Chapter Eighteen: Treason of Nacre
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There was a soft click as the doorknob of Leveret’s bedroom door twisted and the door swung open.
The castle was asleep and nearly silent, other than the unseen rats and birds that make their nests in the hollow walls.
The door creaked open and in stepped Virelai.
She had left the sword in the dining hall, back on its mount like it had never been touched, though the memory of her fingers wrapping around the hilt still delighted her.
The room hadn’t changed much since Leveret was a small child, when Virelai cared for him.
“Leveret? I-”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0I9Wb7D1C
Everything in the room was as she expected.
Except her brother was nowhere to be found.
“Where is he?!”
She half-shouted.
Iarlaith trudged over with forced grace.
“Dearest wife, may you please lower your voi-”
Virelai cut him off with a shove before he could finish his sentence.
“Silence from thee, thou craven tart!”
She snarled, storming down the hallway.
Iarlaiath blinked for a moment, clutching his chest.
“Oh dear. The rage of a female.”
He gasped.
Virelai threw open the doors of the guards’ quarters.
“WAKE UP! All of you, fools!”
She shouted.
The captain of the guard groaned.
“Your majesty, with all due respect, why-”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjGaXQ0BHt
“Because the prince is gone! The very thing you were hired to protect!”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡan726gd2mq
The guards glanced at one another, whispering amongst themselves, as if they knew something the princess didn’t and were contemplating if they should tell her.
Virelai pulled out the sharp, narrow fragment of nacre that was holding her hair back from her face, pointing the pin at the crowd in front of her.
“Thou art teetering, Captain Nadav.”
Nadav froze for a moment, clenching and unclenching his fists.
“...Your highness…?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0ujYAtLnb
He said questioningly, raising his eyebrows so far that his forehead creased.
“I instruct- command you all in the name of Mogshade to find Prince Leveret of Phallowskelf and bring him back.”
Virelai dictated, raising her head higher.
Nadav stood up and rolled back his shoulders.
“Your highness, what about the creatures of the wilderness? Such as wolves, coyotes, bears, and dare I say pumas?”
He inquired, almost unwilling to hear the answer.
Virelai’s hands trembled for a moment as the image of her brother at the hands of beasts of the kingdom flashed in her mind.
Her face hardened as she gripped the pin tighter.
“I shall hunt them for sport and mount their heads above my throne.”
She hissed.
Nadav made a stiff, low bow.
“Your wish is my command, your majesty.”
He gritted out.
He straightened up and paused, staring past Virelai.
The princess tucked the pin into the bodice of her dress.
“What in the name of The Lips of Kalopsia are you staring at-?!”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU08LLKO5H
Virelai muttered before turning around.
Morwenna stared down at her, her arms crossed over her chest.
The corner of her mouth twitched downward.
“Virelai. Have you ignored the lessons I have taught you?”
The queen purred, her voice a knife wrapped in velvet as she cradled her daughter’s chin.
“What was the lesson, Mother?”
Virelai fumed.
Morwenna chuckled and laid a finger on Virelai’s nose.
“We must always do what is best for the kingdom! That is how I got you that lovely husband of yours.”
She said cheerfully.
Virelai’s jaw tightened.
“I hate him, Mother. Thine matchmaking skills are grim beyond comparison.”
She snapped.
“More lessons forgotten…”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAX7u1640EH
Morwenna said to herself.
“What art they, Mother?”
The princess challenged.
The queen’s eyes narrowed.
“Emotions are the source of dishonor and failure and… Well, that treason is a crime.”
She sneered, quickly seizing Virelai’s wrist.
“Wha- Mother-?!”
Virelai yelped despite herself, her voice cracking slightly.
Morwenna spun around and ascended the spiralling stone stairs that lined the walls of one of the castle towers.
“Silence from you!”
She hissed.
Virelai paused for a moment, time seeming to slow as she processed what was going on.
“You… you banished Leveret…!”
She cried, yanking her wrist out of Morwenna’s fingers.
The queen turned towards her daughter.
“Oh do not be so rash, child. I did not banish him, I merely… closed the door on his royal life.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAu1Y5Tq3Fb
She half whispered.
“What he did, that stunt of his objection at your wedding, was treasonous! You should be ashamed of him.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ybiMexOKk
“Mother, he is a fool not a criminal!"
“Well, he is myson, Virelai, and your brother. Not the other way around. I thought I taught you to control your temper. Anger is a very ugly thing.”
“I never wanted to be beautiful in the first place.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdZ671hyP9
“It is good for our public image, Virelai.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECa7n8eJ3l
“How about banishing your son? Is that good for your public image, Mother?”
“No-one has to know about it.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqOkkFKCmX
“They shall find out in due time. Leveret sticks out like a sore thumb no matter where he is. He seeks praise, attention, and cheap thrills which you would know if you had not left him to his own questionable devices.”
Virelai quipped.
Morwenna bit her tongue, swallowing any visible tells of emotion and replacing it with a haughty grimace as she continued marching the princess up the stairs.
“Mother-! For the love of the fae!”
Virelai shouted as Morwenna turned sharply towards Virelai’s bedroom.
“Treason is punishable by death, you both should be grateful.”
She snarled, showing Virelai into her bedchamber and swiftly locking the door.
As soon as Virelai gained composure she whipped around to face the door.
“Mother?! MOTHER! RELEASE ME THIS INSTANT! MOTHER!?”
She shrieked, thrusting the nacre blade through the driftwood door.
Back downstairs, Morwenna stood in front of the guard’s quarters.
“Your high majesty, have our orders changed?”
Nadav peeped.
Morwenna rolled back her shoulders.
“Just a few small tweaks, do not worry. Track down the prince and bring him back and set his new loggings…”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvyHshR2Lw
Morwenna sighed.
“In the dungeon. His wandering about is disturbing the public image of the crown.”
She declared.
Nadav bowed.
“Yes, your majesty.”
“Good night. You shall ride at dawn.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRkivE7G13
With that, Morwenna exited with a slam of the door.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SkIO23C1s
and then Add to home screen.