The Tasks of the Moon Goddess

Chapter 26

Author's note: The picture is of the council's chambers.

We arrived at the palace within the hour. My parents were there to greet us. Sofia and Gabriella went home and I went to my father's office to report my findings.

"I think you'll be pleased with what we found," I said, excited to see what he would say.

"Let me see," he said.

My father took the papers for me and promptly threw them in his fireplace.

"What are you doing? I worked hard on that," I said, trying to snatch it from the flames.

"It was unnecessary work," he said. "This was never going to go anywhere."

"That's not the only copy I have, father," I said. "How dare you ignore all of our hard work?"

"Those rogues get what they deserve," he said. "A lot of nothing."

"I knew you had a problem with them," I said. "What did they ever do to you?

"Rogues killed my mother," my father shouted.

"As you always say, I believe that is the exception to the rule. All the rogues we have met have been decent people. They left under suspicious circumstances. If you just listen to their stories, you'd see that you are on the wrong side of this," I said, shouting back.

"I don't need to listen. They killed her in a bank robbery. My mother died because those filthy layabouts needed money. Don't you try to tell me what's right and what's wrong. It is not your job to decide it is mine," he said.

"And mine," said my mother."How dare you set her up to do all this work and not take it into account? How do you waste her time like that considering everything else going on."

"Mind your own business Lydia," he said. "This is between me and my daughter. Besides, it is your fault the council got involved."

"Our daughter you selfish prig," my mother said. "If you want this law to stand then you will look at anything she cares to show you. I will deal with the council."

"You think you can do better?" He asked. "Then have at it. Retract my law and see what happens."

Viktor?

Yes, my love.

Please tell me you're on your way. This is a disaster.

I'm leaving tomorrow. What's happening?

My father threw everything into the fireplace and now he's fighting with my mother.

He did what?! I'm sorry to hear that.

This is all Viktor's fault," my father shouted. "He's been filling her head with all these cockamamie ideas."

Now he's blaming you.

Me? This was your idea. I would have just killed the man. He attacked you.

I have to go. This is too much.

Okay darling, I'll see you tomorrow.

I cut the link.

"I've had enough. Tomorrow when Viktor gets here, I am going to challenge your right to the throne," I said.

"Joyana," my mother said. "We can solve this issue as a family."

"You go ahead and try," my father said. "Get out of my office."

"Shaun, be reasonable," my mother said.

"I have had enough Lydia. If you can't control your daughter, I will," he shouted.