Annalise
"Annalise," my father had said to me, "we are once again in grave debt."
When he made this known to me, I feared what must be done. "Father, I have nothing left by which I may relieve your debts. There is no one left who will hire a young woman such as I, even for the lowest wages. The sum of money left to me by Maryanne has long since run out. I am afraid I can do nothing else to rescue you from your mistakes, Father."
I remember the look that befell his weary face when he realized I was of no further benefit to him. He looked me once up and down before telling me not to worry and to go to bed. In the morning, when I arose, he had a letter prepared.
"Annalise," he began, "there is only one way to pay off this debt, and it is through the help of another. Take this letter to the King. Do exactly as he tells you and perhaps he will pay off our debts."
I took the letter without question and set out on foot to the King's palace. The walk was over five miles, but I dared not ask to take my father's horse. Many men in the streets called out to me in an attempt to solicit my attention, but I had long since learned the dangers of paying heed to their whistles.
Once, during the long journey, I tripped and fell, causing the front of my dress to become covered in dust. Even after my best attempt to brush myself off I was a mess. Still, I pressed onwards.
It was well into the hot afternoon before I reached the palace, and I did not look fit to enter. Dust covered me from head to toe. My hair was unkempt and damp from sweat. Despite this, I knew I had to deliver the letter.
"Excuse me sir!" I called to the guard, "I seek an audience with the King."
He gave me one look and laughed. "You cannot enter the palace. We have nothing to offer beggars. The King is merciless to those such as you. Depart from here."
"Sir," I pleaded, "I am no beggar, but if you cannot permit my entrance, will you at least deliver this letter to his Majesty?" I approached him with the envelope.
He took the letter, eyeing me questioningly. "Wait here." he said after a moment.
I stood alone outside the gate, waiting as the guard entered the palace. several minutes later, he emerged into the courtyard again. He looked bewildered. "King Calix will see you now." he said.
My heart skipped a beat as he lead me into the palace. The ceilings were high and dome-like, the floors covered from wall to wall in rich red carpet. The guard opened a tall oak door and ushered me into a room. Once I had entered, he closed the door without following.
A young man, seemingly not much older than I, stood against a wall. He was remarkably handsome with neat red hair and sharp yellow eyes. He was tall and fit. "I come seeking an audience with King Calix." I said, meeting the man's eyes.
"I know." the man responded, "I am he." He strode over to the throne with long steps and took his seat, leaning back into the cushion.
I felt my face flush bright red and I immediately swept into a deep curtsey. "My lord." I did not meet his gaze again, although I could feel his stare burning into me. "Please accept my apology, I... expected someone older."
"I was only 18 when I was crowned six years ago." he said, however he did not look a day older than perhaps 19. "I have read the letter you had brought in to me. Do you know what it contained?"
My heart raced. Had my father said something offensive? Did he send an item he should not have? "No, my lord. I do not know what was within the envelope."
Silence hung in the air for a moment before he spoke again. "Tell me why you are here." he ordered.
"Your Majesty, my father is in grave debt. He sent me to plead for your help. If you refuse, my father will be thrown into prison for many years. Sire, my father is old and he would not live long in a prison."
"And you are unaware of the collateral which your father suggests in this letter?"
"Collateral, my lord? My father owns nothing of value to you. If he has offered your Highness something, it is a lie. He does not own it, cannot give it, and will never pay you back."
"Then you are not truly his daughter?"
Confused at the question, I looked up again at him, hoping for clarification. He offered no explanation, but the realization slowly dawned on me. Of course. My gaze again fell. "I am his daughter, Sire." I answered softly.
The King proceeded to read aloud from the letter. "In exchange for your assistance, I offer you my only daughter, Annalise. If I cannot repay you in two years time, you may keep her as collateral."
I closed my eyes, fighting tears as my throat constricted. It seemed oddly fitting that I, who had dug my father out of debt time and again, should be used one final time as a means of payment.
"What do you have to say to this?" the King asked, "Are you willing to do this in order to save your father from prison?"
"If you are willing, so shall I be, but beware, my father does not intend to pay you back." I answered softly as a tear escaped my eye and fell onto the carpet.
"Do you love your father so much? You do not care even to question what I will have you for?"
"Sire, excuse my blunt speech, but my father cares nothing for me, and you can do nothing worse to me than acts already committed."
"Very well then. Do you wish to tell your father personally that I have chosen to accept his offer, or would you prefer I send my guard?"
"Sire, I have no desire to return to my father's house."
"Then I will send my guard to inform your father. Is there anything you need from home?" When I shook my head, the King whistled sharply, and a maid entered to room. "Lillian," he addressed her, "take this young woman to get cleaned up and help her settle into a room."
"As you wish, Calix." Lillian, the maid, curtseyed and directed me into the hall.
