WebNovels

Chapter 17 - Chapter 17: Point of breaking down

‎The hallways of Emberhold clouded in silence, save for the echo of Aldric's boots against the stone floor. He walked with measured steps, though the fire burning in his chest urged him to storm through the castle like a tempest. The conversation with his father still rang in his ears and he was furious.

‎Neris had refused the marriage. Had taken the matter to Caelmont. And now, the entire court of ruling lords would pass judgment over his sister ... like she was nothing more than a pawn in a game none of them had agreed to play.

‎Aldric's jaw clenched.

‎He hated himself at this moment for being so powerless to help his sister.

‎He turned the corner of the west wing, passing a row of darkened stained-glass windows, and began ascending the narrow spiral stairway that led to the tower.

‎He hated coming here, hated seeing his once fearsome sister neglected. He couldn't do anything... Nothing was done in Emberhold without his father's consent.

‎He paused before a heavy old oak door and he knew that behind that door was the one person in the world Aldric still believed needed protecting. His sister.

He rested his hand on the frame, took a breath, and knocked.

‎He knocked once. No answer.

‎He opened the door anyway.

‎The tower room was bathed in pale morning light, filtered through gauzy curtains that danced in the faint wind. Books scattered across a table near the window. A cup of untouched tea sat cold beside them.

‎And Aurelia stood at the far end, near the mirror ..... or rather, near what remained of one.

‎Most of the mirror's surface was draped with a linen cloth, but a sliver of silver still peeked through, catching her reflection as she examined the scars that curled like vines along her face, her droopy eyes and how monstrous she looked.

‎"Aurelia," Aldric said gently.

‎She stiffened. Her hands moved quickly, pulling the veil from the nearby chaise and slipping it over her head before turning to him.

‎"I wasn't expecting visitors this early," she said, voice calm, though her eyes betrayed something else .....something quiet and weary.

‎Aldric stepped inside and shut the door behind him.

‎"Father sent me."

‎"Let me guess," she said, with the ghost of a smile. "Another suitor come to throw himself at my feet?"

‎He didn't laugh. He crossed the room and leaned against the hearth, arms folded.

‎"We're going to Caelmont. In two weeks."

‎She looked up at him confused as to why they'd be going to caelmont. Then she remembered that it will be the solstice soon and every year, the lords will journey to caelmont for a meeting with the calestarch.

She remembered going with their father once on such journey.... When she was still the daughter he was proud off. She smiled bitterly at the thought.

‎"Right it will be the solstice soon, and I guess father will be going to caelmont, will you be going with him this time brother?". She asked her brother.

‎For some minutes her brother said nothing, he just looked at her with a kind and sorry look, not knowing how to break the news to her.

Her voice softened. "Aldric?"

‎And finally he summoned the courage to tell her the inevitable. "Neris has refused the engagement," he continued. "Formally. He's brought the matter before the High Council, the circle of Accord."

‎Aurelia's breath caught. "He did what?"

‎Aldric didn't reply right away. He hated the tremor in her voice. Hated that she, who had once been so sure of herself, now flinched at her own reflection.

‎"You're to come with us," he said. "Father says your presence is required for the hearing."

Aurelia stared at him, unmoving. Then she stepped back, slowly, until her legs met the edge of the bed. She sat, as if her strength had suddenly left her, in shock and disbelief.

Aldric approached cautiously, as if she might vanish if he moved too quickly.

‎Aurelia looked away, back toward the veiled mirror. Her fingers twisted around the edge of her sleeve.

‎"They want to put me on display. Like a thing put up to satisfy people's curiosity.

‎To let the lords, their brooding wives and the people, whisper about the ruined and cursed princess of Emberhold."

"They need to see the betrothed, hear from both sides," Aldric said, though the words tasted like ash in his mouth. "The Accord must be satisfied."

"Satisfied'?" she echoed. "Don't speak to me of satisfaction when what they want is a spectacle."

"They mean to mock me brother". She said to her brother, her eyes glossy from unshed tears threatening to spill from her eyes."

‎"No one would dare mock you."

‎She gave a dry laugh. "You forget .... I've lived this. I know how people look at me now, Aldric. Like I'm something broken. Something shameful."

‎He stepped forward, jaw tightening. "You are not shameful."

‎Her eyes met his then. "Do you believe that? Truly?"

‎"I do."

‎Silence stretched between them.

‎"I worry for you," he added more softly. "This journey… this trial. It will not be kind."

‎"I don't need kindness." Her voice was firm now, and something of the old Aurelia glimmered in her eyes.

‎ "I certainly don't need their justice. If Neris thinks he can break me by putting me on display and let people from round the realm whisper and mock me, I'll show him he's wrong."

‎Aldric watched her, feeling both pride and sorrow bloom in his chest.

‎"You're stronger than they think," he said.

‎She turned away again, her voice quieter now.

"But not strong enough to stop this insult. I don't have my powers anymore.. My fire died out seven years ago, and worse still my beauty was erased and turned into something despicable to look at.

So I know that those that feared and hated me before will see this as a chance to trample on me."

‎Aldric said nothing to that. Because he feared she was right.

‎Instead, he crossed the room and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Start packing what you need. I'll have the servants send a new seamstress this afternoon.

You may not feel beautiful anymore but you're still the proud daughter of Emberhold. We leave at first light in two weeks."

‎She nodded once, then whispered, "Thank you."

‎As Aldric left the room, closing the door quietly behind him, the image of his sister standing beside the veiled mirror haunted him.

He had never felt more uncertain of the future. Of his sister's future, for he knows that after the ruling and caelmont judges in Neris's favour then..... her true hell will only just begun.

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