Over the following months Dixon made a point of lying with Denah at least twice a week. He was determined to have a son, and wasn’t going to let his emotions stand in the way of his duty to his kingdom. Denah didn’t mind the loveless marriage, she knew what she was destined for and decided not to fight her fate anymore.
The castle awoke to a commotion mid fall when a carriage arrived unexpectedly at the front gate. Denah was woken up by raised voices, and quickly dressed and went to her window. She could hardly believe her eyes. Helen Walton was standing in the courtyard. A man she did not know, whom she assumed to be Helen’s husband, was shouting and throwing bags out of the carriage. The man left before any of the castle servants could address him, and Helen was left standing alone and crying in the courtyard. Denah felt sorry for her. She knew exactly how it felt to be tossed aside by the man who was supposed to love you. Her emotions were short lived, as she knew the exact circumstances of Helen’s marriage.
Denah stood at the window for a few minutes watching Helen. She looked... different. Helen turned her head up to the window Denah was standing in and they locked eyes. Helen's cheeks were red and stained with tears, but she still managed to pull a smug smile for Denah. Something was going on, and there was a siniser reason behind Helen's return. Before she could figure it out, the door to Denah's bedchamber burst open and 3 of her handmaidens fell into the room.
"My Lady!" one said breathlesly "Miss Walton has returned!"
"Yes, I see that.... help me dress."
The royal family received Helen formally, and King Caleb silently read a letter from Helen’s husband. When he finished reading the letter he looked angrily from Helen to Dixon, then back to Helen.
“Your new post will be in the kitchens. You are not to leave the kitchen quarters unless you are going to your own bed, do you understand?”
“Yes, my Lord” Helen replied quietly. She walked out quietly and was embraced by the staff, happy to see her returned, but unaware of the circumstances. Denah looked in disbelief at her father in law.
“The truth will be out soon enough” was all he said.
The following week Danica arrived for her visit, and Denah filled her in on everything she knew, which wasn’t much. None of their servants knew what had happened either, and Helen had kept her story to herself as instructed by the King. There was also important Kingdom news, Denah was pregnant again.
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