DUNE-A False Haderach (OC X Shishakli) (OC x Alia)

part 22

Chapter 22

IRULAN CORRINO

Irulan found herself sitting across her father in the royal garden, and for the last few days, it was as if a quiet chill had erupted all over the castle. There had been no festivities, no celebrations, no feasts. It was as if the castle was in mourning, and only she knew that it truly was.

Soon enough, the fateful day approached the fateful day when House Corrino would join House Harkonnen in their treachery and put an end to one of the most powerful Houses of the Landsraad. House Atreides,

Over the years, House Atreides gained much power, and their influence grew considerably until they became a threat to the Royal power.

"Was it truly necessary?" she asked her father, who simply sat there looking at the greenery all around him.

Unlike other Houses in the Imperium, House Atreides was special, boasting a direct connection to the Royal House. The Emperor and the Duke shared blood and had been dear friends in the past, though duties, jealousy, and other such things had caused a rift in their bond.

"It was," her father answered without looking at her.

"Leto and his House grew too powerful. They had begun overreaching, trying to grasp beyond their station," he answered sharply.

"If I do not deal with them today, soon enough, they shall have their hands around our own necks. And I will not stand for that. Never," he answered resolutely.

And she gulped down as she looked at the ground.

"There could have been other solutions," she added, and she saw him finally turn towards her with a raised brow.

"Marriage," she elaborated and saw him raise a brow.

"That would be akin to handing them the throne. No, the throne is House Corrino's, and it shall remain so," he said with finality before turning away from her.

"If only I had been blessed with a so..." and he cut himself off as he shook his head.

And her lips thinned at those words, that desire for a son. It had always overshadowed her own existence ever since she had first opened her eyes.

"But what of House Harkonnen? Doesn't this give them much leverage over us," she asked.

"House Harkonnen will be dealt with, their actions today will be deemed an overreach, and treason. I will make them pay a reparation that would put them in debt for half a century," he replied, and suddenly, they were disturbed as a Royal Messenger arrived in the garden, and her heart lurched as he bowed to herself and her father.

"I bring an emergency missive, your grace," and with that, a messenger scroll was passed to her father, who took it hesitantly, knowing already of the treachery that may be written in it.

As his heart thumped in her chest, she saw him unwind the scroll as his eyes scanned the message, and with every passing second, his face turned ashen until the messenger scroll fell out of his hand, and he was on his feet in an instant.

"Take me to Hasimir," he ordered, and she followed behind him as the garden cart was brought forward.

"What happened, father?"

"I do not know, but we may just have walked into a trap."

0000

SHISHAKLI

Shishakli whipped across the city and was immediately hit with the stench of blood. The air was heavy with the smell of blood, and the whole city was in ruin, and bodies littered the streets, which were literally dyed black.