Belia- Social Standing

Timur told her to say put, to call for Rin and Kya, but with the amount of emotion Karolek had been giving off, it was as if he was freely letting her in. Belia knew what happened almost instantly. She also knew Timur would need her. Belia makes her way down the maze of halls and stairwells to the palace's medical facility. She knows better than to use the main areas, but she brought along one of Timur's knives, just in case. It is a long way to go, but Belia figures it will be safer. She rounds another corner and senses thoughts up ahead. They're anxious thoughts, some of the easiest to read. The closer she gets, she hears whispers.

"I can't believe they failed," one voice says.

"This was a suicide mission to begin with; just be glad it can't be traced back to us." Their footsteps get closer, and Belia freezes. It's been years since she used her powers for such a purpose. Belia focuses her energy on the two men as they round the corner and stands as still as she can.

"Did you hear what the Prince did to the protesters? If he finds out we were involved, I don't think we'd be so lucky," the first man says.

"Well, I'd rather face him than our Mistress when she finds out the attack was unsuccessful." The two men pass by Belia, neither noticing her presence. Once they are out of sight, Belia releases her hold on them. She feels a little drained but continues on. She notes what the men said as she knew Timur would be interested in their conversation. Belia wanders a bit but soon comes to the servant's entrance to the medical facility. She enters and uses the same mind trick as she did on the two men to those she crosses paths with. She finds the room Timur is in. Belia closes the door behind her and reveals herself. Timur is sitting by his father's bedside, looking slightly distressed.

"How are they?" Belia asks him. Timur looks up and rushes over to Belia.

"What are you doing here? I told you to stay put!" Timur snaps. "Do Rin and Kya even know where you are?"

"I assumed you would need me more. Was I wrong?" Belia asks. Timur sighs.

"No…" he mumbles.

"How are they?" Belia asks again. Timur bites his lip, and Belia gets the sense he's trying not to cry.

"Mother is recovering, but Father… Father was severely injured."

"The doctors think he will recover, though?" Belia asks, and Timur nods his head. "Then that is good news! Why do you seem so depressed?" Belia asks.

"You know why," Timur says.

"Timur, I cannot constantly read minds. It's rude and tiring. I could read your mind, but I'd rather you tell me," Belia tells Timur.

"I should have been there."

"Do I need to remind you what you told me? What everyone keeps telling me."

"No, I know there was nothing I could have done. What's bothering me is that I literally should have been there. I usually meet with my father to discuss the day's events and upcoming affairs of state. But I had already had a talk with him earlier, and he wanted me to concentrate on setting a date for our wedding."

"You think someone wants to take you all out?"

"It makes sense," Timur says. Belia chews on her lip.

"I came here using the back passageways and stairs," Belia tells him. "I crossed paths with two men who were talking about what happened. They seemed to be in on the plan." Belia can feel Timur's mood shift.

"Who were they?" Timur asks, murder in his eyes.

"I, I don't know. One talked about being frightened about what you'd do to them if you found out; the other mentioned being more afraid of their Mistress."

"Do you remember what they looked like?"

"Dark hair, dark eyes, medium-tan complexion; most of you look the same to me," Belia says honestly, and Belia can feel a little bit of understanding from Timur. "One was a little taller than the other."

"If you see them, could you point them out?"

"How about I just show you." Belia has Timur sit down in his chair. "It's been a while since I've done this," Belia tells Timur.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Timur asks.

"Are you?" Belia replies.

"I trust you." Belia takes a breath and puts her hands over Timur's temples. She focuses on his thoughts, and when she forms a connection, she transmits her memory of the men to him.

"Do you see them?" Belia asks.

"I can," Timur says, pain in his voice. Belia releases him.

"Are you okay?" Belia asks as her upper lip begins to feel a bit wet.

"Better question is, are you?" Timur wipes the blood off of Belia's face, and he has her sit down.

"I've used my powers too much today," Belia tells Timur.

"Do you need anything?" Timur asks, concerned.

"No, I'll be fine in a moment. Do you know those two men?"

"Unfortunately," Timur says. "They serve the Voronin family, which means their Mistress can only be one person."

"Your ex-girlfriend?" Belia guesses and Timur nods. "What are you going to do?"

"Well, I can't do anything, the media still hasn't found out about my trip to the jail, but they will if I do anything rash now. I also can't use you as a witness without exposing your abilities, which won't go over well with the public."

"So there's nothing you can do?" Belia says, a little disappointed that she wasn't much help.

"Nothing yet, but I can put Ivanna and her family under surveillance."

"So you can put a man to death on the suspicion that he's a murderer, but when there is proof someone conspired for attempted murder, you just put them on surveillance?" Belia says, not fully understanding the logic.

"The difference is social standing. Due to Ivanna's station and connections, I have to be more careful in accusing her or her family." Belia understands this part, as politics play a part in sentencing important figures on Krystaliv as well; however, they do not hinder an investigation. Due to the current circumstance, Belia decides not to push the matter.

"What happened?" Belia asks after a moment of silence between the two.

"No one knows for sure as the only people in the room at the time are either dead or unconscious," Timur says.

"Would you like to know?" Belia asks.

"I don't want you straining yourself," Timur says. Belia stands and approaches Timur's father.

"I won't." Belia focuses on the Emperor's thoughts. "It's for your peace of mind only, though…" Belia narrates what she sees and hears. "The Emperor is in his study with the three servants. He is talking to one of the servants when the Empress enters. They discuss whether or not you will be joining them. The Emperor tells the Empress he already talked with you and decided not to call you in. The two continue to talk while the servants prepare an afternoon snack. Your father finds it odd that the other two servants haven't left yet. One of the servants pulls out a weapon. He fires it, missing both your father and mother. Your father's servant fights with the armed one. The third servant pulls out his own weapon. Your father shields your mother, but she's been injured. Your father is injured. Your father's servant is killed, but he was able to disarm the second servant. Your father grabs a weapon and kills the second servant. The third servant opens fire. Your father sustains more injuries. Your father kills the other servant." Belia can feel the Emperor's pain, and she quickly disconnects the mental link. Belia falls to her knees, and Timur rushes over to her.

"I didn't want you to strain yourself," Timur scolds.

"You needed peace of mind," Belia counters, and Timur doesn't deny the fact.

"Will my father know you were in his head?" Timur asks after helping Belia back to the chair.

"Not unless you tell him." The door to the room opens, startling the two, and Karolek enters. He seems surprised to see Belia there, but he doesn't mention anything.

"The advisors would like to speak to you," he tells Timur. Timur looks over at Belia apologetically and leaves with his guard. Belia stays with the Emperor, her hand hovering over the knife she took. He wasn't her father, but she is more than willing to protect him for Krystaliv's sake. Timur is gone for a long time, and when he finally returns, Belia can tell without her abilities that he's agitated.

"What's wrong?" Belia asks.