The Drugged Damsel

By: Emily Metzger and Nelly Ruehl

You’ve probably never thought about You’ve probably never thought about whether or not you have any enemies. whether or not you have any enemies. Marigold Williams thought she was her Marigold Williams thought she was her father’s golden child and that everyone father’s golden child and that everyone loved her. But little did she know, those loved her. But little did she know, those closest to her would be the ones to closest to her would be the ones to betray her… betray her…

Swish, swish, swish. Jane sighed as she swept the floor of her hut. Swish, swish, swish. Jane sighed as she swept the floor of her hut.

““If I hadn’t been so clumsy, I’d be sweeping a marble floor If I hadn’t been so clumsy, I’d be sweeping a marble floor instead of a wooden one. “ instead of a wooden one. “

Sweeping stopped abruptly as the unforgettable memory Sweeping stopped abruptly as the unforgettable memory flooded the maid’s thoughts. flooded the maid’s thoughts.

““That prissy princess had no right to kick me out, even if ‘oi That prissy princess had no right to kick me out, even if ‘oi did spill tea onta’ ‘er.” She smirked. “Though it was verah did spill tea onta’ ‘er.” She smirked. “Though it was verah funny when she hopped up, screaming like a banshee.” A funny when she hopped up, screaming like a banshee.” A frown replaced the smirk. “Still, the world would be ‘lot better frown replaced the smirk. “Still, the world would be ‘lot better without people like her.”without people like her.”

She stared out the window toward the castle, loathing it with She stared out the window toward the castle, loathing it with her eyes. Little did she know that inside that very castle, her eyes. Little did she know that inside that very castle, someone else was having negative thoughts about Marigold.someone else was having negative thoughts about Marigold.

““Stop worrying Edith, the count shall choose Stop worrying Edith, the count shall choose you, and then you will be the favored one, you, and then you will be the favored one, not Marigold.” A mousy, plain, and bushy-not Marigold.” A mousy, plain, and bushy-haired girl said to herself, peering intensely haired girl said to herself, peering intensely into a looking glass. “But Marigold is so into a looking glass. “But Marigold is so pretty, with those golden curls, and clear pretty, with those golden curls, and clear blue eyes…” she sighed gloomily. “Who am I blue eyes…” she sighed gloomily. “Who am I fooling? She shall win the count’s hand and fooling? She shall win the count’s hand and not I.” Silence. “Perhaps there is a way to not I.” Silence. “Perhaps there is a way to guarantee that she will guarantee that she will notnot win.” Outside her win.” Outside her bedroom window, raised voices could be bedroom window, raised voices could be heard.heard.

““That poor lad. ‘Can’t fathom why ‘e’s allova sudden so un’appy That poor lad. ‘Can’t fathom why ‘e’s allova sudden so un’appy these last few days.”these last few days.”““I ‘ear it ‘as to do with Miss Marigold.”I ‘ear it ‘as to do with Miss Marigold.”““Well I’s heard it ‘as to do with Miss Edith.”Well I’s heard it ‘as to do with Miss Edith.”There was a brief pause between the gossiping stable hands There was a brief pause between the gossiping stable hands before they all burst out laughing.before they all burst out laughing.““Miss Edith! Her! That’s a good ‘un!”Miss Edith! Her! That’s a good ‘un!”Little did they know that Peter, the boy that they had been Little did they know that Peter, the boy that they had been discussing, was around the corner. Marigold…that name filled him discussing, was around the corner. Marigold…that name filled him with both remorse and anger. She was a goddess, in appearances with both remorse and anger. She was a goddess, in appearances at least. Just two days ago, he had confessed his boyish crush on at least. Just two days ago, he had confessed his boyish crush on her, and she threw it on the ground and stomped on it. Her exact her, and she threw it on the ground and stomped on it. Her exact words would never erase from her thoughts…”What? You, a mere words would never erase from her thoughts…”What? You, a mere stable boy, fancy me, a beautiful lady? That is revolting! Remove stable boy, fancy me, a beautiful lady? That is revolting! Remove yourself from my sight immediately!” Blinding hate instantly yourself from my sight immediately!” Blinding hate instantly replaced the remorse. She’d pay for breaking his heart like that. replaced the remorse. She’d pay for breaking his heart like that. However, before Peter could think about the girl any more, a page However, before Peter could think about the girl any more, a page rang a large bell to call attention to himself.rang a large bell to call attention to himself.

““Hear ye! Hear ye! Lord Williams has made a Hear ye! Hear ye! Lord Williams has made a proclamation. Tomorrow at sundown, the proclamation. Tomorrow at sundown, the Count of Normandy will choose his bride Count of Normandy will choose his bride from Lord William’s two exquisite daughters, from Lord William’s two exquisite daughters, Marigold, and Edith. There will be a grand Marigold, and Edith. There will be a grand feast to celebrate the occasion and all feast to celebrate the occasion and all nobles and people worthy of the occasion nobles and people worthy of the occasion are welcome to come.” are welcome to come.”

The page turned and left the town square, The page turned and left the town square, leaving everyone talking excitedly about leaving everyone talking excitedly about who the count would pick the next day.who the count would pick the next day.

The next day…The next day…

It was an hour before the grand party, and the William’s castle It was an hour before the grand party, and the William’s castle was filled with panic and activity. Everyone was running was filled with panic and activity. Everyone was running about, hurrying to prepare for the vast amount of guests. about, hurrying to prepare for the vast amount of guests. Everyone that is, except Marigold and Edith. Everyone that is, except Marigold and Edith. The two girls were in Edith’s room, talking to one another The two girls were in Edith’s room, talking to one another (Well actually, Marigold was bragging to Edith.) (Well actually, Marigold was bragging to Edith.) ““Honestly Edith, I don’t understand why you’re even Honestly Edith, I don’t understand why you’re even bothering to attend this party.” The blonde glanced at herself bothering to attend this party.” The blonde glanced at herself in Edith’s mirror, a confidant look on her elegant features. “If in Edith’s mirror, a confidant look on her elegant features. “If you have to compete against you have to compete against meme for the count, you’ll surely for the count, you’ll surely lose.” Edith remained silent, but there were plenty of thought lose.” Edith remained silent, but there were plenty of thought buzzing around in her head. Her sister continued to buzzing around in her head. Her sister continued to compliment herself mindlessly, as if to make Edith even more compliment herself mindlessly, as if to make Edith even more depressed. This continued until the two girls’ father, Lord depressed. This continued until the two girls’ father, Lord Williams, entered the room.Williams, entered the room.

““Good evening, Father.” Both sisters said in unison.Good evening, Father.” Both sisters said in unison.““Where have you been all day?” questioned Marigold.Where have you been all day?” questioned Marigold.““I’ve been in the village, checking up on a few I’ve been in the village, checking up on a few patients. Countess Winters has a nasty flu, so she patients. Countess Winters has a nasty flu, so she won’t be making the celebration tonight.” Lord won’t be making the celebration tonight.” Lord Williams sat gingerly upon Edith’s feather bed.Williams sat gingerly upon Edith’s feather bed.““Oh, papa, that’s a shame.” Said Marigold in slightly Oh, papa, that’s a shame.” Said Marigold in slightly whiney voice. Fewer guests meant less attention when whiney voice. Fewer guests meant less attention when the count announced he would marry her. the count announced he would marry her. ““Yes, yes, I know, but don’t worry about the countess. Yes, yes, I know, but don’t worry about the countess. You two have a party to attend. I’m going to take a You two have a party to attend. I’m going to take a quick bath and change, and then I’ll join you. Be quick, quick bath and change, and then I’ll join you. Be quick, the guests are waiting.” The exhausted father stood the guests are waiting.” The exhausted father stood and left, leaving the sisters alone once more.and left, leaving the sisters alone once more.

““You may go first, Edith. I want to make a grand entrance.” You may go first, Edith. I want to make a grand entrance.” With an unnoticed roll of her eyes, Edith quietly obeyed.With an unnoticed roll of her eyes, Edith quietly obeyed.““Ladies and gentleman, may I have your attention please. Ladies and gentleman, may I have your attention please. Announcing, Miss Edith Williams, daughter of Lord Williams, Announcing, Miss Edith Williams, daughter of Lord Williams, the wealthy practitioner.” Polite clapping was the only the wealthy practitioner.” Polite clapping was the only noticeable reaction from the guests, as Edith descended noticeable reaction from the guests, as Edith descended down the stairs. “And now, announcing the lovely and down the stairs. “And now, announcing the lovely and charming Miss Marigold, also the daughter of Lord Williams, charming Miss Marigold, also the daughter of Lord Williams, the wealthy practitioner.” This time, when Marigold stepped the wealthy practitioner.” This time, when Marigold stepped royally down the red carpeted stairs, applause the large royally down the red carpeted stairs, applause the large castle.castle.““Thank you, thank you my people.” She waved her gloved Thank you, thank you my people.” She waved her gloved hands gently, smiling sweetly.hands gently, smiling sweetly.While all of this recognition was going on, Edith was huddled While all of this recognition was going on, Edith was huddled into a corner, arms crossed. She was emotionless. This kind into a corner, arms crossed. She was emotionless. This kind of thing was normal, ever since they were old enough to walk. of thing was normal, ever since they were old enough to walk. Yes, Marigold always got the attention, and she was shunned. Yes, Marigold always got the attention, and she was shunned. Edith didn’t know any different. Finally, Marigold was left Edith didn’t know any different. Finally, Marigold was left alone, and the guests were allowed to enter the grand hall.alone, and the guests were allowed to enter the grand hall.

The aroma of roasted duck and venison filled the air and drew The aroma of roasted duck and venison filled the air and drew the people toward the dining hall. The guests sat down to a long the people toward the dining hall. The guests sat down to a long wooden table with vegetables of every kind, and an assortment wooden table with vegetables of every kind, and an assortment of tender meats. The meal was so rich that nobody would be of tender meats. The meal was so rich that nobody would be able to eat even half of it. Everyone was laughing and talking, able to eat even half of it. Everyone was laughing and talking, and up till this point it seemed like nothing would go wrong. and up till this point it seemed like nothing would go wrong.

““Marigold dear,” Lady Williams asked, “Could you please pass the Marigold dear,” Lady Williams asked, “Could you please pass the potatoes?” Pause. potatoes?” Pause.

““Marigold! Get your head off your plate at once! You’re getting Marigold! Get your head off your plate at once! You’re getting your clothes filthy! Marigold? Marigold!” She reached over the your clothes filthy! Marigold? Marigold!” She reached over the table and poked her, thinking perhaps, just perhaps, she was table and poked her, thinking perhaps, just perhaps, she was asleep. Suddenly, she let out a shrill scream as if someone had asleep. Suddenly, she let out a shrill scream as if someone had just cut off her arm. Marigold had her head down on her plate, just cut off her arm. Marigold had her head down on her plate, and her eyes were staring motionless ahead. A silence crept and her eyes were staring motionless ahead. A silence crept over everyone, as if God has gradually turned down the Earth’s over everyone, as if God has gradually turned down the Earth’s volume knob.volume knob.

““She’s dead!” Someone screamed. Everyone started running She’s dead!” Someone screamed. Everyone started running frantically about yelling, “A murderer is loose! A murderer is frantically about yelling, “A murderer is loose! A murderer is loose!” Lord Williams eventually stood up, in front of the loose!” Lord Williams eventually stood up, in front of the panicking frenzy, and cleared his voice, though it remained shaky. panicking frenzy, and cleared his voice, though it remained shaky. ““Ladies.. and gentlemen. It seems my beloved daughter Marigold Ladies.. and gentlemen. It seems my beloved daughter Marigold is dead-“ He was cut off by the loud sobbing coming from his wife. is dead-“ He was cut off by the loud sobbing coming from his wife.

““-But do not fear. The constable and his men are already on their -But do not fear. The constable and his men are already on their way.” Still, the guests moved stiffly around, eying each other as if way.” Still, the guests moved stiffly around, eying each other as if they were the killer. A few moments later, the constable and his they were the killer. A few moments later, the constable and his men did arrive, comforting the people immensely. men did arrive, comforting the people immensely.

““Ahem.” The constable cleared his throat. Ahem.” The constable cleared his throat. ““My name is Constable Jones. It is quite unfortunate that Miss My name is Constable Jones. It is quite unfortunate that Miss

Williams has left this world, but I’m sure she’s in a better place. Williams has left this world, but I’m sure she’s in a better place. Now, all that attended this so called “celebration” you may leave, Now, all that attended this so called “celebration” you may leave, but only after giving your names and addresses to my men at the but only after giving your names and addresses to my men at the door.” There was a rush of people heading out of the room.door.” There was a rush of people heading out of the room.

““But—“ it was too late. The room was, for the most part; empty, save But—“ it was too late. The room was, for the most part; empty, save Lord and Lady Williams, and the Count of Normandy. The Count Lord and Lady Williams, and the Count of Normandy. The Count slowly approached the grieving parents with a bowed head. slowly approached the grieving parents with a bowed head.

““I am very sorry for your loss. If there is anything I can do..” The Lord I am very sorry for your loss. If there is anything I can do..” The Lord Williams shook his head, before taking the young man’s hand. Williams shook his head, before taking the young man’s hand.

““Thank you Count. Go home. I suppose the upcoming wedding if off, Thank you Count. Go home. I suppose the upcoming wedding if off, since thr bride is dead.” The Count was about to say something, but since thr bride is dead.” The Count was about to say something, but the father cut him off.the father cut him off.

““No, don’t say anything. It’s not your fault. Now go home, your grace, No, don’t say anything. It’s not your fault. Now go home, your grace, and get some sleep. We could all use some.” Sighing, the Count of and get some sleep. We could all use some.” Sighing, the Count of Normandy pivoted on his heels and strode out of the Great Hall. Normandy pivoted on his heels and strode out of the Great Hall.

““Poor man,” Lord Williams murmured, before turning to the Poor man,” Lord Williams murmured, before turning to the constable. constable.

““Have you examined my daughter yet, sir?” The man remained silent, Have you examined my daughter yet, sir?” The man remained silent, staring behind the Lord at the so called “scene of the crime.” staring behind the Lord at the so called “scene of the crime.” Finally, after a few moments, he spoke.Finally, after a few moments, he spoke.

““It seems your daughter died of poison, Milord.” It seems your daughter died of poison, Milord.” ““What?!” Exclaimed the grieving father.What?!” Exclaimed the grieving father.““How do you know?”How do you know?”““Well, Marigold doesn’t have any health problems, correct?” Lord Well, Marigold doesn’t have any health problems, correct?” Lord

Williams nodded. Williams nodded. ““Since there is no weapon wound, it is obvious that she must have Since there is no weapon wound, it is obvious that she must have

done something to trigger her death. Also, there is an empty done something to trigger her death. Also, there is an empty glass in her hand. So, because of the missing liquid and no glass in her hand. So, because of the missing liquid and no physical wound, it has been concluded that her drink or food physical wound, it has been concluded that her drink or food was poisoned. Now, you are a practitioner, right?” Again, the was poisoned. Now, you are a practitioner, right?” Again, the dumbfounded father nodded. dumbfounded father nodded.

““Smell her cup, if you will.” Hesitantly, Lord Williams did as he was Smell her cup, if you will.” Hesitantly, Lord Williams did as he was told. A puzzling look formed on his face. told. A puzzling look formed on his face.

““Yes? Tell me what you smell, Doctor.” The constable said calmly.Yes? Tell me what you smell, Doctor.” The constable said calmly.““I smell.. a high concentrate of opium and ether.”I smell.. a high concentrate of opium and ether.”““Correct. Marigold is plenty old to drink wine, which she did. This Correct. Marigold is plenty old to drink wine, which she did. This

particular brand of wine is quite strong, so it easily overcame particular brand of wine is quite strong, so it easily overcame the taste of the two drugs. Also, since opium and ether are the taste of the two drugs. Also, since opium and ether are highly addictive, even if the wine tasted strange to Marigold, highly addictive, even if the wine tasted strange to Marigold, she wouldn’t have been able to stop drinking.” Tears welled up she wouldn’t have been able to stop drinking.” Tears welled up in the Lord’s eyes. in the Lord’s eyes.

““My poor darling. She didn’t know what she was drinking.” The My poor darling. She didn’t know what she was drinking.” The constable put a hand comfortingly on the sorrowful father’s constable put a hand comfortingly on the sorrowful father’s shoulder.shoulder.

““Sir, if you’re quite alright, I will continue.” Sniffing, Sir, if you’re quite alright, I will continue.” Sniffing, Lord William nodded yet again. Lord William nodded yet again.

““Now. Since you yourself have these drugs in your Now. Since you yourself have these drugs in your stock, it can be assumed that someone in the castle stock, it can be assumed that someone in the castle that knows their way around killed your daughter. that knows their way around killed your daughter. Perhaps an envious servant? Do any servants Perhaps an envious servant? Do any servants dislike your Marigold?”dislike your Marigold?”

““Hm. Not that I know of. But the servants wouldn’t Hm. Not that I know of. But the servants wouldn’t know that a large concentration of opium and ether know that a large concentration of opium and ether combined is lethal." The constable rubbed his rough combined is lethal." The constable rubbed his rough chin thoughtfully. "You are right. Also, why would a chin thoughtfully. "You are right. Also, why would a servant choose now to kill her? With all these servant choose now to kill her? With all these people? Now, it was someone with a reason. Let us people? Now, it was someone with a reason. Let us see…" He glared searchingly down at Marigold's see…" He glared searchingly down at Marigold's corpse. "Who were the candidates for the count's corpse. "Who were the candidates for the count's hand?"hand?"

"Well…" The father thought for a bit. " At first, it was Marigold, "Well…" The father thought for a bit. " At first, it was Marigold, Edith, and the Lady Isabella, but Isabella fell in love with a Edith, and the Lady Isabella, but Isabella fell in love with a rogue and ran away, so that leaves Edith. Why?"rogue and ran away, so that leaves Edith. Why?""I think your other daughter is a murderer." This left Lord "I think your other daughter is a murderer." This left Lord Williams shocked and furious.Williams shocked and furious."Now see here Constable! How dare you just assume it was "Now see here Constable! How dare you just assume it was my Edith! She's harmless, plus she loves her sister dearly!" my Edith! She's harmless, plus she loves her sister dearly!" thundered the lord.thundered the lord.Constable Jones remained calm, even as the angry father Constable Jones remained calm, even as the angry father yelled in his face. "Sir, if you'll just listen, I will prove this to yelled in his face. "Sir, if you'll just listen, I will prove this to you." Despite his overwhelming anger, the lord listened. you." Despite his overwhelming anger, the lord listened. "Alright, since Marigold died right before the count's "Alright, since Marigold died right before the count's announcement, this means that someone didn't want her to announcement, this means that someone didn't want her to win. Who else but the other candidate? Also, you are her win. Who else but the other candidate? Also, you are her father, so she would have been with you long enough to father, so she would have been with you long enough to know where you keep your chemicals and what is or isn't know where you keep your chemicals and what is or isn't lethal. Tell me sir, can you think of another who would have lethal. Tell me sir, can you think of another who would have access to this information?" Silence then a loud outburst.access to this information?" Silence then a loud outburst.

"I still do not believe Edith would kill her own sister. Now, take "I still do not believe Edith would kill her own sister. Now, take your men and leave my property so I can put your foolish your men and leave my property so I can put your foolish logic behind me. Lord Williams stuck his nose into the air, logic behind me. Lord Williams stuck his nose into the air, and ascended the stairs, in a hurried motion to get to Edith, and ascended the stairs, in a hurried motion to get to Edith, who had retired shortly after the murder. He was about to who had retired shortly after the murder. He was about to knock on the door, when he heard a raised voice.knock on the door, when he heard a raised voice."Good day, Countess Edith." A giggle. "Countess, I will never "Good day, Countess Edith." A giggle. "Countess, I will never tire of that title. The plan worked perfectly. Not only will I be tire of that title. The plan worked perfectly. Not only will I be rid of that annoying brat, but I shall be a countess!"rid of that annoying brat, but I shall be a countess!""I'm afraid darling, that won't be happening." The father and "I'm afraid darling, that won't be happening." The father and daughter gasped in unison. The constable had used the door daughter gasped in unison. The constable had used the door connecting Edith's room, and the lady-in-waiting's room to connecting Edith's room, and the lady-in-waiting's room to overhear her bragging.overhear her bragging."You'll be spending your time in the jail, rather than a rich "You'll be spending your time in the jail, rather than a rich palace.” Slowly, he stepped into Edith’s room, followed by palace.” Slowly, he stepped into Edith’s room, followed by numerous amounts of his men. Both Edith and her father numerous amounts of his men. Both Edith and her father couldn’t speak, even as she was being driven away in the jail couldn’t speak, even as she was being driven away in the jail carriage. Instead, Lord Williams fainted, and was carried off carriage. Instead, Lord Williams fainted, and was carried off to bed soon after.to bed soon after.

““It’s a shame,” the Count told the It’s a shame,” the Count told the constable later. “I was going to constable later. “I was going to choose Edith in the first place.”choose Edith in the first place.”

And that is the end of our beautiful story. Didn’t you just love it? We’re so happy you enjoyed it.

Making of the Thing Outtakes

The End (AT LAST)