Avice sat in her room and for the whole night she was unable to wink an eye. Nervousness rippled through her and she would shudder every now and then. She cried and cried until her eyes were swollen and red. She wanted to go to her son, but the guards didn't allow her.
Avice was surprised that even Angus wasn't coming to her. But she suspected that they weren't allowing Angus to come and meet her. Was it because they were going to take her out of the palace all chained up in a cage like an animal and parade her into the village till the place where they would hang her? Surely, they wouldn't want her son to accompany a criminal. Avice howled at the thought. She had come to the palace because she wanted to live a life of luxury, but if God gave her one more chance, she would go back to her house in the village and hole up in there with Drogo and Angus. She wouldn't even see the face of the palace.
At the same time she cursed Emma a lot. That girl had always been an eyesore. She was always a trouble when she stayed with her and was a trouble when she didn't. She should have sent Emma to her other relatives.
It was morning when she could fall asleep but that too for a very little time because the door of her room banged open. She jumped up in surprise when she saw a guard walking in. He was going to take her to the king who would order her execution. She sank on her knees in front of him and started wailing. "Please don't take me there. Those items were too small and insignificant for a palace this large. Help me run away!"
The guard was amused. He stared at her for a moment and then said, "Lord Lazarus has called you. Please come out in fifteen minutes. I will escort you to him. They have to talk to you."
"Lord Lazarus?" Avice wiped her tears. She thought she was going to be taken to the king. Why was Lazarus calling her? Did that mean that he had saved her? Excitement ran through her. She gulped her saliva down. "I will be there with you in a few minutes!"
As soon as the guard left, Avice ran to the bathroom and washed her face. She came out and combed her hair. Rushed to the closet and wore a new cotton gown. When she was ready, she came out, eagerness apparent on her face. The guard grunted and said, "They are waiting for you in the main hall of the east wing."
Avice nodded and followed him to the main hall. When she reached there, she was surprised to see that there were other women as well. Angus was sitting next to Emma while all others were sitting on the chairs opposite to her. Lord Lazarus wasn't there. It seemed like everyone was waiting for the prince.
Emma shot her a glare and then focused on Angus who was talking to her about the latest game that he had invented for his group of boys. Avice gritted her teeth and called Angus. "Angus, where were you last night?"
"I was with Emma!" he replied with a grin. "We played so many games, but then Emma became sick and so she had to sleep. I slept in the same bed as hers."
Avice knew that Emma was sick because the bitch had vomited all over her, but she didn't ask her about her health. She wanted to get out of here as soon as possible.
"Oh my God!' Marie said. "What happened to you, Lady Emma?
"Are you well?" Audrey asked.
"You look pale. Maybe the food wasn't that good," Hazel added.
Other two ladies also showed their concern but Avice just stood there, cursing her more. At last, Lazarus walked in and she became alert. Behind him was Yul. She avoided his gaze. And behind Yul were two servants who carried large trays covered in red velvet.
Lazarus glanced at her and she quickly bowed.
"Have you recovered the palace treasure?" Audrey asked after bowing to him.
"We have." Lazarus sat on the chair next to Emma. Then he looked at Yul and nodded.
Yul removed the red velvety cloth from the trays and the ladies were stunned to see that it had several valuable items and jewelry.
"What is all this Prince Lazarus?" Marie asked, bewildered.
"These are small parting gifts for all of you," he replied.
Yul took some jewelry and distributed it to all of them except Avice. Avice watched him distributing the treasure with horror and jealousy. She opened her mouth to say that why wasn't he giving to her but she snapped it shut.
"Prince Lazarus, you are too kind," Marie said with tears in her eyes.
Lazarus's lips lifted. "It was Emma's idea to give you all parting gifts. She was happy to see that you all had come here on my invitation. So this is the least that I can do. Besides, if you like you can share this wealth with all other villagers. It's up to you."
All the ladies were moved. Their hearts warmed. "You don't know how much you have done for us. We have been reeling under the effect of rebellion from so long that this would breathe life in our otherwise mundane and poor existence."
"I am glad that you think like that, Marie," he said. "But really, it is Emma who is responsible for all this."
The ladies bowed to Emma again. "You are so nice. We heard that you will be staying in the palace under Lord Lazarus's protection and patronage, and that you will be advising him in the affairs of the village. We are very proud of you Emma and we hope that your presence in the palace helps us. We all need it."
And then Avice realized what Lazarus just did. He not only made it official for Emma to stay in the palace, he also became extremely popular in the village. He had called these ladies on purpose after she had entered the palace and took advantage of the situation. Being the rebel leader's wife, no one would have noticed if she had visited the palace, but now Lazarus made sure that everyone would talk about her in the village. He gave them gifts on purpose. It was like a small bribe which the ladies didn't understand. They took it, thinking that it was his benevolence when in reality, Lazarus played a game. He played a very clever game.
Now Avice's image would be maligned by the ladies because they will tell everyone in the village that she was the rebel leader's wife, yet their daughter was appointed as the Advisor for the village in the palace. They would become the village's laughing stock.
A shiver ran down her body when she lifted her eyes to look at Lazarus who was staring at her with a wicked glint. He smirked and then turned his head towards the other ladies.
Yul came to her and said, "We are sorry to inform you but Lord Lazarus has decided that Angus is going to stay with Lady Emma."
"What?" Avice cried.
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