As I exit the ballroom behind my mother, she tilted her head in the direction of my guards. Her eyes narrowed in irritation as they prepared to follow me to my next destination. The scowl on her was my que to intervene. Her displeasure clearly displayed across her face.
"I'm afraid I must ask you gentlemen to remain here until I'm needed at my next appointment. My mother wishes to spend time with me and my sister." I said as a group of palace maids made their way past us. Bowing their heads before slowing their pace. No doubt hoping to listen to our conversation.
As if silently communicating with each other Matthew- the eldest of my three guards- stepped forward. "Forgive me for speaking my mind your majesty but it is our duty to protect you until his majesty Prince Marcus's return from District 3 regardless of whether you are with family or not. " He paused, hesitating for a second. "If we are unable to perform our duties and any harm were to befall you in our absence, I'm afraid his majesty's wrath will be unrelenting. And our pride as royal guards will be tarnished. Therefore, I must ask that you reconsider your decision." He finished. The others standing behind him nodded in agreement.
His reasons were valid and while I would like nothing more than to avoid the disagreement to come, I could not afford to further anger my mother.
"Regardless of your reasons, I must insist that you remain here since I will have no need for you there. The Northwest guards will be stationed outside our meeting place until we are finished. I believe my family's guard are quite capable of protecting us should any unfortunate accident occur." I explained.
Taken aback at my choice words he bowed his head. "Forgive me your majesty I meant no disrespect but with recent events taken into consideration along with his majesty's concern we simply intend to ensure your safety from all threats." His subtle glance in Scarlet's direction left me puzzled.
Before I could question his insistence Scarlet groaned in annoyance beside me. Looking sir Matthew up and down in disgust she asked "Is it common behavior for an ordinary guard to question their masters instructions? Or are you trying to imply that my sister is not safe with her own family?"
Concealing his dislike towards her, he pursed his lips. "No Lady Scarlet I meant no such thing."
She smirked at his discomfort. "That's what I thought."
"Scarlet that is enough. We have wasted too much time and drawn unwanted attention towards us. It is time we prepare to leave." My mother scolded Scarlet. The scowl on her face deepened as the maids a few feet away scurried away.
The smirk on Scarlet's face was replaced with an angry one. "Apologies mother I was merely trying to help Rebekah get her guards in line." She said. Her attempt to clam our mother's anger failing as she ignored her apology.
Twisting her body away from us she grunted. "Let us be on our way."
"The three of you are to remain here until I return." I stiffly said to my guards as the angry duo left.
"Yes, your majesty." They replied. Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves I prayed for someone to rescue me from my own family.
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I flinched at the loud thud of the music room door being slammed shut. My legs protested in pain from hours of dancing. Taking a seat in the nearest chair I felt my anxiety rising. Curling my fingers around the fabric of my dress as the need to leave the room grew stronger by the minute.
Before long they entered the room. My mother's cold and uncaring eyes a complete contrast to the warm and kind hearted woman she displayed to others. Who would believe that she was plotting to betray everything we stand for, out of greed?
"May I ask once more what do I really own this visit today mother? If I do recall, I had Linda inform you that I was busy and could not meet either of you today." I mustered up the courage to ask. Trying my best to hide my fear. Gripping my dress tighter at Scarlet's fixed smile. Her fingers tracing the keys of the piano next to her.
"Ah, yes I saw your busy schedule. Seems it is filled with dancing and idle chatting with your maid while ignoring your mourning family a few doors away. It must be challenging to spare us a few minutes of your time." Mother said in mock sadness.
"I do not know what you are implying mother. But my schedule is prepared in advance and given to me. I do not have a moment to spare outside of learning." Scarlet rolled her eyes as advanced towards me. Her hands grasped my shoulder at the same time our mother grew quiet. Observing my torture as Scarlet took over.
"Nevertheless, you should have made the necessary preparations to meet us. After all, we're still waiting for a response from your last visit. You didn't forget right?"
Looking into her eyes I feigned innocence as I held my ground. My previous decision wavering. "Whatever do you mean sister?"
"Hmm..." She released her hold on me and began to walk to the back of my chair. "I think you know what I'm speaking of Rebekah. Or shall I give you a reminder of what transpired during our last family discuss?" She whispered in my ear. Swallowing the lump in my throat I looked at my mother. Her behavior mirrored her reaction the day I returned home.
From my perplexed view I saw Scarlet's sinister grin as she tapped her chin in wonder. "Perhaps a visit to Linda's sick mother will help you regain your memory. I wonder what kind of punishment the dying elderly can receive? We wouldn't want to accidentally kill her." She chuckled to herself.
My body stiffening at the mention of Aunt Helen. My hope of dragging the conversation was thrown out the window. I could not risk accidental harm befalling Linda's mother.
Unable to contain the delighted look on her face she continued to ramble on. "Maybe we should replace her treatment with something a little more lethal... poison? Overdose? Maybe letting her kill herself for the cause. A simple and quick death. What do you think?" Turning her gaze on me.
"We wouldn't want her to suffer, now, would we?" She said in fake worry.
"Leave Linda's mother out of this. Your business is with me not her." I said through clenched teeth. Suppressing my anger and desire to storm out of the room.
"I get it. I remember you needed my help but do not misunderstand. I will not blindly give you an answer without you telling me the truth. If you want my help then you must tell me everything." Staring into the eyes of my mother I watched as she slightly tilted her head to the right. Hoping that I would get the full details this time.
"Fair enough. It's a simple task. All you have to do is help us kill the royal family." Scarlet bluntly replied as I remained stunned in my seat. My mouth going dry. Eyes wide in surprise and disbelief.
"What-t?" I stammered while processing her words. My mother's blank expression was of no help on figuring out if this was a joke or not. Her casually tone as spoke about killing someone left me amazed at their lack of regard for human life. Was she serious? Were they always this horrible? Was being a Northwest a terrible thing that they would kill to move up the social ladder?
Composing myself I whispered my response. "No. No, I won't do." Bile rising to my throat at the thought of dead bodies sprawled across the palace floors. Blood gushing out of their wounds, creating a river of blood.
Rolling her eyes at my response she shaked her head in amusement. "Ah. I see you're under the impression that you have a choice in the matter." Her wicked grin stretched across her face as she continued. "Whether you agree or not you will do as we say. You've been chosen to carry out my part of the plan since you stole my fiancée. My throne. And the life I wanted. As a result you will fulfil my end of our mission if you want your maid to have a mother who isn't dead. Who knows how many can be harmed to persuade you dear sister? What are the lives of a few royals when compared to creating a better future for our family and people?"
Their relaxed demeanor irked me. My restraint from not shouting my disapproval was unsettling. The risk of losing everything before I could protect it was too great. When I had decided to do as they asked it had never occurred to me that their plans were this extreme. Their crimes were all in the name of what? A glorified chair? Power? Money? It wasn't worth it.
"Is that so? What makes you think you can force me to comply? Did you bring these plans to father's attention? Did he agree with your reasoning? Why do you want to kill the royals? Do you hate being in the mansion so much that you would kill for a golden chair? Is this even your idea? Or are you being tricked into helping someone else?" I questioned. My curiousity and need to know the truth was surfacing.
When there was no response, I continued. "I'm sure you're being forced into this. If you are then it's not too late for you to end this. The consequences if you fail are not worth being shunned by society and branded traitors throughout the kingdom. You could even be executed." I tried to reason with them.
"I would advise you to not ask questions you do not need answers to and only do as you're told." Scarlet glowered at me. "As for father I'm sure he will come around and realize we are doing this for the family. We deserve to be the ruling family instead of hiding in the shadows and being their shields. Our family is better suited for the role of royalty." She said as she beamed at the thought.
"And how to you intend for me to take the lives of the people I consider as my family? Do you not feel repulsed at the thought of committing murder after what happened to Lizzy?" I asked in bewilderment. My mind baffled at the thought that she believed I would kill four persons for them without batting an eye when I couldn't get a night's rest without my dreams being plagued with images of Lizzy.
Finding the situation ridiculous I stood from my seat and headed towards the door. The crazed look from that day flashed in Scarlet's eyes once more as I walked past her. The atmosphere of the room dropping as a knock on the door made her break eye contact with me.
"Rebekah are you in there." The recognizable voice of Prince Marcus asked from the other side. Breathing a breath of relief, I rushed to the door with shaky legs. The words stuck in my throat as my heart thumped away inside my chest. Their gazes burning a hole at the back of my head as the door flew open. Prince Marcus's taken aback expression as I collapsed into his arms caught both of us off guard. My joy that he had arrived at the right time brought comfort to my shaking frame.
Grabbing my waist to steady me I couldn't help but feel that his timing was perfect.