Chapter 27: Lies That Come To Life

I was about to take the black stone out of the socket in the secret door to Waryn's room, but stopped when I heard voices.

"...Pregnant... well that explains a lot..." It was Waryn's voice.

"It was meant to look like revenge, but Golia wouldn't retaliate that fast." Nava was in there too. "Aspertin would know this and wouldn't risk his alliance with Ulumie."

"Someone's panicking, then... But who? And why?" Waryn said.

"The why is easy, Waryn. We're not the only ones who know about the descendant from the Jura line." Leah's voice was easiest to hear. She was standing closest to me. The Jura line was the last line of kings in Vynam. From the stories I heard, there were no longer any direct descendants alive, but they were just stories.

I wasn't sure I heard correctly, but if I did, I now knew Waryn's full game. There was someone among the nobles who was a direct descendant to the last line of kings—which meant they had the legal right to the crown. Presented under the right circumstances, this information could reinstate the high king with as little bloodshed as possible.

But what were the right circumstances?

There would be blood first, and then Waryn and his friends could swoop in with the truth and steal the crown without a blight to their names.

"I think your peasant friend belonged to the Kiri all along," Nava said.

They were talking about me.

"I had her working Mica and it didn't look like that," said Waryn. "It has to be someone else. We've missed something..."

"I still think her operator lost her," Leah said and there was a pause in the conversation. "What? They can't be thatgood. I've had her accounted for during every moment since we discovered her and there was no one approaching her."

"We have to start getting deeper," Nava said. "We'll never be able to win this if we've got cloth dolls when our enemies are swinging around hatchets."

"Dylana isn't a cloth doll," Waryn argued

"Dylana is void."

A pregnant silence followed this statement. My heart sunk. Waryn had nothing to say to contradict it.

Dylana was void.

I was void.

The void was me.

"Let's go, Leah," came Nava's voice. "Waryn needs a moment to remember that he's not spineless."

"It's a shame," Leah said. "There really was something special about her. I wonder where she could've gotten to if she didn't hang herself by her own ambition."

Waryn's silence continued for a long time after Nava and Waryn left. I leaned against the wooden pane and waited for my heart to grow still.

"The best lies," Pyren had told me once. "The best ones are the lies that become your truth."

"You mean, I forget they're lies?"

"No, Yael." He was in high spirits, and grinned out to the distance. "Lies are stories, intricate stories you weave to shape the world around you to your own convenience. Lies transform reality so that it could serve you best. Like with every creation, they take on a life of their own."

"And you think that's a good thing?"

"It's the best thing. It gives value to the game. When you live your lies like they're real is when you yourself become your own creation. There is nothing more freeing."

"You're crazy," I said with a smile.

My lies were masks I crafted. They were my creations. But I wasn't free like Pyren said. I was losing control.

I changed the black stone to the red one in the secret door, calling Waryn to me. Then I moved down the passage, and lit a candle in the low-ceilinged room.

There was a creak of wood and a soft bang. His footsteps echoed in the passage and there he stood, in the doorway, dressed, as always, all in black.

For a long minute, we faced one another without saying a word. "This is goodbye, Yael," he said softly, regretfully.

I tried to wet the dryness in my mouth. Waryn was a lie and any attachment to him would be pure insanity. I couldn't find what to say, so I launched into the reason that I called him. "Lord Aspertin is here, in the Cervi house of the Masca Delen," I said.

"I know."

"He's been here since this morning."

"I know."

"He was probably here while Afali was being butchered."

"Considering that he arrived before noon, that is very probable."

"He ordered that I be transferred to the Cervi house."

"You're his ward."

"What will become of me?"

Waryn fingers began moving up and down the smooth wood of the doorframe. "My agents said that Dylana became Aspertin's ward after they uncovered Tvereman spies in Velamia. It was like with my father, instead of going to war, Lord Tvereman gave up his favourite daughter."

I was disappointed to hear the limitations of Waryn's intelligence. His network was weaker than I thought if that was all he knew.

"Except," he said, "Dylana was never his favourite daughter, nor his first born, nor even his."

I was relieved to hear him say that. I should have felt disappointed that Waryn was capable, not the other way around.

"Lady Elisa Tvereman was considered the most beautiful in Vynam, and she's married to an awful man, " he continued. "They say his seeds are broken, and that he couldn't give her children. Elisa was proactive, though. She wanted children, so she made them and made them powerful."

"The affair my father had with Elisa resulted in Kitlidara. My father had them watched, until the spies who watched them got caught by Tvereman's network. You know the rest."

"Lord Aspertin believes Dylana is his," I said.

"As does Lord Acavia and Lord Kru-Dan."

"My, this Elisa sounds talented."

"I couldn't understand how so many Lords could be so stupid," Waryn said. "There were girls I found attractive. Girls so beautiful they invaded my dreams. But I've never become stupid for a woman..." His eyes narrowed. "Until I met you."

The sharp reply I had for him was on my tongue, but I couldn't say it. I couldn't say anything when he began to step towards me, when he cupped my face in his hands. His eyes reflected the candle flame that burnt behind me. "Why did you do it, Yael? Why risk everything? Together, we could've made them pay for what they did to us. We could've torn it all apart, and walked together on the mangled wreckage. It would've meant something with you at my side."

"You have Leah and Nava, Waryn. And I just want my sister."

"We would've found her. You could've been stronger with me. If you didn't give that all up..."

"Afali would have killed me if I didn't show her I was loyal," I said.

"Why would she kill you?"

"Because I knew her secret."

His hands moved to the sides of my neck. "Don't you understand that that was your mistake? Why let her know that you knew?"

Because I wanted power over her. I wanted a longer leash. Instead of patiently taking inch after inch. "It was a mistake," I admitted

"You're not allowed the luxury of mistakes. But that's too late. It's over, Yael. Whoever sent you here, they'll never find you."

"It's not over yet."

"Aspertin will have you sent back to Velamia—"

"—I'll escape on the journey and return—"

"—He'll have you guarded. You'll be treated as a prisoner. You're a suspect in the murder of his only daughter, his only legal heir. That boy of his is too sick and young. They say he does not speak well, although he's ten, and his heart isn't well. Lady Golia isn't a suspect. She's got no claim to Velamia."

"But I wasn't here that day. I was with Mica."

"Dylana is the only one who could benefit from Afali's death. Have no doubt that Aspertin would rather name a different branch of the Cervi as his heirs than the one who'd benefit from Afali's murder."

He was right. It was over, and I could only be thankful that I was still alive.

***

The Cervi house in the Masca Delen was older then the Eloroan. The ceilings in the passageways were linked archways supported by pillars of red brick. I was led to the upper floor of the house where the heat was deeper and the lush carpets hid wooden floor that creaked like crickets. I didn't ask my escorts, two Cervi servants, for any explanation when they left me outside an oak door at the back of the house.

I knocked once and heard Lord Alik Aspertin's voice call from within. The tarnished brass knob was not ornamented, as everything had been in Kamiir Garden. I turned it and entered.

It was a small study with heavy bookshelves lining the walls. On one side, Lady Golia sat beneath the window, scrutinising me as I entered. Lord Aspertin sat behind an oak desk that seemed too small for his overbearing presence.

"Have a seat...Dylana," he said, gesturing towards a lone chair across from him.

I sat, feeling exposed from all directions. I expected Lord Aspertin to view me with open hatred in his eyes, but instead his expression was guarded, almost thoughtful. Since the day I became Dylana, nothing had gone as planned. Nothing and no one was what I expected. It was like trying to dance on floating logs being pulled along by a rapid river. To fall meant to drown.

Perhaps there was something I could take out of this encounter, some damage that could be inflicted that would help me along the way. Perhaps Afali's true murderer did, indeed, sit in this room, but it wasn't me.

"Afali..." Lord Aspertin paused to cough into his hand—a method to mask an emotion. "Afali will be interred in two days."

"Thank you for letting me know, my Lord," I said quietly. "I will pray for her soul."

"Many have told me, in a case like this, to look to who benefits most from Afali's death."

"My lord, if I may..." I bowed my head, my words almost inaudible.

"Yes, you may, Dylana."

"That only means I am the person least likely to have done anything to her."

"Because all fingers would point to you if you did? You may be right."

"No, not just that." It was a gamble. Even if I felt like I had nothing to lose, there was always something to lose.

"Then why?"

"You won't believe me when I tell you that I grew attached to Afali. I loved her."

"You're right, statements of friendships are hard to believe," Lord Aspertin said, but he was waiting, because he knew that that wasn't what I was implying.

"That's why I will not speak of my own feelings, but just of what happened between us."

"You were aiding Afali's courtship with Lord Waryn Eloroan," Lord Aspertin said.

"Not only that. Afali was indebted to me."

At that, Lord Aspertin's eyes widened, and I could see his resemblance to Afali. I didn't know whether the pinch in my chest was due to my act, or was real pain. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"I mean, I knew her secrets. After I found out, she told me everything..."

"You found out about what?"

"That Afali was pregnant. That she needed to marry someone like Lord Waryn to best her enemies. She told me what had transpired during the two months of summer when you had been away from Kamiir Garden."

"Alik," interrupted Lady Golia making me turn to look at her. Her fists were clutched and she was at the edge of her seat. "She's a silver-tongued serpent, I already told you what she said to me that day when I called her to offer greetings."

"And I told you that she wasn't wrong," he replied, smiling affectionately at her. "That mask you had, my love, it was disrespectful and a stain on my pride." I didn't dare to hope that he would favour me over his wife. Even if his love towards her was just pretence, he wouldn't break an alliance with the Ulumie at a moment like this. But why would he defend me?

"Alik, listen to me..."

"Golia, you are being inappropriate. I don't wish to dismiss you before this interview is concluded."

Golia clamped her mouth shut, eyes blazing.

Lord Aspertin pressed the tips of his fingers together. "Who were Afali's enemies, Dylana?"

I opened my mouth to answer, when a knock sounded at the door.

"Enter," Lord Aspertin said.

The door opened and then, creaking and clanging, four knights in full armour marched in, one for each corner of the room. Their iron masks, long swords at their hips, steel gauntlets and breastplates all gleamed in the firelight.

I shrunk in my chair, losing focus. My heart rang in my ears. All the plans I was trying to make fell into a whirlwind. I hastily glanced at Lord Aspertin, trying to plead with him to listen. Begging him, just with my eyes, to reconsider.

At a signal from Lord Aspertin, each knight placed a hand on the hilt of his sword. I could now see he was livid, his anger manifesting into cold hatred.

"Tell me, Dylana, who fathered the... the thing that was pulled out of Afali?"

Shivering, I said, "The man who was ordered to...hurt her, my lord."

"And what happened to this man?"

"He... he's dead."

"Who killed him?"

I shook my head from side to side. "No one, my lord."

Lord Aspertin made the tiniest gesture with his finger and the cold, loud sound of swords being drawn made the floor tremble. Four naked blades were pointed at my body. I faced a fear that I had never yet experienced.

"Tell me, Dylana, did you kill the man who raped my daughter?"

I didn't answer. Not yes or no. My death had come, and nothing could help me now.

Lord Aspertin, to my surprise, inclined his head to look at me from another angle. "You said he was the man who was ordered to hurt her. Who ordered it? Did she tell you?"

My eyes unwittingly flicked to Lady Golia and back to Lord Aspertin.

He saw, and his frown deepened.

"Would you take revenge for your sister? For Afali?" he asked.

"I..." My eyes looked to the blades, as bright as polished silver. "I would."

"Yes. That's what I thought." Lord Aspertin leaned back in his chair. "We will discuss the matter of revenge further after the Masquerade season is over."

He signalled to his knights. "Take her away."

I clutched the seat of the chair beneath me, my spine stretching, my lungs drawing in a quick, sharp breath. I was ready to scream, to beg, anything that would change my fate.

Lady Golia's smile curled her upper lip. Her arms were crossed when she leaned triumphantly into her own chair.

I gazed up at the knights when they sheathed their swords and began to move.

But they didn't come to me.

They turned away, one after the other.

Towards the corner of the room.

They grabbed Lady Golia by her arms and dragged her to the floor. She shrieked in surprise. And then her head whipped towards Lord Aspertin. "Alik, what are you doing?"

"Apprehending the murderer of my daughter," he said.

"Alik, you're making a mistake. It was her, she killed Afali."

Lord Aspertin rose to his feet and signalled to one of the knights who swung his gauntleted hand and slapped Lady Golia across the face with the sound of a butcher's knife cutting into meat.

She crumpled to the floor in a heap, blood dripping from her lips.

"My dearest Golia, every time I hear her name on your lips," Lord Aspertin said. "You will lose a tooth or a nail. Every time you scream in protest, you will lose some of your hair. If you have no more hair to lose, I will have your scalp flayed. You will be kept alive. Alive and wretched for all your years. Death is too merciful for you, my love."

She made not a sound when they pulled her up and left the room with her dragged between them.

"Do you see, Dylana? You still have much to learn about revenge."

I still couldn't find my voice.

"You were wise not to admit involvement in Lord Ulumie's death."

If he thought me wise for not speaking, I continued with my silence.

"You have been doing well for yourself this Masquerade," Aspertin went on, bringing forward a leather folder from the corner of the table. "I commend your ability to draw Lord Mica Kiri to you."

"I...thank you, my lord." My heart was jittery. It wasn't over. It was far from over.

"You must be wondering what happens now, Dylana."

I nodded.

He opened the leather folder. Inside were several sheets of crisp white paper. Aspertin, wearing now a weary smile, as if a joke had just been told but he was too tired to laugh, drew out the first sheet. It was a long letter written in a sharp hand. "This is a written confession from your mother about the night you were conceived. Lord Dolev Eloroan tried to prove his own parentage, but failed. The month of your birth is eleven months after his last tryst with Lady Elisa. You have passed the test of serum, you are my blood. And, therefore..."

He pulled out the second document, presenting it before me. "You are no longer a bastard. You have been officially adopted as my daughter, and the heiress to my name, title and lands. Your new name is Lady Dylana Aspertin. You are destined to be the next ruler of Velamia."

The tables turned so quickly, they made my world spin.

My tears were real, but my smile fake. "I..." I swallowed, wiping tears that had ridden down my mask even as more came. "Thank you, my lord..."

"I am your father now, Dylana," he chided gently.

More and more tears came. I nodded my head. "Thank you...father," I said to the man who killed my father.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Another BOOM. We are nearly at the last leg of our journey, and I happen to be a fan of irony. I tried to make this twist as un-obvious as possible. I mean, when you think about it, it really is obvious. With Afali dead, Yael could either be a head on a pike or the head of the state. How do you think Waryn will take this change of status? And what are your thoughts about the development in their relationship? Are there even developments, or is it the same thing over and over again?

I have transformed myself into a humanoid cat creature for today's chapter. It's leopard ears so I guess I'd belong to some branch of the Fel. I need to invest is masks. Meow?

(That's really me btw hehehe)
❤️
Einaty