SIX
Edmund waited patiently in the dark alley for Edward Crownley to stumble out of the Maids of the Golden Shield brothel. Rumor had it from the most trusted of his so called paid ‘advisors’ that Edward was going to visit his favourite whore this night after finding his beloved wife Rose, in bed with Sir Edmund. If it was not for the note he found carelessly left on her dressing table earlier in the day, he would have never known of her indiscretions with his biggest rival. Edmund took advantage of his stature with the king every chance he had, using said status to take Edward down a notch every time he managed to scratch back up to the surface. For this reason, Edward vowed to himself to prove himself to the king and the nobles. He had finally purchased enough land to gain himself a seat on the all mighty privy council. His only way of getting the respect he thought he so deserved but was never truly warranted. Edward has always tried to reach way beyond his grasp. His father and forefathers were arrogant men so he got it honestly. Poor Rose was forced into marrying him by her father to raise her family's status. She cried profoundly on their wedding day at the alter cursing her father and the king for granting the marriage. It was not like Edward was displeasing to the eye or anything, she was just in love with another man and he was not titled or privileged. In fact, he was a Pagan. Rose knew all the Pagan families that lived in the forest due to the many trips she made to see her secret lover. Their summer love affair did not last very long before Edward came to court her. That affair would never be just in the eyes of the Rawling family tree. But Edward knew and kept her secret so they could marry. She made due though and gave Edward a son, Jeffrey and a daughter, Mina.
Edward snuck out the back door as quietly as he could but the creaky old hinges on the door gave him away. Edmund knew that door all too well since he visited the brothel regularly and half the staff had well-padded hands from his coins. Regina, his first choice among the prostitutes, was a loyal pet of his letting him know of Edward’s arrival. It took mere seconds before Edward reached the point where he could grab him. He reached out and caught him by the cloak, dragging him by the fabric into the entryway of Regina’s apartment. He had paid her off well to leave the door unlocked for his use later that evening. Edward resisted but Edmund was stronger, meaner and more determined to get the job done now that the king had demanded he do the job himself. His minions failed the last attempt to take Edward’s life and paid dearly for their mistake. Of course, he was accused by the Duke, but the king dismissed his accusations just as fast as Edward had made them. Edmund was like a second son to the king so it was no use for the Duke to proceed. Edward fought and braced himself against the doorway trying to break free. Edmund stabbed him in the ribs and let go of his hold while Edward let out a blood curling scream. ‘What are you doing? Do you know who I am? The king will have your head for this act.’ Edward spat out, coughing as the wound filled his lungs with blood. The more he resisted, the faster the liquid spewed into his rapidly expanding organs. He was barely able to breathe now. Edward whispered into his ear, ‘Oh, I know exactly who you are Duke of Nothing and I do believe you are shitting your pants right now realising who is going to take your life and your wife. I will be sure to tell her how you fought so bravely to try and save your pathetic excuse for an existence every time I stick my cock inside of her. Who is she going to tell that will believe a stupid, so called grieving widow that I murdered her husband? She will not have to play the actress for very long. She fucking hates you and the very thought of lying next to you in bed every night. She tells me every time she comes to my room and deepthroats me all the way to my balls. Yes, she played the distraught victim in front of you but it was all a rouse. She has been coming to me for years. In fact, your so-called children are likely mine. Thanks for raising them by the way. Daddy’s home and he is taking his family back.’ With that, Edward’s eyes rolled into the back of his head. Edmund watched his pupils dilate in the candlelight and kissed his foe goodbye on the cheek. He dragged the piece of shit right over to the rest of the steaming piles outside the horse stables next door. Stripping him of his jewels and coin, he finished by wiping his hands-on Edward’s velvet overcoat, the only garment not soaked in blood now. He had to get rid of the gems in the river along the way back to the castle and keep the gold, what little bit there was, to make it look like a robbery gone awry. ‘No sense in getting caught red handed.’ He laughed to himself at his own sick joke. One gone, so many more to go.