Semua Bab Spider King: The Legend Begins: Bab 71 - Bab 80

"Why is there a tray of food here?" Muriel asked the doctor. It was on a small table a foot or so away from the chair and the cushion on the floor. A handwritten note had been folded and left on the table. It read, "Please don't lift the lid. This is meant to be a surprise." There was a bottle of wine and a glass too. Doctor Bergson shrugged at the tray. His green eyes were completely blasé. "His Highness must have something for you. I wouldn't look inside." Muriel was concerned, but only a little, and she happily let the doctor set her up for Prince Vidar. Then she waited for all the familiar noises and voices to go on. Finally, when she felt Prince Vidar sitting on the cushion near her, Muriel asked, "What's under the lid?" "Food," the prince replied quite simply. "Well, I suppose that's to be expected, isn't it? Why is it here?" "Hmmmm." For a momen

Princess Arya made a hollow laugh with her fingers near her mouth. "Oh? Have my servants been handing their gossip over to a guest? I'll have to dismiss them permanently. The very principle of it!" "So you're aware of this improper behavior?" the prince said with a voice that suggested surprise, but Muriel didn't think he was surprised. "Why, I'm appalled. You're a strict woman. I'm highly aware of that." With a shrug, Princess Arya said, "Silly child, it's as you've said. I'm a strict woman. Dear Vidar knows this, so he's been bribing Muriel in his way, desperately trying to have her stay with me. It's difficult for a woman of my nature to keep a companion for long. So many have stormed out of the castle and cursed my name." "Ah? How tragic. I should hand this girl something worthwhile before she realizes how poorly she's been treated. After all, nothing that sickly one gives her could compare to anything suitable." He

"My heart ... my heart ... it's hurting." Normally, Muriel would have found that statement to be childish, but Prince Vidar said it with such intense pain that Muriel couldn't find any fault in his words. She didn't need to see him in order to know that he was in a bit of despair. "I watched him, and I would've thrown him out a window, but the quickest route to him from the secret corridors was still not short enough. Doctor Bergson has my gratitude." Muriel turned to her left. That's where the voice was coming from. "Would you have revealed yourself in order to save her?" "That was my thought. It was an impulse, but I was willing to do it. Sadly, the secret corridors were not designed with entrances to most of the rooms in the keep." "I'm certain that you would have been mortified. Your brother would likely have done what he could to humiliate you." "A far b

Muriel's feet were light, and she walked ahead of Doctor Bergson for a change. She was smiling. She was ready. Whatever Prince Vidar wanted her to do, she'd do it. Anything he desired, anything she could possibly do, she'd do it. That's how badly she wanted him to come out of this miserable state. Inside the Empty Room, Muriel skipped her way to the chair. She happened to notice that the doctor was smiling down at her. He reminded her of her father when he was feeling indulgent. He tied her ankles and wrists in their places. He tied the blindfold on her head. He asked her if she was comfortable. "I'm fantastic, Sir." "Very good, then." She heard him go to the door, open it, walk out of the room, and then close that door. Muriel started humming as Prince Vidar made his typical noisy entrance. She was whistling when he knocked on the door to signal the doctor, who then said, "That's fine. I'm off."

Dark, it was so dark, but the one thing on Muriel's mind was ... What to wear? What to wear?! Muriel knew that Prince Vidar was nervous about his appearance, but she thought she was feeling the same, even though he had his fill of her image for a long time now. A formal gown with a wide skirt might be inappropriate. What if he wanted to do something that involved undressing? A more narrow skirt with a bum roll underneath would be better. She picked out a fawn colored skirt with a thick panel of ruffles bordering the hem. Then she put on a bodice in the pinkest variety of salmon. A matching overskirt was attached to it. She pinned a kerchief on the low neckline. A dark blue ribbon had been sewed on its edges. She hoped the color stood out against the rest of her outfit. She washed her face and applied only a light amount of makeup, only enough to hide a few small flaws and make her cheeks a little pin