I'm back! As it often does, life just got in the way of me having time to update this. But I hope that you all are still with me as I wrap this story up. Thank you for your support!
One of Violet's favorite pastimes before she had met Gilbert was stargazing. Before she had become a servant at the castle, she would spend many nights looking up at the stars, wondering at the beauty that was beyond her reach. She would ponder how things could get better. She would wonder when they would. She would feel her heart swell with anxiousness- at the prospect that something in her life would get better.
Now, staring up at the sky, Violet no longer felt that glimmer of hope that had kept her so grounded before. She felt lost, tired, empty.
She gripped the skirt of her dress, knowing who the footsteps belonged to behind her without even turning around.
"You truly do look beautiful in that dress."
She clenched her dress harder but did not turn around. She could feel the wind pick up her hair and ruffling her clothing, but she fought the chill that threatened to make her shudder.
"Violet, did something happen? Why did you leave the party?"
Gilbert was standing at her side now, a hand reaching out to touch her shoulder, but she took a step away and finally looked at him. Pain and confusion crossed his features for only a moment before he furrowed his eyebrows, anger taking over quickly. "What is it? Did Dietfried say something else to you?"
She opened her mouth to tell him what had happened, but he continued, "whatever it is, it doesn't matter. You will be long gone soon."
"No," she finally managed to get out. She reached out to him but decided against it and dropped her hand to her side. She took in a deep breath, already knowing how Gilbert would respond. He was stubborn and strong. He would not be able to accept what was inevitable in this situation. He would never stop until. "I will not be going. I will stay here and serve Master Dietfried."
Gilbert's eyes widened. "What are you-"
"I am now Dietfried's personal attendant and will have nothing more to do with you," she continued, feeling as if she were a puppet and someone else was speaking for her. Her eyes filled with tears despite her resolve. Frustrated, she wiped them away hastily.
She had to do this. She would not risk her friend's lives for her own sake.
Violet bowed deeply to Gilbert, the tears that would not just let her be falling onto the concrete as she stared blindly at the ground. She wanted to kiss him. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and kiss him but instead all she could do was bow.
"Thank you…thank you so much…Prince Gilbert," she said, standing back up and not bothering to wipe the tears away. "Thank you for loving me."
"Violet…" Gilbert whispered. The stricken look on his face was just too much for Violet to bear.
So, she ran.
Back through the now-empty ballroom. Back through the hallways of the castle and back into the room that was much too big for one girl.
Finally alone, she flung herself into the bed and choked out a loud sob. Her throat, eyes, nose, heart burning.
It felt as if someone were tearing her apart from the inside out. She wailed, unsure of the greatest pain she had ever experienced. She twisted and turned on the bed until she almost fell out of it.
Her skin was on fire.
She was on fire.
Her hands and knees met the carpet before she completely collapsed and curled up into a ball, as tightly as she could.
The sobs that racked her body did not stop until, exhausted, she fell into a fitful sleep knowing that Dietfried had beat her.
When morning came, Violet pushed past her aching head and dry throat and slipped into her maid uniform.
After days of wearing expensive dresses and jewelry, the simplicity was actually welcoming. She tied her hair back into a low ponytail and when Antoinette came to gather her things, she found that Violet was already halfway down the hallway.
Outside, Violet squinted against the golden rays of the bright morning sun. It took her a moment to find the other maids, filling the carriages with the royal parties' luggage. She made her way towards Iris, Cattleya and Erica, who each gave her miserable looks that she did her best to ignore. Pity and sadness over their situation were not what she needed now.
She could only focus on surviving.
She threw her bag into the back of the carriage before taking the pack that Erica was carrying, intent on focusing on the task before her.
But as she lifted the heavy suitcase, she looked up and saw Gilbert. His eyes were locked onto her and she could have sworn she felt her heart stop. She wanted nothing more than to go to him, lay her head in his chest, breathe in his scent. But she knew that could never happen again.
She turned away and continued her job. She was thankful that when she looked up again, Gilbert was saying goodbye to King Louis. The King, the new ally of their kingdom, hugged Gilbert heartedly. He seemed to scan the area before turning back to Gilbert and asking something that she couldn't hear.
She started when both Gilbert and King Louis suddenly looked her away. The King smiled gravely at her and nodded.
Violet breathed in, trying to hold in her tears before bowing deeply.
Could it have been that he had known she was nothing but a maid from the very beginning? But he had let her pretend otherwise for all this time?
When she rose, King Louis turned his attention elsewhere.
"You will ride in my carriage and when we get to the train station you will ride with the other maids."
Violet was glad that she did not flinch despite Dietfried suddenly appearing behind her. At least she could maintain some shred of dignity.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Violet answered curtly, her stomach churning.
It felt like the beginning of the end.
Gilbert couldn't find the words to describe just how furious he was. It took everything in him not to cause scene in front of their new allies. He felt as if his blood was surely burning hot as it flowed through his veins. He wanted nothing more than to refuse to go anywhere until his brother relinquished Violet from whatever horrible binding he had her in.
He thought his plan had been foolproof, but somehow Dietfried had torn it down in one fell swoop.
So, when they had finally boarded the train and Dietfried had gone to his personal box, Gilbert had wasted no time in heading straight there.
He found his brother sipping slowly at a cup of tea, legs crossed, his long braid swung across his shoulder. He looked completely calm, as if he had not just brought Gilbert's entire world down. It infuriated him even more. Why couldn't he ever best his older brother?
Gilbert clinched his fist. He wanted to hit him where it would really hurt. "Mother would be disgusted with you."
Dietfried's green eyes slowly roamed up. Gilbert let himself feel a small piece of victory at the flash that shone in his brother's eyes, but it was short lived as Dietfried sat down his teacup and unfolded his long legs.
"That was a low-blow. Pathetic, honestly. Especially since you are the one in the wrong," he stood to his full height, moving gracefully towards Gilbert despite the rocking train. "You are the one that has become so infatuated with a slave that you would risk our alliance with another kingdom to be able to shower her in riches for a measly few days."
"The king knew," Gilbert smirked, "I risked nothing. Like any sensible person, he doesn't believe in the slavery that our family condones. But he still agreed to the alliance because he knew it was best for his kingdom."
Dietfried scoffed. "Do you want me to clap for you, brother? For risking it at all. You are lucky that I don't have you stripped of all titles and put Violet to death. But instead, again and again, I'm merciful."
Gilbert shook his head back and forth. He almost felt sorry for his brother. He truly did not understand why he had done this, and it seemed like he never would. "Dietfried, Violet and the rest…they shouldn't have to pay for something that other people did. What if our roles were reversed? What if we were the ones enslaved for something that our ancestors had done?"
"Then I would bear the punishment because I have something called honor. They are the last generation. They should be grateful, Gilbert! Their ancestors murdered our Great Aunt! The princess! How does that not deserve extensive punishment? Why shouldn't we show that our family is not to be trifled with?"
Gilbert flinched, surprised that Dietfried suddenly put his hands onto Gilbert's shoulders. He never touched him…or anyone. It was a testament to how much Dietfried wanted Gilbert to see things from his perspective.
And if he really thought about it, Gilbert did understand.
But he did not agree.
"Dietfried," Gilbert said quietly, "I believe they have learned their lesson tenfold. These people…they fear us. They don't respect us. How is that good leadership?"
Dietfried opened his mouth to say something, but the train suddenly jerked them both when it came to a sudden halt.
The door suddenly swung open, the soldier that had been keeping guard to Dietfried's quarters bursting through. "Your Majesties! We have to get you-"
But the man's words were cut off when a sword was suddenly jammed through his back and through his chest. Gilbert's blood ran cold as he instinctively moved towards the soldier to catch him when the sword was pulled from his body.
Dietfried swiftly made his way to his seat surely to grab his gun, but found it was already too late when several men with rifles burst into the door.
"Don't even think about it, princey. Hands up."
Dietfried scowled but did as he was told and two of the men ran behind him and tied his hands back.
Gilbert managed to shut the fallen soldier's eyes gently before the men grabbed him and bound his hands as well.
He knew there was nothing he could do against them. He had left his own pistol back in his room, foolishly believing that nothing would happen to them. He had been too focused on his anger at Dietfried to be cautious.
Of course, word must have spread that the princes would be traveling home today.
Judging by how prepared this group was, it seemed as if they had been planning for this day for a long time. They had clearly been organized and skilled enough to take out Gilbert's own soldiers if they had made it to Gilbert's personal quarters on the train. These weren't just regular thieves. They were possibly bounty hunters, assassins. The worst of the worst that had banded together.
And they were unfortunately quite outnumbered.
Gilbert stood up and looked the leader in the eyes. "Just take whatever you want. We didn't travel with much, but I can lead you to where it is."
The burly man chuckled and wiped his sword clean of the blood with his pantleg. "Tch. You kidding? You're worth plenty, princey." The man spat onto the floor before looking at his comrades, a glint in his watery eyes. "Take 'em outside."
When they heard the first gunshot, Violet and the maids jumped to their feet. Some screamed and instinctively cowered away from the door. Others hugged each other, shivering in fear.
But Violet stared at the door, caught between two decisions.
Stay with the others and wait until whatever was happening was said and done with.
Or go out there and help Gilbert, wherever he was.
It did occur to her that perhaps she could not be of any help. Perhaps she was not strong or smart or quick enough.
But with the amount of gunshots and screams that was now fading into the distance, Violet was almost positive that Gilbert was in trouble. How could she just stay and do nothing?
"Violet! Now is our chance," Iris said.
Violet turned to find most of the maids at the back door. Since they were at the back of the train, if they opened the door, it would not be hard to make an escape and head for the hills.
"We can't let Dietfried win," Cattleya said, "he will imprison you forever. With all the commotion, surely there will be no soldiers to stop us now."
But Violet shook her head slowly. "I can't leave Gilbert. Not like this."
She didn't wait to hear their responses. She heard Erica scream her name. She heard them telling her how dangerous it was.
Still, she slammed the door open and went through.
She could vaguely hear the girls screaming behind her, but now she knew that it wasn't her they were screaming after. Bodied and blood littered the floor before her. For a moment, Violet couldn't hear anything as she stared down at the massacre before her. The smell of copper wafted up into her nostrils.
Violet felt her head swim when she bent down to pick up a gun.
Her memory flashed- Gilbert teaching her to hold one properly. How to shoot.
She made sure it was loaded.
Taking in a deep breath, she raced through the hall, gathering a knife and another gun on her way, tucking them into her apron and around her waist.
She made it into the next compartment. She ducked below the windows and slowly peeked her head up so that she could see outside. To her surprise, there were several men on horses.
And there was Gilbert and Dietfied, hands tied behind their back, being herded like sheep. The other men seemed to be moving towards the front of the train, away from the compartment that Violet had just been in with the other maids.
She swallowed thickly before heading back that way. To her surprise, the others were still there. They looked at her, teary eyed, before nodding.
Moving quickly, Violet went to the door and slowly opened it. She jumped out, landing on soft grass. She held the gun at the ready, peeking out from the train's cover and found that the soldiers and the princes were still facing and heading in the opposite direction.
A large man was yelling out orders at them and when she listened for a moment, she realized that they were waiting for other men to get off the train with valuables and gold.
She took this opportunity to sprint across the grass and into the nearby forest, taking cover in the trees and foliage. But she did not stop moving. She quickly and as quietly as she could made her way forward through the trees, her eyes on the soldiers as best as she could.
When Violet stopped and took one of the guns out, she found her hands shaking. She had never actually shot anyone before. She had never taken a life before.
They called her the Doll-Like Maid, not some type of Soldier Maiden.
But she knew she had to try.
The soldiers that were still alive were most likely all gathered at the front of the train. Violet had faith in them. She just had to stall so that they could help the princes.
Aiming the gun, Violet prayed for steady hands. She fired.
She missed, the bullet whizzing past one of the soldier's shoulders.
But she had their attention.
The men shouted out, aiming in her general direction and firing. Violet gasped and pressed her back against the tree, gritting her teeth at bullets pelted it and sent chunks flying past her.
Suddenly, the gunshots stopped. She could hear their approaching footsteps.
She raced to the next tree. When she saw a man's foot rounding the corner, she shot it before aiming up and shooting him again. She wasn't sure where she hit him that time, but he cried out and she ran before his friends had a chance to find her.
She skidded behind a tree and when another ran past and the second one, she grabbed, took out her knife and sliced his throat before dropping him. But the first man was still there and shot at her, grazing her shoulder before she managed to drop down and side-sweep him. He fell to the ground with a shout before she drove her knife into his heart.
Gasping for air, sweating, her shoulder on fire, Violet ran again.
Above the gunshots behind her, Violet heard more ahead and the sounds of swords clanging against each other. She barreled out of the forest, tripping on her feet and falling. She looked up to find the soldiers of Leidenschaftlich fighting against the intruding men.
Now that the element of surprise was over, Leidenschaftlich was winning.
Violet could have cried of happiness, had not her hair suddenly been grabbed from behind.
"You stupid bitch," the man shouted. Violet saw stars when she was suddenly punched in the face. She flew back, holding her eye. "I should make you die nice and slow!"
Violet backed up as he neared her but cried out when he suddenly reeled back from a gunshot to the head. He fell back and Violet turned around, sure that Gilbert had saved her, but found Dietfried standing before her.
His green eyes were narrowed down at her, but for once Violet did not see hate or fury.
She saw confusion and frustration.
But he had saved her when he could have very-well let her die by that stranger's hands.
"Get up," he ordered. Violet did what she was told without argument.
"Don't move."
Violet's blood ran cold when the large, burly man from before stood behind Dietfried, a gun at his head.
"Drop it," he told Dietfried, who complied.
Violet knew that Gilbert may have been a good enough shot to pull his gun from his waistband and shoot the man behind Dietfried in one easy motion without injuring anyone else in the process, but Violet knew that she did not yet have skills like that.
"Well, ain't you a pretty thing," the man chuckled, "causing all that commotion."
Violet stood, shaking with anger and nerves, but tried her best to look the man in the eyes. He grabbed Dietfried by his arm roughly and pulled him closer to his own body.
The look that Dietfried was giving her told her enough. She had to do something.
Violet was not a woman of many words. But today, she could be.
"I killed them," she said. The man stopped in his tracks and raised an eyebrow at her. "When they ran into the forest, I killed them."
Violet held up her hands for him to see. They were covered in blood and though she was unsure if it was from her own blood or the man's throat she had cut, she knew that the man in front of her would not care for the difference.
He shouted out and trained his gun towards Violet. It all happened so quickly; Violet could barely register what happened. The bullet flying through her hand, Dietfried clutching the man's wrist, shots fired into the air…Dietfried taking the man down as Violet fell to her knees, her scream and tears blurring her senses.
The blood, hot and heavy and sticky.
Her head swimming.
The searing pain.
Then Gilbert was there, wrapping her hand so tightly in cloth that she had to stop herself from instinctively lashing out at him.
Hands came under her shoulders, lifting her up as she became dizzier. Someone said something about her shoulder. Sweat dripped down her face, neck and back as her vision darkened at the edges.
Before she passed out, Violet looked up and saw Gilbert holding her up on one side…and Dietfried on the other.
The next chapter will be the last. I plan on updating it sooner rather than later this time. Hopefully!