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I did not have proof either way, but she was caught in his scheme like a fly in a glue trap. No matter who she turned out to be, he would not allow her to live.
I ground my teeth so hard, a sharp pain traveled from my jaw into my ear. Ignoring the discomfort, I kept my expression neutral, but inside, the turmoil threatened to overwhelm me.
Just then, the prince rose and beckoned me to follow him. As Olwen and I obeyed, I glanced back, and Beth was looking after us with confusion in her eyes. I wanted to call out for her to stay and wait for me, but I could not draw more attention to her.
I sent silent prayers to the goddess and closed the door into the kitchen. Prince Prys never slowed down, exiting at the far side of the room, and never stopping until we were at the river bank.
There, he stopped and turned, his anger slipping the handsome mask of his face, revealing the ugliness underneath. He controlled himself quickly before addressing the mistress, but I knew him well. He was furious with her.
“You have no business meddling in my affairs. Why would you tell this human girl she might be the heir to the throne?”
Mistress Olwen seemed surprised by his outburst. “I thought you wanted to know. It is not a wondrous thing? Your sister’s daughter, believed to be lost in the human world for all these years, has finally returned to take her rightful place.”
How could she be so stupid to say that to his face? I shook my head in disbelief. I had always assumed she was an intelligent woman, getting away from the palace while she could, but clearly, I had been sorely mistaken.
“I am the heir to the throne. I do not believe that this human is Arwen’s daughter. But even if she were, it would change nothing.”
Olwen spoke deferentially, barely audible. “I believe the seduction of power is a wicked thing. I am ashamed of your words, my prince.”
Prince Prys said nothing, regarding her with his raptor gaze. The rage had subsided from his face, but I knew it was boiling through his veins. Yet when he spoke, his voice was calm, and his words carefully chosen.
“Mistress Olwen, I want to thank you for the care you gave me as a child.”
The woman’s round face glowed with affection and pride. “It was nothing, my prince. Anybody would have done it.”
Prys nodded and said, “I agree with your words. You have outgrown your usefulness, and I am sure you understand that nobody must know about the princess’s reappearance.”
Fear leapt into my throat, but even if I had been closer to stop what I saw in his eyes, it would have made little difference. Olwen had taken a step back, anguish and fear flashing across her brow, finally realizing what lay in store for her.
The prince casually pulled a knife from within his robe. Before Olwen could react, he drove the blade deep into her chest. I knew that to my dying day, I would never forget the hurt, the shock, and the utter disappointment in the good woman’s eyes. She stayed upright for one second, two seconds, and then her legs gave way, and she fell to the ground.
Her heavy body sounded like a sack of potatoes as she crumpled in front of us. The prince casually wiped his blade clean on her clothes while her breath rattled wetly in her chest. Then he returned the weapon to its hiding place.
He waited until she was quiet, and her eyes had glazed over. “She was a good woman, but simple people often become victims of state affairs.”
As if that explained everything, he threw the door open and walked back toward where Beth was waiting. At the last moment, he pointed at the corpse. “Leave her be. I shall send my men to dispose of the body.”
I stared after him, shocked but not surprised at how he had discarded his wet nurse. I knew that breaking my oath to him would break me as well, but this had gone on long enough. This was not the right time to stand against him openly, but this man, this monster, could no longer be my liege lord.
“Where is she?”
I hurried to Prys, alarmed by his vicious tone. Beth was no longer in the dining room where we had left her.
One of the guards explained, “She said she would go for a short walk before returning here.”
The man stood to attention, and his voice sounded strong, but there was a glimmer of fear in his eyes, and his hands trembled.
Prys nodded, as if accepting his guard’s explanation. But when he opened his mouth, the taller man blanched.
“You are no longer a member of this guard. Go back to the court and report to the kitchen. You shall remain there at my pleasure until I decide to forgive you.”
I exhaled, grateful I would not witness another slaughter. The soldier lowered his head, took off his scabbard and sword, and handed it to his commander. His lips were pressed into a tight line, and then he turned around and trudged off, obeying the prince’s commands.
When he had left the room, Prys turned to me. “Go and find the princess. And while you do that, make sure that fool does not reach his destination. Am I making myself clear?”
There was no misunderstanding his instructions, and I had no choice but to obey and slay a good man for the pleasure of the monstrous prince.
As I walked past noisy market stalls, ignoring the ardent looks of female and male storekeepers, I first focused on the former guard I had been ordered to eliminate.
