Familiar Names

"Execution for what!? Answer my fucking question!" Dixie was seriously starting to panic now.

"Quiet down and await your judgement." The knight reprimanded her.

"Only the Goddess can judge me and I don't see her here!" She hissed back.

The man looked at her with curiosity. She stuck her tongue out at him. He immediately went back to ignoring her.

Some of the nobles gathered began to whisper about her outburst.

"Can you believe it? The witch is playing dumb. She's actually asking what her crime is."

"Unbelievable...no shame..."

"I pity her family. Imagine having to tolerate such a person for so long."

"An abomination."

Dixie felt riled by their words. She didn't know why, but she could sense there was some foul play at work. This redheaded woman on trial was not guilty. And frankly, neither was she. She didn't belong here.

Why was she taking so long up wake up?

Up front and seated upon one of the elevated white benches of the assembly, Bonnie was thinking the exact same thing.

Where was she? Who was she? Why was she in the body of a dude with long blonde hair? What a whacky dream! Her eyes blinked rapidly as she tried to make sense of everything.

Her thoughts broke off as a man, who had been previously standing next to the large golden and white doors stepped forward and faced the assembly. His squeaky voice filled the hall.

"His Majesty, Emperor Robert Williams Cromwell and Her Highness, Empress Eleanor Blanche Cromwell have arrived! Please rise and show your respect towards the keepers of peace and harmony of our glorious Elysium Empire!"

The nobles, servants and clergymen all rose to their feet. The knights stationed around the hall stomped their right foot as a salutation.

Bonnie's eyes widen in shock. Wait a second! Both of those names sound familiar. It's from the story Dixie read to me last night; the same book that sucked us in. Is it plausible for something like this to happen? I thought only board games had this feature. 

She turned to the man next to her who had dark red hair that was greying. She instantly recognized him. He was the Grand Duke of the House of Del Montague. Him and his family were as close to royalty as one could get without actually being a Cromwell. In the past, the Del Montagues' had members of their family married into royalty. His Grace, Duke Roelle Tristian Del Montague. The unfortunate butthead whom Felicia had for a father. 

So if she was sitting next to him in the body of a younger man, then this must mean her identity was now none other than Alexander Nicholas Del Montague. Felicia's older brother and future heir of the Dukedom.

Alexander! The other ass crack, who caused his own sister so much grief. Fuck! Why must I be in the body of this butt grease?

"Is this happening for real?" Bonnie's voice came out nervous. It surprised the Duke.

"What do you mean? What's happening for real?" Roelle's reply was spoken in a hushed undertone as the emperor had taken his seat and the entire assembly followed suit.

Bonnie was sweating bullets. She knows of the massive shitstorm that is about to take place.

"Alex, you are sweating a lot and you look very pale. Are you feeling alright?" A woman's soft maternal voice came from the other side of the Duke. 

If she's sitting next to the Duke and speaking to me like a mother, than this must be Lady Tyren. She is the Duke's second wife. Who's currently living the life of a Duchess rent free. But most importantly, she is the evil step-mother who had a hand in destroying Felicia.

Bonnie was about to respond when the Duke shushed them. Instead, her eyes travel to the unfortunate woman about to be burned alive.

I have to do something now, don't I? I'm meant to intervene. Why else would I have been brought here? Is this still a dream or not?

She spares a glance in Tyren's direction. The woman is sitting at the edge of her seat with her back ramrod straight. Though her expression is carefully controlled, Bonnie can see the anticipation. Looks like someone is eager for her step-daughter's execution. Makes sense. This is the culmination of all her years of hard work, aka abusing Felicia.

Bonnie bit her tongue and turned to face the booming voice of the emperor.