Chapter 11

"What?"

Nayella looked pale before and terrified now. Probably because of my tone. But she somehow managed to speak.

"After the day you hit Yohal I went to check up on him. I heard him and Lady Glissen talking in his room. She was yelling at him. Saying things like he had risked everything and that he was a fool. And that they were just a few steps seperating them and the crown and that..... that Lord Glissen...that this means everything to him."

I felt like the world had started spinning. Lord Glissen could easily assemble many lords who would happily rally for his cause. Father wasn't everyone's favourite because he did what was right all the time. It didn't matter if the nobles were hurt or their prides crushed. His people mattered, the masses mattered for father.

Lord Glissen however was different.

If Lord Glissen decided to revolt it would mean civil war. It could mean our heads on a pike. Just thinking about it made my heart sink. No. I had to do something. I get it now, why Nayella approached me instead of Vasilios or Evanthia. Yohal was Vasilios's friend and Ev was pissed at Nayella and would never believe her. But neither could I . I needed proof.

"Fine then. If you think so, then bring me a valid proof. Otherwise, darling, if this does come to light and you haven't produced a valid proof by then you'll be considered equally guilty. And if you even think about telling anyone about this conversation, especially your dear Yohal, I'll know. So don't even try it if you don't want to die under 'mysterious circumstances'. "

She was shocked and began to protest but I silenced her and walked out. This was a sweet revenge for hurting my sister and Masiol. And this meant she could get me proof because she was an insider.

I went straight to the one person I could talk to right now, Aunt Val. I entered her room and saw her reading by the fireplace. I went and told her everything Nayella told me and she too was shocked.

"I'll have to look into it. Let's not tell Varyon for now ok? He'll worry about you three and probably make a stupid decision." I agreed

"Are you ok Verina? You look a bit sad, and I know it's not just about what Nayella said." She said as she tried to hide her concerned parent look.

"Nothing Aunt Val. It's just that.. Masiol and I had a fight. It was a pretty big one and I said I was sorry but he wouldn't listen."

"It's ok darling. He's your friend right? And he always comes back and you sort it out. I believe you'll sort this out too. Don't worry too much. It doesn't suit that pretty face." She said smiling as she came and hugged me tightly.

Her words felt like relief. I know Masi was angry but he was also my friend. I knew he'd come back. I just wasn't sure when. I couldn't even tell her about Evanthia or even the fact that I kissed an Astmathian. I never had a problem with keeping secrets but not from her. She was my backbone.

I went back to my room and slept that night. It wasn't a peaceful one but I was lucky that I even had it because the next day Errago made us practice a lot to make up for the week. To my surprise, both Masi and Vass skipped training. Masi apparently was out for too long and came back drenched and was down with fever. Vass took permission from father as he was up all night working and that must have shocked father too. Vass had been taking the advices of Shayla seriously and I was happy. He was happy. They had confessed feelings for each other and according to what Shayla told me, it was beautiful. He took her to the shores and confessed his love for her. I never knew he was a romantic but then again he was becoming a different person.

I went to check up on Masiol but he wouldn't let me enter. I suppose he was still angry. So I left him because I did not want to disturb him and give him some space.

I finished my classes and went to father's study. We discussed about the issues of the kingdom when uncle Vasilikios came in and said "They took our ships again. The ones that Glikaraach and the other kingdoms were sending as gifts. All the gold and the weapons are gone."

"Who did?" I asked

"Astmath " father replied." They did it last month too. When Souriya and Jahena were sending supplies. They keep saying that it must be the work of bandits but we know its them." He said with a suspicious look. I wondered if Lord Glissen's conspiracy and this could be related? I said nothing. I needed proof to.

I came out of father's study and started walking towards my room when I heard a familiar voice of a woman yelling at her attendants. I went in to check who she was and it turned out to be someone I really wished never came back to the palace after she left a year ago.

"Yohara?" I said ,astonished.

The Auburn hair flicked back to reveal a face I didn't really like that much. Yohara was Yohal's sister and Lord Glissen's daughter. She was a pretty rude, mean and a snobbish noble to be honest who danced on the rhythm of chaos. I and Evanthia had even given her the title of "Mistress of Hell" among other titles. Vasilios had been attracted to her in the past and she used to flaunt it like she was already the queen.

A part of me knew that she loved him then, maybe she still did. She had left the palace last year and went to her grandparent's in Lilewa.

"Princess Verina. How lovely to see you. I hope you are doing well." She said faking a smile. She obviously wasn't interested in my story.

"Let's skip the formalities, shall we? We both know you don't give a damn about it. Just ask what you want to and be done with it. "She was obviously interested to know about Vasilios. And that's when he and Shayla came walking down the hallway.

They were so engrossed in each other that they almost did not notice us and only Shayla looked up and greeted me. Vass didn't even look up to see who stood beside me and they went.

I could feel Yohara's jaw drop to the floor and I really wanted to laugh right there, right then so badly. After she had gone away last year she expected Vass to be devastated. And he was until Shayla came. The look on her face was priceless.

"What's the matter Yohara? Are you ok? You look like you might be sick." Yohara composed herself and said

"Princess , thank you for the concern but I'm fine. Who was that lady with Vas... Prince Vasilios?" She asked

"That is Shayla, my lady-in-waiting. Isn't she beautiful Yohara? Vass really loves her. In fact rumour has it that they even went to the shore for an entire day. Aren't they just adorable. Vass has improved so much. He works now everyday and has almost been sober for more than a week now. She could make a wonderful queen someday." I know I was being mean but I loved it.

Yohara tried to muster a smile but the look on her face said it all. I should have known this though. Yohara never gave up without a fight, and this was war for her. Not just for Vass, but her crown was slipping away and she could see that.

Had I not said those words then, maybe the life of an innocent would have been spared. Maybe the avalanche of events that were going to take place wouldn't have happened at all.