Adeline's POV
Word travels fast throughout the city, and it didn't take long to hear of my husband's murderous brutality he had unleashed in my old district upon those that I knew, loved, and grew up with.
My heart ached, and I wanted to so badly to get revenge. Though what good would it really do? Another one just like him would emerge.
Perhaps he had a reason though? I questioned myself, hoping for the best. I quickly slipped on one of my old gowns I kept for keepsakes, and dressed myself up to how I used to look before moving districts. I made sure to have a bonnet upon my head to cover my hair, placing it upon a tight bun I styled my hair into.
Even if he saw me, he wouldn't recognize me so long as I don't look at him, or even speak; I hoped. I took my ring off, examining it. It was too expensive to be worn as someone pretending to be poor again, so I slipped it into the pocket of my apron as I left the house. I was determined to go back home and be sure my parents were safe. I needed answers.
As I stepped outside, the smell of metal immediately entered my nose, and I instinctively crinkled it in disgust as I shut the door, locking it.
I have to be careful I don't run into him. If he's already been through my district, then he will be on his way back soon to get the rest.
"Excuse me, miss, but you shouldn't be here. Your kind aren't welcomed here." It was Minnie's voice, my neighbor, and she thought I was just a thief. "I'll be sure to tell the Mrs. Upon her arrival. But if you leave now, I won't call the guards."
I ignored her and darted away, avoiding the others that walked the street; though their eyes refusing to avoid me. At least I smelled decent this time around.
My disguise was of no use, however, and I soon heard my husband's voice.
"Adeline?" Is that you?" His voice was soft and sweet, despite what I heard he had just done; his appearance not denying the claims either. His black armor was painted red.
We had unfortunately passed in the street, but at the same time I was hopeful. I could look in the carriage and be sure. "Hello, my love," I smiled up at him, approaching him as he halted his horse and dismounted. "Are you done for the day?" I kept my hands up and guarded; I didn't want to my loved ones' blood on me.
"Indeed. Not many to banish, thankfully," he inspected me from head to toe. "Why are you dressed as swine?"
Swine? What has gotten into him all of a sudden? "Excuse me?" I said a little too loud, attracting even more curious glances. To the outside eye it looked as if a peasant was arguing with a high-ranking guard. "But the only swine here is you!" I was in too deep. "I mean, look at you, husband! You're covered in blood? Whose!?"
He looked down at himself, then back at me, "I did my job. If someone is to dishonor their King, they pay the price," he began, getting closer to me. "Don't make me arrest you as well, Adeline," he whispered into my ear threateningly.
I pushed him away, running to the carriage before swinging the door open. They had no reason to lock it; everyone in it was dead. "Arrest? Or end up like them?" I pointed to the inside of the carriage, officially making a scene. The nobles probably thought no more of me than a delusional woman.
"If need be, Mrs.," one of the guards confirmed, without Gregory's prompt to do so. My husband chuckled softly, joining me at the carriage.
"He's right, Adeline. I love you, but like I've told you before, we are not immune to punishment." He then looked at his guard, "Santos," he began.
"Yes sir?" Santos straightened himself up to be more proper in my husband's close proximity.
"What did I say about talking bad about my wife?"
"But I di-"
"Threatening her, making her fear for her life," Gregory faced him, one hand on the hilt of his sword. "That's also talking bad about her, in my eyes."
"I'm sorry sir-"
"Sorry does not excuse your words," He drew his sword, and instinctively Santos did the same.
I watched helplessly, before quickly bear hugging my husband's arm that wielded the sword and holding it with everything, I had in me.
"Please, no more blood," I begged him. Gregory looked down at me as I wept onto his arm.
My husband lowered his sword, "fine. My wife has decided to spare you, Santos. Count yourself lucky. However, no bad deed goes unpunished." He grabbed my arm, "it's only my job, Adeline."
I was beyond shocked, the only thing I could ask him about were my parents. "Are they alive?"
He looked me in the eyes for a moment, saying nothing, before tossing me into the carriage.
My own husband had sentenced me to death, and this time, he locked the door.
"Why are you doing this?" I whispered through the bars of its window; my tears had dried.
He glared at me, "you are no longer my wife. No wife of mine will do everything but cherish me as her husband. You are swine. Mere fodder." He leaned in closer to the bar, "and Edith is my fiancee," he grinned from ear to ear.
Without hesitation I spit through the bars, hitting him in between the eyes, and he wiped it away angerly. "Sit back, relax, your parents are already along for the ride."
I immediately looked behind me, only to see my parents, their faces poking out from the pile of corpses that were tossed inside like slaughtered cattle.
My world was destroyed.
I ran to them, and as the carriage jolted forward, I fell upon the pile of corpses; the squish of the bodies filling my ears.
No, no, no, no, no, no. "NO!"
I began to pull the bodies off my parents, my hands slipping off limbs as I became saturated in my childhood memories.