The Kings Mistress Chapter 97

[ … words ]

“Diane had wanted me to leave Drakin for some time now. We discussed this in great detail. Perhaps I could feign an illness and stay in her mansion in the county under the guise of recovery… but I didn’t want to leave Alistair’s side either. He would have been alone.”

Roxine held onto Sierra’s arm, “But then you came into the picture. With you by his side, that worry is no more.”

“Me? Queen Roxine I…” Sierra bit her lip.

She did not know how to respond. She had to admit, that she had feelings for Alistair. However, could they really be together? Furthermore, there was no guarantee she was going to come out victorious in the concubine choosing.

Her odds were stacked against her.

Worst of all, the truth about her real identity was another ticking disaster. Should the information be revealed to all, there was no way Sierra could ever be with Alistair. The court of Drakin would have a lot to say about it. Not to mention, how would the citizens view it?

“A commoner can’t marry a King,” Sierra muttered as she tightened her grip on the reins of the horses.

Roxine could see the concern in her eyes. She placed her hand on Sierra’s shoulder, “Nothing is impossible, Sierra. Knowing Alistair, he would move mountains for you if need be.”

“I know,” Sierra sighed, “that’s what I’m worried about.”

Alistair was the King. He had duties to perform, and a reputation to uphold. She would not allow him to throw everything away just for her. Remembering the conversation she had with him the other night, Sierra realized he was prepared to face the consequences head-on.

But was she ready to do so?

~

“Myra, that was beautiful!” Sierra exclaimed while applauding.

She had come to visit Myra in her room and heard her play on the piano for the first time. She could not help but envy the princess’ skills. Sierra had tried to pick up an instrument or two in the past but she had never been able to master any of them properly.

The musical scores were too difficult for her to keep up with and she never had the patience to practice it for long. If only her ability to practice combat skills translated well.

“Oh that’s nothing, it’s a simple piece. Everyone knows it,” Myra replied humbly as she fidgeted her hands. She wasn’t used to hearing so much praise.

Her memories of her youth practicing the piano were plagued by her tutor hunching over her or by her side, correcting her every keystroke. With the Arts test of the concubine choosing coming up, she had been practicing the piece she was going to play diligently.

All the princesses had chosen different art forms to present, hoping not to clash and compete with one another. But the piano was a popular instrument that most if not all princesses would have learnt to play.

“Would you like to hear the piece I will be presenting?” She asked Sierra as she cracked her knuckles.

Seeing how serious and excited she was to show her, Sierra nodded eagerly. She took a seat on the sofa behind Myra and watched intently as the princess took a deep breath of air and placed her hands on the piano keys.

As she began to play, Sierra was stunned. She had never seen a pianist’s hands fly across the piano keys with such precision and speed before. Each note that was played was crisp and clear in her ears.

She was certain Myra must be following a music score to play the piece but to her surprise, there wasn’t any on the music rack. She was playing the piece by memory. Sierra slowly turned to Ida, hoping to see her reaction and she was not disappointed.

The maid’s mouth was agape in wonder and shock. She too was speechless. When Myra finally completed the piece, silence overtook the room. Myra was a little surprised. Worry soon replaced her surprised expression.

“Is something wrong?” She asked nervously as she looked down at the ground, “Did I play the wrong notes? This piece has many overlapping sequences and sometimes it gets really…”

Sierra walked over to Myra and placed both of her hands on her shoulders reassuringly, “That was amazing, Myra. Ida and I were so amazed we didn’t know what to say. Don’t doubt yourself, princess.”

Myra looked up at Sierra, meeting her eyes. At first, she thought her friend was simply saying something nice to cheer her up. But when she looked into her eyes, she realized Sierra meant what she said.

“You really mean it?”

She even glanced over to Ida for confirmation and the maid was nodding with a wide smile on her face.

“This is one of the hardest piano pieces to play! I’ve only ever heard it once before,” Ida recounted.

“Who played it?” Sierra asked out of curiosity.

“King Alistair.”

Myra and Sierra looked at one another, stunned by Ida’s reply.

“You’re bluffing,” Sierra mused, she could not believe it.

“I find it hard to believe too,” Myra added, “Are you joking with us, Ida?”

“What?” No, I’m serious! Princesses, you have to believe me,” Ida pleaded.

To back herself up, Ida got Myra’s maid to chime in as well. She too was there to witness King Alistair play the piano. Sierra leaned back in her seat in disbelief. She could not imagine the cold and fearsome King playing the piano.

“In fact, he played a total of three pieces that day, each more difficult than the last,” Ida added.

Sierra began to imagine what it must have been like while Ida gave her more details of that day. It was Queen Roxine’s birthday celebration and Alistair had performed the pieces as part of the entertainment and as a gift to his Queen.

She folded her arms, still in disbelief, “I don’t think I’ll ever believe it until I see it with my own eyes.”

Myra chuckled, “I think I can see it.”

“You can?” Sierra looked up at her in surprise.

Myra walked over and placed her hands over Sierra’s eyes.

“Just imagine it,” Myra whispered into her ear as she painted the scene for her.