From the Gallows | Wilbur Soot

Act Eleven: The Masquerade

Nightmare has given us exactly three months to prepare. No more, no less. Nightmare has given us three months to assemble an army, train, and brace for the worst.

And I'm worried about the fact that Mine has told me we share a bedroom now that we're married.

"I don't see why I can't just stay in my old room," I say, following him down the long corridor that I've avoided at all costs these past months. I ignore the many guards that post outside each room which my husband has hired. At first it seemed heavily redundant, but now I'm thinking that they could be good candidates for our army.

"It will raise suspicion among my workers if they see us in separate bedchambers," my husband says. "And I can protect you better if you're with me."

Protect me. Care for me. He cares for me and protects me.

Techno's voice allows me not to be swept away into the demons' fascination. "You're still fully capable of protecting yourself. You don't need his protection."

I thank the voice for coming out, for it's the only time I can be certain of who I am again and what's real.

"Then why don't we just tell them the truth?" I ask. "And besides, I don't need protection."

"You wouldn't need protection if your father were to just show up one night in your bedroom trying to take you back?"

"He's not going to do that."

"How can you be so sure?" Mine opens the door to his bedchamber, allowing me to step through first.

The room is how I remember it from several months ago when I'd taken the risk of sneaking into it through the tunnel that connects to my bedroom, except now it's fit for a king rather than a prince.

Subtle differences can be noted, like the gold snake lining of the bedpost, and the grand chandelier that hangs from the ceiling. However, the room hasn't rid itself of the dreamlike feeling, the bed itself still being a cloud and the ground being made of iridescent stained glass.

"I've had all of your clothes moved to my closet," my husband says. "You can use my bathroom to change and then meet me in the gardens where I've told my uncle and father to go. I think they plan to finally tell us their secret."

I nod, itching to get out of this wedding gown. Despite how comfortable it is, I've never been one to enjoy wearing dresses for prolonged periods of time. They're much too difficult to move around in.

Mine leaves the room, and I head into the grand closet. I'm once again overwhelmed by the luxuriousness of the space, and it feels even more magnificent with all of my clothes filling in the previous empty spaces.

I shake my head to clear my mind. I need to focus on more important matters, like choosing an outfit quickly so I can get downstairs and figure out what on earth Technoblade has been hiding from me and mine.

I throw on a simple tunic and pair of trousers, then tie my hair up and head downstairs.

I open the sliding glass doors, stepping out into the chilly night. I spot Techno, Philza, and Mine by the pavilion to my left, and then make my way over there briskly.

"What's going on?" I ask, not wanting to waste any time. "What have you been keeping from us?" My eyes dart between Techno and Philza, somehow just knowing that they're both in on it.

Technoblade starts, "I guess I might as well just rip off the bandaid, huh?" He and Philza exchange a glance before he continues, "Inferna, I was never on your father's side. The night he came to me and asked if I would train you to kill my nephew, I went and told my brother."