Betrayed Redemption

Chapter 4

Warnings: blood and violence.

I pace the hallways rethinking my decision, assessing all possibilities.

That's when I see Vella running to her room.

"Hey! Wait!" I call, running after her.

"I don't wanna talk...right now"  she says looking pale.

"You look like you saw a ghost. Is everything alright?" I ask her worriedly.

"No, everything's fine. I guess you'll find out soon enough"

"What? Find out what?" I ask.

"No, nothing"

"I rethought, and I've come to a decision. I am taking up the mantle of being the empress" I say.

"What? Why..but..you..you said" she says looking shocked and..sad? Why?

"I think I can at least put in an effort to make this place better"

"I didn't think I'd have to do this" she mumbles.

"What?"

"Nothing. I'm just thinking about what you said to those people. They aren't gonna let that go easily" she says.

"Oh I know. They can't do anything to me. Not while I'm here"

"Velliarh. Its not about that, never mind" she sighs. "I'm ..going to talk to, mother.."

"About me?"

"Yes, because 'someone' is deciding to change her mind"

"I only told you about that. Mother doesn't know anything about me not wanting the crown, so no conflict there" I say.

"Yeah whatever" she says sounding a bit annoyed, as she leaves.

One hour later

"Velliarh Var Emreis!!" I hear mother shout.

What. Now!?

"Yes?" I ask following the sounds of mother shouting.

"I'm giving you one warning, one. "

"What's happening now?" I sigh.

"We're going to Loc Muinne and you're keeping your mouth shut till this is over understand me?"

"Can't I just not come"

"Not an option" she says. "Follow me"

We walk to the docks and before we get on the ship I ask her "How'd you expect me to keep quiet when I'm supposed to the empress? Won't they ask me questions?"

"Don't start with that"

"Why not?"

"Velliarh" she says firmly.

"Why? I have a right you know"

"And you shouldn't have. Your sister has a right to be the empress. She's not cursed. You need to make up your mind" she says sounding like she's on the breaking point of snapping at me.

"How'd you know about that?"I ask.

"The walls have ears"

"That's very unsettling. And anyway, its my choice,and I know what I want" I say.

"Your choice is going to end badly"

"What? You're conspiring against me?"

"I'm not stupid" she says, sounding frustrated.