AN: I'm saying sorry again for updating late. Surprisingly, I do not have anything else to say. Must be tongue-tied.


Chapter 11: Deliver Us from Evil

Vittoria watched as the whore Leonora entered the execution room, dressed in the scarlet robes. The light fell in harmony against her and her dark robes, illuminating her like a brightened statue. She felt her cheeks burn with anger at the sight of her, more so at the fact that Leonora wore the color that Christian martyrs had worn at the time of their deaths. She was not fit to wear those kinds of robes. Those kinds of robes were meant to signify the suffering and the agony the martyrs had endured for their professed faith. Now, it was being polluted by the skin and the spirit of a demonically monstrous woman. Her green eyes flashing with anger, she glared at the woman as she made her way to the center of the block, where stood the noose on which the whore shall die.

The court sat on the benches set for them by the side, looking solemnly at Leonora, their faces grim and set.

"Leonora Eustacia, by the decree of His Highness, Prince Roy de Mustang, Prince of Milan, Rome and Florence, and Duke of Florence, you are hereby sentenced, in the name of God and His congregation, to hang by the neck until dead." The head judge, who was dressed in black and sat among the members of her husband's court, announced into the silent room. Leonora responded by raising her head high, and speaking out, in a condescending voice.

"I, Leonora Eustacia, accept thy punishment as decreed not by mortal man, but by God Himself."

Her hands fisting at her sides, Vittoria had to restrain herself from standing and ordering the guards to rip her clothes apart and shame her for what she really is. Instead, a soft warm hand covered hers, and she turned to see the concerned gaze of her husband, Leonardo. In that instant, all her anger faded away and she smiled gratefully at him. She was rewarded by his handsome smile, his smile that always soothed, and calmed and made her feel so peaceful. Roy had inherited that same smile/

"It will be alright, Vittoria." He said, his dark eyes twinkling. Leonardo always managed to make her feel better.

"I know, my love."

With that, she turned back her gaze towards Leonora. The anger, rage and hate came back, slowly, but she locked them out with her commitment to justice. All else evanesced into nothing, as she gazed into the eyes of the woman before.

This woman was once her most trusted handmaidens, but now, she had shown herself for what she really is. In that instance, Vittorio sought the internal, awakening power of justice that has always been inside her. She removed all barriers, all emotion as she let herself drown into the ultimate truth.

She let her full commitment take over. Not even a single emotion touched her stone-like face. She became the bearer of justice.

"Place the noose." Vittoria called out, in a cold, imperious voice. The executioner moved to follow her bidding, no questions asked. All the while, she stared into the green eyes of the woman in front of her. In those eyes, she saw fear masked by arrogance. Vittoria did not care.

"Tighten it." She watched as the noose around Leonora's neck was tightened. The executioner moved to the side, where the lever to the trap door beneath Leonora stood. He placed a hand on the lever, and then turned to the Grand Duke.

Leonardo looked to her, the question in his eyes. She looked into his, memorizing every trace of his dark eyes. If, one day, God shall punish her for what she was about to do, then at least let her have the memory of her husband and his love for her in that cold damnation.

She nodded, and turned to Leonora. "By decree of the law, do you, Leonora Eustacia, have any last statements before the execution begins?"

Leonora, when she spoke, was no longer arrogant. She was now afraid. Afraid of what may happen to her after death. Vittoria could see the fear dance in her eyes, the tears begging to fall. Yet, that no longer mattered. Everything was now set into frame. No matter what Leonora may have to say, the decision is final. She will be hung.

The silence was oppressive with the impending doom of death. In that silence, Leonora spoke in a hushed voice. "Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation..."

Vittoria nodded, and the lever was pulled. The trap door gave way.

She watched, detachedly, as Leonora's body stiffened as it fell but was held back by the noose. For one single space of time, she was at shock at what was to become of her. Then, she began crawling back to life. Vittoria watched as Leonora began to shake and fight for air as she was hung. She watched as she clawed at the cloth around her neck, struggling to break free and live. Her cries of agony and terror drowned into gurgling, probably from the saliva and blood that bubbled in her throat. Her green eyes rolled manically, looking for help. Leonora's face was red with the need to breathe, and it was slowly turning blue with death.

Vittoria could see that all her muscles were rigid with the need for air. People say that hanging was quick, but they were wrong. It was a slow process of agony until death. It was like drowning, it wasn't pleasant. The shock of losing air in a heartbeat was painful to the body, almost like being crushed by a large rock. She deduced this as bloody scratch marks arose from where Leonora's fingernails clawed. Blood began to trickle down her mouth and was absorbed by her red robes. The blood was indistinct against the crimson robes.

As Leonora screamed like she was underneath water, underneath blood, her body convulsed in the terrible agony of it. Death seemed to be a far more appealing ordeal.

Then, Vittoria spoke in a cold voice, a voice that held no compassion, no mercy. A voice that held only the cold rule of justice, a voice that sealed Leonora's fate as she slowly spiraled down the drain of the death.

"Deliver us from evil."

Leonora gave a rattling gurgle, a final testimonial to her treatment, and then went still, her hands falling from her neck then down to her sides. Her mad green eyes no longer held anything, but the icy touch of death. In her mad quest for escape, she only locked herself into her demise. She now hung by the neck, slowly shaking from side to side.

She was dead.


"My lady, are you alright?"

Vittoria blinked and stared into the countenance of the herald. He looked at her, concerned. Raising a hand, she dismissed his worry away as she stood from her chair and walked out of her parlor, her white fur dress trailing behind her. "I am alright, Roderick."

Roderick nodded, following her. "Yes, my lady."

Vittoria glided out of the room and into the wide balcony, feeling the light of the sun pouring down upon her. She walked closer to the edge and held the stone balustrade with both fists.

Deeply, she sighed. She had lied to Roderick. She wasn't alright, she was bothered greatly. The sudden remembering of Leonora's death was not just of coincidence. She remembered it because of Roy, and his love for Elizabeth. Basically, that was the reason why Leonora died.

She looked upon the city, her city, as the people went to and fro. She eyed the cititzens as they went to the market to purchase food for their families; as they went to the cathedral to pray and reflect; as they went to the palace to work or to petition; as they wandered aimlessly and leisurely in the city, unbeknownst of the terrible cloud that has gripped the entire continent. Her people were happy and peaceful, ignorant of the war that was now burning with the full fury of a volcano. She knew that it was wrong to let people believe in wishful thinking, but she knew that worrying too much could also be dangerous.

In the distance, she heard the laughter of young boy as his father carried him on his shoulders. Vittoria thought of the day of Roy becoming a father, of seeing her son so happy and so joyous with his own family. She didn't care if Roy would want to marry Elizabeth the moment they find her. She would give them her blessing, after asking for forgiveness for the cruel things that she had said to her lady-in-waiting.

It still caused a pang of sorrow to recall those words. Much worse now that indirectly, because of her and her great love for her son, she had caused Roy the greatest pain.

Roy had always been full of life, even in the darkest of times. But, now, he was a living epitome of emptiness. There was no smiles on his face, nor the twinkle in his eyes. Losing Elizabeth had sapped him of the light of his spirit. She could see that he was dying in his heart, and that only Elizabeth could breathe in the life back to him. It hurt her to be a witness to her son's silent agony.

She thought that this was the punishment God had given her for eliminating the life of a human person. Seeing her son quietly break, it was pure torture for her. She longed to wipe the pain away, like the way she used to nurse him when he was sick. Yet, Vittoria couldn't do anything about. She could only pray that, one day, she can look into her son's face and only see a smiling countenance of a euphoric man. Not even all the riches of the world can compare to her son's happiness.

Slowly, she turned and looked at Roderick. Silently, she begged him as she spoke, spoke in a tearful way, quite opposite to the way she condemned Leonora to her death. "What of Elizabeth, Roderick? Do you bring news of her that can place a smile on my son's face?"

Like the slow wilting of a flower, a mother's heart broke as the herald shook his head and said, in a grave, hopeless voice. "None, my lady."


He hated it. Hated it with a vengeance that could ravage an entire city and bring it to flames. No matter what, Roy hated the fact that he had to give up his quest for Riza in favor of the war beginning. He knew that it was his responsibility to protect the Italian Kingdom, and as much as he wanted to run out to look for Riza, he didn't want his people to be slaughtered. Still, he hated it.

And as much as he hated it, Roy accepted that fact, and because of that fact, he was now here, in Barcelona, in the Spanish Kingdom. He took the time to travel from Italy to Spain by sea and now, he was riding a carriage to his temporary residence, the Palacio de Barcelona. It was located by the seaport, and as tired as Roy was from his travels and his search for his beloved, he wanted to make some time for himself, to think if chasing after Riza was the right thing.

If he did found her, it was still unknown if she was ever going to take him back. And though he could command her to accept him, a loveless relationship with her was something that he couldn't force himself to accept. It would hurt him, but it would hurt her a thousand-fold.

Seeing the sea in the distance, Roy turned his head, hearing the sound of a bell being clanged. By the mountain was a large cathedral, set in stone and designed with marble statues. It was an awe-inspiring sight; seeing the grey monolith against the green background of the mountain. Distractedly, he asked the driver in Castilian Spanish.

"What is the name of that church, sir?"

The driver replied in the same language. "That is the Church of Saint Jeanne d'Arc, milord. Would you like for me to stop by?"

Roy thought about it, as he glanced once again at the church. He always loved going to quiet places to think, and a church was one of those quiet places. Still, the matter of the war and the matter of finding Riza were pressing down on him like a mighty avalanche. He still needed to reinforce his army, and out there in the world, Riza could be anywhere. Maybe in this city right now.

If only wishes could come true.

Still, he needed time to think and reflect. If he did find Riza, it would surely take more than a profession of love and begging her for forgiveness. He had many things that he needed to straighten out first before continuing his voyage of tracking her. He may even need to think of what he may do if Riza, by any chance, was dead. The thought chilled his soul, but the possibility existed, no matter how much he wanted to deny it. He needed to prepare himself for that, too.

"Yes, take me to that church."

Then, the carriage changed course and was now climbing the mountain. On the way, he thought more and more on the things that could happen in the span of the time he was taking in nursing Italy's army. Maybe, if he had gone to Andorra like he was supposed to this morning, he could have found Riza there. But, the overwhelming matter of the war forced him to travel down to Barcelona. Perhaps, after this, he could head north to Andorra and France and continue his search for her there.

When the carriage arrived, Roy stepped out and gazed at the stone monolith. It was guarded by large walls and an ironclad gate. Flanked by his men that had accompanied him, Roy entered the church grounds and gazed upon the hallowed structure with a calming sense of peace. Even the statues around brought a tranquility to the place. Not even the heat of the noon sun brought misery to the area. Breathing in the fresh mountain air, Roy stepped into the church, his men following.

Upon entering, he was greeted by a nun, who had piercing dark blue eyes and making out from the hair that escaped her habit, had dark brown hair as well. She nodded and gave a small, yet polite small. "Welcome to the Church of Saint Jeanne d'Arc. I am Sister Marianna. How may I help you?" She spoke in Spanish.

Roy responded in the foreign language. "I'm just here to reflect, and think. Do you know where I can find the nave?"

She nodded and Roy followed her, his men behind him. She led him through a series of hallways and finally emerged through a garden. It was cool and calming and though it was only a moment, Roy felt whole. He did not know how or why, but it felt like Riza was suddenly there, next to him. Sadly, reality was too potent for the imagination to conquer as there was no Riza beside him. Instead, there was only a tranquil serenity that may have brought the desire from him.

They continued, Roy following Marianna as she led the way to the nave. The church was proving to be very large. On the way, they passed by a beautiful nun, though she was now in what may seem to be her forties. The nun had blue eyes, but unlike the dark blue of Marianna, hers was the color of sapphire. She also walked with a grace of dignity and nobility that invoked an overwhelming sense of respect for her. She walked with the stunning elegance of a noblewoman.

"Mistress." Marianna said, in Castilian and Roy subtly noted that the nun did not reply. Instead, her sapphirine gaze was locked on something. And as they passed her, and as Roy turned his head to glance back, for one moment, for one tiny moment born perhaps from desperation and despair, were it not for her blue eyes and her dignified and aged countenance, Roy swore that, for one moment, he was looking at Riza.

Then, that moment disappeared and the nun went out to gardens as Roy suddenly emerged out into the nave. Marianna turned, her black habit swaying as she bowed her head and smiled her polite smile. "If you may need my assistance, I shall be outside."

Marianna left, and after raising his hand, his men too had left the nave, closed the doors and waited outside. Roy dipped his hand into the Font and with his Holy Water-slicked hand, made the Sign of the Cross and knelt.

He thought about Riza, about his great love for her and about the quest of searching for her. He thought about the war that was pressing down on him, rendering him helpless. He thought about his parents as they too felt the constricting bonds of the matter of the war. He thought about the nun that looked like Riza. He thought about the feeling of tranquility that he felt in the gardens, the feeling of knowing Riza was close.

It all stunned him, and made him tired. He wanted so much to lie down and sleep, much more knowing that Riza was enveloped within his arms. He wanted that so badly to happen, it almost made his heart ache. He never wanted so much in his life, the way he did now. Kneeling before God in His Church, Roy asked to be given a second chance with Riza, to be given that right to see her, hold her, love her. He never wanted anything as much as he wanted this now.

"Lord, please, let me see her once more, to be able to tell her I love her. That's all I ask. And if I do not get that wish, then I know it was not because of Your lack of Help. Please, Lord, that's all I ask." Roy prayed, for the first time in his life. He prayed for something that he could no longer do alone. He always thought of himself as invincible. But now, he was down on his knees begging for that chance to hold the one that he loved so much again.

And as he prayed, he failed to realize that the one he wanted so much was just in the next room.


AN: Evil cliffhanger! I hope you all like this chapter. I included Leonora's death scene since one of my readers wanted to know how she died. Anyway, I hope you all at least leave a review! I kinda feel under-appreciated right , I write around a thousand-worth of words per chapter. It's not bad that I demand for at least 5 reviews, isn't it? LOl, jk. Though I am serious about the reviews.