All Chapters of Spider King: The Legend Begins: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Whoever that person was, and it had to be a person, he or she was alone in the night, possibly determined to be so. Nobody met the person on the shore, so that had likely been a leisurely stroll in the night. This was Muriel's thought process. Besides, if the person wanted to meet someone, wouldn't he or she light a torch or a lantern to be a signal? The moonlight did light up the beach, but if Muriel wanted to meet someone there, she'd ask to see something else, preferably made of fire. Or maybe something unseen, but heard should be a signal? A bell? A chime? In any case, whether the person wanted to meet someone or not, no meeting took place. Where did he ... probably a he ... come from? If he came from the city, or one of the more rural villages, he must have taken a few long roads. If he came from the castle, then he must have also taken a road, but a comparably shorter one.

"Only the good doctor and I know the uncompromising truth of this matter, and I'm about to give the truth to you. It's a secret, a secret that needs to be kept for now. If you tell this secret, then you'll have betrayed us, and you won't live well." Muriel nodded. "I understand." "I believe you do. Now, listen. Listen with the kindest ears. My son is not ill, not strictly. He does not, as far as I know, spend most of his days in bed. Instead, he goes to one of his rooms to enjoy his diversions, or he spies on everyone else in the castle." Muriel's lips shrunk and pressed together as she wondered why anyone would behave that way. But she didn't wonder for long. "My poor Vidar has been cursed by a villainous fairy. He was once handsome, but now he's far too grotesque. He's ashamed of himself, and he hides from almost everyone. He won't even leave the estate. He never goes out to th

Both Princess Arya's and Muriel's birthdays were in autumn and a few days apart. Muriel didn't say anything about her own birthday, however. She didn't think anything would be done for it. For the princess' birthday, there was a very luxurious yet small dinner with a very expensive trifle dessert. Layers of sponge biscuits soaked in alcohol, fruity jelly, candied fruit bits and and ginger. A top layer of piped whipped cream with edible flower petals and more candied fruits. It was served in a glass bowl, and Muriel was grateful to be given a portion. She adored whipped cream. She took her time when eating it, closing her eyes and quietly humming her pleasure. Muriel had made a gift for the princess in advance. It was a framed piece of fabric with an embroidered image, a calm bird with bright red feathers perched inside a silver cage. "This is a lovable little piece," Princess Arya said as her dark brown eyes glided over

On the next night, before she reached her bedroom, the doctor returned the box to her, which meant that there was a new note for her to read. So, in her bedroom, Muriel read it. "You have my gratitude, Miss Devin. Would you like to request something of me?" Muriel found the brevity to be disappointing, but she replied to him. "Would you please tell me how you're able to play such complex piano music?" And the next night, she received an answer. "Practice." Muriel was so miffed that she didn't give another message. The box was empty when she put it on the side table. But she still received a message on the next night, and it had her chewing on her gloves. "I wish we could have a conversation without horrifying consequences." She couldn't decide on whether or not the man was a coward. +++++++++++

Muriel believed that if the prince was using hidden corridors and such to navigate and secretly look at people, then he would likely use some kind of entrance behind the empty bookcase to get to this room. She looked back for a short moment. There was a sliding lock ready to keep the door tight when needed. Doctor Bergson guided her to the chair even though Muriel didn't need to be guided. She smoothed out her skirts and sat down. She was wearing a casual outfit with a smaller skirt. She only had a pillow-like bum roll to make her skirts a little round. "I'm going to your ankles first," the doctor softly warned. Muriel sighed. He knelt down and gingerly took one of her ankles with his fingers. Her shoes were low. He arranged her ankle right against a chair's leg. "Right there," he said. She kept her ankle at that spot while he went to the basket. He pulled out some ropes.