First Opium War

Chapter 15: Unrest

The first day after Elizabeth and Franklin had their wedding, the Bertrands planned a dinner with the Landry family to celebrate their union. The dinner took place at The Calderberry. Platinum silverware were placed on a long, richly designed table with gold trimmings around the table's edges. Waiters and waitresses brought dishes of food: soup, chicken, vegetables, pork, steak, rice, turkey, wine, water, and more.

          Meanwhile, in her bedroom, Elizabeth watched herself in her mirror as she gently groomed her soft hair with her favorite blue brush while smiling. She was happy to have married such a nobleman that her family respected. Franklin often toured other countries and struck deals with other international leaders on behalf of his father, whose interest in selling Chinese slaves turned into a full-blown secret operation of adult human trafficking; and without Jasper to become heir to this inhumane business, Phillip trusted his second and oldest son to fill his brother's place.

          Although Elizabeth knew of Franklin's business dealings, she cared little for the peasants that were sold, and only cared about her reputation as a high-ranking queen to be. She loved the diamond ring bestowed upon her and cherished it as if it was her own child. It fit perfectly on her ring finger, glistening when the lamps on top of her mirror beamed down on it. She also wore a red velvet, silk dress with her hair wrapped into a fancy bun, using a hairband made of diamonds to hold it together.

          She sat there humming a small tune while waiting for the dinner to start; but then she heard a knock on the door. "Come in."

          The door slowly peeked open revealing Lindsey who crept through without deploying a single word. Her makeup was smudged as if she was crying and her face turned red like it always did when she'd gotten overwhelmed, and her hair was a complete mess as if she purposely messed it up.

          "Oh! Lin, you startled me. I didn't expect to see you so soon," mentioned Elizabeth, as she turned around on her stationary, expensive bench in front of her dresser. "But I'm so happy you came!"

          Lindsey didn't care to look at her just yet. She continued facing the door and even leaned over to rest her forehead on the mahogany wood. And after a few sniffs due to her excessive tears she slowly locked the door, hearing the lock's subtle click.

          Elizabeth watched in confusion as she spotted her friend's actions. "Lin...what are you doing?" she asked nervously.

          Lindsey started crying as she creepily turned around and revealed a large chef knife that she held firmly in both her hands. Her bangs covered her face in an attempt to hide her emotional state, while sweat began coming through the pores on her face and arms.

          Elizabeth's heart began pounding when she saw the knife. "Lin?" She tried to keep herself calm.

          "You took him away from me," Lindsey said, slowly stepping toward the Bertrand.

          Elizabeth backed up slowly. "W-Who? Lindsey...stop!"

          Lindsey continued. "He loved fucking me...until you came along and ruined everything!" Lindsey's cold shout made her sound scary as if she was possessed. "I was the one who should've been in that wedding dress! Me!"

          "I'm warning you...Stay away from me!" Elizabeth frantically reached across her dresser to find something to defend herself with but she didn't find anything.

          "We always talked about getting pregnant and running away together...But you, the Bertrands fairy little princess, had to claim ownership of his seed. He's my brother! He's mine!" Lindsey screamed before rushing at Elizabeth in full haste, raising her knife above her head ready to deal lethal damage.