Chapter Fourteen

"And each man stands with his face in the light. Of his own drawn sword, ready to do what a hero can."

-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

As Father waits for the perfect opportunity to murder my own Mother in cold blood, I wait for the hatred to arise within me. The satisfaction that gathers upon his facial features is too much to bear. I had to do something, anything to save them.

It was one matter to see the color drain from Edward, but his life? I should allow him to cease no more, but something kept me from being so capable of crushing down my emotions. If he were to perish, it would actually hurt.

Pain, yes. But it was much more than that. I would actually be in agony. But I didn't have time to sort out my concern for an Imbecile. Right now, I had to stop Father.

Or join him.

"Father, halt!"

I block Father's hand from triggering the mechanism to swinging the blades. "I am to inherit all of Grachia, correct?"

"Yes, my Bella. All of this land and its people will be yours."

"Then let me do the honors. It would be my privilege to end the lives of those not worthy enough to breathe. I would much rather prefer to do it...in person."

Father's callous laugh numbs the edge of my being. He bows before me. "Duchess Bella, it would be my pleasure. And please, make sure your Mother's death is slow. She most certainly deserves it."

"Father..." I feign confusion as I squint my eyes. "Why do they look so ill? Their color is odd."

Ruler Swan rubs his forehead. "I have questioned that myself. I thought everyone...never mind. They are obviously ailed with some incurable disease. More the reason to end them."

I nod confidently, but my hands tremble as I retrieve the circular device from Father. "Point the glowing light in their direction, and push each button to swing the blades separately. Or the red one to activate them all at once. Your call, my daughter."

Nodding again, I turn away, making my way outside to the courtyard. Each step is louder than one before, my heels clicking in a deafening rhythm.

Several Vigilante and General McCarty are standing guard before the impending victims. I walk forward, forcing a look of vengeance to appear.

"Move out of my way," I demand, pushing against one Vigilante soldier.

"You heard her men," General McCarty concedes. "She said move!" In unison, they take several steps back.

"Further!" I shout. "It's about to get messy. You don't want their disgusting blood on your uniform."

The men nod, ordering the Imbeciles gathered around to step back several feet.

I walk back and forth in front of the five colorless Imbeciles. Edward is shaking, pleading to me with his eyes. Mother...I avoid her face at all costs. The other three hold their heads down, anticipating for their impending deaths.

"You, Imbeciles, are hereby awarded with execution for your treacherous crime of deceiving my Father and attempting to conceal yourselves. Have you any last words?"

None of them answer, and the blades continue to stay in place mid-air.

"Look at me!" I command. When I have five pairs of eyes fixed on my own, I hold the weaponry device up high above my head.

Taking a deep breath, I push the red button.

AHHHH! The bloodshed. When will it end?

Luckily for you, there's another chapter. Keep reading!

(And thanks for the reviews. I adore you guys!)

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