hauntedwritings

Long chapter. Or at least, longest I've written yet, by quite a margin. Somehow, the chapters keep getting longer....this one being 3.5k words, when my first chapters were 1.5k words, and lately they've been around 2.0-2.4k.

Oh well. I feel more satisfied with my later chapters than the earlier ones.

“Has anyone heard any interesting rumours lately?” Princess Isabella asked before taking a sip of tea as she looked over the women gathered at the tea party, purposely meeting eyes with one of her closest friends, Lady Jody.

“Oh, you know what I heard? I heard that there is a new gardening book that was released recently! A book on bud nipping!” (Jody)

“Oh really? A book on bud nipping? Interesting!” (Finae)

“What book?” (Helen)

“Oh, I can’t remember the title. Fifty something? Does anyone know of it?” (Jody)

“Fifty Scents of Roses. Written by Sala Ciousdream.” (Doyle)

The eyes of everyone turned to Countess Doyle, who was gently stirring her tea with her spoon.

“Have you read it, Countess? What did you think about it?” Lady Jody asked curiously.

An amused smile spread on the Countess’ face. “It was an interesting read. However the author clearly is young and naive, with little to no experience of budnipping.” 

Isabella tried to keep her face unaffected by the criticism as she sipped on her tea. Harsh, but true. I suppose if anyone has experience in the matter, it would be you, Countess.

Lady Finae asked the question that was in everyone's mind. “Then...you wouldn’t recommend it, Countess?” 

“Oh, I would certainly recommend it.” (Doyle)

Hmm? Isabella cocked her head in confusion, and she wasn’t the only one.

“Even though you say it was written by an unexperienced writer?” Baroness Helen asked curiously.

Countess Doyle sighed. “Although it was lacking, it helped me discover one or two of my hidden desires. And after I made the Count read it, he suddenly became quite adept at gardening.” (Doyle)

“””Oh my!””” (Finae)(?)(??)

Isabella hid her smile behind the tea cup. I should find a way to reward you later, Countess.

“I wonder however, if the author will end up in trouble. After all, it’s quite evident that one of the characters is based on the righteous lady.” Countess Doyle said in a contemplative tone. 

I doubt that will happen. Nobody but my father has the authority to punish me, and at worst he would tell me to stop writing.

“Really? Lady Ezme is one of the characters?” (Helen)

“I really want to read it now!” (?)

“Me too!”(??)

“It would be a shame if such an author was punished. After all, there are very few good books on bud nipping out there.” (Jody)

“Indeed. However, nobody knows how Lady Ezme will react to this new book. Especially since I suspect the portrayed main character is the new goddess Amara.” (Doyle)

“””Oh my!””” (Finae)(?)(??)

“For all we know, Lady Ezme could take it as an offence against herself or against her companion.” (Doyle)

“That is true...speaking of, we don’t know anything about the new goddess, do we?” (Helen)

“Indeed. The book too was in fact quite evasive regarding the appearance of the new goddess.” (Doyle)

“Speaking of the new goddess’ appearance, isn’t the princess tasked with the commission of a new statue of the two goddesses! One that will be unveiled at the new festival we will hold next year?” (Finae)

Isabella’s smile dropped slightly. Don’t mention that. I regret suggesting it on an impulse already.

“How is that going, Princess Isabella?” (??)

Isabella sighed. “We don’t know anything about what Lady Amara looks like. So it’s difficult to even begin.”

“Hmm. I suppose it would be difficult. We wouldn’t want to offend either of the goddesses, would we?” (Finae)

“Speaking of, I recall you were quite infatuated with the righteous lady when you were little, Princess Isabella. Seems that you’re still devoted to her.” Baroness Helen said with a smile.

Don’t mention my dark past. My obsession with Lady Ezme at the time was what led to my first tour to the temple for reeducation. 

“I’m not afraid to admit that I admire Lady Ezme. Who wouldn’t, for all that she has done - and is still doing - for us? But what I felt for her as a child and how I view her now, are two separate matters.” (Isabella)

“Then, how do you feel about Lady Ezme and the new goddess, Princess? I’m sure we’re all curious.” (Doyle)

“Yes, tell us!” (?)

Damn you all.

“As we don’t know anything about Amara, we can only make speculations about her. But I’m sure that Lady Ezme wouldn’t choose a mortal as her companion, unless that mortal wasn’t up to her standards.” Isabella said calmly.

“Then, didn’t you feel at least a little bit envious? With your past infatuation with her, I mean.” (Helen)

In the past, I would have. Now, I’m mostly just curious what Amara has that I don’t. And what they do in my bed.

“I’m merely happy that our goddess can find happiness. If anyone deserves it, she does.” Isabella replied with a smile.

“I suppose the princess wouldn’t suggest the commission of a statue to commemorate the union of the goddesses, if she didn’t approve of it herself.” (Doyle)

“That is true.” (Helen)

Another silence descended over the tea party before another lady changed the topic.

“I heard another rumour, that there might be war on the horizon.” (???)

Every face at the tea party suddenly had a grim expression on them.

“You better not be making such rumours up.” Isabella said sternly.

“I’m not! It’s just that...His Majesty quietly sent out a directive to the Magicians, didn’t he? And from what I heard, the office of war has had several new officials assigned to it for the purpose of reviewing our war potential. All of this in the span of a few days.” (???)

Isabella frowned. That’s true. Why did father do that?

“His Majesty isn’t planning on declaring war against another kingdom is he? It must be one of the other kingdoms that are up to something.” (Jody)

“But which kingdom would be so foolish as to start a war? War has been outlawed by Lady Ezme ever since she became our guardian. There hasn’t been a war for millennia! Why now?” (Helen)

A contemplative silence stopped the conversation, before Doyle spoke up. “If the kingdom is threatened, then maybe it isn’t by another kingdom.”

“Do you mean...demons?” (Helen)

“No way!” (Jody)

“Impossible! We have been safe from demons for as long as Lady Ezme has protected us! No, even since before her!” (??)

“It’s not impossible. Think about it.” Doyle spoke calmly and paused before she continued. “Lady Ezme recently chose a mortal as her companion, who was raised to godhood, did she not?” 

Nobody spoke, and kept their eyes fixed on the Countess as they expected her to continue.

“Perhaps, Lady Amara wasn’t only chosen and raised to become a goddess for the purpose of becoming Lady Ezme’s companion. Perhaps it was instead, a necessity.” (Doyle)

Hearing this, Jody couldn't help but turn her head away from the Countess to look at Isabella anxiously. Her action didn’t go unnoticed by the other ladies.

Maybe I shouldn’t have told her.

“Do you know anything, Princess?” (Helen)

I guess I can’t hide it now.

Isabella sighed and looked over the people gathered. “When Lady Ezme came by the last time...she said that Amara has to carry out a task that none of us would want to.” 

A couple of ladies noticeably grew distressed, as if it confirmed that war was on the horizon.

“Don’t jump to conclusions.” Countess Doyle reproached. “Lady Ezme wouldn’t leave us in the dark if the demons were truly coming. It’s better to assume that if anything, Lady Ezme is taking precautions. Should it come to pass that war comes to Ramay, the righteous lady will give us ample warning and we’ll be well prepared to throw the demons out long before they arrive.”

“That is true.” (Jody)

“For now, all we can do is give Lady Ezme our support and wait for her instructions. It’s not until she tells us we are in danger, that we will be.” (Doyle)

“Of course.” (?)

“I feel embarrassed now.” (??)

Isabella let out a sigh as the ladies calmed down. I should find a way to reward you twice, Countess.

The sudden commotion when a guard appeared and whispered something to Isabella’s maid, Lizzy, drew the attention of the guests. 

What’s going on?

Lizzy immediately approached Isabella and conveyed the message. 

Isabella shot up from her seat and exclaimed. “WHAT?!”

_______________

Arriving at her bedroom, Isabella saw what the new goddess had done.

My bed!

Why did Amara break my bed?!

“Nobody has touched anything, my lady.” The guard explained. “When we heard the commotion inside, we saw the broken bed. Before we had time to react, we saw the books come through a golden portal a few at a time.”

Isabella pushed the sour thoughts out of her mind. “Has the temple been informed?”

“We’ve sent word. They likely have sent someone on the way.” The guard replied.

Dismissing the guard, Isabella went further in to take a closer look. Beside the broken bed, was a large pile of books. 

Where are all these books from?

Isabella frowned and went closer to the bed to inspect it. Taking in the details, she quickly realized something.

This isn’t my new bed. It’s the old one! The one Lady Ezme stole!

But why would Amara break the bed Lady Ezme gave her and-

A sudden realization dawned on the princess, who felt her cheeks heat up and immediately put her hands on her cheeks. As the possibilities and implications ran through her mind, a delighted squeal could be heard. 

“Uh...my lady?” (Lizzy)

Realizing that her maid was looking at her, Isabella immediately tried to control her expression and began fanning her face with her hands. “It’s nothing! Nothing!”

Lady Ezme and Amara... they must have shared my bed! This is wonderful!

I wonder if I can smell them from the sheets?

“Lizzy, get the sheets. Be careful with them! They must be preserved!” (Isabella)

“Yes, my lady.” (Lizzy)

How did they manage to break the bed? Should I hire someone to determine how it broke? 

No no no. I don’t need the truth. I can get so many better ideas merely by not knowing. 

I need to write all of this down!

The sound of moving armor came from the door as the guard entered. “The bishop has arrived, my lady.” 

Tsk!

“Send him in.” (Isabella)

As the priest arrived, he took in the sight of the broken bed, the maid that was collecting the sheets and pillows, as well as the pile of books. “So the new goddess was behind this?”

“Yes. It appears to be my old bed, the one that Lady Ezme took before. I believe Amara swapped my new bed as she returned...this one.” Isabella said with a smile. “I have no idea what those books are though.”

The bishop went closer to the pile of books and inspected them. Soon he turned to a younger priest that stood outside. “Go to the temple and get the record of all the books that the goddess has taken. I believe they may have been returned.”

_______________

Moving the books to the lounge in the other room, they began inspecting the books. As Isabella helped to move them, she found that one of them sparked her interest.

‘Magic Spells with Applications for Improving Sexual Intercourse’

Lady Amara read this book? Then....

Again, the princess’ cheeks heated up as ideas began rushing through her head.

The goddesses use whatever spells are written in this book!

New source material!

Isabella stealthily hid the book, before she continued helping to move the rest of the books.

After the priest returned with the record, the bishop started reviewing the titles and divided the books into groups. After a long while, the bishop appeared to be done and approached the princess.

“What have you found?” (Isabella)

“All the books except for one of those that were taken have been returned, even those from the other kingdoms.” The bishop pointed to two respective piles. Gesturing towards a third pile, he continued. “However, there are also books in different languages that don’t appear to be from Ramay. Likely, they are from another world.”

The bishop paused before he continued. “The temple will take on the task of returning the books from the other kingdoms and the other worlds. If you wish it, we can return the books that are from this kingdom as well, as we already know where they are meant to go.”

“Please do. What about the book that wasn’t returned?” Isabella asked with feigned curiosity.

“It is...an interesting book. However, there are a lot of spares of it as the book was recalled, so there would be no difficulty to get a replacement. I imagine the library it was taken from already has replaced it, if they so wished.” (Bishop)

Isabella frowned. The book was recalled?

After the bishop left and Isabella was left alone with her maid, she brought out the book and looked at it. 

“Lizzy, do you know anything about this book?” Isabella asked.

Lizzy came over and read the title before she nodded.

“My lady, this book rose to fame as it was written by Baron Don Keigh and published without approval. It turned out that none of the spells were properly tested, and thus many of them are too violent or otherwise dangerous for their intended use by the general public, and the books had to be recalled. The book was actually the reason the Baron was admitted to the Magic Association, as he was deemed to have talent, but lacked the knowledge and understanding of the processes involved when publishing a book on magic.” (Lizzy)

“Too dangerous...?” (Isabella)

The princess looked down at the cover of the book in contemplation. A gasp was heard when her head jerked up as her gaze turned towards the bedroom that held the broken bed, then back to the book, and finally back to the bedroom again.

With the heat rising in her cheeks, she squeezed the book in her hands and opened it to read it as she ordered. “Have a new bed ordered for me, just like the last one! No, order two so I have a spare for next time! While you’re at it, make sure we negotiate with the manufacturers to grant us a piece of their profits, in exchange for giving them the information that Lady Ezme and the new goddess uses their beds! They couldn’t ask for anything better to use as advertisement!”   

“Yes, my lady.”

“And send a summons to Baron Don Keigh, I need to speak with him!” 

“Yes, my lady.”

As she was left alone, Isabella started reading when a flash of light caught her attention. Looking at the source, she saw a bright, golden portal above her desk. Next she heard the flapping of papers as she saw the bundle fall through the disk and smack onto the desk.

Realizing that the new goddess was present, Isabella tensed up. “L-lady Amara?” 

As she received no response, Isabella carefully stood up and walked over to the desk. She recognized the bundle of papers.

My novel!

Walking around the desk and looking at the drawer that the papers were supposed to have been in, she saw that the drawer was open and empty of contents.

Amara took my novel? And read it?! 

What did she think? Didn’t she like it? Was she angry?

Is that why she broke my bed? It wasn’t because of her interactions with Lady Ezme?

Isabella felt dejected, when she spotted a small leather book on the desk.

What’s this? This isn’t mine.

Isabella carefully picked up the book and opened it.

This…!

Lady Ezme!

Lady Ezme in a tiny, elaborate painting! Unlike any I have ever seen before!

And Lady Ezme….adorable!

Inside, the righteous goddess was sleeping with a content smile on her face while clinging to an arm. 

Is that...the Lady Amara she is sleeping together with?

So they do indeed share my bed! I’m so envious!

This is a wonderful gift. Thank you, Lady Amara. If I ever felt displeasure towards you, I certainly can’t now. It looks so real! 

Realising that the pages seemed to be made of some kind of tough transparent parchment or soft glass folders that encased the painting, Isabella turned to the next page.

This…!

Inside the next two paintings, were both of the goddesses. In the first, Lady Ezme was still sleeping, and a black haired woman was looking through the painting. 

This is Lady Amara? She’s...different from what I expected.

I can see why Lady Ezme is taken with her.

Looking at the second painting, Lady Ezme was awake, and the two goddesses were looking at each other.

Lady Amara was quite unlike how Isabella had imagined her. The new goddess gazed at Lady Ezme confidently, with a large smile on her face.

This Lady Amara...if her lips were fuller she would be the very definition of a seductress!

So she is the one who seduced Lady Ezme, not the other way around! 

If a woman with an appearance like hers looked at me like that, my knees would bend as well!

For a mortal to be able to be so confident in the presence of divinity...it’s no wonder she gained Lady Ezme’s interest. The number of women who can stand confidently before me are few and far between, and I’m yet a mortal.

Lady Amara must have quite the character.

New ideas for her next story about the two goddesses emerged in her mind once again, making Isabella’s cheeks heat up.

I now know what Lady Amara looks like! I can have the statue commissioned now! 

Turning the next page with a wide smile, Isabella saw another two new paintings. One where Lady Ezme looked at the black haired woman.

It seems that Lady Ezme is indeed quite taken with Lady Amara.

In the next, both of the goddesses were looking through the painting with smiles on their faces, and once again Amara exuded confidence, while the righteous goddess appeared shy. 

At least Lady Ezme is happy. That is all we can wish for her.

But with a seductress as Amara on her side...will she remain so? 

I must ensure that Lady Ezme’s happiness never comes at risk!

Taking in the sight of the goddesses one last time, she sat down and brought out her ink and quill. At the same time, Isabella heard how Lizzy returned but paid it no heed.

“My lady! You’re having a nosebleed! I’ll call the physi-” (Lizzy)

“Not now! Go away!” (Isabella)

The ideas for her next story were already running rampant in her head, but she had a far more important message to write down first. Upon her maid’s continued pestering, Isabella had to hold her nose with a handkerchief while she scribbled with the quill. 

‘Lady Amara!

This noble princess rejoices in thy union with the righteous Lady Ezme, and extends her wishes for your happiness!

Should it however come to pass that this humble lady finds out that thou does not treat my goddess with the deepest love, honour and the kindest of care, or disgracefully fails to grant her happiness, know this! This noble lady will show thee no mercy, and claim vengeance upon thee for the sake of the righteous Lady Ezme!

With the unpleasantries spoken and out of the way, allow this modest lady to extend her humble offer to thee. 

If thou would grant myself the honourable task of safekeeping any future paintings of thyself and our glorious goddess, this noble servant of Lady Ezme would graciously accept the burden. Furthermore, my humble self shall in return devote my authorship to thee and the righteous lady, and thus aid in spreading word of thine sacred union.

This noble lady shall also inquire if Baron Don Keigh has any more yet unpublished ideas on spells with applications for intimate purposes, and graciously compile them for thy convenience.

If this humble lady may be so bold as to assume thy acceptance of this offer, then I wish to make a sublime request. Respectfully, of course.

If at all possible, could the next set of paintings detail the righteous Lady Ezme and thyself, in full body view? And possibly even with no garments on? Strictly with the purest of intentions of course, as this humble lady has been tasked with commissioning a statue in commemoration of thine union.

This honourable princess would also be most delighted, if any of the paintings would depict more intimate contact between thyself and the Lady Ezme. In such an event, this benevolent lady would even be willing to overlook the shameless theft and the ungrateful breaking of her royal bed. No strings attached.

This noble lady swears upon her honour, that she shall neither distribute nor copy any such paintings for the admiration of the general public without thine permission. The honorable Lady Amara can rest assured that any paintings thou provide, including those that have already been provided, will be regarded as a national treasure, now and forevermore.

Respectfully Thine,

Isabella Inthenovella

Crown Princess of the Holy Kingdom of Esmaldere

7th day of Sophelia, 789th year of the 27th millenium of Lady Ezme’