Indecent Folks

One year later.

In a dark room illuminated by a small lamp, I watched Dilora hold my sword as she stood behind a huge barrel containing a mixture that she worked on for a month.

"Death shall follow this blade. Drawn by mighty hands, this weapon shall cast demise upon any poor and mystic soul." She soaked the blade into the water and chanted a spell. The water boiled and gave off smoke. When she finished, she handed me the sword with a smile on her face. "Your heart's desire, Miss Jones."

I took the sword and watched the blade reflect the light from the lamp. The wait is over.

"Miss Jones," someone called from outside. It was Ford, the chief knight of Ireth. "We got something for you," he said as he opened the door without permission. "It's important."

I turned to Dilora and pointed at the pouch of shillings at the table. "Great work," I said before stepping out of the small cabin. The cold wind blew on my face as I followed Ford out of the woods. We ended up in a field in Serfith and took a few turns in the streets until we reached a pub.

He let me walk in first, prompting the patrons to look at me and slightly bow their heads. I turned to Ford, who went to a door to my left and followed him to a basement. He opened the door for me, so I stepped in and found two knights sitting across each other on the round table. At the centre of the room, I found a man gagged and tied to a chair.

"We found him in Westplains. He said that he's a prisoner in Dunfield." Ford smirked at me and tilted his head towards the prisoner's direction. "So, what's your plan?" he asked.

I turned to the prisoner, and although he wasn't familiar, I could see the dread in his eyes. The kind that would only haunt you if you know about a guild of vampires. "Send a word to the Sunkens. Let them know that we have their prisoner and that we'll hand them over at midnight on the first day of the Open Trade."

"Just like that?" Ford asked.

I shot a look at him while my lips slowly formed into a smirk. "You have to trust me more." I walked up to the prisoner and leaned forward to meet his gaze. "How are you? We have a lot to talk about."

**

Today is another day for murder. Whether it's justified or not depends on whoever hears the news, and they can decide on their own. What's certain was, forgiveness has no place in a struggle against a merciless vampire. "Dani," Grace called behind me.

I turned to her reflection in the mirror as I sat in front of my dressing table. "What brought you here?" I asked, slightly surprised.

Ever since she ascended the throne, she would stay in the palace all day to meet with people who can help her with her plans. She formed councils to address the issues going around. Her goal was for the kingdom to diminish the wealth gap between the noble class and the common people, provide shelter for the homeless and construct more schools and clinics. Funds were abundant, so they were already a step closer to their plan.

Her elegant dress swayed as she walked up to me while I slid my sword back to its sheath. I stood to face her properly and found her eyes screaming pity. "Don't look at me like that," I warned. "What's your plan for that prisoner? He's been here for a week."

"Don't worry. You will find out today," I assured her.

"You haven't changed."

I took a deep breath and hid my arms behind me. "Change from what?"

"From your old self," she spat.

I smiled at her and gently shook my head. "You don't know my old self. I was innocent, young and kind until my father killed my sister and a vampire murdered my betrothed. This..." I pointed at myself, stressing my last word. "This is the change that you're so desperate to see. That kind little girl from Peraven was long gone. Do I have to spell it out for you? This is the change."

She fell silent, so I looked away to calm myself. "You know that I'm not just talking about any change, Dani. This is far from a pleasant one. This is self-destructive. You're forcing yourself to be a monster so you would stop feeling guilty for the people that you killed."

A chuckle escaped my lips. "Guilty? I never regretted killing them. The men who killed Julian were monsters. Paige is a monster. Your brother was a monster, and if I remember it correctly, you let me kill him because you believed that it's the right thing to do. My conscience or the lack of it is my business, so don't bother stressing over it, Your Majesty," I taunted.

She sighed and pursed her lips. "I always got a taste of your stone-cold heart, but I wish that someone could be strong enough to break the walls that you built around you and make you see that you could always choose to be kind."

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"I don't even know why we are having this conversation. What's going to happen today is non-negotiable."

"I know, but I hope that one day, you'll be able to forgive yourself for failing to protect the people you love despite a so-called guardian."

I was taken aback, losing the argument. She turned to walk out of the room while my eyes landed on the sword atop the dressing table. I picked it up and headed outside, where a carriage waited by the gate.

We journeyed to the far north and headed to Merchant's District. This is the area provided by the kingdom for the Annual Open Trade, where all merchants from surrounding kingdoms can gather in a single place to sell their products of the Irethians. The carriage stopped at the designated garage in the area, so I grabbed my skirt and hopped off.

The Irethians and merchants crowded the place as I looked around. They set up several tents in the open field for the merchants. While on my right was the huge complex where people come and go shopping. Ford, who just hopped off the other carriage, turned to me and whispered, "He's here."

I fixed the collar of my coat before walking into the complex. Several stalls where they displayed their products were arranged in rows. It's way noisier here while the merchants interact with the patrons. My eyes landed on the particular stall when I found an assemblage of handiworks. I could feel the cold air blowing against my sweating nape as I walked towards the merchant.

Two ladies shopped for items and exchanged smiles with the merchant, who turned to me when I got close enough. His eyes immediately widened at the sight of me. "Lady Jones?" he whispered.

My shoulders dropped when he recognized me. Of course, I don't remember him, but surely, if he's a Sunken, he'd know who I am.

"Miss Jones," the ladies mumbled, stepping aside to give away.

I smiled at them and shook my head. "Don't mind me."

I turned my back and walked out of the complex. My hands trembled, and I couldn't breathe properly. It's been a year, and I prepared for this, but I wasn't sure what's this lingering sense creeping into me. At the edge of the field, a few merchants ate their lunch behind their wagons. I took a long deep breath as I stared at the woods in front of me. I could feel my stomach turning, just thinking about the fact that I will meet them today.

I've never had peace ever since I got out of Dunfield. When Grace reigned as the queen while I finally got to settle in a nice shelter, I realized that this uneasy feeling wouldn't leave me. So I swear to find my peace, which would only be possible once I avenge Julian.

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"Haven't found something you fancy yet?"

My shoulders dropped when I heard a familiar voice behind me. I turned to her and held my breath when she stood between Sawyer and Rougan. A sharp pain pierced through my chest as I glanced at their eyes. The men had the same apologetic gaze while Paige flashed a smug little smile.

I gripped onto my sword, prompting them to look at my hand. "We're just here for the prisoner," Sawyer said. He gave me a familiar gaze, something that I would always notice even from a mile away; a caring one.

"I like to talk Rougan alone," I mumbled before walking into the woods.

Even after a year, the amount of pain that the sight of them brings me hasn't dwindled. My chest cramped from all the bottled-up resentment that I thought I managed well for a year.

When I could no longer hear the noise from the Merchant District, I turned to face Rougan. He gently crossed his arms and stood beside a tree just a few steps away from me. "How are you?" he asked.

"Mad. Wants-to-kill-all-of-you mad."

He sighed and slid his hands into his pocket. "We've heard a lot of news. Good and bad ones."

I nodded and took a deep breath. "Did you categorize me killing a king on the bad news?"

"We just came to get the prisoner, and we'll be on our way. We don't want trouble."

A smile made its way onto my lips. "Too late, Rougan."

I slid my sword out of its sheath and stared at the blade. "I am bringing you trouble," I whispered. "I got this as a gift from Julian. I was hopeful that after that night, we'd be able to move on with our lives, be happy and stay ordinary. We don't want trouble too, but instead, he died, and I was left here stuck, haunted by regret. I shouldn't have trusted our lives with any of you." I bit my lower lip and nodded at him. "I heard some news about you too. That the Sunken went on as if nothing has happened, but the thing is, no one can move on until I say so."

"So you still have a plan," he concluded.

Dark clouds formed in the sky, blocking the sunlight. Thunders roared above us, and flashes of lightning illuminated the forest. I walked up to him and gaze into his eyes as I reached for his hand. "This is my gift to you." I let him hold the sword, but he kept his eyes on me. "You had a year of peace, but I will have a lifetime of mine. Now is the time to choose, Rougan. This will make you see that no matter how hard you ignore the injustice around you, sooner or later, you will have to take a stand. Neutrality won't save you." I traced his jaw and watched his lips while he sighed painfully and looked at me with burdened eyes. "I'll see the three of you at midnight."