XVI. Lair of Luxury

Days had passed.

An eternal undulation of ridges among the cerulean ocean buffeted the sides of the ship which cut across with practiced ease. The ocean was like the sky, but darker, and deeper.

Salome threw her head back with a pleasant exhale after having breathed in the crisp breeze of air past the frontier of the homeland she had been reined in, except for her time in India where she spent a considerably generous amount of time away from the kingdom. "It's moments like these that make travelling a thrilling, and fun type."

"It's the horizon shrouded by the unknown that intrigues you?" I quizzed her, eyebrow arched.

"Well, curiosity plays a part in boosting the thrill. You would want to take after the horizon, in search of something new," replied Salome in a manner wherein she seemed to be kissed by freedom for the second time. No longer being the Crown Heiress. No longer being pressured to resume the bloodline. She was allowed to do whatever she wants this time, and taking in the dulcet melody of lapping waves was one of them.

But being sent away to India was a different experience. She was still a royal, not completely untethered to a regal binding destiny. Roaming the land of India was a temporary escape from the confines of home, and the strict ideals of her parents that stopped her from being her true self. Although upon analyzing that, there was the daunting replay of Amice's tone. Salome was the favorite, and that made her resent her sister.

She was gone now. No longer existing to make other lives hell for her own selfish desires.

"Look! I see a shape forming over there!" Rosalie pointed her finger at an outline growing bigger every second. It was the island. Monaco. We were near.

I took in a deep breath, and faced Salome, and Rosalie, raising my voice so that I could capture their unwavering attention. "We'll gather up, and be ready to storm that island with style. We'll need to alert the officers about our most wanted runaways."

They nodded, catching my words in understanding.

Later, we dismounted ourselves from the ship, and promenaded among Monaco. We were met with quaint buildings nestled to each other, and then a slope that went upwards where there were several homely estates lined up.

"Their architecture is particular. It's nothing like Helmburn. It's a whole new world," Salome gave out a comment about the buildings her eyes had seen.

Rosalie commented, "Not to be impolite, but some buildings are brash."

"I don't see that anywhere. I see beauty," Salome replied.

"To each their own," Rosalie shrugged from behind her.

We were about to pass the boutique when Salome decided to stride in wordlessly, leaving me confused in the dust for a millisecond. Soon after, my cousin trailed after, shooting me a meek glance. I nodded at her, and clasped my hands together, darting my eyes around to take in the sights. There was an alleyway acting as a gap between the boutique, and the hardware. When I tore my eyes away from them, I landed it upon a man with a hat, and a burly build. His hands were in his pockets.

Then, it struck me the moment he made eye contact. I gasped silently. He responded in horror, eyes wide, and decided to lurch forward to clutch my wrist. My heart pounded in my ears as he dragged me toward the alley I saw. He had me up against the wall, his lips parted open to speak. "Arabelle... you're here."

I choked on the mention of the name, which resided in my throat. It came out in a sour tone. "Jake. What a pleasant surprise." Luckily, I did not stutter in front of this man.

"So I take that you've used the trail I left to get here?" He raised an eyebrow.

I pursed my lips, averting my eyes from him, remembering the heat of passion I was with him. A forbidden one I daresay. "The compass. It was yours?"

"Yes." He elucidated further. "I snuck the compass with me before being dragged into the cells. That compass was a welcome gift from Elton."

"Wait. Wait." I held my hands up to which it provoked him into realization that he was uncomfortably close. He removed his flat palms from the wall, and backed away, shifting awkwardly. "Have you been anticipating my arrival?"

"I have, ever since Philipps told me that Onyx, the woman who testified on our behalf at the court, had a plan to take us out." He shoved a hand through his hair, looking anxious. "Actually, they'd been planning on this before the trial." He licked his lips, and shot a glance sideways, to the bustling street of Monaco outside the alley. "I bet you're not alone."

I glared at him, thinking it would lead to a threat. "You bet I am not. If they ever see you with me, they will skin you alive."

He reacted in horror, and put his hands up, as if surrendering. "Hey. I am here to tell you the whereabouts of Somerset, and Philipps. Didn't you come all this way to arrest us?"

I was baffled. "Aren't you concerned that you'd get arrested, and be brought back to confinement again?"

"Ara, I'm not that oblivious. I know. That is why I am telling you right here, right now." His eyes never left mine.

I closed my eyes, and hung my head downwards. "I don't understand," I jerked my head back up to encounter his slightly sultry stare. "Why are you doing this?"

His eyes glimmered, a hint of sadness in them, and... resolution. "I have to make things right. And one way to do that is to help you." I pursued a thorough search into him, and reminded of the genuine tone. He was determined for redemption. "Nothing can justify my decisions because I acted upon them, consciously. I had a choice, and I said yes. This time, I'm going to fix things... And to apologize to you."

My mind raced back to the time when he rescued me from a near-death experience in the hunting grounds. At that time, I thought nothing of it but a way for him to impress me, to thrust me into his arms willingly. His footsteps scuttled to the light where it hit him face-first, his gaze maneuvering across the street. He spun around, and inclined his head, implying that he was ready for his fate. A fate behind bars. Was he truly sure of that?

He could take the opportunity to knock me out unconscious, and flee, but he didn't. Although, there was a conflicted feeling that I had to face. Eventually, I passed by him, and stumbled upon Rosalie, and Salome who immediately assumed fighting stances.

Rosalie growled, her strong dislike for Jake wedged in her tone so indisputably. "What have you done to her?" She gritted her teeth, her fierce glower targeted at him. "If you dare touch her, I will slit your throat."

I dismissed her in the kindest way I could, shielding Jake, which made her muster up her confusion, as well as Salome who folded her arms and arched an eyebrow. "What's going on here?" She questioned.

Jake stepped forward upon his own initiative, explaining himself to the both of them. He braved the consequences of his statement, whether it be a withering reaction, or something else brutal from them. "I am here to help you three. I know where Philipps is, and his boss, Elton Somerset."

There was a grimace from Rosalie, and despite the warm weather she shivered. It was the name that made her recoil like that, edging into a frown. But that vanished from her face as she quickly replaced that with a firm and unreadable expression, her hands balled to fists. "Let's go, and kick their arse."

* * *

ROSALIE'S POV

Jake's figure confidently weaved through the streets of Monaco, escorting us to the supposed rendezvous of Somerset, and his minions who were tugged toward an illegal union. "Right this way," he mumbled under his breath hoping that we'd all hear. We swerved to the left, ducking into another narrow alley. All the way in the other end was a simple door, one that would lead us to Elton... my father.

There was this lingering distrust at him that sucked at my gut like a relentless suction, reluctant to slip away and move on with the soar of breeze. For all we knew, Jake had calculated our approach to Monaco, and that we'd be ambushed the moment we stepped past the threshold.

I pulled Arabelle back, her crown no longer glistening as it had been cloaked by the shadow. "What's our game plan here? Our gambit?"

She knitted her eyebrows together in reply, her eyes shooting up to Jake who turned around, noting that the two of us had halted in our tracks. Finally, she gave me a reassuring whisper. "We'll bring ourselves inside... and if hell breaks loose, we fight."

I nodded to indicate that I was in agreement, and I understood. Salome had not been with us since she took off to inform the Monaco police, bringing along the paper of address that Arabelle had held onto.

We were centimeters away from Jake as he cautiously fumbled for the doorknob, when a brawny, and hostile-looking man appeared domineering over the three of us. His eyes skipped to Jake in recognition, and let out a guttural growl. "Philipps has been looking for you..."

Jake immediately made up an excuse, "I was to fetch two visitors who will be joining us tonight."

The man's gaze clambered to spy at Arabelle, and then I. He narrowed his eyes. "Who are they?" He asked in a strong French accent. "We did not anticipate any other unwanted trespassers."

Jake placed himself in front of us, acting as a defensive barrier between the man who seemed to be capable of springing forward and tackling all of us at once. Even the thought of it made me shiver in place, almost abundantly in his sight. "They are redacted identities who Elton wished to remain anonymous."

"Ah, so they must be here to gamble?" He lifted a quizzical eyebrow, not budging out of our only entrance in.

"Must I spare you every detail that Somerset wants to keep under wraps?" Jake glared.

The man rolled his eyes, and moved himself aside, giving way to the door. It was within reach. "Just make sure you won't cause any trouble. I am done cleaning up the mess this week."

"Thank you," Jake nodded. He twisted his head around, and beckoned us to trail after him. We did, and we drifted in, moving past the man who stayed with cold suspicions, but did not bother anymore.

The door hid a descending stairway, where the bottom was painted the faint light of amber, preferably candle lamps. We started downstairs, until we marched in an underground casino.

Musk, and the scent of colliding alcohols gave a welt at my nostrils which blazed like fire from the sudden introduction of strong fragrances thick in the air. There were gamblers masked in the cascade of dripping light of warm colors which spilled across the underground.

Jake pulled Arabelle aside, mumbling into ears in which I was able to capture the words despite it a supposed whisper. "Philipps, and Somerset, are past that curtain, over there." He aimed his left index finger at the curtain in the other end of the room, awaiting our entry. Whatever was behind it had Elton.

"Alright. I appreciate you helping us."

"No problem. I must do anything in my power to assist you both, and... cleanse myself from my sins."

"It's good that you're starting your progress," Arabelle remarked.

I shot her a knowing glance, tilting my head at the curtain. I mouthed let's go at her, in which she followed after me. We closed in on the curtain, until we were in where a circular table had been occupied by conspicuous figures in formal velvet suits. A generous billow of smoke curled out from the cigarette of a woman, reminiscent of my mother who had an addiction for smoking. She espied two figures that stood out to her. Strangers.

Her voice raised over the air, making me freeze in place. "Elton. We have guests here that need introduction."

A man with silver sleek hair pushed to the side, and a gray stubble jolted up from his seat, and faced us with a stern expression. His suit was slightly unbuttoned, and his formal navy blue jacket lopsided. He had a commanding nature around him. "Who are you, and what matters are you bringing upon this casino?"

I took a step forward, ignoring the slight brush of Arabelle's hand which could had been a warning grip. "Rosalie Ausleya." I dropped my name, and searched his face for any hint of recognition. Even a small one. Aha. I did. His face altered to a softened look, his strictness slightly receding from his features. "Does that ring a bell?" I asked him.

He moved around the table until he was inches away, his face in wonder, and amusement. "Rose... my daughter. You came. You found me." He had a tight-lipped smile which soon left him when he took note of my frown. "How did you get here?"

"I had grown up, with mother telling me that you're out of the picture. I really wanted to meet you ever since I was a child." I snuck a peek at my own fingers, avoiding his stare for a moment, before I regained the confidence to peer back at him. "And I can't believe I get to see you now."

There was that ghost of a smile that passed over his face. "After all these years, you've grown to become a fine woman." He reached for my cheeks, but stopped a centimeter away, his eyes looking to me for permission. I nodded, and allowed his touch which was a stark contrast to warmth, hold my cheek. I gasped at the cold contact, but eased into it, my shoulders relaxing. "Where is your mother? How is she?" He questioned.

I pursed my lip. Should I tell him?

I sucked in a deep breath. "She's gone." It was all that I could gather.

"Oh." It appeared as if he was struck in the heart, painfully, but that blow had been coated with my presence. I was his last glimmer of hope, presumably. "I want to build a life with you but..." He turned around, his gaze landing on the woman who sought for our introduction after we barged in through the curtains. "I have a family." He returned his attention to me, and I glanced surreptitiously at the woman who had an unreadable face. "Listen, you can't stay here. This world that I live in, it doesn't suit you. Please, stay in Helmburn. Where you'll prosper as a better person than I am. I... fell into my own grave which I can't drag myself out of."

"Then get yourself out of there. Try harder. Don't let yourself slip further into the darkness." I pressed those words, hoping it would knock some sense into him.

He seemed conflicted with the chaotic whirlwind of thoughts spiraling out of control in his head. Our moment had been interrupted by a shrill scream, and a loud order that had been barked by what must had come from a Monaco police.

Cussing under her breath, the woman grabbed for the pearl encrusted handgun under the table, and fired her shot at me, but Elton was able to bring me down on time. The bullet pierced through the wall behind me. She raged on with a steady building temper that had her face twisted to a hideous glower. "I did not build an empire for years only for it to be toppled down by two idiots!" She brandished her shiny pistol studded with pink pearls, and an accent of gold.

"Stand down, Halette!" Elton barked at her, but she defied that.

"I am not your lapdog, Elton! You may as well flee like the coward you are, and rush back into the beloved arms of the woman you replaced me with!" She cried out in fury, her pistol aimed right at Elton. "But let's see you thrive without your firearm." Her finger grabbed onto the trigger but a shape leapt toward her, causing the bullet to get redirected to the ceiling.

Halette grunted in frustration, and looked up to see Arabelle. My cousin connected her knuckles to her cheek, producing a satisfying crunch. But I had to help her. I scrambled to my feet as the other members, who sat around the table, fled in panic. "Don't you dare hurt her!" I growled, and wrestled Halette for her handgun.

She bared her gritted teeth, and knocked her forehead to mine, before she did with Arabelle. She rose up to her feet, her aim locked on me when she pulled the trigger. But her gun merely made a click.

Halette released a groan, and tossed the handgun away, to pull up her fists. "Lay a finger, and I'll break all your bones!" She threatened.

The Monaco police surged in through the curtains, tackling Halette. She dodged out of the way, and slammed her knuckles across the face of a police, before she kicked the shin of the other.

"She can put up a fight," Arabelle said in shock.

"So can we. Come on!" I put her back up to her feet, and we charged at Halette in opposite directions. She scowled, and prepared to elbow Arabelle when I caught her other arm and yanked at it, claiming her attention. At the distraction, Arabelle managed to knee Halette until she was on the ground, grunting in pain.

But we weren't done yet.

On the other side of the room was an enraged Keith Philipps. "You two really are not giving up?"

"We aren't, whether you like it or not." Arabelle clenched her hands into fists.

"Fine. You leave me no choice." He eyed something, and I wasn't able to catch up his line of sight when he lunged for the sword on the wall, and pointed it at us. "I assure you. The second you step close, this sword will cut you in half."

"Try us," Arabelle challenged.

Jake slithered his way into view, and Keith looked on in with a perplexed stare. "We have to surrender, Philipps. To atone."

"Why?" He choked, rendered speechless, then that pause stopped. "You're taking their side now?"

"I've taken yours for a considerable amount of time, and I realized that... you may have been using my land, my title, and my power as Lord of House Partridge." He exhaled a disappointed sigh, at himself, and... Keith. "I've lost all that, and I blame you. And I blame myself as well because I had been given the chance to say no, but declined it."

Keith stared, a pained expression flashed across his face at this betrayal. Slowly, he lowered his sword, and pointed his gaze at Jake. His eyes caressed him in a way he saw his own non-existent child. He furrowed his eyebrows, and slouched in defeat as the Monaco police cuffed them in ropes, including Elton, and Halette.

Elton did not force himself away, but instead gave in, while Halette was the complete opposite. She had gone feral, barking at the police with a language I could not decipher. Before Elton had been dragged away, he reached out to me, eyebrows knitted together. "I'm pleased to have meet you, Rosalie. Know that I truly care for you, and your mother." He sighed. "Don't forget that." Then the police propelled him forward with force, and he had no choice but to comply.

We had apprehended criminals of our own homeland.

Salome poked her head through the curtain, and carried a grin on her face when her eyes landed on Arabelle, and I. "You guys are alright!" She skipped over with renewed bliss.

"It's over. Finally." Arabelle crossed her arms, and leaned against the wall.

"Oh..." A frown suddenly crossed Salome.

"What's wrong?" Arabelle questioned.

"It's just that... I don't really think that I'd want to retreat to Helmburn. I mean," she gestured around the place. "I could start anew, and begin my journey. Truly begin it independently."

There was a small smile tugging at the corners of Arabelle's lips. "Then we won't force you back home. You can stay here if you want to."

"Really?" Salome perked up, eyes lit up.

"You don't need my permission, Salome. It's your life. Live it the way you want to steer it," Arabelle responded, to which Salome rushed forward and threw her arms around her neck, encompassing her in an abrupt embrace.

"Thank you!" She smiled warmly. "You both have been wonderful associates. And I made the right decision to transfer the crown to you, Ara. You certainly earned it."

They pulled away. Arabelle cocked her head to the side with a curl of her lips. "See you again someday?"

"See you again someday," Salome repeated with a tight grin.

Later, Monaco shrunk behind us as the ship cruised through the ocean once again, en route to Helmburn. To home. We had our refugees arrested, and they sat there in silence.

* * *

ARABELLE'S POV

After Keith, and Jake had been returned to prison, but in a level where security was tighter, I made my way back to the castle.

Their position back in bars after having been retrieved from Monaco served as the bookend of an era. It was time to ease up on the mattress, but when I pushed open the bedchamber, I had not anticipated a pleasant surprise.

Adrian was on the bed, an epitome of a sultry invitation with his signature smirk, and his charming aura. "The constables updated me that you came home," said Adrian.

"Let's push aside talk about that. I'd rather be with you now," I told him.

He sat up, straightening his spine. "Not so fast. I need to punish my Queen for being gone for so long."

"It's only been a week," I replied.

"You've lost count of the many days you were not here for me to relish. Now I'll have you stand there, yearning..." He pushed himself off of the bed as I gulped the lump in my throat.

"What's your punishment?" I asked him.

"Shall I demonstrate?" He smiled devilishly.

"Please."

His hand reached for the hem of his suit, and he pulled it up an inch, exposing his skin.

"Are you... teasing me?" I gasped in a melodramatic manner, and he chuckled.

"The real question is... are you prepared, your majesty?" He quirked an eyebrow.

A warm blush crept across my cheeks, as I turned around to hide it. This was something I was disgusted at, at first, but how... the heat of the moment thrusted me to submit. "I am. So show me how you'll punish your Queen."

"Ah, ah, I don't take orders from you," Adrian bit his lower lip, his stare pierced into mine. He slowly pulled his top off, teasing. I watched as he bared his muscled abs contoured by the lamplight. The shadows accentuated each toned muscle of his torso. Eventually, he furthered his taunting. When his top was on the floor, his eyes were on me, watching for my reaction. I swallowed while taking in the sculpted sight of his upper body.

"My eyes are up here." His voice startled me. I flitted my gaze to his.

"Am I supposed to just stand here?" I questioned, eyes wide.

"Of course. That's what you get." He smirked again, as his hands reached for his pants. "Why don't I put on a show for you? I need you to witness what you've been missing for the past few days."

"This is... torture," I frowned.

"You'll get your reward sometime," He had a tight-lipped smile. I wanted to defy him, and seal his breath with my lips.

But I was limited to a boundary: observing him tug down his pants in a languid pace. There was a growing fire in my throat, in my abdomen. A fire of longing.

I reached the time he kicked off his pants, displaying the hardened bulge sticking out of his underwear. "See something you like?" He asked with a grin.

"Adrian... please." I begged.

"I love hearing you call my name, but I bet I'd love it more when you scream it," he said as his lip curled to a cruel smirk.

"You are barbaric," I commented.

"That opinion may alter later."

"I truly can't keep up anymore..." I admitted, sensing my knees weaken when he marched forward in slow paced steps.

"Not my fault." He circled me, until he was behind. "You can't touch me yet." He instructed. He undid my gown, until it pooled on the floor, and I was in my lingerie.

"I... Oh," It was what I could say at the moment. The color in my cheeks became warmer.

His eyes drank the view in, then he went back in front of me. "I can't wait to know how long-"

I cut him off when I shoved us back to bed, and I pushed my lips against his in haste. His hands roamed the curves of my waist almost in an instant as the kiss. I felt his grin against my lips, and whispered as many words as he could. "My, you're... a wild one."

I giggled. "You made me."

Then, the night went on with intimacy.

* * *

Two months later, I had prepared a lunch table with a few people I had in mind. Once everyone had poured in through the doors, we began.

Lady Deanne, or must I correct myself, Governess Deanne initiated the table conversation with a spark of joy. "I'm close to selling off the last of House Partridge's assets before fully transforming it into a law school, for those who want to pursue, well, law."

"That sounds like a wonderful progress, I'm proud of you," I stated with a wide smile.

My attention transferred to Rosalie who beamed beside Lady Adelaide. "And what might be putting on those smiles on your faces, you two?" I chuckled.

Rosalie replied with a tight-lipped smile. "I finally found a building to start my dreams. Although, it's going to take time to fix, and renovate, but we'll get there."

Beside her was a confident figure, her loyal friend Lady Adelaide who held her hand. "We will definitely get there. Never giving up."

Within the past months, there had been a whirl of news spread throughout Helmburn starting with Lord Erika trying out as a rookie opera actor. There were gossips that he had nailed his role, while others said that he had forced Madame Desiree to give him a rating of approval. I dismissed those. They were merely rumors. The truth always came from the person itself.

Then, Mother had assumed full responsibility as the new Head of House Ausleya which meant that she would be navigating the political world, with guidance from Rosalie and I. She made sure that the halls of House Ausleya had paid homage to Genevieve Ausleya, a damn amazing Countess. Our heads snapped to the door to find Mother waltzing in the dining room.

"Lady Antoine," Lady Adelaide greeted. "Pleasure to have you here with us."

"Thank you. I could never pass up the opportunity, especially if it means bonding with my daughter." She gazed at me, giving a meek nod. "Your majesty," she addressed before perching on her seat.

I had been vigilant of the actions around the table, and had been fully aware of the not-innocent looks from Rosalie who had something up her sleeve. "Rose? What is it?" I arched an eyebrow.

She could no longer lie. "I wonder when your man is coming."

"Any minute now," I responded.

And then he entered the room with a chalice in his hand. Wine. He greeted the guests with his usual charm, then set the chalice in front of me. "It's not poisoned, I assure you," he mocked.

"I know it isn't." I threw back a reply.

He had that trademark smile. He took his seat.

I eyed each and every one of them. They were happy, laughing as they chatted. I parted my lips to take a breath, knowing well that I would not meet the same fate like Amice.

I was a better Queen who would rule Helmburn, and protect it.

I raised my chalice. "To Helmburn."