Bellona (Part 1.5 of The Saskia Trilogy) by Aoife Marie Sheridan

 
    Chapter One
    The Whipping
     
    Click, Click, Click. I pause and silence follows. I start to walk again, listening to my heels click on the solid stone floor as I move down the long corridor. The sound bounces around me as I am heavy on my feet with intent. It’s a warning to the servants to stay hidden and out of my way, as I make my daily walk around the castle. I hope today that I might catch a servant off-guard, have a little fun. My eyes light up. Today is a good day. Flat Nose, one of the servants, stands momentarily frozen in my path. The name I gave her is simply because she has the ugliest and flattest nose I have ever seen. Her stance shifts and she tries to run, too late.
    “Stop,” I sing. She shivers.  I smile. I take my time moving towards her, becoming heavier on my heels, making the sound louder. Flat Nose peers at me from under her lashes. She is three years older than I, and stands a good foot taller than me. That, I hate. I refuse to look up to any servant.
    “Kneel,” I command and she descends to her knees facing me, yet keeping her eyes downcast. I stand over her now, saying nothing, hoping she will break and look at me. I wonder how long she can play my game. This is her first time being caught, so I wonder how long she can kneel there and wait, feeling unsure of what might happen. I’m not sure what I will do, but that’s what makes this so much fun. I wait patiently. At the age of nineteen I have acquired a lot of patience. I spend most my time observing others. One lesson I learnt with servants was never be soft, always be patient. It allows their fear to grow. I know they hate me because I am a princess. Not a valid reason in my opinion, so I give them another reason to hate me, and it’s fear.
    Flat Nose’s eyes flicker to mine and shoot back down to the ground. I smile. I win. I always win. Now, what will her punishment be for looking at me with such hateful eyes? Ten lashes, maybe? No, that is boring. I want to be more creative. A male servant enters the corridor and freezes when he sees me. My smile widens, today really is starting out fun.  Now he will be punished too.
    I remember his name, Ace. He’s handsome, but a servant all the same.
    “You. Boy, bring me a bucket, two spoons and two of the largest eggs you can find.”
    His eyes widen.
    “Now,” I add.
    “Yes Princess.” He scurries off.
    I stand still, smiling down at the top of Flat Nose’s head. God, she is pitiful. Once I had discovered a nest of ants, they all had moved as one. Heads down, working quickly. Oblivious to me standing above them. How easy it had been to crush them. They had no chance, that’s what the servants reminded of; stupid, pitiful ants.
    Ace arrives back, his hands filled with everything I have asked for. His face is flushed, his eyes wild and confused. I let the smile leave my face, he will understand soon enough.
    “Place the bucket three feet in front of you, right in the centre.” I point to exactly where I want it. He moves three paces and makes sure the bucket is centralised. Sconces that are burning are fixed on both walls parallel to the bucket. This will be fun. Flat Nose looks up at me then, with fear and unease flashing in her eyes.
    I hold her stare for a moment and she looks away. “Stand on the bucket.” Her head snaps up and she walks slowly to the bucket. Her feet are large for a girl making it harder to keep her balance. I turn back to ace.
    “Spoons.” Ace pulls them out of the pocket of his apron.
    “Place them in each of her hands.” He does and Flat Nose gives him a pleading look. It will do her no good, he has no power here, neither of them do.
    “Stretch out your arms.” She does, and the very top of each spoon sits perfectly over the flames, just as I had envisioned.
    “Now, place the eggs on the spoons.”
    Ace does once again what I ask. Flat Nose looks ridiculous wobbling on the bucket, her outstretched arms holding the spoons steady. I wonder how long it