Chapter 5

Hazel took a while to respond, she cleared her throat sharply as she rested her back comfortably. “She died in a war.” She responded while looking at Luther to catch his reaction, silence unfolded between them as Luther moved closer to her.

“I apologize for resonating that.” He said as he caressed her cheeks with his palm, she slightly nodded.

“Who was he and what does he want?” She asked, demanding answers.

“Who, my lady?” He reverted.

“The man with a cut hand” she responded.

He looked deeply into her eyes as if searching for something, “That was my brother, his name is Judas.”

Hazel gives a surprised look, “Your brother? And what does he want?” Hazel urged.

“shhhh! Let’s get you home rested first my lady, we have gone a long way in this journey, and you need extensive rest and a warm bath, he said as he kissed her on the back of her palm before adjusting to his seat, Hazel nodded slightly as she sat quietly.

The chariot kept running as Hazel kept counting on each move of the chariot, it suddenly halted, wondering what the problem was, Hazel turned immediately to look at Luther who was about coming down from the chariot. “Finally home, welcome my lady.” He said as he led Hazel out to his home, Hazel stood in awe as she gawked at the massive chambers of Luther.

Two maidens immediately ran after her with smiles plastered on their faces, she took a glance at Luther who smiled at her while biting his lower side lips as he turned to leave, her gaze immediately fixed on the maidens.

“Welcome my lady” one of the maidens said.

“You are so beautiful my lady.” Her colleague added.

Hazel felt relaxed as the knot in her stomach reduced while she gave them a smooth smile. “What are your names?” Hazel asked politely.

“My name is Jane my lady”

“My name is Mary my lady”

They both answered quickly, Hazel gave out a lite nod, “Nice to meet you two” she said.

“I would go prepare you for a warm bath, my lady.” Jane said and left.

“I would take you to your room, my lady." Mary said while leading Hazel to the direction of her room.

They both entered Hazel’s room, Hazel was astonished by the decorations of her room, it was way better than that of her room in her father’s home, she stood still as she admired how expensive and neat her room was, her bed was sprinkled with rose flowers, as the walls were nicely painted.

“Do you like your room my lady?” Mary asked genuinely, shifting Hazel’s thoughts to hers.

Hazel smiled at her as she nodded in response. “Where is my husband?” Hazel asked calmly.

“Lord Luther is in his room my Lady” she replied softly as she bent her head down slightly.

Hazel gazed at Mary swiftly, “He has a separate room?” Hazel asked in curiosity.

“Yes my lady, I will quickly go check if the table is set for dinner, my lady.” She said, as she left Hazel’s room.

Hazel stares at Mary as she leaves, she leans her hand on her waist, wondering why Luther would have a separate room from his wife.

“Couples sleep on the same bed, stay in the same room, why would this be different?” she asked herself calmly. A slight knock came at the door.

“My lady, I have prepaid you a warm bath” Jane said as she entered Hazel’s room. “May I lead you, my lady” she asked with concerns while gesturing the way for Hazel to follow.

“Yes you may” Hazel responded calmly, waving away Luther’s thought.

After her warm bath, and a change of cloth, she asked to be alone in her room where the maidens respected her command and left immediately. She brought out the alluring lingerie Rita gifted her before leaving home, “Wear this on your first night with him” said Rita to her. Hazel smiled at her thoughts as she placed the dress on the bed, she was distracted by a knock at her door.

“Dinner is set my Lady” Mary said as she stood at the entrance of the door, Hazel quickly opened the door as she walks out majestically, Mary leads her to the dinning hall, and pulled out the chair for her to sit, she stood as she looked round the dinning hall, but no glance of Luther was found. The dining table was set with fruits-like strawberries, apples and pineapples. There was a bowl of freshly cooked potatoes and grilled chicken with wine in a glass, softly baked breads and a jar of water. She calmly sat on the chair that Mary pulled out.

“Is Luther not joining for dinner?” Hazel asked reluctantly, not wanting to let Mary catch her reaction of not dinning with Luther.

“Yes my Lady, he has traveled for peace making.” Mary responded. It came as a shocking news to Hazel, “He traveled without telling me?” she thought to herself.

“Where did he travel to?” Hazel asked Mary, concerns lingering in her voice.

“I heard there was a fight between his armies and his brother’s armies on his way crossing the border that leads home.” Mary responded calmly, Hazel nodded slightly, “Thanks” she replied.

“I would leave you be my Lady, enjoy your dinner” Mary said as she left.

Hazel was so angry as to why Luther would leave without telling her, she fumes inside as she lost her appetite and left the dinning hall to her room without eating. She got to her room, stood for a while as she stared at the alluring lingerie that laid on her bed, she walked towards her bed and sat quietly, she calmly carried the dress and wrapped it round her arms, she gently sniffs it as she laid on her bed softly. While lost in her thoughts, she quickly drifted off to sleep.