Assassin's Revenge

Chapter 8

(Lilith)

Lilith sits in front of her mirror as River brushes her hair. She has always been extremely wary when River is near her, since the woman is a professional assassin and all.

“Hey River. If you were so good at killing and escaping, how did my father capture you?” River ignores her and continues brushing her hair, “And, if you were so good at escaping, why didn’t you escape the castle? I see no shackles on you.” River still ignores her but tugs harder on her hair as she brushes it, “or are you here willingly because you’re being offered good money and a high rank?”

When River stops brushing, Lilith knows she hit a nerve. “Listen, princess. As you said, I am very good at killing and escaping. I could kill you and jump out of that window,” she points to the window on her right, “but as you also said, I’m here for the money and the high rank.” She makes eye contact with Lilith through the mirror, “But do you truly believe you’re right or are you just trying to get on my nerves? Just so I make a mistake and you get me executed?” She lowers her head to be levelled with Lilith’s, her lips inches from her ears as she whispers frighteningly slowly, “I’ll have you know, princess, when the time comes, you’ll be the one with a noose around your neck. Just waiting to be pulled.” Lily feels chills as the hairs on the back of her neck rise and River exits her room.

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Lilith sets down the history book she was reading, bored as she stretches her arms up in the air. She stared blankly out the window, beside her bed, at the beautiful sunset.

“Why do I have to read all this stuff that happened in the past when it already happened? What change will it make in the future, if I read some stories of the past?” she asks Aelita as she gets up from her desk and walks across the room to lay on her bed.

“Well, think of it that way: If Prince Reginald fell in a hole yesterday and came and told you about it. What will you do?” Aelita says as she picks up the book from the desk and puts it back on the shelf.

“I’d avoid the hole, so I don’t fall in it like he did.” Lilith yawns.

“What if he didn’t tell you about the hole?”

“I might fall in it just like he di-.” She says in a bored tone, then realisation dawns on her face as she sits upright from her lying position. “Oh! So, it’s in hope that we don’t repeat our ancestors’ mistakes and cause a similar war!”

“Exactly, and also possibly to honour the people that fought for their kingdoms and countries.”

“Well, this is suddenly interesting! Hand me back the book,” Lilith says in enthusiasm as Aelita turns to get the book from the shelf, but then a knock on the door sounds, “…Get the door first.” She sighs, praying that it’s not River behind that door, Lilith really has no energy to face the assassin now after their ‘talk’ this morning.

Aelita opens the door, and Reginald enters the room, “Ahoy’ Lilly!”

“Seriously? I’m here learning history and you’re out there learning accents.” She says as Aelita hands her the book from the shelf.

“Now that’s one thing I like about being the youngest child. I don’t have as much responsibility as you or Arden. I also didn’t learn this accent. I… picked it up from the pirates at the dock.” He says as he flops on the bed beside Lilith. “Oh by the way, did you hear the news?” He inquires, but when Lilith raises an eyebrow in confusion, he continues, “Arden’s proposing tomorrow. It’s one of the Corvus ladies, I am sure.”