Chapter 5

I didn't know what to feel. I was led into the throne-room. King Nagit was sitting on the throne with princess Odette by his side and Esmerelda on the other. There were several guards present. I noticed Hugo was already kneeling in front of them. Nagit's face had no emotion as I stood next to Hugo and then painfully knelt down as well. I stole a glance at Hugo and my heart hurt for him. His face was badly bruised.

"You do know it is an offence to ignore an order from your king, do you not?" Nagit's voice boomed through the hall. I was shocked and couldn't help but look up at him. I quickly lowered my gaze again as it was considered rude for someone of low status to look royalty in the face. His voice sounded so different, cold and sharp. Every syllable cut through me like an ice dagger.

"I do," Hugo's weak voice said before I could reply. I was too shocked to anyway. Hugo... he suffered because of me and now what will happen to us?

"Then you also know that it is an offence punishable by either hanging or exile?" Nagit continued.

What?! Hanging or exile?!

"No!" I exclaimed before I could help myself. The whole room was deadly quiet and I realised I was treading on thin ice here. "My lord...please. This man acted on my orders..."

"My lady, what are you doing?!" Hugo was hissing at me, but I ignored him and continued," whatever the punishment it should be mine."

"Carli, no!" Hugo said again, but then got kicked by a guard and ordered to keep quiet unless spoken to.

I kept my gaze on the floor in front of me as I waited for Nagit's response.

I could hear whispers from the people gathered in the throne room.

"Is she a noble?" someone asked.

"Must be, the man over there is calling her a lady," someone else replied.

"No, can't be – she'd not be forced on her knees like a dog if she was..."

It was Esmerelda's voice that that was heard next.

"It is true that this woman is the disgraced heir of the Lancaster estate and as such could be held responsible for those serving under her orders. Unless Lord and Lady Crompton will speak on behalf of the accused?" I glanced sideways and noticed that Lord and Lady Crompton were there too. They looked shocked and unsure of what to do and said nothing. After a while Esmerelda continued, "your silence means that you do not speak for the accused, therefore the punishment will apply to both the girl and her subordinate," I looked up in shock. But she said...

"I hereby sentence you both to be hanged in the square tomorrow," Nagit's voice suddenly said. My mouth fell open. Who is this person? This is surely not my Nagit... I could not see any emotion on his face. Has Esmerelda poisoned him that much already? The quards took us away and I found myself back in my cell. I was in a lot of pain. My chest hurt when I breathed. I only had tonight left to live and now Hugo will die as well because of me, because I had to see Nagit... I cried bitterly. Later the guard gave me some bread and water. I couldn't eat. I kept laying down as it was the most comfortable position to be in. I have no idea how much time passed before the door to my cell opened again.

"Please lord," I prayed,"give me strength..."

To my surprise it was not the guard, but Esmerelda that entered. She looked like a cat that got cream...

"So, how does it feel?" she asked with a sneer. I just stared at her. What on earth was she going on about?

"I was told you cracked a rib. Must be painful to breathe." I knew it... she was letting me suffer on purpose.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, "why do you hate me so much?"

"Enough!" she ordered and I kept quiet. She laughed in a self-satisfied manner.

" Everything is working out according to plan! I never knew Nagit would be so easy to manipulate! How delightful!"

"What have I done to you to deserve this?!" I asked, now getting angry. If I am going to die in the morning, why care about formalities, right?

"I was getting to that part!" she scoffed and kicked me in the side. I coughed and couldn't speak. My whole side was in complete agony.

Esmerelda continued as if nothing had just happened.

"One day 24 years ago there was a woman that loved a man with all her heart. Then a witch came and stole him away from her..." she looked at me while puffing on her long cigarette that she just lit.

"Do you know who I'm talking about?"

"My parents?" I asked in disbelief, embracing my body as to keep it from falling apart. Surely not...

"Yes! Carlisle was my only true love and that witch charmed him to fall in love with her. Then...you were born – the offspring of her witchcraft and treachery..."

I couldn't belief what I was hearing.

"This is all my mother's fault? What does that have to do with Nagit and his family?

"You are an extension of her and I vowed that I would end her no matter what, that I would make her suffer like she made me suffer! I prepared poisoned wine for her, but somehow she made him drink it too...she took my Carlise from me..." Esmerelda seemed sad for a moment and then her eyes focussed on me again. "That is why you must suffer, and you must die."

"Why didn't you just kill me? Why involve the royal family?" I asked again.

"Because they decided to take you in! Queen Margaret was infatuated with you and how you helped Nagit come out of his shell. You could do nothing wrong in her eyes, but I know the truth! You are nothing but viper offspring! I did her a favour really; it would have been more painful for her to see you spread your poison into her son!"

"You killed her..." I knew it! My gut feeling was correct all along, not that it matters now anymore...

"Yes I did! I had to be in a position to make you suffer and she was in the way!"

"How could you?" I asked and my voice broke, "Queen Margaret was a pure person. She did not deserve to die..."

"Shut up!" Esmerelda screamed at me and was about to kick me again when a voice boomed through the cell.

"Enough!"

Esmerelda looked back in shock. The old king was standing in the doorway, shaking. I have never seen so much anger on his face before. His eyes were livid.

"How dare you?!" he demanded. Esmerelda tried to make it like he misheard.

"What are you talking about darling dear?" she asked innocently in a honeyed voice.

"Don't darling dear me! I heard everything! You...you killed my Margaret because...I should have known!"

"It is all her fault!" Esmerelda screamed desperately, "she caused this calamity! Can't you see?"

I had managed to get onto my feet, holding my side that was throbbing.

"You are crazy! Guards!" the king called. I could hear metal clad feet coming towards us. The next moment Esmeralda grabbed me and pressed a knife against my neck. It was disguised as an ornament in her hair which she pulled out to use.

"If you want this girl to live you will let me go!" Esmerelda spat. Her voice was heavy with hatred.

The king ordered his men to stand aside. Esmerelda pulled me along with her past the king and the guards. I was starting to black out from the pain and struggled to keep on my feet. She threatened to slit my throat if I didn't keep walking. I tried my best, but barely managed to walk around the next corner that had stairs leading out of the dungeon. Just then I heard a 'swooop' noise and Esmerelda let go of me. I sank down and lost consciousness. I vaguely recalled being picked up in someone's arms, or perhaps that was a dream...