the royal kitchen, Mirabel and I let out a gasp. The once almost empty kitchen was now filled with servants, who were chopping, peeling, frying, juicing, marinating and so on.

I spotted the head chef in the middle of all the hubbub, inspecting the work of the servants. I was surprised to see that he had an authoritative side to him. Well there had to be a reason he was the head chef asides from his expertise.

When he saw me, his strict face lit up with a smile and he gestured for me and Mirabel to come in.

"Miss Frieda." He smiled delightfully as he met us midway. "I heard about your success. Please come in. I have your breakfast ready along with a delicious treat."

"Mr Roman. You didn't have to make me a delicious treat." I said with an airy gesture. But deep down I was excited to see what he had made for me.

He sat me down on the marble slab and brought my breakfast; Flatcakes with syrup and warm milk. Then he brought the surprise in a covered dish and opened it.

"This is called a papaya." The royal head chef said. I looked at what it was. An orange-red fruit he had cut into dices.

"A papa-what?" I asked. I was not sure I had ever heard of such a fruit in my entire life.

"A pa-pa-ya." He reiterated. "This fruit is not native to Kerva. It was brought from one of the kingdoms over the sea. Try it and tell me what you think."

I picked a piece up with my fork and ate it. It had a soft and squishy texture and it was sweet with a unique taste.

"It's sweet. It's delicious Mr Roman."

"I knew you'd like it." Mr Roman nodded with his nose up in the air. He must be proud of himself.

I had Mirabel taste the fruit also and she loved it too.

There was peaceful silence amongst up until Mr Roman spoke up.

"I'm really glad that you succeeded in healing the king."

"Me too." Mirabel said. Then I noticed the look on her face changed from happiness to guilt. She looked down at her hands and it seemed as if there was something she wanted to say.

"What's wrong, Mirabel?" I asked in concern.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you this earlier, Miss Frieda. Actually, I had always known why you were in the castle from the beginning." she began hesitantly.

"What do you mean, you've always known?" I asked her.

"From the very first time Gilbert brought me up to your room. I was supposed to serve you. The other physicians had helpers assigned to them by the butler."

I was not sure I understood where she was going but I listened to her anyway.

"Gilbert told me you were one of the physician's who would treat the Dark Lord just like the rest before you. He asked me not to tell you though because the Dark Lord would meet with you himself.

"I saw how the previous physicians were put to death if they failed, Miss Frieda and I thought you were going to be one of many too. But as I got to know you, I realized you were not like the others. You were special, kind, and you treated all people with dignity and respect."

I saw teardrops glisten on her lashes and I squeezed her hand gently to console her.

"I hoped and prayed that you would be successful. I'm glad that you're safe now." Mirabel said amidst tears. I wrapped my arms around her shoulder to stop her from crying.

"It's okay." I whispered to her. "You don't have to cry. You were only doing your job and I won't blame you for that. Actually, I enjoyed our time together and even when I go back to Mirideth, I won't forget you." I promised her.

She was like a beacon of sunshine during my gloomy days in this castle and one of my first real friends ever. I was sure that it would be hard to forget her.

I looked up and saw Mr Roman staring at us with a tender expression and he wiped nonexistent tears from his eyes.

"Would you really leave the castle after the ball, Miss Frieda?" He asked me.

I nodded. "I have to go back and take over my father's infirmary back in Mirideth."

"Please don't go. We'll miss you here at the castle. Why don't you work here, at the royal infirmary, just like your father?" Mr Roman suggested.

I shook my head. The Dark Lord was going to die in seven days time and if he did, all fingers would be traced back to me. I couldn't allow it. I had to find Rowland and leave with him to Vidiya. But even without that, I couldn't stay in the castle. My whole life was in Mirideth.

I heard someone clear his throat behind us and we turned around. It was Gilbert.

"Miss Frieda, if you are done with your breakfast, I'd like you to accompany me to the garden." He said in his usual curt manner.

I stood up. "Of course." And went with him out of the kitchen.