If Paco hadn't been there Nelly would have been splayed out on the floor. His strong arms were but the mildest comfort. Lalage had been a guard for Gideon for several years, and yet he had not uttered a word about her.
Nelly couldn't fathom a goal with this. Not at least with them coming forward with it by themselves. The penalty for annulment was large, but not worth risking war for.
"What is this nonsense, what sort of game is the Walsh house playing. Don't think just because the Arbore hasn't waged war in a few decades we have forgotten how." Empress Dana said rising up, letting her vampiric might simmer in the air. The Walsh honor guard had trouble standing, all struggling under the weight of the Empress pressure.
"With what casus belli, don't you think the sentiment of the populace would be ours" Joseph Walsh said, standing upright as if the pressure just ran down his back like water. Only three members of their entourage seemed unaffected. Gideon, Joseph and Lalage. Lalage had never been a soldier, where did all this power come from, how had she even ended up there.
"Why are you there Lalage. I thought we had been friends." Nelly yelled, not understanding anything that was going on. Gideon laughed again, a laugh Nelly was all too familiar with, but sounded so foreign to her at the same time. Lalage was still unmoving, expressionless, like a soulless husk.
"Oh she was, until she was sold by your family." Gideon said, ruffling the hair of Lalage, who didn't react to this either. Gideon's words made no sense, what did he mean sold by our family, there is no way that was correct.
"What sort of ridiculous theater is this, you are a beautiful man with a beautiful heart, don't do whatever you are doing. I beg of you." Nelly said, tears now flooding down her cheeks, ruining the hastily applied court makeup.
"Isn't it a shame you all are very angry at us, when it is your own family that has betrayed you. Cousin Brinks has seemed awfully ostentatious with his wealth recently hasn't he." Gideon said to the whole room. Nelly kept on begging him to stop, to tell her and everyone this was just a prank, just a silly gag that had gone too far.
Gideon didn't listen, but continued with his story. "Its as if he has sold an excellent good on the black market, one of many I fear." Gideon took a long whiff of Lalage's hair. "It would be a shame if he was caught with his pants down by a member of the Arbore family and he had to take drastic action to save himself.
"Cathrin!" Nelly yelled out. "Paco you have to go, we have to go save her." Nelly's voice was hoarse and shrill.
"None of you will..." Empress Dana said hissing at the Walsh retinue. A large orb of shimmering crimson energy was levitating above her hands.
"We will, unless you wish to see the Brinks complex go up in flames." King Joseph said and mimicked the noise of an explosion. Dana had to stop, this wasn't a risk she could take. The orbs fizzled out, dispersing the energy harmlessly. She motioned to the Arbore palace guards to lower their guns as well.
"Now for the main order of today, so are you ready to annul the marriage and pay the penalty it incurs?" Gideon said still stroking the hair of the emotionless Lalage. He smiled wider every time Nelly begged at him to stop, how could she have ever believed this man had feelings for her.
"Fine, its gone. Its done for, I don't want anything to do with you." Nelly said and hoped with all her might that Cathrin was still okay.
"Yes, we are. The marriage is now annulled." Empress Dana said, and threw a silver hexagonal crystal with the Arbore tree on top towards the group. "Get out now before I go back on my word and smear you all over the floor."
"Thanks for the mines Nelly. This has been a long four years, and today made it all worth it. Maybe you can shotgun wedding your guard as well, shame your sister might not be there this time." Gideon said, mimicking a tear running down his cheek. Joseph picked up the crystal that verified the ownership and ordered a they return. The retinue turned and receded from the hall.
Nelly let out a blood curdling scream infused with vampiric power. If she was so strong, why was she so powerless. What was the point of it all. The palace guards reeled back, hurt and afraid by Nelly's undiscerning release of crimson energy. Paco was hurt the worst as he was still holding on to Nelly. Even when blood poured out from all his orifices he didn't let go.
"Nelly!" mother yelled and grabbed Nelly hard by the chin. "Wrong people to hurt." The release stopped, and most of the palace guards managed to steady themselves. A few groans and scattered sounds of puking spread through the hall.
"Save your sister, El." Paco said smiling, blood painting his white teeth crimson. The gaze he gave Nelly confirmed it all, Gideon had never loved her. This was how it felt when someone loved you. The oaken eyes however lost focus and Paco passed out.
Nelly had gathered herself enough to grab him so he didn't hurt himself while falling. She put him down gently and saw him for the first time in a different light, but the light of her heart was dim. Wrenching her eyes off Paco she turned to mother.
"I'm sorry for my weak heart getting us in this mess." Nelly said bowing her head. Mother embraced her shortly and urgently. Urgent love was required, but there were other things to worry about.
"Get Cathrin back. Exterminate anything that might poison our roots." Mother said cupping Nelly's head, this time with a gentle touch. Mother give a kiss on Nelly's forehead, a warmth that lingered. There was worry left unsaid, the Arbore tree was in peril. There was no way the Walsh family had only this much going for them.
Nelly nodded and rushed out of the room, hearing her mother commanding the nation to prepare for war.