Farryn

Chapter 4- Part 5

Cordelia, pregnant. Engaged to Lord Nevan. Lady Trison had been threatening her in the library. "I would hate for anyone to hate him." Hate him for what? Sure, there was a stigma around getting pregnant before getting wed. But they were already engaged, and the man never faced any criticism.

A woman like Cordelia, however, would. She'd never let it happen, unless she was unbelievably stupid.

Farryn stood there, hidden away, and tried to unravel her thoughts. The revelation that Cordelia was carrying Nevan's child would ruin both of their reputations. But Nevan was dead now.

Why would Lady Trison be threatening Cordelia, though? What 'secrets' was she alluding to? Why would "anyone hate him"?

She knew that she could only get that answer from one person.

Quietly, she crept away from the room and marched down to the kitchen. It was winding down for the night, but Farryn didn't stop to make small talk. She spotted Claud at the other end, scrubbing dishes and chatting with Paldis.

"You rat." she spat at him, grabbing his arm. He jumped, and then averted his eyes when they met hers. They were full of rage, no doubt.

Paldis glanced between the two of them and stepped back. "What are you-" 

"You knew about Cordelia. You found Nevan's body. You'd better give me the answers I want before I kill you."

Claud shifted uncomfortably. "I don't know what you're-"

 "Don't lie to me!" she hissed. Someone in the kitchen turned to them, and she lowered her voice. "I know you're lying. I'm giving you five minutes to finish those dishes and answer me." She let go of his arm and marched out of the kitchens but waited by the doors.

I'm so stupid, she thought, shaking slightly. She knew from the beginning she shouldn't have trusted him. Yet she did, and now she felt betrayed.

Five minutes passed. Ten. I'm going to kill him. She would. She found her fingers itching to stab him like she'd stabbed Serval. The memory of that made her blood cool down a bit, though, and fifteen minutes later, when he finally appeared, she was no longer vibrating with rage.

"What happened with Nevan and Cordelia?" she demanded. 

Claud was staring at the ground. "I-" 

"What happened with Nevan and Liviana? My sister. You have ONE chance. I will find a knife tonight and make sure that tomorrow morning you perfectly match Nevan."

"I don't know much." he conceded, cheeks colouring. "I know... he bragged about it." 

"To you?" 

A single, timid nod. "I didn't know what to say. He said she was infatuated with him. Nevan was a.... He was... well. And then one day Cordelia came up here crying, begging that we let her see Nevan. He refused to see her. She just sat there on the steps, saying she was ruined."

He continued to study the floor as though it was the most interesting thing in the world. Farryn found that her urge to stab him was growing. "No one knows except me," he muttered. "Nevan called her a stupid... he said it was her own fault. He wanted to break off the engagement because of it, convince his mother to have her father send her far away."

"And what does any of this have to do with my sister?" Farryn demanded. How did she get twisted up in all of this? Why can't it just be simple. Why does everything in my life just unravel?

Claud kept silent, but by now his face was an ugly, bumpy red. "You god-forsaken arsehole." she snapped. "It wasn't just Cordelia, was it?" Claud shook his head. "How many people did he do this to? How many!? Is that why you couldn't even remember his murderer's name!?" she demanded. No answer. "Answer me!" she screamed, shoving him hard.