TWISTED

5: Crises

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"Oh my God! It felt so magical. It felt like I was on another planet." Ella could hear Courtney ranting from the hallway.

After the ball, Courtney had returned with her father with great joy. Courtney disclosed to her that the Prince had danced with her all night and the other girls had glared at her with envy.

Ella didn't care for such information but she listened out of mere duty. Her mind was really unsettled as a result of the recent disappearance of her mother. She couldn't care for mundane things like listening to Courtney and Claire's endless gossiping session.

"Did he kiss you?" Claire asked.

Ella cringed and moved to the main yard. Brian was standing with a man close to the stables. They were in a heated conversation so they didn't notice Ella advancing.

"Our plans can kick off now, the stage is set." Brian spoke while stroking his chin.

What plans? Ella wondered.

From their stance, Ella knew they intended keeping their discussion secret.

Pent on discovering the root of their conversation, she hid behind a pile of hay and crouched.

"Surround the palace by the time I tell you. Kill the king, the prince and the princesses, leave no survivor."

"But.. But..." The other man stuttered, disagreeing with Brian.

"Do as I tell you or..." Brian left his speech halfway in a threat.

"I'll make sure your orders are thoroughly followed." The man bowed and marched away.

Brian, convinced that no one had heard anything, walked back to the main house. He was fully contended with the way his plans were going, he would make sure he becomes king and his daughter will just be a pawn in his evil game.

He chuckled as he imagined himself seated on the throne with the full weight of the crown pressing down on his head.

How glorious that day would be.

Ella let out the the air accumulated inside her lungs in gusts and sank to the floor.

She had to stop Brian before his evil plan actualizes.

How would she stop a well constructed plan? Even if she walks up to the king and tells him someone wishes him and his family dead, he wouldn't believe her. She would only get humiliated when the guards throw her out of the palace grounds.

She had to think out a counter plan without getting caught.

Finding her mom can wait till her step father is stopped.

"What are you doing?" The voice belonged to none other than Benjamin.

The abrupt manner he spoke almost made her heart jump out of her chest. She got on her feet and smiled at him, trying to conceal the worried state of her mind.

"Benjamin." She whispered and lowered her face.

He raised her chin with a finger and traveled across her face with his eyes.

"You seem troubled, what's wrong?" His finger left her face and fell to her shoulder.

"I can handle it."

Benjamin watched her with curiosity crowding his face."Handle what?"

Ella thought about asking for Ben's help, after all, he knew someone in the palace. He could help her with her plan.

She sighed and raised her eyes to meet his. "I need your help Ben."

~~~~~~~•••~~~~~~~~

"Get the carriages ready, I need to go somewhere."