On the Day of the Hunt (V)

One

Two

Three

Four

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Being Chosen by the Queen, and all that followed was exhausting.

Maids help me out of the stupid dress and underthings, then I sink into the pillows. I sob for my mother, remembering her sat rod-like in the gallery with despair on her face... Sleep took me before the tears even dried.

I wake to sunlight streaming onto me and certainty heavy in my gut that the boy who'd sat feet from me the night before was dead.

I was sure it'd be me. Surer than I'd ever been in my life. More than sure: I knew. And yet... I'd been wrong. Here's my chest, see: still going up and down with each breath.

Maids re-appear, as if by magic, or on a signal. Bobbing up and down as if I were a Lady and telling me breakfast was being served to the Candidates. Bringing me warm water for washing, clean clothes. I accept their help, grateful, and wonder at how quickly I'd come to do that.

Breakfast is hot fresh bread, fruit, eggs, cheeses, and (I could hardly believe it) more meat. Hot tea. Golden honey. I want to swipe a jar of it, but I've no pockets.

I've a better appetite this morning. Maybe I'm coming to accept this luxury, this excess of food, like the steaming claw-footed bath, the maids, the thick card with my name on it that probably cost more than most people earned in a week. Is it so bad, to accept ease and comfort in these last days, hours, before I die a gruesome death?

I exchange glances with the other Candidates amidst the clatter of plates and silverware, loud in my ears. Wanting and yet not wanting to make conversation. Unsure if it'd make it better, or worse. Do they feel the same?

Afterwards, guards materialise at my elbows just like the day before. They escort me to the royal gardens. My heart splits; my mother waits there. We hug like it's the last time we ever will. It might be.

"Listen," she says, "I must tell you..." Her gaze is intense, her fingers bite into my shoulders. She sags, smiles, tells me she loves me.

She's lying.

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Word count (excluding notes): 366

Submitted on 17th March at 23:05

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