She took a deliberate, steadying breath, but her voice dripped with scorn. “Funny how things work out, I knew exactly where to find the poison. Been stockpiling that little insurance policy for a while now, waiting for the opportune moment. Hesitated? Of course,” she scoffed. “Wouldn’t want to be rash. But seeing that… it finally gave me the clarity I needed. My resolve finally hardened.”
“Later, he bellowed for his usual glass of whiskey. Predictable brute, creature of habit,” she sneered. “So I fixed it for him. A specia! blend. Then, while he was enjoying his little treat, I retrieved his own dagger. I walked right up to him, and while the poison was starting its work, making him clutch at his gut, I slit his throat. Slowly. Made sure it wasn’t quick.” A chilling satisfaction entered her voice. “Oh, I made absolutely sure he suffered. I wanted to look right into the eyes of that pathetic monster as the life drained out of him, the same way he looked into mine when he destroyed me
The brutality of her description chilled me. Yet I couldn’t find it in me to condemn her. After what my mother had suffered at Alaric’s hands, after what Kaius had endured, how could I judge Ophelia for ending her tormentor?
Kaius finally spoke, his voice measured. “How many know the truth?
“Just the guards.” She gestured vaguely.
“Are you sure they would keep it to themselves?”
$
Ophelia’s confidence faltered slightly. “I had told them too, but it was only a matter of time; the elders would get the truth out of
them, whether they admitted it or not.”
“Then we have to kill them.” Kaius’s pronouncement was matter–of–fact, as if discussing the weather rather than murder.
“No, they are no danger; I trust them to know what to do.” Alarm colored Ophelia’s voice.
“But as you said, the elders would get the truth out of them, so this the only way.” The cold practicality in Kaius’s tone sent a chill down my spine.
“What do I tell the elders when they ask?” Ophelia’s composure began to crack.
“Slade had many enemies.”
“Wouldn’t be easily killed by those regulars.” She shook her head.
“Then you tell them that I did it.” Kaius leaned forward, his decision apparently made.
“What?” I couldn’t contain my shock. “Is there not another way?”
“They would easily believe I did this; I have good reasons to want him dead.” Kaius didn’t even look at me as he spoke, his focus entirely on his mother.
“Son, there would be punishments for this… I do not need help in carrying my own cross.” Ophelia moved closer to him, genuine concern creasing her brow.
“I was only about to challenge him; I was going to end him the right way, but you had to make the decision without informing me.” A rare flash of frustration broke through Kaius’s controlled facade.
Ophelia looked genuinely surprised. “You were about to challenge him? I didn’t know…”
“Well, I thought it was better you had no idea about this plan; you might end up jeopardizing everything in hopes to gain his favor like old times.” The bitterness in his voice was palpable.
1/2
Chapter 109
“1
was never
going
to do
that. Her response was quick, defensive.
you
“Well, haven’t really
as
them
and
you decisive.
overhead
to me in times proven that
past. Just do say. When they fell
ask, them that you suspect
I did it.
to me plotting overthrow Alaric awhile
recovered ago.” Kalas had
tone composure, his once again controlled
, tell
his
“1.. I can’t let you do this.” Ophelia’s voice broke.
“Ophelia,” Kaius called, his voice softening
briefly before
hardening gain. “I
am hot giving you an option.”
“But the
elders…” she protested.
“Forget them. I think it’s high time they are cleared from the way.”
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