Treacherous Decisions

Part 4

The screams alerted the guards.

They flooded in like a torrent of water.

I escaped.

I always did.

Ah, but this time was different.

This time when I made it to the grove of trees just beyond the palace, one of the guards had followed me. Someone called to me as I tangled in the tree branches. Nothing but the hooting of owls and the running of a nearby stream covered my sound.

Moonlight streamed through the trees and eventually the guard came to stand directly under where I was.

Having no other choice, I jumped down. My hood was pulled so tightly over my features that I was certainly anonymous. I know because the guard mistook me for a boy.

"If you come back peacefully, I will ensure that you get a fair trial," the guard tried to reason with me.

It was no use.

This was one of those moments when I realized that this life is cruel and fate is devious.

The guard took out a sword. Holding it firmly, the blade sparkled from the starlight. "I don't wish to kill you."

There was no way out.

Dear sister, when I stepped out from the shadows into the light of the mocking moon, I knew I could never kill you.

"Lydia," I said to you, "please, don't be cross."

Though you still drew in breath after breath, something in you died. It withered away like the leaves in the cold season.

I don't think you had the capability to have the fire of anger stir in you.

No.

All there was, was a pit of deep sadness like no other.
"My sister," you cried, your voice breaking, "why did you do this to me?"

"I won't kill you–"

"I made a promise! I made a vow!" Your face morphed into a desolate stretch of broken dreams.

"You have nothing to fear from me–"

"Katrin, I can't turn you in. I can't do that." You shook your head so violently I thought it might fall off your neck.

"We will leave this place. I know we can find another kingdom where we can be happy." The idea of not living with you seemed far more dreadful than I ever thought possible, which was why I offered this.

But you shook your head. "I cannot betray my sworn loyalty to the crown."

"You are loyal to no one but yourself," I said.

"I am loyal to you. I can't turn you in. And I can't let you go. You have torn my heart in two and I can't neglect either. Oh, why would you put me in this position?"

I think now it was mercy you didn't give me time to ponder your words.

Though, nothing was merciful about the way you took your sword and buried it into your own chest.

***

"Did you succeed?" Garrick asked me when I returned to the guild late that evening.

I nodded, my eyes focused on the flickering candle on his desk. "The palace is in an uproar."

Garrick grunted. "It appears my brother gave you more trouble than I thought."

"Brother?" I asked him.

"Half," he clarified.

Half.

I tossed the word around in my head. "I thought his older brother died?"

Garrick shrugged, a satisfied grin played on his lips. "My father tried to kill me. He killed those who raised me. But the king could not touch me."

"It appears you are the only heir," I said.

"I would very much like you to help me take my rightful throne. Be my sword as you have been." Garrick stood and crossed the tiny room to stand in front of me. "If you feel that you will run into no more difficulties."

"No," I answer, "I will have no more trouble."

***

So, dear sister, I tell you all of this at your graveside because you deserve to know why the prince died.

Everyone thinks he died because his traitorous brother wanted what was rightfully his. Everyone thinks that this was the first step to mutiny. But only you know the truth. I hope you can rest in peace with this but know it nonetheless.

Alexzander Petrovi died because he broke my heart.

But it also appears you died because I broke yours.