Queen of Mean

CHAPTER 21

THE CABIN became her prison cell while sailing back to the capital. Tori was dragged back after she met the captain of the royal guards and the sly snake. She could not help but grin when she remembered the wretched face of the person she underestimated, no, Tori did not underestimate her. Instead, she just chose that they had a mutual understanding. She miscalculated the weight of that person's ambition.

With her hands held tied and mouth been gagged as she kneeled on the cabin's floor, Tori was unable to move freely or talk leisurely. Her limbs started to grow numb and her mouth started to ache, but she was long numbed by the shock of betrayal.

I thought I was safe. Ha! If the wretched plot has only a face, he must be laughing like crazy while rolling to the ground. Aah, I want to whack that imaginary grin from that make-believe persona of the wretched plot.

The path I was taking, where did it go wrong? I never trusted anyone. I made it clear to draw the line even from my vassals. And I even followed the rules of equivalent exchange. Just, why?

Not even bothering to knock, the door opened. Restrained, Tori could not turn her head in the direction of the door, but the silhouette of the person who entered was giveaway who it was. Steeling herself, Tori's red eyes met familiar emerald eyes.

There was only one family who had that distinct character, the House Larat of the aristocratic faction. The captain of the royal guard walked in next which did not surprise Tori anymore. He walked straight to her with his icy stare, grabbing the cloth behind her head as he briskly pulled it off her.

"Now, talk." The anger behind every word of the royal captain made Tori raised her eyebrows. You have some serious issues with me. Tori watched the silhouette of the captain of the royal knights left the room leaving her alone with the person who betrayed her.

Tori's golden ringlets were in a mess, her dress in disarray, but her mocking ruby red eyes were relentless even with her current state. The captain of the royal guard remained standing at her back while that person took a seat on her bed.

She did not falter nor showed any signs of emotions as she gave her best innocent smile to that person. "What do you want me to say? Congratulations?"

"No, but close. I want to know, how does it feel? How does it feel to be defeated in your own game?"

"I felt ecstatic. The war in the north did not give me this thrill. I am looking forward to this one. So give me an awesome show. Entertain me well, Merilla Larat."

Tori bit her lip discreetly to stop herself from shouting when the lunatic Merilla Larat also know as Lady M placed her soles atop Tori's head. Chuckling to herself, Merilla replied with a mocking tone. "See the difference, Victoria? I am always above you as I am always two steps ahead of you. You belong beneath my feet."

Tori shrugged her head to shake Merilla's feet on her head. "You will pay for this!" Tori's façade broke.

Merilla stood up and placed her right foot on Tori's head as the latter could not move from kneeling on the wooden floor. "How, Victoria? What awaits you in the capital is your death alone."

"What have you done!"

"What have I done? It's quite simple. I fooled you by making you believe that I am loyal to the aristocratic faction. You believed the context that I gave you. And as someone who knew your every move, it was easy to set you up. It is quite easy to manipulate the letters you sent to the king making it s if you are threatening the Imperial Majesty. The siege of the north and the war of the north were orchestrated by you. Of course, King Elphaim knows the truth. He's the benefactor, you know. But who cares, right? Executing will give His Majesty the most prized Wall and the control of the North. With the information by my side, I will always win." Merilla added more force on her foot making Tori crumbled on the floor. With the latter's face on the floor, while her limbs were tied, she was in a compromising position. "But you know what is stupid to watch? It is you, tolerating that idiotic lovesick fool. I don't get it, you know. Why are you so hung up with the second prince when you can choose Prince Lauren?" Merilla crossed her arms as she looked down at Tori.