The sound of boots beating against the stone floors was apparent throughout the castle. Maura's strut was one that said that the woman was on a mission. Maura was fueled with an emotion that was uncommon for the young woman. Anger. The feeling was building in her chest and expanded to the rest of her body. She was furious for the lies that she had been told and was tired of being kept in the dark. This last action was the straw that broke the camel's back for Maura and she was angry and determined to get answers. Even the hard way. When she made it to the corridor where her father was being held she slowed her pace. No one was in sight but Maura still felt the feeling that she needed to be as quiet as possible. Maura wasn't sure where she would find Constance but it was a safe assumption she would be with her father. Maura was about to open the door when she noticed the door was already slightly ajar. She heard the voice of a woman. This made her stop in her tracks and had her listening at the door. Maura looked and saw the backside of Constance and she was looking down. She seemed to be mixing something together. Then Maura saw the book to her left and recognized it as the same one that Maura found in Constance's room all those months ago.
"Oh Patrick. Why did it have to come to this?" she spoke to an unconscious Doyle. The woman's response was in a tone of voice unrecognizable to Maura. "If you had done what was expected of you, you wouldn't be in this predicament." She continued saying as she poured the content into a large pot that erupted into a cloud of smoke. Maura was unsure of how to react and was in complete confusion. "Well it looks like your potion is finished and your time as ruler and has expired along with your life."
Maura finally found control of her body and rushed into the room. "NO CONSTANCE STOP! What do you think you are doing?" the young girl shouted at the woman. Constance turned fully to the honey blonde and what Maura saw instilled fear into her. Constance took a few seconds to process everything and a devilish smile appeared on her face. This caused a cold shiver to run down her spine. Constance's facial features changed to a deranged look particularly from her piercing blue eyes.
"Well well if it isn't the little princess?" she replies sadistically.
Maura's eyes widened in horror. "It was you. You're the reason Papa's sick." Maura concluded aloud figuring everything out.
Constance responds by cackling at the young woman before her. "Oh Maura dear! You are so smart, figured me out!" she shrieks hysterically. Maura looked fearful at this woman not knowing what to say. She backs up and felt an item tucked into her boot; a dagger that she had received from Garret to use for protection if she encountered anyone dangerous on her journey back to the castle. She had never felt so happy to have spent time with Garret. She started to come back to reality and responded.
"Why?" Maura asks suddenly. "Why would you do this to my father? What has he ever done to you?" Maura finished with anger in her voice.
Constance looks at Maura with a straight face. "He made a mistake years ago that ruined my life. He deserves what he is getting!"
Maura shakes her head. "No, father would never knowingly hurt someone…." She tried to say.
"The day he chose Hope Martin to be his wife is the day that destroyed my life!" the older woman screeches full of rage.
Maura was in a complete daze. What did this have to do with my mother? "I…I don't understand."
Constance shakes her head violently. "Your father was supposed to pick me! Not some inferior miller's daughter! He was betrothed to me! But he chose her..."
"He fell in love with her Constance you had no chance." Maura tried to explain.
"He backed out on an agreement! An agreement that was supposed to bring me my happily ever after! But that bitch took it from me…..but she got what was coming to her." The deranged woman spoke happily with an eerie smile on her face.
No…..She couldn't have…. "No you wouldn't. Mother's death was…"
"Was from unknown causes am I right?" Constance shouted. Maura began to tear up as her breathing had become difficult. Constance continued to smile. "I had made a special potion for your mother's demise my dear and it worked perfectly."
Maura was then filled with rage. "You bitch how could you?!" she screamed as she took a defensive stance.
The woman's head tilted slightly. "That woman was in the way and she was taken care of. She had it coming."
"You took away my mother! You broke my father's heart!"
"Rightly so as he did the same to mine!"
Both these women were breathing heavily as if the air in the room had seemed to diminish. They both stared at each other in heated rage. It made Maura sick that the woman she befriended was responsible for her mother's death.
Maura was going over everything she knew in her mind; still the pieces didn't make sense. "If you had a grudge against my mother than why did you kill Ms. Thompson? She didn't have anything to do with that!" the honey blonde growled.
Constance now had a full on grin that was a look of evil. "Well my dear that was all you're doing not mine."
"Wha…What are you talking about?" Maura responded confusingly.
"That second potion was meant for you princess." Constance spoke confidently.
No that's not possible the young woman thought. No…
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Flashback:
Doyle finished and raised his glass to Maura along with her mother and the rest of the guests as they drank their glasses. As Maura looked around she saw the room full of people and felt humbled. Before she could drink her cup a familiar figure appeared in the corner of her eye that stopped her. She looked again and saw a retreating figure was leaving her view. Then someone broke her out of her trance.
"Maura dear! Congratulations I am so happy for you darling" Ms. Thompson said while stumbling toward Maura having had too much to drink.
Maura looked at her, "Thank you Ms. Thompson. Can you hold this? I need to do something but I'll be right back" she said handing the older woman the cup and proceeding toward the retreating figure.
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"Oh God no…" Maura croaked unable to hold back the tears.
Constance stared at the young girl like a predator looking at its prey. "I am to assume you know why this Ms. Thompson suddenly deceased but it was part of the big picture. The main part was to remove your mother and I was successful."
"You are a horrid woman! No matter what happened to you my mother did not deserve death! What could have possibly been that awful? It seemed your family was fine even without the marriage. You still got to travel and…" Maura began trying to find some understanding.
"Oh that? Oh Maura that never happened. If only" she spoke and her face hardened. "I was ridiculed and punished for the unsuccessful marriage to your father. We became extremely poor and barely had money and food to survive in which I was held responsible for. My father became a drunk unable to deal with the stress while my mother continually reminded me of my failure every day. Well until I killed her too." This last part brought a crazed smile on the woman's face.
Maura was speechless. "You…you told me you loved your mother…."
"Oh dear there is a thin line between love and hate. Her disappointment created resentment for me toward her until it was unbearable…"
Oh my God this woman has completely lost her mind. "You are mad!" Maura shouted.
Constance laughed. "Most successful people are darling. I knew what I wanted and I didn't stop until I got it."
"How could I not see this? You are completely mad…..William is nothing like you" Maura spoke softly.
"Oh Maura, such a naive girl. My brother knew about everything. In fact who do you think set up the poison for you and your mother at the party?" she said with a grin on her face.
This statement took the young girl aback. "No….no he wouldn't do that. He is sweet and kind and would never…"
"Remember he is very loyal, particularly to me! Yes it took some convincing but eventually the man you think so highly of made sure your mother would die that night."
Maura closed her eyes and put her hands on her face hiding from the truth that was before her. "How could he?"
"Oh don't think that my brother is completely heartless. I knew when I was planning to set myself up in your lives that there was a chance that William would talk and he was a liability. So I spared his life but had his tongue removed to eliminate the chance of him saying anything." Constance said as she had a smug look on her face.
This statement caused Maura to gasp and covered her mouth being in pure shock. This woman would stop at nothing to gain her revenge. Even against those innocent or those she supposedly loved. "You're a monster." Maura breathed barely able to speak. This statement made Constance laugh loudly. Maura now needed to know one more thing. "What are you planning to do now Constance?"
The older woman had a slight smile by this question. "My next objective is quiet simple. To remove the two of you and take over your kingdom that rightfully belongs to me." And with this Constance made her move toward the younger woman. Maura, sensing that the older woman was going to try something went into action; she knelt down and grabbed the knife from its hiding place. When Constance was right in front of her, on instinct, Maura rose up and thrust the knife into her abdomen. This action shocked both parties as they stared at the knife then at each other. The look on Constance's face was something from an evil villain in Maura's old fairy tales. Her face was the picture of complete and full madness. An insane smile plastered on her face as she began to laugh. This frightened Maura to no end and she began to back away toward the door trying to find an escape.
"Oh dear you can run all you like" the sinister woman spoke. "But I will find you and when I do you will meet your demise."
Maura had begun to run but had heard what Constance had said and increased her speed. She needed to get out of there. She needed to leave. Her life depended on it.
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The air around her was cold but she felt hot and humid as she continued to quickly pick up her legs. Her breathing was at rapid pace in order to keep up with her as she sprinted through the hall. The adrenaline was pumping through her veins that had muffled the sounds of the loud voices and stomping feet trailing behind her. They are coming after me she thought as the pumping heartbeat within her ears had dramatically increased. Panic was beginning to arise but Maura knew that this would do her no good. It would basically write her death sentence for her. Many thoughts flooded her mind at once but none of them were going to help her out of this dangerous situation. Think think! How do I get out of here? I can trust no one but myself. Constance was smart and she already had this planned out for quite some time. She knew that the soldier's loyalty now was with Constance. Especially the new Captain that gave her chills down her spine. I knew something was off about him. Finally she made it to her room and in order to make a plan. But first she needed to retrieve Bass. She knew she had to flee. She had no choice. The guards were loyal to Constance and the girl stood no chance. Probably put a spell on them as well she thought. She had to find a way out of the castle. But how? And where would she go after?
"Come on Bass we have to leave. It's not safe here anymore." She spoke softly as she grabbed the carrier. Luckily she was unable to take him out of his temporary residence because she confronted Constance. She grabbed her messenger bag and placed the carrier that held her tortoise inside. She also grabbed one of her favorite outdoor cloaks and put it on. Maura took a deep breath and let her mind think logically for a second. The secret passage she thought immediately. Now we just have to get there unseen. Maura listened at the door quietly for a moment, when she heard no sound she opened the door and fled her room. That's the first place they will look for me the young girl thought as she made it down the corridor. As she made it to the lower corridors she began to hear the sound of boots loudly hitting the stone floor. Thump thump thump. It was very rhythmic like the sound of Maura's heartbeat which was increasing by the minute. Maura was able to open the door and slide through to go against one of the walls. She heard a couple soldiers who had stopped on the other side of the wall and this instilled a new fear. Oh God how am I going to get out of this one.
"Well have you found her yet?" the familiar voice of Charles Hoyt filled the room.
"No sir. We checked her room, the dining hall, and are going through the rest of the rooms. But there's no sign of her." A gruff voice responded back.
"Well do not give up and keep looking. Listen men! You know what the queen's requested of us. Find the princess and bring her to the queen alive." The eerie voice spoke. "She is a child and will not be able to get far so it should not be too much trouble finding her. There are more than you than her so spilt up and look everywhere possible until she is found!" He concluded as his men agreed and footsteps seem to be taken away from the area in search of the young princess.
This made Maura's blood run cold and the beating of her heartbeat seemed to cease. She was in complete fear of her circumstances and she had loss hope that had begun to vanish, quickly. The honey blonde took a deep breath trying to calm herself down. Just get to the passageway Papa showed you before. It's the only chance of escaping she logically reasoned with herself. And with this she put the cloak hood over her head, in an attempt to hide her identity, made sure the coast was clear, and made her way to the only possible way out of this mess.
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The room had been dark and dusty showing that it had not been occupied in a long time. It was understandable to Maura because she was the only one who was in here constantly when she still resided at home. Other than her room the library was her favorite place in the castle. It was a present from her father and has many years of Maura's upbringing. She had learned so much from the variety of books the shelves held. The books provided Maura an abundant amount of knowledge that she gained along with an increased desire of reading. This brought happy memories to Maura but she could not stay long and reminiscence. She came here for one reason and one reason only. To escape her home and the awful situation she seemed to get herself into. When she first got this library Paddy showed her the extra feature that no one but her would know. The castle had created a secret passageway that led from this room to the castle grounds outside. The purpose was to be able flee from inside if an enemy was able to break into the castle walls. The room had been nothing for a long time but Doyle finally found a purpose that no one would enter besides his daughter. Maura went to the shelf furthest from the entrance of the room. She was scanning the books carefully trying to find the correct one. Once finding the book she wanted which was reddish-brown from age and had bumps and grooves alongside it. Paddy explained that the book that should save you should be the Bible from Gutenberg's printing press. The logic behind that was very smart, even if the Doyle's were not extremely devoted Catholics. Maura removed the book from its designated place and pulled the small lever that hid behind it. A small noise filled the room as the wall along with the shelf popped open. Maura slowly opened the door to reveal a small passage that was dark and dreary inside that only had torches alongside the walls it to light the way. Maura put the book back in its rightful place, held the messenger bag tightly and entered the passageway while she closed the secret entrance door from the unexpected occupants of the castle.
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Maura made her way throughout the passageway easily for it was just one straight way. Maura was both experiencing feelings of being safe and enclosed. Maura had been considering the options she had of where to go. The only place she knew would be best is to go into town but that would mean she would have to go through the forest. She was unable to take the main road because there were probably patrols looking for her there. "Oh Bass what are we going to do?" she asked the tortoise seriously hoping an answer would come to light. As was expected Bass just looked at his master without any type of facial emotion about the current situation. In result of this, Maura took a deep breathe trying to rid the feelings of fear and frustration from her bones and tried to figure out a solution. When Maura was at the end of the tunnel she decided that she must go through the forest but she wasn't very happy about it. The forest had been a place that was associated with wild animals and even supernatural beings dwelling there. Maura had heard many rumors about this place but wasn't sure of its factuality. Though she didn't have much a choice, it was the best way to get into town without running into any of Constance's men. She reached the door and slightly propped it open to get a view of what was outside. Maura heard talking but farther away so she opened it more and looked toward the noise. Guards were in discussion most likely about her whereabouts but luckily their backs were turned. So she easily slipped out and ran toward the entrance of the forest. She was so close; she could see the life forms dwelling there only a few feet away. But before she could make it a figure appeared at her side and she could see them in her peripheral vision. The handsome man that she usually would find joy in every time she saw him changed dramatically to anger and hostility. Maura turned around to face the man fully but she couldn't help to feel more hurt by his actions than angry. How could this man knowingly kill my mother but befriend me like it never occurred she thought as she tried to hold off the sick feeling at the pit of her stomach.
"Have you been ordered to bring me back to by your dear sister?" Maura asked mockingly full of anger in her eyes. William just looked at her with a saddened expression but remained unresponsive. Maura almost wanted to believe Constance was lying but she knew better. "How could you do that?" she asked weakly not sure what she wanted to hear. Her eyes bored into this man's soul and it was tearing him up inside. He knew exactly what she meant and she could feel the guilt and shame from this man's presence. He looked down to the ground and started to shake his head slowly not sure what to communicate back. Maura was becoming queasier the longer she looked at this man. "You got me? Why don't you bring me back to sister dearest? It's not the first time you killed a woman in the Doyle family." This remark came along with a bite that William could feel but could not blame the girl at all in the slightest. This moment between both of them ended abruptly when they heard voices a few feet behind of them. This brought William to finally act which shocked Maura. He approached the young girl with a glint in his eyes that was unknown to Maura. She wanted to step away from him but she stood there frozen not knowing what to do. When he was standing so close they were touching he reached his hands on her shoulder and looked her in the eyes. A strange noise escaped out of his mouth that Maura could not understand. Was he trying to speak? Why? What is he saying? These were the questions looming in her head as she tried to decode what William was saying.
"Raaa…. Raaaa" he tried to speak slower to make it easier to understand. "Raaaa….rinn".
Ra? Why was he saying that? She thought curiously. Raa….rinn….oh run" She finally realized what he meant. This left Maura in a confused state. Maybe he's tricking me. But the look in his eyes said different. The emotions he was expressing were of anguish and remorse; she could tell he was being sincere. Maura nodded her head in response and begin to walk into the forest. But she stopped and turned around. "This doesn't change anything. You still killed my mother." He looked down and the tears that were about to fall. "But please be careful." She said with a serious look in her eyes. William looked at her in surprise and a slight smiled appeared on his face. She could tell her forgiveness helped him. Besides she knew he would not so easily forgive himself for she saw heavy guilt within his eyes. Guilt he would live with forever. He nodded his head and motioned for her to leave. She turned around and continued her journey now heading into the wild.
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Maura continued to walk the path of the forest trying to continue onward north. The smells of pine trees and morning dew on the grassland gave a feeling of home in Maura's mind. This smell was very familiar to her and she had missed it since she had been gone for so long. The sky was filled with colors of pink and orange signifying that it was sunrise. The glow led Maura throughout the forest and she admired something she used to take for granted. She was never able to appreciate the beauty of where she lived. Now instead of relaxing and basking in the morning glow Maura was trying to make haste further into the forest and away from the castle. Even in her urgency to leave she could not help but look at the world around her. The forest was forbidden to Maura even when Hope was still alive. Both her parents agreed that it was unsafe to go into and avoid going especially with Maura. Though Maura understood their reasons she still wished she would have been able to experience the forest life. As she was heavily thinking and she did not hear the lowly noise of a guard who had spotted her and waited for the perfect moment to move in on his prey. He motioned two of his companions to follow him and he went to get the young princess. Maura notices his presence when the man steps on a stick creating a sound that revealed him. Maura turned around and looked at the man in the eye and her eyes reflected fear. What can I do? Perhaps I could try to out run? Maura did not have much time to figure out a way out of this as the man proceeded closer.
"Hello your highness. We have been looking far and wide for you." The man's gruff voice filled the open area. Maura recognized the man from before who had talked to Hoyt. She was unsure how to respond so she remained silent. "You gave us quite a scavenger hunt to follow order to find you" he was only a few feet away now and Maura knew she needed to act quickly. He then spoke again, "Now I believe it's time to end this game and come with me." Reaching out his hand as he attempted to grab her but she knocked his hand away and turned to run. She did not reach very far as the soldier tackled her to the ground and had his arms wrapped tightly around the girl to restrain her from escaping. Maura continued to squirm in his arms trying to free herself but he maintained his grip. "Now dear just come with me and you'll be fine. Your stepmother requests your presence." When he said this which had it filled a rage within Maura's body and she hit the man in his most sensitive area that a medical book once told her. Her captor groaned in pain and loosened his grip on her and Maura was able to get free. Maura got on her feet and began to run. Her breathing had increased immensely as her heart beat was at a rapid pace which drowned out the rest of her hearing. She was trying to maintain balance as she dashed through the forest. For a moment she thought she had actually out ran them but a shove from her right caused her to fall face first into the ground. She could feel a scrap on the bottom and her chin but that was the least of her worries. As she used her hands to rise up she was pushed down by an unknown source. They turned her over and saw it was another soldier. Oh no Maura began to panic. A few seconds' later two men trail them and one of them was the man she had hurt which was obvious by him holding his hand toward his injured area and his face held the emotions of pain and anger. Maura knew she was in for it because of her resistance and that she would pay for it.
"So you think you slick don't your princess?" the man yelled as he reached her. He was near her face shaking with rage. "ANSWER ME BITCH!" he screamed into her face as he grabbed her by her hair and pulled her toward his face. The girl cried out in pain as tears began to hit the brim of her eyes. She was trapped and had no way out. This is it Maura thought as she had already given up on hope and accepted her fate.
"Well I guess I'm going to have to teach this young lady some manners" he sneered at her and Maura was petrified of the man's plans for her. But before he could do anything he seemed to stop what he was saying. His face took a look of pain and confusion and looked down at himself. Maura followed his gaze and saw the tip of an arrow head sticking out of the man's upper abdomen. The soldier fell down on his knees before her and Maura just stared at him in awe he fell face first on the ground dead. The honey blonde looked up and saw the cause the man's demise. There was a figure a few yards away. The figure was wearing black pants that were tucked into worn out brown boots. They also had a long sleeved tunic that was forest green and a brown sleeveless vest over top of it. A hood was on securely that was hiding their face. A leather belt was across their waist that held a small dagger and across their torso was a black strap holding the quiver of arrows together; a brown bow in hand as they reached back to grab another arrow. The other two soldiers had approached the hidden intruder with swords out ready to fight. An arrow was released that went through one of the men's thighs that had them fall over and screech in pain. The second soldier managed to get closer and swung their sword at the figure. The person was able avoid the attack by ducking and was able to retrieve the dagger and stab the offending man in the abdomen. As the men fell down in defeat the figure rose up and walked toward Maura. During the entire scuffle Maura had laid in the same position frozen by what was happening. Finally the figure was right in front of her and kneed down to her level.
"Your highness, you are in very real danger. We must go or you will be killed." A smoky voice spoke to her that broke Maura out of her trance. The person offered her a hand and Maura took it as she was helped up.
"Who are you?" Maura asked in a whisper.
"Someone you can trust to keep you safe." They responded simply as they wrapped their hand around hers and pulled her toward another part of the forest. Maura was not sure what to make of this. Well they saved my life. I should probably go along with them she concluded logically. They walked off together trying to escape the very real danger that was closely lurking nearby.
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Yayyy finally! So I finally brought in the person you have all been begging for. I realize it was the ending part and not much interaction but now she will be making a full time appearance so yeah! This chapter was so exciting to write! The confrontation with Constance, the truth behind everything! Constance is awful right? I know she's like a crazy villain that is a psychopath lol. But of course Jane saves the day and takes Maura off to the unknown which we will find out next chapter. Ok thank you so much for your patience, I realize how unbalancing it felt without Jane in the picture but it was part of the plan. I thank those who stayed with me even though it took a little while for Jane to appear and the frustration it must have been, trust me I've been impatient for her full time role into this story as well. Ok thank you for reading and please leave your reviews and feedback about this chapter. Alright thanks guys bye!