Guild of Thieves (Book 1) ✓

𝓒𝓱.17 ~ 𝓐 𝓒𝓱𝓸𝓲𝓬𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓜𝓪𝓴𝓮

The King returned to his chambers and found Margery looking out of the window, her nightgown flapping behind her in the wind as she looked out at the view of Arondale.

"So what is the healer's punishment?" She asked without looking at him. "Will she be executed for her attempts to steal the family jewels?"

Vincent knew his wife loved executions, but he did not want to sentence Ari to her death. He wanted to question her further before he made his final decision, knowing the Queen wasn't going to like his idea.

Putting his idea into words, Margery stopped staring out into the distance and turned to face him, her mouth was agape and her eyes were wide.

"I want to question her more then give her a choice and before you object...she is the best healer we have and we need her." The King explained hoping his wife would understand.

"You can't be serious Vincent!?" Margery exclaimed. "You are going to spare her life after she snuck into our home, betrayed us and attempted to steal from us!?"

"Please, can you not fight me on this. You don't even know why she stole the jewels in the first place!" Vincent tried to plead with her.

Margery stood quietly, looking at the ground and biting her lower lip. He knew she didn't agree with his punishment for Ari, but she can't deny that he was right. They needed her talents.

Finally the Queen spoke. "As you wish, my King. But if she steps out of line or breaks the law again...I want her head."

"If Ari doesn't agree to my terms or commits another crime, then you may have her head."

Vincent and Margery were opposites, married to unite two kingdoms as one and bring peace to the lands. She found enjoyment in death and executions where he did not enjoy watching citizens die for the entertainment of others. The King wanted to give Ari a chance to prove herself and if she did, he would make her Head of the Healers. It was an offer the woman could not refuse.

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Arianna started to doze off as three Guards opened her cell door and surrounded her. They lead her out of the damp, dark dungeons and upstairs to the Throne Room where both the Royals sat looking down at her from their thrones.

The Guards threw her on the ground before the King, Queen and the young Prince, who sat on her lap and looked about the same age as Jezamine. Oh how she missed her baby girl so much it hurt. Pulling herself up onto her knees with chained wrists and ankles, she kneeled before the Royals with her head down. She couldn't fight her way out of this one, Arianna was a healer and a thief not a fighter. Instead she stared at the stone floor awaiting her death sentence.

"I'm going to give you one chance to explain yourself Ari, and your answer will decide your fate!" The King's voice echoed throughout the large room.

Arianna raised her head to look them in the eyes. She would not be known for being a coward before her death.

"Why did you sneak inside the castle and try to steal the Jewels of Arondale!?" The Queen asked, staring directly at her when she spoke.

She already told the King she had done it for her daughter. Arianna didn't know what else to say without getting the entire Guild busted and the thieves imprisoned, including Caine. Jezamine would be sent to the orphanage where she would live with the other orphans who suffered malnutrition and were abused by their caretakers until they found a forever home. Arianna couldn't let that happen to Jezamine. She would rather the girl grow up with her father than be an orphan. Instead, she created a story to cover herself hoping to fool the Royals and get sympathy for her actions and maybe, just maybe, she would get to continue to live her life.

"I told you already, your Majesty, I did it for my daughter. We were in trouble with a man and he holds her hostage until I can give him what he wants..."

It was part lie, part truth. Caine was holding Jezamine hostage until he received the jewels. It was all she could think of in the moment. The Royals sat silently on their thrones, the three Guards remained standing behind her in case she tried to run away. Her heart raced like a hummingbird waiting for a response until the King rose from his throne and walked towards her.

"You are the best healer we have here, so I have decided to spare your life Ari if you accept the offer." He said, stopping metres away from her.

Spare her life if she accepted his offer?

"I'm listening..." Arianna replied, not expecting to be given a chance to continue living.

"You can stay here at the castle and become the Head of Healers if you want to avoid being beheaded." Vincent voiced his offer but Arianna knew there was more to it then just that.

"But you will never be able to leave the castle and you will serve the crown." Queen Margery added with a sly smile.

She couldn't leave the castle and had to devote herself to serving the crown?

"But what about my daughter!? I have to get back to her!?" Arianna exclaimed with tears in her eyes."This can't be happening!"

"You have a choice to make Ari...serve the crown or-" The King was interrupted by the Queen.

"Or lose your head." The Queen said with a smile.

Arianna didn't like her choices or the thought of never seeing Jezamine again or dying. So she chose the only choice that was smart, she chose to serve the crown and never leave the castle again. She failed her mission and this is now the price she has to pay. It was better than being executed.
Arianna was grateful to still be alive...

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Ari was taken back to the dungeons before she would be released and become the Head of Healer. The woman asked for time to be alone to come to terms with the offer and Vincent allowed it, feeling truly sorry for her. She would not be allowed to see her daughter ever again, which broke the man's heart. But Ari did commit a crime, which she had to be punished for.

"You should have just let me have the woman's head Vincent. How can you trust her to not steal from us again?" Margery questioned him.

"I think she has sacrificed enough, don't you? She can never leave or see her child again. Isn't that enough suffering. I think she will fulfil her duties as Head Healer. Leave the woman be." Vincent sighed, shaking his head.

He loved his wife, but sometimes she could be too head strong and heartless, the Queen was not able to see the bigger picture. If the roles were reversed, he was sure she would be heartbroken not to see Alexander and had to sacrifice her motherly duties to serve another. He hoped Ari did not hold a grudge against the crown for his choice to let her live.