Moonstruck

| Chapter XVII |

And Envy ran. She ran and ran until she eventually reached her horse, and then the horse galloped to the palace. Envy's tears fell rapidly, never stopping as she ran, unrested, to the castle for one and a half days without pause. When she finally, finally got to the castle, she jumped off her horse and ran again. she ran past the knights excited for her arrival, but confused as to where Ash is. She ran past the many paintings of Taylanie and Sam smiling happily and uninjured. She ran right into the Throne room and fell to her knee, bowing her head quickly. King Kairi sat on her throne, Knight Khai and Another head knight at her side. Envy frowned at the sight of Khai, but her voice was nothing of respectful when she yelled, "King Kairi! Your daughters are terribly hurt. Some injuries I believe are nowhere near able to heal!" She yelled, the knot in her throat and snot clogged in her nose making her voice extremely clear she was crying.

King kairi immediately stood. "Then it's time." She turned to the other head knight. "Tell everyone it's time to proceed with our plan. Gather all Head Knights and tell them to dictate all orders. I'll be out there in just a moment." The Knight jumps into action and Kairi leaves.

"E-envy..?"

Envy looks up, seeing Khai's dilated pupils and cold sweat. Envy's heart broke before Khai could say the words he needed to let out. "Where...where is Ash..?" Just at those words, Envy couldn't even bare to look at the Head Knight, as she puts her head back down, tears falling once again. "Envy don't mess with me like this." Khai's steady voice cracked and shook gradually as he spoke. "Where- Where is he?!" Khai yells, pulling Envy up by the fabric of her armor. Envy couldn't bare to look into Khai's eyes. Not having the strength to tell him the truth, but not having the heart to lie, Envy looks up to him and says simple, honest words. "I tried."

—᭄᭄

By time Tanna gets home, she's escorted to her room and she sits on her all too familiar bed, and immediately starts to feel bad. In her thoughts, she worries, "The princesses- the King and Queen probably think i've done something wrong! They have someone held captive in the dungeon, right? I should go apologize, and get them a better room so i can explai-" Suddenly, Prince Joshua, her brother, walks in the room. "Ann." Excitedly, Tanna cheered. "Josh! I'm so glad your here! Elyza and Dad did something to those nice people, and ca-" Josh inturrupts with an emotionless expression. One Tanna hasn't seen before. "I know- I'm the one who kidnapped them."

The Princess's face drops. "...What?"Josh looks to the side, clutching the side of his waist, "Dad has made arrengemsnts to claim their kingdom ours and dominate their land- I had to capture the princesses so we could question them, and use them as bait." He admits, calm eyes watching as Tanna's face morphs into hurt and confusion. "But why? They're such nice people- We can just take over some other country!" Josh shakes his head, shrugging. "It's not in my control. But what I need you to do is make sure none of the guards or Dad's wife hurts the Jester in the guarded room. If you see a knight trying to go in- Just scream and fall or something, okay?"

The Princess sputters brokenly, tearing up at the feeling of uselessness sinking in her gut. "B-but-" Josh stops her, a genuine look on his face. The one she's used to. "Please, sis? I really can't get her hurt." Tanna is conflicted. She didn't know why Josh was contributing to this, or even did the kidnapping himself in the first place- But she knows he loves Jade. That Jester means more than anything to him. Tanna sighs. "...Okay- But are the princesses alright?" Josh cringes. "Uh- Elyza got to them first. They're not in good condition." Tanna goes pale, her pupils dilating at the thought. "Oh god- No!"

She sprints out of her room, "Oh god- This is all my fault!"Jumping down steps of stairs, "I should've known-" she sprints through the midsection of the castle, "I could've warned them!" And finally, pushes through the guards at the dungeon. Josh runs after her and stops her like mid way from the cell, "Tanna. You're naive if you think you can save them somehow. You know how Father and Elyza are. especially Elyza."

Tanna snatches her arm out of his hand and is like "I don't care! I..I have to explain myself- I just-" She doesn't even finish her sentence, shaking thoughts away as she picks up her dress and starts speed walking with josh behind her. She sees bloodstains on the floor, and immediately assuming the worst, she starts sprinting to the big cell and pulls it open. Josh stays outside of the cell, but listens in, stepping beside the doorway where the princesses won't see him.

"Princess Taylanie, Sam!" Tanna yells and runs up to them, but stops immediately as she takes in the sight of lack of eyeball and leg. Sam glares at her, scowling."What are you doing here?" She sneers, pulling her leg up to the platform. Taylanie looks up at her groggily, but looks back down at the sight of Vianna's Princess. Tanna could feel her heart shatter as she breaks her gaze. "I swear, it isn't what it looks like! I didnt kn-"

"How could you POSSIBLY not know?! You were sent in as a spy and you 'didn't know'?" Sam fumed. Tanna flinched at her booming voice, tearing up a little bit. "I just- I know it seems like i'm lying but-" Sam interrupts her with a "But what? You forgot?" She scuffs sarcastically. Tears spill over as Tanna tries to walk toward them. "No! They just didn't tell me! You have to believe me!" She says, her voice cracking, guilt consuming her. Sam was about to yell at her again, but she pauses, and looks up at the candle from before. "You know what...i'll believe you," Tanna's  face immediately lights up, before she could thank her, Sam bargains,"If- You get us out of here." And at that, taylanie's head looks up at her sister, and then Tanna.

The youngest princess purses her lip, remembering her brother is still outside. "Tanna." She looks at Taylanie, as it's the first time she's spoken. "If you really mean it, we can all get out of here. you don't have to go through what that snake of a mother puts you through. You could live with us." Taylanie offers. and Sam nods, and Tanna starts to sweat. "Um..."

"C'mon Tanna," Sam encourages. "Tanna, we could help you." Follows Taylanie. And Tanna really, REALLY wants to say yes, but she looks behind her and sees Josh giving her a side eye from beside the Inner part of the door. Tanna looks back. "I...I'm sorry but.." And both of the princesses slump down in their seats. Sam scowling, with tears in her eyes and Taylanie just crying. "Y'know. I really thought we were friends." Taylanie sniffs, still crying. Tannas holds back a sob, "Princess-"

"shut up." lanie sneers, pained. Sam sighs. "just leave."
Tanna hiccups, "G-Guys, I swear i'm not lying-"

"Ohhh~ Did I walk in on something~?" A familiar silky voice singsongs.

"Mom! Please let them go, they're good peop-" Huffing, Elyza glares at her step-daughter. "Will you shut up?" And everyone, including Josh, jaws drop at the plain disrespect toward her daughter. "Take that shit to your father. Any~who," She scolded, rolling her eyes. She turns to the two hostages, "There is a castle gathering in about an hour! And your both invited!" She announces with a wink. "Please try to cease yourself from speaking."  She warns with a snarky smile. She turns, hips swaying as she leaves the room. Josh, Tanna, Lanie and Sam are left in silence.