X. Death Rush

My heart stopped in my throat, as did my pulse, when I witnessed something I should not have.

Governor Philipps retracted his firm grip from Lady Anthanasia, taking a few steps back in horror. "What are you doing in here? Have you been eavesdropping?" He asked, growing furious.

"I--"

"It's good if she heard. Because I am done being your courtesan." Lady Anthanasia pounded off, but the low, and devilish laughter of Governor Philipps caused her to stop in her tracks.

"My, oh, my, the secret is out, then. What shall I do?" He cackled. "And oh, Anthanasia, I'll remind you that you wouldn't be nouveau riche without the money I give you for undressing yourself to me. Spreading your legs, and giving me all the pleasure to enjoy."

Lady Anthanasia gritted her teeth, and clenched her fists. She pivoted, nose snarling with wrath. "I should have quit sooner, knowing other women out there are being bribed with money. You use your malign influence to bribe their votes, as soon as you publish that proposal of yours!"

Governor Philipps did not take a hit. He stepped forward, extending his arms to the sides. "You bitch, you keep asking me for loads of checks. You want money. You're greedy."

"I did what I had to..." Lady Anthanasia wavered.

"What you had to? Do not act like you did not enjoy every second–"

He was interrupted when Lady Anthanasia struck her knuckles across his face, causing him to stumble backwards and fall to the floor with a sickening thud. "I will share to everyone your sinister secrets. How you want to stay in power, and how you coddle Lord Jake to become a monarch. Using that black market money of yours to win victoriously. To cheat the elections."

Governor Philipps held his temple, aching. "Why? How dare you..." He shot a scathing glare. He rose up to his feet, and lunged for the fire poker. It was long, and its tip sharp enough to pierce through. "Might as well plunge both of your reputations in the darkest pit of hell."

"No. Your reputation will," I glared, and shielded Lady Anthanasia from him, covering her with my body.

Then, Governor Philipps lurched forward, startling the both of us. His fire poker was ominous, its silhouette magnified by the flames in the hearth. The shadows contouring his face highlighted the wrinkles, heightening his threateningly minacious features.

"Why don't we make a pact to settle this?" He leered, radiating unpleasant energy around the room. His tone was eerie, and dangerous. He had a weapon in his hand, a deadly weapon. "Lady Arabelle, you shall be the new reigning monarch of Helmburn, alongside Lord Jake." He birled his attention to Lady Anthanasia, and widened his vile grin. "I will give you more money, my darling... and you can't resist money. Otherwise, I will have to yank you out of your status, and take back everything I gave you."

I was disturbed by him. His strategem, and him as a person was awfully unsettling. "It can never work out in that favor, you coward."

Lady Anthanasia growled angrily, her face red with fury. "I do not care about this pact of yours. I will never enter that ring again. That horrifying ring of yours."

Digesting her answer, Governor Philipps tightened his iron grip of the fire poker, pointing it at a horrified Lady Anthanasia! "Think about Sir Martin, your brother. How would he react once all your wealth disappears?"

"You. You can't take it away!" She stuttered.

"Oh, believe me, I can. I am Governor after all, and I have the power to take back what was mine. The money I gave you, came from me." He made a grand gesture of jabbing his finger at his chest.

Gulping the lump in her throat, her eyes welled up with tears. "I hate you..." She snapped, and hurled herself at him. Her knuckles bashed the Governor's face... once... twice... thrice. But he retaliated by stabbing her in the side with the fire poker! She howled in pain, collapsing backwards on the floor. I flitted my gaze to Governor Philipps, in which panic flickered in his eyes. The same panic that well reflected mine.

I rushed for the wounded woman, as the bastard who impaled her side with a fire poker, bolted out of the room in a hurry. Her dress was tainted with ivory red, which spread faster across the fabric every second. She clasped her side, grunting with shaky breaths.

"Help!" An itching shout clawed its way out of my throat, leaving behind a searing trail. "Help! Somebody! Someone is wounded!" I swiveled my head back to her, and cupped her cheek. "It's going to be alright..."

She closed her eyes shut, and battled the torment roaring in her. "M-my fault."

I fought back tears. "N-no. It's not!"

A figure appeared by the doorframe. I raised my head up to see Lord Adrian, a calm look on his face. "Did you put pressure on the wound?" He asked as he rushed forward, and bent down to his knee.

"I-I... yes."

Lord Adrian assessed the situation, then spat out a few words. "We must bring her to the infirmary."

* * *

After Lady Anthanasia had been delivered to medical care, I sat outside the emergency room, and buried my face in my hands. I felt a gust of air whisper by.

"I should have defended her properly, and take the hit..." I trailed off. At first, I thought I was talking to myself until I found that Lord Adrian was beside me. He coolly gazed at me, then blew out a sigh.

"You will be fine, I am certain." He rose up to his feet, about to leave, when I shot up from my seat and called out.

"Adrian."

He halted, but he did not look over his shoulder. His sight remained onward, not on me. Receiving no response, I began to explain what betided at the soirée.

"About earlier... I lied to you. I never wanted him. Lord Jake. I had a plan but I didn't bother telling you because I did not want to drag you into something of my doing," I said to him, hoping he would at least hearken.

His head moved slightly, yet he does not pivot to face me. "I understand. But I could have been informed." He balled his hands into fists. "What if he hurt you? What would I do when I–" Lips shut, the silence invaded the air between us, charged with electric tension.

"I never meant to worry you..." I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Well, now you have. What is your plan when they find out what you have done to Lord Jake?" He whirled around.

I was confident with my answer. "I had a good reason to do what I did. I found evidence that Lord Jake is involved in the black market."

He rubbed his forehead. "Did you not think of the consequences?" His massaging hand deviated from his skin as he inched forward, but maintained a distance. "I can not always protect you." Eventually, he donned worry on him. "This world is dangerous..."

"I can take care of myself. I know that." I took a deep breath, and backed away. "I apologize for what I have done to you. I am sorry for being dishonest. I... I'm at fault here."

He weighed what to say, and found the perfect reply. "Ara, the time we shared together has been a turn of tide for me. But you broke my trust, and I cannot forgive you easily."

"Adrian..." Tears stung my eyes.

"Best of luck, my Lady, you shall need it in winning, or not perchance. It seems that you have the ammunition required to shoot down your rival." Those were his final words before he walked away, his retreating form leaving the infirmary.

Hours later, I stayed in the hospital merely to hear news about Lady Anthanasia. A nurse filed out of the emergency room, and turned to me. "Fortunately, the stab was not as grave. Lady Anthanasia shall be ready in a few days' time. For now, she will rest."

"Thank you so much," I unveiled a gratified look.

"My lady, it is late in the evening. I recommend that you seek sleep," the nurse insisted in a caring manner.

"I will. Thank you again."

* * *

From a plan designed in my head, it was headed toward disaster which plagued the life of Lady Anthanasia in harm's way, and possibly poisoned my standing in high society.

I always stuck my nose in other people's businesses, and that careened to chaos.

It was midnight, and I was crumpled in the couch, shedding tears.

Rosalie entered the room, carrying a steaming bowl of porridge with her. "Here, you need to eat. I can't imagine the adrenaline you were in." She set the bowl on the table, and collapsed on the vacant space next to me. "I should have been there, instead of slipping away with Lady Adelaide."

I wondered why they slithered out of the ballroom. "What were you two discussing?"

She hesitated in responding, but it was inevitable, now that I asked. "I wanted to confess to her my feelings. I have been conflicted for a year, but it became clear to me that my heart yearns for her." She released a chuckle, leaning back. "But who knew a confession would walk toward heartbreak? I was rejected because she was perplexed by the idea of two women falling in love."

"The situation must have been abrupt for her," I mumbled.

"Indeed, it was. I put myself in her point of view, and there, I understood her feelings. We ended the night with an embrace, sealing our relationship to hearty associates."

"I am glad you did not take it far."

A smile stretched across her face. "As do I." She pointed her gaze at the porridge. "Are you hungry?"

I could not resist the meal she offered, therefore I picked up the bowl, and the spoon to eat. Afterward, a satisfied moan left my lips. "This is delicious. You could be a chef de cuisine. Better yet, you could set up a restaurant."

"I like that idea. There are times where I often think of my life, not as a head of house, but someone with a simpler living." She peered at the ceiling, drawn toward imagination.

"A simple life, huh?" I said, and took another spoonful of porridge. "I support your decision when you choose to retire."

"Retire?" Her stare sprang to me. She was stunned. "Why would I retire? Who would keep House Ausleya afloat?"

"I know that you long to experience another Journey. A journey away from politics." I bumped my shoulder to hers. "While I have been sheltered from the outside for most of my life, I will seize every opportunity to be more involved outdoors."

"You have transitioned, and I am pleased to see the result," Rosalie grinned.

"You helped me out of my comfort zone, and it is time I encourage you to live as whoever you want to be. Not to be trapped in a position while your attention is elsewhere," I stated. When those words trickled in her, she gave a long assessment.

"I might want to. I'll have to contemplate on that."

I returned the porridge to the table, and frowned. "Rose... I have a question to ask you."

"Hm?"

"How do I make up for what I have done to Lord Adrian?" I elucidated what I had done to him. Rosalie hummed, analyzing her answers.

She clicked her tongue. "Give him space. Then, do not keep things in for too long. Sometimes, they have to be let out." She crossed her arms over her chest. "It takes small steps to own up to an error. Keep doing those, until they become leaps." Then, she pressed a hand on my shoulder. "Most importantly, how you make up for it will have to come from within."

"You are right. I just hope I had not made a horrendous damage," I said.

* * *

It was tomorrow noon when I paid Lady Anthanasia a visit in the infirmary. After inquiring where she was positioned, I was taken to a room where she was slack on the bed, but conscious. A man held her, his hand caressing her forehead.

Lady Anthanasia became aware that I joined in. The man who was with her, swiveled his head at me with curiosity peaking him. "It's you, Lady Arabelle," she greeted.

"Yes, it's me," the smile on my face went wider. "How are you feeling?"

"The stab left me in pain. But right now, I can survive the burn." She saw the protective, and fierce expression of the man beside her. She introduced him politely, "Oh, I want you to meet Sir Martin. I was going to tell him about you."

Sir Martin extended his hand out, and I shook it. "It is a pleasure meeting you, Lady Arabelle." Appreciation reflected in his marble brown eyes.

In her rest bed, Lady Anthanasia squirmed but the sharp jut of pang made her grimace with a rugged breath. She became motionless, halting every limb of her body. "Governor Philipps... deserves to be put in the dungeons." It was clear in her that she wanted to lead a fight, and shove the bastard behind the cells to rot.

When she mentioned that stammered phrase, an idea clicked in my head. Glowing with a smile, I held her hand in mine. "I know how we can do that, but I will need your full, and frank testimony. For now, I need you to rest, and not think about the damned governor for awhile."

For the first time, there was hope glimmering in her eyes, melting the fire. She loosened up, her tense frame going slack. Sir Martin transferred his attention to me. "Testimony... for what?"

I inhaled, and exhaled. "I'll be off to the Hall of Parliament, and request someone in the high seats for a court hearing. In that manner, we can expose the vile secrets of the governor, and House Partridge."

Lady Anthanasia plastered a concern on her face, troubled. "Surely that would involve an audience? I won't be expecting a good reaction from them once they find out how I earned money."

Her brother tried his utmost efforts to subdue a glower, when he faced me once again. It was the tightening of his facial muscles that contoured the fact that he was holding back a strong emotion. "I cannot put my sister on a podium, in front of many eyes. Once she reveals the truth, not only will the governor, and the house be tarnished, but our reputation as well!" He exclaimed, spilling out a portion of his anger, and worry melded. It resonated through the room, roaring, but soon died down in silence.

I quivered from the blast of his timbre, but I remained intact. "Would you want the governor to run away from his crimes? Would you want justice to be so out of reach by the time the governor ends your status in the society himself?"

His sneer softened into a frown, his eyes sliding away to ruminate on the situation.

I relaxed my shoulders, and folded my arms. "While there is still time, we have to act, and make sure that the governor gets sent into the dungeon. This court hearing could strip him off of his title, and his power. And about public reaction? I'll make sure to change their minds." Those flew out of my mouth, hitting Sir Martin square in the heart. He was taken aback, his pondering even deeper. Silence wrapped around him, intimidating.

But moments later, he lifted his head up, his eyes meeting mine. He had diluted the fierce emotions dancing in him, prodded by the words that, I myself, could not believe I mustered. I had always kept my mouth shut in the early days while cradled within the comfort of the manor. After the twilight ball, I started to transform. Every nerve in me morphed from the timid girl who always had her eyes revelled in lengthy passages of a novella – mostly textbooks, to a figure rising in high society, making her mark among nobles.

Lady Anthanasia attempted to sit up, wincing in the process, and managed to end up in a position where her posture was fixed straight. "I am on board with a court hearing. Even if the public will hate us, I'd rest more easily knowing that the governor has been busted for his wrongdoings." She smiled, adding more. "This could also bring other voices to light, to express themselves. I might not be the sole testimony."

I returned the same kind energy she donned. "You've made your choice, but is your brother on board as well?" The tail of my voice rose in question as I averted my eyes from her, and laid it upon Sir Martin.

He turned his head to her sister, who pleaded quietly. They had an intimate language between blood, and flesh, that I dare not to pry my way in. I took a step back to give them more space, until Sir Martin reluctantly responded. "Anthanasia chose a hearing, then as do I. I will give the governor a piece of my mind for what he had done to my sister, and countless other women being exploited for their body." His tone bled with a determined resolution.

"We will take him down."

* * *

The sun traversed the sky, beaming at the customary routine of the kingdom. The ascending steps to the Hall of Parliament shone from the sun's celestial grin.

Time floated, and I found myself seated in front of Lady Deanne's illegible stare.

"Pardon my sudden entrance, but this is urgent." I said, leaning forward. "I need to gather an audience to expose Governor Philipps, and Lord Jake. I have evidences."

She sighed, and rose up from her seat, turning her back to me. "So you have been investigating them this whole time?"

I reclined in my seat, and knitted my eyebrows together. "Not exactly. I began with the death of Queen Amice, and then came Princess Salome vanishing out of thin air." Then, I fixated my gaze upon her, even when she did not make direct eye contact with me. "But, I had a feeling that the governor was involved in the sinister plot. The slaying of the Royals could have stirred him to push the competition forward, and nudge House Partridge."

"You suspected him as well?" She finally pivoted, facing me with a hint of amusement on her.

"Y-yes."

"You see, I began exploring his ways two months ago. He had this talk about wanting to make positive changes, bringing along his draft proposal of voting rights." She folded her arms, cocking her head to the side. "Then, I noticed a pattern. Some women would come in his office. While I had opportunities to grab, I seized, which resulted in my sudden absences."

I recalled, tugging a memory buried in my mind. "That explains why you rummaged through his glass cabinet. Did you have a lead at the time?"

"I found a key. An intricate one, but I've yet to know which lock it belongs to," Lady Deanne frowned.

"I surmise that the key leads to more documents, and maybe personal items that relate to being involved with a prostitution ring," I told her.

Her eyes widened, her attention fully claimed by me. "Do tell how you found out about the prostitution ring?"

"I stumbled upon the governor, and a lady arguing. The lady quits being his courtesan, which is how she gained money. That money came from Governor Philipps, and he had gotten that from the black market. I suppose there are other secrets he is not willing to let out," I replied.

"What else did you find about Governor Philipps?"

I felt guilty about doing this, but I had to say it. "I snuck into his office, and found a locket with initials A and N. A weathered article about an estate burning down in Europe. I think it was a decade ago?"

She gasped. "Years ago, he travelled to Europe occasionally. And there has been rumors of buying an estate there."

"That estate could have been where he would shelter himself, while still associated with the black market," I said. "This might be why he kept this article in his drawer. That burned estate was his. But who burned it, and why?"

That question jumped out from my tongue.

"You say there was a locket?" She raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"There was. I think it was from one of his courtesans," I answered her, a functioning dichotomy in my train of thought. I was certain, but unsure at the same time.

"May I see the document?" She requested.

"Of course," I pulled out the parchment, and handed it over to her, to which she gratefully accepted with her hands.

She skimmed the document thoroughly. A smile curled her lips upward.

"Is this how you retrieved the document?" She appeared extremely astonished. "I sent inspectors to check on House Partridge, and they discovered an unconscious Lord Jake. They announce that he was most likely sedated."

"I did that since I had reason to believe that him courting me had an ulterior motive," I defended myself.

"Good. Good. Know that I am on your side with this one, and that I will set up a court hearing with Judge Tony," she said, and returned the document to me. "Keep that safe."

"I will."

"Before I contact Judge Tony, do you have any testimonials?"

"Someone who has been inside the prostitution ring that may give us answer to that key."

"Great. While there is time, I need you to devise how you will handle the court, and your evidences. You will be a plaintiff, and the governor, and Lord Jake will be defendants," she gave an advance notice. "What you have against the two are solemn attestations."

"I understand. I need to leave the courthouse with Lord Jake, and Governor Philipps sentenced for their crimes," I replied, resolution forming on my face.

* * *

Two days later, the courthouse was filled with the jury, the defendants, and I, the plaintiff, as well an audience. They were a mix of nobles, and civillians gathered in this day. There were buzzing murmurs around the room, which they clearly were gossping about the event, and the accused.

Speaking of the accused, the courthouse doors burst open, and in entered Lord Jake, and Governor Philipps. Their attendance made the whispers raucous.

I felt a knot in my stomach when the two of them glowered.

They were brought to their seats, which were on the opposite side. I averted my gaze, and attention from them to seek Lady Deanne who bobbed her head in greeting.

The dramatic leaps in my stomach worsened, the anxiety setting in.

Aunt Genevieve soothingly held my hand with faint strokes from her thumb, while Rosalie rubbed my back.

"They are about to find out the horrible things the governor, and Lord Jake had done. I hope that there are more testimonials putting their foot forward so we can confidently seal this case with victory," said Aunt Genevieve, her eyes darting everywhere. Then, she pointed her finger. "Ivy, look."

I twisted around to find Lord Adrian approaching, but he took a distant seat. He was there to observe, along with the other Heads of House. I noted the presence of Lady Adelaide, Lord Erika, and Lord Francis. Supposedly, Sir Quint would be attending, but he was absent.

There was a loud thud ringing across the room – the strike of the gavel.

All eyes were on an old man, his glasses peeking out, and balancing on his slanted dorsum nasi. Judge Tony had banged his gavel to capture attention, and he did with grace. "Let us commence forth with the court hearing." His eyes peeked around, and landed on me. "Lady Arabelle of House Ausleya, you have requested a court audience for this hearing as you have allegations against the governor, and the Head of House Partridge."