Fang Nine

*If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor...*

What could he mean by that, I wondered all throughout the night, tossing and turning in my sleep. The room reeked of an uneven mix of blood, sweat and wax, and a cold breeze kept me company up until the next morning.

I was of the opinion, that since I was recuperating, I would spend another day or two in bed. However, I got an unwanted surprise when the same woman from yesterday arrived, with an umbrella in hand.

I knitted my brows trying to recall her name, thankfully she was quick witted and made a reintroduction.

"My name is Penelope, but you can call me Pen." She said, giving a lacking bit of information. My eyes darted to the umbrella in her hand, wondering what it was for.

She seemed to catch my perplexity and pulled her lips back into a satisfied grin, "I don't believe you've gotten a tour of the castle yet." She said.

"I don't believe I was offered one." I replied, just realizing I had been confined to this room the entire time since I woke up. Not that, that was anything out of the ordinary for me.

Penelope chuckled, "it's never too late, I would be more than happy to help you stretch your legs." She approached the bed and took off the covers.

I widened my eyes and quickly covered up, my cheeks flushed from embarrassment. She raised a brow at me, "anything the matter?"

"Well... it's improper to abruptly pull on a woman's covers, I could have been undressed!" I stressed, embarrassed that this woman was so straightforward.

I couldn't tell why, but there was a mischievous glint in Penelope's eyes, the all knowing look on her face irked my skin.

Fortunately, she changed the subject. "I've already made all the preparations, nothing will bother you during this stroll." The woman assured me, setting the umbrella beside me. She stretched out her hand to me, which I reluctantly accepted.

It surprised me how fast I recovered from the wound, of course it was still as gruesome as when I first woke up. But so far, I could yawn without feeling a stretch and sneezing wasn't a hassle.

"Are you hungry?" Penelope asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. I shook my head, I had been trained not to ask for food, but rather wait for it to be given to you.

Hence, no matter how much hunger tore at my resolve, I was required to combat the urge with a polite smile and insist on being satisfied.

Such a mouthful of ridiculousness!

"I see. We'll have to stop by the kitchen first for breakfast then." Penelope said, sauntering over to the dresser. She pulled out an orange gown and two silver hand gloves from a drawer, then pressed them into my arms.

When did that get there?

"Pardon?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Freshen into these and join me downstairs. It'll take us half a day to circle round the place!" The lady said in a tone that suggested she was well conversant with the confines of the palace. Yet, at the same time I couldn't tell whether she was a servant or not.

She certainly did not look like one, but at the same time acted nothing like a noble woman should. Though, it was not up to me to be a better judge of character, considering I was bottom of the barrel material when it came down to it.

"Do you maybe need my help undressing?" Penelope whispered into my ears, my cheeks flushed bright pink at how close she was.

I vigorously shook my head, "I'm perfectly fine doing that much, thank you for the offer."

She smiled at me, "you're more lively than I thought you'd be, I love it!" Penelope said, then turned to leave, giving me some privacy.

Once she was gone, I heaved a sigh of relief and stared at the clothes, and sat at the edge of the bed.

"What am I doing?" I muttered, as far as I could remember, I was betrothed to Prince Eric, and our wedding was scheduled for next spring.

So how could I have gotten married to someone else? Who was the man who paraded as my husband? And where in tarnation was I?

-----------

"This castle is two hundred and nineteen years old, but over the years has had a number of remodelling done for it's interior." Penelope announced, walking me through the history of the place, whilst we threaded down the halls.

"You're very particular about the details." I pointed out, she flung her head over her shoulder and smiled briefly.

"I just have a good memory." She remarked in a quirky tone, and continued marching forward, staring intently at the walls.

What could she mean by having a good memory? Perhaps she meant she kept records of the dates quite well.

"And what of this vase?" I asked, staring at a crimson red vase with beautiful white roses idly sitting inside.

"It was a gift I received from a lover." A deep baritone voice sounded from behind me, casting their shadow over me.

I dry coughed and pushed a strand of hair behind my ear, "that so? I see. You must have loved her quite a lot." I said, just realizing that Penelope was nowhere to be seen.

His Majesty stood beside me and admired the vase, pinching his chin he asked, "when in the devil's name did I say they were a woman?"

I widened my eyes and sharply looked at him, "they were not a woman?" The halls were so desolate that my voice resonated off the walls.

His Majesty chuckled slightly, my eyes darted to the cute looking mole underneath his eye, it suited him. As if he knew, he tilted his head to the side, catching my stare.

Blood rushed up to my cheeks when his eyes gazed into my freakish multicolored orbs. I looked away, and noticed a golden inscription at the base of the vase.

From V to H.

"Who is H?" I mindlessly asked, reaching out to take a feel of the item. However, my fingers never got to even touch it's orbit, his majesty firmly gripped my wrist.

"Do you know?" He asked, not expecting an answer, I felt a shiver run down my spine at how cold his hands were.

"This vase is painted with the blood of the last person who touched it." His Majesty tightened his grip on my wrist, then with angry eyes he glared at me.

"What shade of red do you think your blood will be?" He asked in a threatening voice, as though he would skin me alive there and then.