"Brother, it's over. She's marrying Emmett."
I clenched my fist and I felt something hot bubbling inside me but said nothing.
Minseo continued. "Is this about the kingdom? Father will find you an—"
"It's not," I said, unwilling to listen.
He stepped back. "So all of this is about the girl."
"It's about keeping my word."
"Brother, we're surrounded by Algonian soldiers. You think he's going to let you storm the wedding, take the throne and the girl, and walk out of here alive? This is over. We're leaving tonight."
I inhaled sharply. "You should go," I told him.
Minseo shook his head. "Don't do this. Don't die for a girl. Come home."
I couldn't look at him, so I looked down at my feet, but even without looking at him I could sense the pain I was causing him. "I'm sorry," I said. "I'm staying, but I think you should go. Tonight, while you still can."
We walked in silence back to our quarters. I sat on my bed examining the dragon sword Charlotte had given me. Minseo was afraid, but he knew he couldn't change my mind. I understood everything he said, I even longed to see Vires, but somehow I was tied to Besmium now. I needed to know Charlotte would be okay. I had to do whatever I could to protect her from Emmett.
My brother was going back to Vires. The only one I was putting in danger was myself. I could live with that.
Several minutes passed in frigid silence before my brother’s voice broke it. “This is ridiculous! Stop being childish,” he yelled. “Father would be ashamed. This kingdom is worthless and Charlotte is nothing but a pathetic, helple—” My fist collided with his jaw before I knew I’d even crossed the room. Minseo dropped his hand from his mouth, a crimson stream of blood flowing from his lip to his chin. His gaze cut into mine, a glimmer of sadness in his eyes that told me it wasn’t my punch that hurt him most.
My brother packed his things without a word. It was hard knowing that he was leaving. I glued my attention to my sword until Minseo stood at the door of our chamber, a bag slung over his shoulder. He cleared his throat. "Please, Young?” he said, making my chest ache. He sighed, “I just got back."
I wanted to go with him. To see my kingdom and my family again. I wanted to apologize to Minseo and make things right, but I couldn’t leave Charlotte. She was willing to kill Emmett to save me. Now I would do the same for her. "I'm sorry, brother," I said. "I'm staying." I heard the door shut and the reality of my choice weighed heavily on my shoulders. There was no escaping Besmium now.
I changed into my finest clothes. After all, I was going to a wedding. I tied my new broadsword to my belt and headed toward the grand hall. Leon was standing near the entrance. "Leon," I called. He grinned with his whole face. "Your Majesty," he said, bowing before looking me up and down. "I hope you're not planning on crashing the wedding," he chuckled. When I didn't respond, his smile faded. "No, Young. That's a bad idea."
"Where's Emmett?" I asked, ignoring him.
"What did your brother say about this?"
"My brother's gone back to Vires. He left a few minutes ago."
Leon shook his head, his eyes widened in understanding. "It's suicide."
"Where is he?"
Leon took a deep breath, his eyes as heavy with regret as Minseo's.
“Leon,” I said, “I have to do this.”
He nodded solemnly. "He's in the atrium. It's at the end of the east wing, down the stairs."
Before he could say another word, I hurried toward the atrium. I sprinted down the dimly-lit staircase, skipping stairs as I went. Finally, I stood outside a large wooden door. I pushed the door and stepped outside into a green garden courtyard.
Emmett stood on a bridge toward the middle of the atrium, seemingly enjoying the temperate weather. He turned to me, a soft smile on his face. "Ah, " he said moving closer. "I suppose you've come to bid me farewell."
"I've come to challenge you," I said.
He blinked at me dumbly.
"For Charlotte's hand in marriage."
Tension closed around the atrium like a thick fog. I felt sweat begin to bead on the back of my neck. Emmett stared at me for several moments before a look of understanding flashed in his blue eyes. He threw his head back and let out a loud, breathy laugh that echoed off the walls of the atrium.
"Go home, kid. You're going to get yourself killed." He chuckled, wiping tears from his eyes.
I clenched my jaw and drew my sword. "I'm a better man than you."
"Seriously," he said, still smiling. "Don't make me kill you. I have a lot on my plate. I'm getting married today." He ran his fingers through his golden hair.
He wasn't going to agree. I had to find a way to antagonize him. "It sounds to me like you're afraid."
"Afraid?" he scoffed. "I could eat you," he said, erupting back into laughter. I wasn't getting anywhere.
The sun began to dip behind the castle wall, casting its final beam of light directly onto my sword. The red rubies scattered red light around the garden, like blood splattered across a war-torn forest.
"Actually," I said, turning the sword over in my hand, " Charlotte gave me this sword about an hour ago."
Emmett's smile faded. "Shut up."
He pushed past me and headed to the door to the castle. I was losing him. If he didn't accept my challenge, I'd have no chance of stopping the wedding.
I ransacked my brain for one last bit of ammunition as he reached for the door. Ah. A pang of guilt hit my stomach before the words even came out. "Corsets," I huffed. "Am I right?"
Emmett stopped with his hand on the door.
I gulped, trying to keep my voice as even as possible, but my fear started to creep in. "Those things are a pain to unlace." I feigned a laugh. "You weren't even a little suspicious."
Emmett turned back to me, a fierce darkness in his eyes, like a summer storm about to break. "If you want to die so badly, I accept your challenge."
Chapter 28
Prince Emmett
THEY WERE ALL LIES, everything he implied. One look at him and anyone could see the man didn't have it in him. Still, the thought of him and Charlotte together made hatred surge through me. I didn't care what Young said, there was no way the princess would ever choose a man like him over a man of my caliber. Who did he think he was? It was true that Vires had an impressive military, but the location barred them from being a threat or ally to anyone in this region. Not to mention Young himself—weak, scrawny, and barely man enough to grow facial hair. What was he thinking! To challenge me? I settled on the possibility that he'd been so ashamed of losing his contract with Besmium that he was choosing suicide over returning home. If that were the case, then this was a mercy killing—a perfect way to stab away my wedding jitters.
I glared at Young from across the atrium. He was on the bridge, a higher plane than me, but it didn't matter. I was unbeatable. I could tell by the way he held his sword that at least he'd held one before. I scoffed, unable to believe his arrogance.
He swung carelessly. I easily avoided his attack and he'd left himself open. I was going to end this with one swing. I raised my sword above my head and veered it down from above him. He blocked it with the flat of his blade. He was fast; it didn't matter. The sheer force of the impact knocked him down to his knees. I pressed down and he collapsed beneath the weight. I raised my sword once again and swung down for the finishing blow. He rolled to his right, off the bridge and into the water. My sword sliced into the wooden beams. I tried to pry it out but it didn’t budge. Again. The wood splintered. One more, the sword dislodged, sending shreds of wood flying. Spinning around, Young charged me. I dodged his advance, his blade slicing past me, knocking me off balance.
He was good—I swept his leg out from under him—but I was better. He slammed back onto the bridge, his sword sliding out of his damp hand. I stepped on his chest as he swatted at my boot helplessly. This was the end. At worst, I'd get a little blood on my boot and have to dip it in the stream. It had b
een useless for him to challenge me. It was obvious before we started. He had no chance at all. I brought my sword down.
"Wait!" a voice called.
I paused, tracing the sound of the voice to the door to the castle. McCaffrey stood in the doorway, his hand outstretched, his mouth agape, and his face stark white.
"Not now, McCaffrey," I said while lifting my sword.
"Don't, sire! Prince Minseo has returned..."
I shook my head. "I didn't know he'd left. This is a fair duel. Why shouldn't I finish it?"
"Prince Minseo has returned with the Viran army, sire. I feel it's in your best interest, duel or not, to let the other Viran prince live."
It was impossible. Vires was too far. They would have had to be summoned weeks ago. Minseo hadn't even arrived until this morning. Young had been in prison. That meant—the princess. I staggered back breathlessly. She doesn’t want me?
"H-how many?"
McCaffrey shook his head, alarm flashing in his eyes. "More than us."
My boiling blood seared my skin from the inside. My body shook. Charlotte.
"Sire," McCaffrey said. "We must retreat."
"N-no. The wedding. It's—" Young got to his feet. Stunned, I stared at Young, staring back at me with fear in his eyes, so weak and helpless. Would the king just hand the throne to such a man now? Someone I could destroy this very moment. I would destroy him this very moment. No, I'd destroy them all. If I couldn't have Charlotte, no one could. If I didn't sit on the Besmian throne, no one would. I hustled past Young with half a mind to impale him on my way, but I had a better idea.
I returned to my quarters out of breath and snatched the pink flowers, with a gloved hand, from behind the curtains where I'd concealed them.
"McCaffrey! Get the carriage ready. Start moving the troops!" I shouted.
In his contorted expression, I noticed what, to him, must have looked like a crazed, unraveling man with a fist full of pink flowers. No one would make a fool out of me. I stormed to the kitchen, ready to cut down anyone in my path. I'd find something to put the flowers in, and as they dined and celebrated their victory—I'd wipe out the entire Besmian royal family, the council, and half the nobles in one night.
The kitchen was empty. Not a soul or a servable food in sight. The dishes were stacked high in the sink, but nothing was cooking. I must be too late. There were four large barrels at the far side of the kitchen that seemed to be pushed forward from their usual resting place. I peered in to see a black liquid. Sticking my face near one of the barrels, I sniffed. Wine, perfect. I ripped the pink flowers into the smallest pieces I could manage with frantic, shaky hands and dumped them into each of the barrels. I stood back, pleased with my work.
"What are you doing here?"
I looked up to see the middle-aged woman from the garden. Her face was even redder than usual. She took one look at me, and then at the wine, and realized what I had done. I clutched the hilt of my sword. Without a second thought, I raised it and ran it through her. Blood spattered and she made a feeble gurgling sound before the light left her eyes. I dragged her body around the corner. Someone would find her, but it was unlikely that anyone else knew about the flowers—there was no reason to suspect the wine. Before I left, I spotted a streak of the old chef's blood across the floor. I grabbed a ladle and scooped some wine from the closest barrel and poured it over the blood to make it look like the blood was just spilled wine. Happy with my work, I darted out of the castle.
I marched with my remaining men as nearly all of them were already outside of the courtyard. They must’ve begun retreating hours ago. I passed row-by-row of Viran soldiers all uniformed in yellow—with some indistinguishable symbol on their chests. I tallied the number of soldiers I saw there. I'd triple my own numbers and return. I’d slaughter every last one of them, all of them. As I passed the last row of Viran soldiers, I was greeted by Prince Minseo.
He smirked a victorious grin that made me impulsively reach for my sword. Instead of drawing it, I smiled. "Enjoy the party," I said.
He waved. "Don't worry, I will. So sorry you couldn't make it."
I vowed to myself that they wouldn't get away with this. I wouldn't rest until every last person in that castle died, whether it happened tonight or tomorrow. I'd get my revenge.
How dare they humiliate Prince Emmett of Algony like this! How dare she.
Chapter 29
Milly
WHERE WAS SASHA? I wondered as I scooped a spoonful of rice onto the serving plates. We'd been in the kitchen together cooking all day, but since we moved the food we'd prepared to the grand hall, I hadn't seen much of her. At first, I didn’t mind her absence. She’d been especially harsh towards me since the poison incident with the queen. I was grateful to her for switching the cups and knew I deserved every bit of her anger towards me. I would have been executed for treason if she’d told anyone, and she could be too for keeping my secret. Still, I relished the hours I was out of her company.
I never realized how many servants there actually were in Castle Cadere until today. Since I’d arrived here, we stuck to our usual routines and designated areas in the castle, but today was Charlotte's wedding, and everyone was either in the grand hall or the chapel trying to get everything ready for tonight—except Sasha. Another hour passed and I still hadn't seen her; perhaps we'd forgotten some of the food in the kitchen. I headed through the poorly-lit servants’ quarters toward the kitchen. Many busy people rushed past carrying strings of flowers, plates, and cutlery. Droves of decorations, trays filled with candles, ribbons, and lace fabric to decorate every inch of the hall. I'd never seen an event of this magnitude in my lifetime.
Just as I turned the corner to the kitchen, I ran straight into a server carrying a large tray with three golden goblets. He swayed backward. The goblets wobbled, spilling a few drops of red wine onto the tray.
"Oh," I said. "I'm terribly sorry." I paused for a minute as the boy composed himself.
He exhaled, "It's alright. No harm done."
I stepped aside to let him pass. "Wait," I said, remembering what Sasha told me earlier. "We're not meant to serve wine until after the ceremony. No exceptions," I said.
"I know," he said, "but this is a special request from the king himself. Some pre-wedding toast with the groom, no doubt."
I nodded and turned into the kitchen to look for Sasha. I stood stunned in the doorway of the kitchen.
Impossible. Who could have done this? The sink was piled high with every dirty cooking utensil in the entire castle. Surely, I'd have to be the one to wash these while everyone lays down to rest tonight. But I suppose no one would miss me if I washed a few of them. I plunged my hands into the soapy water and scrubbed. I pushed myself to increase my speed with each dish, timing myself in my head. I started grabbing dishes from the countertop and tossing them into my bucket. One by one, they splashed in the water. I yanked a large pot near a bag of potatoes and tossed it into my washing barrel. The bag toppled over, sending stumpy brown potatoes rolling across the kitchen floor. Great. I wiped my hands on my apron and chased after the scattered spuds, grabbing as many as I could and tossing them into the sack.
One particularly ambitious potato rolled a little farther than the others toward the back door of the kitchen. I reached out of the dimly-lit kitchen toward the dark hallway and grabbed for the potato. It didn't move. I could tell by the weight of it I hadn't grabbed the potato, despite its similar brown color. I moved toward the object. I gasped as horror pricked into me like a thousand needles. Sasha. I fell to my knees, shaking her body with my hands. I rolled her over to find a look of pain frozen on her stark white face. She was covered in wine.
"Sasha, what's wrong? What happened to you?!" I screamed, but she didn't move. Her lifeless gaze chilled me. “Sasha!” I shook her hard but she didn’t move. I pulled my wet hands back and held them towards the light. It’s not wine, I gulped. Blood. I shrieked a horrible sound as the realization dawned on me. Sasha was dead. My mind re
eled.
I pressed my hands together. "Oh, heavenly father, please guide Sasha safely through the gates of heaven where she—" I choked through my sobs, my ears still ringing from my scream. "...where she will be welcomed into your loving arms." I wanted to continue, but I couldn't think with the sound of a wailing girl reverberating off the walls around me. I cried for help but no one came. Half-delirious, I pulled myself away from Sasha's body, a mass now as lifeless as a sack of potatoes. I stepped into the kitchen to find myself covered in blood. Red everywhere. My vision blurred and whitened as I struggled to stay on my feet. I stumbled and caught my balance on the edge of the wine barrel. I put my weight on the barrel and rested my head on the side. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes.
When I opened them again, I felt my senses intensify. The red of the wine was crisp—the smell stung my nose with an astringent aroma. I stood quickly then leaned in once again to get a closer look. Unmistakably, there in the wine were the floating petals of the Oleander flower.
Sasha knew about the flowers. She'd switched out the poisonous wine that I'd tried to serve the queen and scolded me for the attempt. She'd saved my life that day. I never told her that the queen forced me to drink it as well. However, one thing I did know was that this wine was poisoned. Luckily, we were instructed not to serve wine until after the ceremony, with no exceptions... except. My eyes widened. The king!
I sprinted out of the kitchen and toward the king's chamber.
"Help! Help!” I screamed. Now that I was closer to the grand hall, someone might hear me. Several servants rushed to silence me, but they stopped when they saw me—a hysterical blood-covered freak show.
"Wh-what happened child?" another servant called as a crowd began to form around me.
"Sasha's been murdered. The wine has been poisoned. The king is in danger!" I screamed.
The next hour went by in a blur—servants rushing in every which direction, Sasha's body being carried out of the kitchen, and the doctor being called. Everyone was asking me things, but I couldn't hear them.
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