Insurrection [On Hold]

35 Arrogance Lost

Every's blue light guides us through the darkened palace. I'm grateful for Every giving me the blanket; the halls are freezing. Neither of us speak, both of us knowing that if anyone sees us a scandal will erupt. His light creates shadows that almost look like people, serving to set me on edge.

         He pushes open a door. Inside are his father and two brothers. The only light comes from a television like the one in my room.

         "Has it started?" Every asks, shutting the door behind us. We're in a large office. Perhaps King Kasen's.

         Maxon sends me a glare which I return. "No," he says.

         On the screen is my country's symbol of red swords forming a circle against a cream background. The screen changes to show my father, mother,  five sisters and six brothers, including Gale. Standing behind my father, they all look stern.

         When my father speaks, it's in Lumerian. "Good evening. We know that it is late but we wanted to share the good news with you." My mother's pregnant? One of my sisters are engaged? Nate's dead? All of those options are good for him. "This evening at 12:20, my soldiers infiltrated and blew up an insurrectionists' base." That could be Nate's. "All rebels inside were killed."

         Whatever base it was, this is war, and that means this is a major victory for my family, my country.

         "I know many of you are wondering where my youngest daughter, Princess Raksana, has been. As you are well aware of Prince Alastair is my oldest child and will be taking the throne when I step down. I've decided to give him a chance to address you by telling you about his sister." He motions for Alastair to step forward and stand beside him.

         I won't be surprised if my brother says I'm dead.

         "My country," he begins, "my sister, Princess Raksana, is on a campaign. For her safety, I cannot divulge where she is but know she is serving you."

         Gale doesn't even flinch at the lies. Does Alastair even know what he said isn't true? Do any of my siblings? Saying I'm serving in a campaign makes it easier to come back in a week and say I was killed. My father would never need to show my face again. He could let me rot in Quill's prison. But there are many soldiers who know where I am, or where I was, and soldiers share secrets as easily as germs are shared. If the truth comes out, my father could always claim that Quill was a cover story.

         King Kasen glances at me before returning his attention to the screen where Alastair steps back, leaving my father commanding the attention of the audience.

         "Now to celebrate our victory tonight"-- my father stares straight into the camera-- "we have prepared the leader of the insurrection dinner." His stare makes it seem like he's talking to me. Nate's alive. He's actually alive.

         But dinner can equal poison.

         The camera pans to the left, revealing Nate seated behind a black table. On the back of one wrist, a fork is strapped to him and on the other a knife. His skin is covered in blood and bruises. He's slouched forward, no longer looking proud or arrogant.

         "We've been preparing him for this." My father walks to stand beside him. "How long has it been since you've ate?"

         "Three days," he chokes out.

         "Well good luck."

         A plate filled with roasted chicken, the juice glistening in the lights, is set before him. I can almost smell it. Around the chicken are fruit: slices of banana, grapes, strawberries, and kiwi. Nate immediately tries to dig in with the silverware, all of his pride gone. It's hopeless. Without another person in the same predicament next to him, this task is almost impossible without patience. He tries shaving off a piece of the chicken but he can't get enough force to cut. He gives up and tries spearing a slice of banana which he manages. Maneuvering his elbow backward enables him to engulf the piece of fruit. Again, he attempts to spear a slice of fruit but fails this time.

         He shoves his face into the food, tearing off the skin of the chicken with his teeth like a dog. This is what my father has reduced him to.

         I turn my head as the whole country and parts of others watch him. I thought I was doing something good when I saved him, but he never would have wanted this. Nate is his pride and arrogance.

         Nate raises his head, juice and skin running down and dripping off his jaw. His eyes are distant.

         "What an appetite?" My father pats Nate's shoulder. "You know who to thank for all this."

         Nate's lips mouth one word.

         Raksana.

         My stomach twists. He's turning Nate against me so that my sacrifice seems like nothing to him. But to me, if what I did meant saving a life, it was the easiest sacrifice I ever made.

         My father looks full on into the camera. "So if you were even thinking about rebelling, hopefully tonight has shown you that we will take everything from you if you try—your lives— your dignity will be gone. Goodnight."

         The screen changes back to the one of Lumiere's symbol.

         I feel queasy. I grip onto the edges of the blanket and pull it closer.

         "What did he mean by campaign?" Maxon's knuckles crack as he rotates toward me.

         "It's the cover story for me being here. Lumiere wouldn't stand for me being locked in one of your prisons."

         "Really?" Crossing his arms, Maxon steps toward me. "Because from what we've heard about your reputation in your country, they really wouldn't care."

         I don't budge even though I'm nervous.

         King Kasen comes at me as well. "I think we've been too kind with this foreign princess. Jareth, Maxon, I'm putting you in charge of Princess Raksana's interrogation." No. No. Not them.

         They both take an arm of mine so they are facing the door and I'm facing Every and the king. I don't fight. I don't make a sound. Instead I only stare at Every, my only chance for a voice of reason. I only have one thing to hide. Two months— a month now.

         But help won't be coming for me. I'm sure my father is enjoying my absence.

         "Every," King Kasen says, "you stay out of this. I don't want you having anything to do with her interrogation since you two used to be friends."

         "Yes, Father."

         Jareth and Maxon drag me out of the room, Every and I staring at each other.

         I'm officially the enemy.

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