Page 22 of I Ran Away to Evil
Keith waved the paper so the ink could dry faster, and then handed it to the maid. “Give this to Rufus when you retrieve Princess Henrietta.”
“Yesss, Master.” Tulith went to do as instructed, leaving Keith alone with a new enchantment to figure out.
“Why does everything need to be learned by trial and error?” he groaned, not for the first time. “Why can’t we just share our dark discoveries like reasonable people?”
He knew spells to inspire someone to take their own life. Spells for depression and anxiety and violence. His dark tomes were filled with blood magics and poison for the soul.
How hard could it be to craft a spell that would sense these things? He also needed to include an order that anyone caught in the new spell would be taken alive and thrown in the dungeon.
Rufus could sort them out.
With newfound vigor, Keith got to mixing ink and crafting mana circles until one came out with his desired effect.
He neglected to plan for the fact that this was not his usual afternoon, and he would have interruptions very soon.
CHAPTER 13
And How Did That Make You Feel, Princess?
Henrietta
“And how did that make youfeel, Princess?”
“Terrible, Rufus. Simply terrible!” I took the kerchief Rufus offered me and blew my runny nose much too loudly for a royal. I didn’t care.
I was reclining on a daybed in the dungeon across from a large beastman with golden hair, eyes, and aura. He was so big he almost didn’t fit in his chair. He had dainty reading glasses on his wide, hairy nose, and took notes on a scroll in his lap. The scroll was secured to a thin slab of wood so he could work without a desk. The first hour had flown by so fast that I wouldn’t have noticed except that Rufus’ [Calming Effect] perk had expired. He was being awfully generous, letting me stay longer.
“IknowI’m annoying, but why does Mother need to point it out in front of company?” Of course, Mother only did so in front of the queen’s court ladies, those dames whom she trusted the most. She never would have done so publicly; that would have tarnished our family’s honor.
It still hurt.
“Dismissing your opinion and criticizing your passion. Have you considered that you can be yourself now? You are outside the influence of your parents’ house here.” Rufus looked over the brim of his tiny reading glasses. He reminded her of Lord Tisbury, an uncle figure who worked for the Drendil Order of Phoenix Knights. They both exuded confidence. “Your parents did give you the tools to survive—lessons in social etiquette and sword skills. Perhaps keep what is important to you and leave the rest behind.”
“I don’t know if Ican, Rufus.” A week of baking and making friends had been magical … but I was supposed to further the agenda of the royal family. I had been born and raised to give my life for Drendil. “I have a mission, and I owe them so much.”
“Youhada mission,” he emphasized. “Fight the Dark Lord. You came, you fought, you lost. Now, you have a new purpose: serving the victor to your duel. I’m told it’s common in North Sumbria. Furthermore, no childowestheir mother or father for being raised. That was their choice and their responsibility.”
“I didn’t actually fight Keith.” I coughed and blushed. “I mean, I didn’t fightthe Dark Lord.”
“You didn’t?” This was the first time his aura of confidence had faltered.
“We talked, and I got distracted, and before I knew it, I was here.” I waved around me. “Maybe Ishouldgo fight him.”
“Is that what you want or what’s expected of you?” Rufus leaned back in his chair. “Is that what your parents want?”
I sighed. “I don’t know anymore.”
“Let’s try an exercise,” Rufus offered. “If you pretended to be honest with yourself, what would you tell me you wanted to do that youdon’thave to admit wanting?”
That convoluted question was easier than any of the previous. “I just want to make bimbleberry scones that turn out buttery and relax beside a dragon on Lake Loria. I want to help King Keith with his magic, and have tea with Gerda, and sleep in on Saturdays.”
Rufus was writing again. He carefully blew on a small slip of paper. “Then I have your first prescription. Ah, there’s Tulith now.”
The maid walked down the stairwell and into the main dungeon hallway. Henrietta’s cell was very close to the entrance, and the lizardkin was visible from between the bars.
“It’s been two hoursss, Commander General,” Tulith stated, opening the door to my cell. She held up a slip of paper. “And I’ve new orders from the king.”
“Yes, yes, I’ve just finished. Here, read this.”
