Blood King

Chapter Thirty

             

Chapter Thirty

            Eleanor’s life was to be spared.

            But only if she were to leave Valdoria in that very moment with those that remained, however the man who had shot the King, a man that had been caught not long after the deliberation was made. Was to be executed without a second thought.

            With all things considered it was probably the most lenient thing that Xavier had given to Eleanor, who objected the entire thing. Still saying she had no part in the plot, even though the one who fried the bolt said that it was. And while during the entire talk Radu refrained from looking at his sister, whenever she looked at him he turned away, a look of regret and disgust on his face each time.

            Celina’s heart went out to the boy, she couldn’t fully imagine what he was going through in that very moment, part of her only hoped that she would never have to deal with such a thing, and yet something deep within said that she just might one day.

            The mere thought of that scared her more than the glares that Eleanor kept giving her. The way the woman looked at her reminded Celina of their step-mother, it too seemed to bother Xavier, for he joined her side as his Ministers laid out Eleanor’s charges. He glared at Eleanor with so much untold rage, Celina was surprised that the woman didn’t back away in fear.

            Or could she have been blinded by her anger towards Celina to not even notice? It was something Celina considered but only for a moment when Xavier spoke.

            “Princess Eleanor, you have been condemned for conspiring and attempting to kill my younger sister Celina, originally you would be put to death. However, since you are of royalty and I do not wish to start a war over such petty jealousy, I will show you leniency and banish you from our lands.”

            “And what of my brother?” Eleanor demanded. “Isn’t he to be banished from your lands as well?”

            “And why would I do that?” he asked. “You’re brother played no part; he did not scheme for anything. If he has done anything it would be that he has built strong connections with the people of these lands. And we had all witnessed his loyalty to me and my family, you have not. So I will not banish Radu, if anything he may return to Valdoria whenever he sees fit, if he ever desires to return.”

            Eleanor scowled in anger. “So I’m banished but my brother halfwit isn’t? How is that fair exactly?”

            “Because the alternative is the axe,” Xavier growled. “Be wise and take banishment over losing your head. You’ll at least stay alive long enough to return home to your King and country.”

            Eleanor wanted to say something but held back when seeing the looks on the Ministers and the Knights faces.

            “Fine,” she bit out. “We’ll leave tomorrow.”

            “No,” Xavier ordered. “You will leave today, in three hours, that’s all. No more, no less. Get your things, and then leave. Unless there are going to be any problems with that?”

            “There won’t be,” Radu spoke quickly. “We’ll leave within that time I promise you that.”

            Xavier smiled at him. “Good.”