Crown Of Chaos

Chapter 22

RUBYS POV
I was escorted outside of the city by many unfamiliar guards and goblin maids.
I sighed. I really wish I could at least take Moppy or Skye with me; it'll make this whole trip a whole lot easier.
I leaned my back against the carriage wall and gazed outside the window.
The slight breeze was cooling on my skin and made me feel comfortable in this stiff dress I was wearing.
Before I left the palace, I had quickly asked Eve to help me loosen the corset so I could breathe properly again.
I swallow at the reminder of Edward and the small meeting we had beforehand.
The feeling of his blood-stained hands on my arms and his breath trickling the back of my neck made me feel uneasy and sick. I swear I almost had a panic in front of him because my breathing began to quicken and my hands were staring to shake. The tight corset didn't help the situation either, but thankfully he left before I crashed out.
I rolled my neck, which was beginning to feel heavy underneath the crown.
We were heading towards the beach, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I literally couldn't wait until I arrived.
The last time I had been on a ship was a terrible experience, but right now, I really wanted to get changed into something more comfortable and less stiff.
The sight of the shore came into view, and I rose from my chair and placed my hands on the window to see it.
I rarely visit the beach these days, so every time I see it, my inner child literally squeals.
When I was young, my Ma and Pa would always take me there to walk along the shore and collect sand castles.
Pa would swim in the sea while Ma and I stayed back and sun bathed.
To be honest, I love the beach. But I didn't like going all in in the water.
The big waves had always terrified me and made me feel anxious.
If one piece of me had to go in, it would be my calves, and that was it.
"Halt!"
The carriage came to a stop, and the door suddenly swung open by a young shoulder who lent me his arm.
Mumbling a small thanks, I rose from my seat and climbed down the steps.
We were parked right outside the harbor. And I almost gasped when I saw a huge crowd of people just meters away from where I was standing, smiling at me and shouting affectionate words.
"They are here to wish you farewell, your highness," the guard spoke as he led me up toward the ship's ramp, which was connected to the entrance of the ship.
A small smile formed on my lips. I never knew the people of Solvadon loved me that much.
As soon as we reached the top of the wooden ramp, I turned around and gave the crowd a small wave.
The crowd cheered back in response, and I had to stifle a small laugh before I was escorted into the ship.
The ship was huge. While I was led to my cabin, the guard informed me that there were at least 15 cabins, two decks, one upper and one below, a kitchen, a parlor, and a dining room.
I paused once we were outside my cabin door and turned to face him.
"What's...in the lower deck?" I asked slowly, hoping that his response was going to be completely different from what I imagined.
"Oh, it's just luggage and things we need for the ship." He answered.
I nodded. A wave of relief washing over me. I thought there were slaves or something in there.
"Thank you."
I then opened the door and stepped into my cabin.
As soon as I stepped inside, I locked the door and pulled the damn Tiara off my head and threw it onto the bed.
I cursed as I rolled my stiff neck and shoved off the heels, which were almost about to break my ankles.
Seriously, how do people walk in these things?
I peered around my room.
It was fairly large and spacious.
In the middle of the room was a double bed with simple white sheets.
There was a desk, a wardrobe, and a door that led to a small bathroom.
It was quite nice in here and very cozy. Nothing like the lower deck from the past.
"All right, let's get this thing off me." I say to myself, as I reach for the waistband of the gown's skirt.
Just as I was about to pull it down, I heard a small click come from the door.
Didn't I lock that?
I walked over to the door and stood beside it, pressing my back into the wall behind me.
Oh my gosh.
Did I have a peeping Tom?
I held my breath as the door slowly opened and a foot slipped in.
"Oh no, you don't!" I cry out as I grab the man by his collar and shove him to the ground.
The man was dressed in a soilder uniform along with a matching black cap that covered his face.
The man cried out as he fell to the floor, and I wasted no time as I got on top of him, preparing to throw a punch.
"El! Wait!"
I halt at the sound of his voice.
What in the world?
"Skye?" I breathe out as I rip the cap off his head.
I almost cry with happiness once I see the long blonde hair and hazel eyes I've grown so familiar with.
Skye just stares at me worriedly.
"Are you still going to throw a punch or nah?"
I literally squeal with happiness as I wrap my arms around his neck and give him the fattest hug on earth.
Sky laughs as he hugs me back. His arms wrapped themselves tightly around my waist, pulling me impossibly closer.
I then pull away, a frown forming across my face.
"How did you get here? Actually no. Why are you here?"
Skye is quiet for a moment before he replies. "How about you get off me, and then I'll answer your questions?"
My heart skips a beat for a second when I realize that I am still straddling him.
Both my legs were on either side of his waist, and my arms were folded in front of me. I was acting as if sitting on someone like this was completely normal.
"Oh, right-sorry!" I say quickly as I immediately get off him; my cheeks seemed to be burning with embarrassment.
Skye clears his throat before standing up as well and dusting himself off.
I look away awkwardly. "So, uh, are you going to answer my questions or not?" I say as I move to sit on my bed, trying to ease the awkwardness.
"Yeah um."
He swallows.
"I talked to Edward."
I almost rise off the bed.
"You what?!"
Skye just presses his lips. "I talked to Edward." He repeats.
"I told him that you would be very uncomfortable if you went to Valoria alone and how it'll be much more enjoyable if you had a friend accompany you."
I almost snorted at his little speech. "And he said yes? To that?"
Skye shrugged. "Well, not at first; he said he'd think about it. But this morning he confirmed it."
"Wowww," I say as I lean back on my elbows.
"I'm astonished, really. How could it be that simple?"
Skye grinned. "I just have that charm, you know?"
I give him a look.
"Well, while you're here, I need your help." I say as I rise to my feet and stand in front of him.
Skye frowns, "With what?"
I gesture to my corset "with this. Help untie it, please."
Skyes eyes widen in surprise. "What? No way, let me find a maid for you." He says as he turns to walk away. But I grab him by the arm and whack his shoulder.
"Oh, come on, your already here, and I need this off me this instant." I grumble.
Skye rubs his shoulder and rolls his eyes. "Fine."
I flash him a stupid grin before turning around and letting him do the work.
The room is silent for a moment as Skye unties my corset. The only sounds that can be heard are the sashes as they are untied from their loops.
"There." He says as he finishes and turns around to face the door.
I breathe out a sigh of relief.
"Thanks."
Skye mumbles your welcome before striding out of the door.
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That night, I lay in bed thinking about My Ma.
It hurts to think about her and what she has probably been through.
The servant who was looking after her told me that she only says one word.
Ruby.
After he told me that, I definitely knew she was my mother because only Edward, my stepmother, Moppy, and Skye know my real name.
I rolled over to my side and closed my eyes.
And before I knew it, I had drifted off to sleep.
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My eyes snapped open, my heart was pounding, and I was dripping in sweat.
Where the heck was I?
I looked around at my surroundings.
I was in the training room.
A voice speaks, and a shiver runs down my spine as I recognize the voice.
"Just one more opponent." Edward grins wickedly as he stalks towards me.
I rise from the ground, panting hard with several bruises beginning to form here and there from all my other previous wrestles.
I wanted to object. Tell him I was tired. But I knew if I opened my mouth, Edward would surely go mad.
"Where's the opponent?" I say instead.
Edward's points to the entrance of the training room, and my heart drops into my stomach once I see who it is.
Ma.
She was being wheeled in by a guard.
Her frail body was shaking with fear as she kept saying Ruby and Ruby all over again.
I turn to Edward.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" I scream.
Edward shrugs.
"Go on. Take her down."
I walk towards him. "No," I say firmly.
"She's nothing but a frail, sick old woman."
Edward's slaps me across the face and grabs me by my collar, yanking me towards him.
"Don't you dare disobey me, child," he whispers, his voice trembling with anger.
"I said fight her."
"No!" I scream. "Your insane, your sick!"
Edwards expression turns into an ugly smirk.
"Fine then."
He then gestures to the guard who had wheeled my mother in.
"Kill her."
"No!" I scream as I rush towards mother and shove the guard away from her.
The guard goes sprawling to the ground at the impact but is up in a moment with his sword raised, ready to stab who knows who.
I pull a pocket knife out of my boot and hold it before me.
It takes a matter of seconds before he charges at me, but I sweep low and do an under kick, sending him falling backwards onto the ground.
I'm on him in an instant, and before I know it, my pocket knife digs deep in his chest.
The man splutters and coughs up blood, which gets all over my face and hands.
I'm quiet as I watch him die; I watch the life drain from his face and watch as he goes still beneath me.
I scramble off him immediately, my eyes blinking at what I have just done.
I've killed another man.
Another life.
But that thought is gone once I turn my attention back to my Ma, who was watching the entire thing.
I scramble towards her. My knees digging into the sand as I kneel before her and cup her face in my hands.
"Mother." I whisper.
"Are you alright?"
Mother's pale blue eyes turn to me.
"Ruby?" She whispers.
I nod my head eagerly.
"It's me, Ma, Ruby."
Ma's scream cuts through the air as she shoves my hands off her face.
And I realize then that the blood that was on my hands had now gotten on her.
"Monster!" She screams.
"Monster!"
She then lifts her foot and kicks me in the stomach, sending me flying back onto the sandy ground beneath me.
"Murderer! Killer!" She screams.
I stare at her, eyes wide, "no." I tremble.
"No, no, no, I'm not a monster, Ma, I'm Ruby!" I cry.
"I'm Ruby!"
"Monster!"
I shake my head. "I'm Ruby!"
"ELOISE!"
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I gasp as I sit up in bed.
Worried hazel eyes meet mine as I pant nervously.
"El, are you ok?" Skye asks worriedly.
I look around the room, my eyes blinking and threatening to shed tears.
My nightgown, which I was wearing, felt drenched with sweat, my knuckles were digging deep into my palms.
"Im fine." I say
I wasn't really sure who I was talking to.
Skye. Or myself.
I looked around the room once more; I was ok.
I was in the cabin in the middle of the sea.
Edward was miles away.
"Hey," Skye says softly as I turn my gaze to him.
"Your ok, it was just a nightmare." He assures as he pulls me in and hugs me close.
I rest my head on his shoulder as I try to control my breathing.
"Your ok." He repeats.
After a few moments, my racing heart began to slow down, and it wasn't long before Skye pulled me away from him and told me to get dressed and get ready for breakfast.
I'll be waiting outside the door, ok?" He said as he headed towards the door.
"Skye wait." I call out.
Skye turns around, a small smirk on his face.
"What, need help taking off your nightgown too?"
I give him a look for his failed attempt at trying to lighten up the mood.
He shuts his mouth and purses his lips.
"Sorry-"
"Thank you," I smile.
Skye gives me a grin.
"Anytime."
He walks out and shuts the door.