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TREASON:

Of the greatest crime, punishable by death. Betraying the house of Veridian in any manner deemed by the Crown, including but not limited to; overthrowing the Crown, deceit, spying, defying direct orders from the Crown, and attempted murder or murder of any of the Royal Court members and the House of Veridian.

Archives of History

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[Silver Rayne Williams]

I stared out into the grey sky that peaked from the slight space between the curtains, not wishing to ever get out of bed.

Morning could come and go but here I would remain.

I couldn't get that moment out of my head not able to wrap my head around the idea that I, Silver Rayne Williams had spoken to the new king and lived to tell the tale.

He was certainly different from what I had expected, though many things I had expected of him turned out to be true.

Like, He was certainly cold, odd and detached.

However, not in the ruthless way I had pictured but cold- as in emotionless. He seemed to care about nothing, not even the fact that I had committed a crime so close to treason.

Truth be told that's exactly what it was.

Treason.

Using an experiment against the new king of the Fang. I shivered at the possible consequences of it had he chosen to be cruel. I could have ended up in serious trouble.

It was that stupid scent that made him behave that way.

Despite now acknowledging that the Tribrid prince had proof if he ever decided to change his mind, I thanked the heavens I could no longer even see that mixture.

It was pure bad luck and I sorely regretted taking it.

I should have gone with the werewolf scent.

I turned over, staring at the ceiling. I had to stop thinking and replaying that conversation over and over in my head.

He had shown me mercy. One that I should not take for granted but still...I couldn't help but feel small.

Even the New King had shrugged me off as if I was nothing. I was a human fighting in a losing war.

Yes, he had described it best.

I shut my eyes, allowing the morning breeze to float through the half-open window and cherish me.

I had to think of Vella, all this was for her. I was granted another day to live and that was all that mattered.

Assuring myself of this, I rolled out of bed and walked into the showers.

I would have to check up on her sometime today as I had promised. Perhaps Lady Beatrice had found a place for me sooner than she had expected. It would be pleasant if she had.

It was certainly pointless staying at Fang Court. There was nothing here for me. All that had happened since Vella left was the tip of the iceberg.

The water slid down my back, and I tried my hardest to lift my spirit. Ever since the unexpected visit I had been feeling down.

Perhaps it was because I thought I would have lasted longer than I had. Barely a few days in, the New King was able to not only discover me but also find Dad's kit.

Every single secret I had to protect myself against the Fang. That shield had been broken in a blink of an eye.

I felt I had nothing to hide anymore.

I had felt some kind of power in keeping that small secret no matter how ridiculous it sounded. Like I could protect my sister because I had that little power-

But the truth was, I was nothing.

If The New King could find me and my Dad's kit so easily, he was truly no match for me. He was fast- true, and he was cold- but he simply didn't care for trivial things.

I was the trivial thing.

Groaning, I cursed myself for caring what such a tribrid monster thought of me. I should count my blessing. A blessing woven in heavenly bodies that I was still standing here, breathing.

Trudging out of the shower, toothbrush in my mouth, towel tucked tightly around me, I froze at the sound of a knock at the door.

Memories of yesterday flooded me, and I immediately wore a bathrobe instead, rinsing my mouth.

Walking to the door, I opened it slowly, peeking out.

A guard stood before me, staring up ahead blankly.

"An invitation for Silver Rayne Williams," he stated, posed with full attention.

I noticed he had dropped the Lady title I had been given when Vella was around. I still didn't understand why it was necessary to call out all three names though.

My eyebrows drew together, "Yes?"

"You are invited for breakfast in Everest hall-"

"Breakfast?" I echoed heart thumping.

I opened the door wider, as the guard's eye darted to mine as if I was bothering him by echoing his statements, his lips pursed in a firm scowl.

I guess it annoyed him that a werewolf was sent to serve a human.

"Yes-" he gritted.

"I can't," I stuttered, a panic growing within me, "The King said he doesn't want to set eyes on me ever again, I can not be in his presence."

He seemed to be humored by this, his gaze shifting forwards, staring ahead blankly.

"The invitation is not from His Majesty, neither will the royal Family be in attendance."

I let out a relieved breath at this.

"It shall be had in the next thirty minutes. That is all." he finished, before turning around and marching away.

I watched him leave, closing the door.

The royal family would not be in attendance. That was good.

This meant I would only need to make myself scarce for the next week and keep the farthest away from the Royal Family.

Letting out a loose breath, I run my hands through my raging curls.

Sure, eating breakfast with Lord Valcon was not ideal, however, and I hadn't even patched things up with Eden or talk less of Hunter, but it was certainly better than having lunch with that lot as compared to the king himself and risking my head on a platter.

Additionally, I did not believe my mind would remain sane if I was to see the tribrid prince yet again, and so soon.

Nope, I certainly needed a bit more time to recover.

Making myself as scarce as possible was my main goal for the week. There was no need to draw any more attention to myself.

Just one week. That's all.

It would be as easy. I thought to myself as I paced the length of the room.

I'd leave my room only for meals and to visit Vella. That way, there will be no chance for mischief, and people would probably even forget I existed.

Yes.

That was a plan. A great plan.

---------------

I straightened down my dress as I walked down the hallway, patting down the wrinkles and frowning when I almost tripped on the ends of it.

Good God, I hated wearing dresses all the time.

I honestly missed wearing jeans and shorts. It was simply horrendous that women were expected to wear these gowns everywhere.

At least I think they were.

I had not seen any Lady or High Lady wearing jeans. Not Eden or any other member of the Royal court.

Glancing around, I tried to recall the way to Everest Hall.

Since I was no longer Lady Status, therefore no guard was sent to pick me up.

Well, it would be on them if I got lost in this maze of a palace.

I must say it was a miracle when I stumbled onto familiar territory. Two guards guarding the entrance of Everest Hall.

They parted for me as I approached, but I noticed both gave me the side eye, a look of spite in their eye. 

I couldn't wait to move to West House.

As the doors opened for me, I paused, gaze resting on the scene before me.

My body stiffened when I noticed the Lord who sat alone, eyes raising to meet mine.

Lord Graydon.

I sucked in a breath as he held me in his mischievous Hazel stare. My heart thumped as we held each other's gaze, he stared on, and my fingers shook.

He knew something- I could tell.

He was looking at me like that, again.

Good god, I could not get a break, could I?

I moved forward, trying to not look too guilty, a guard drew a seat for me, and I sat across from the Lord Select.

He was fully dressed in his attire, his brown locks pulled back in a bun, eyes prowled on my every move.

Vampires had that precision about them. The fact that he wasn't even blinking put me on the edge.

"Good morning," I greeted, throat rather dry-

"Good morning, Silver," he replied poshly, still feeling his heavy gaze on me as mine darted the length of the table, noting there was no other silverware out, apart from the ones set before him and me.

I gulped, but managed a smile, folding my hands before me,

"Uhm-How was your night, My Lord?" I managed to grit out, forcing my tone to sound lighter accompanied by a shaky smile I hoped sold the look.

"It was..." he trailed off, seemingly lost for a moment, "interesting." He finished, reaching out to grab a grape he plopped in his mouth.

I nodded at this, though my throat was dry, my eyes trailing the table once again.

"And what made it so... uh- interesting?" I asked, trying to keep myself busy by straightening the barely crooked spoon.

"Interesting things happened. I found out interesting information-" he added, as a man began to serve our food.

My heart rammed within me, staring down at my plate.

He was doing this, was he? He was going to wait until he sucked it out of me.

"You seem nervous-" he purred, "is there a problem?" He suddenly asked, cocking an eyebrow.

My gaze froze on him, shaking my head quickly, eyes slightly widening-

He followed the action slowly, head moving in rhythm to mine-

"No?" He echoed.

"None." I quipped, stuffing my face with a pancake.

"Then why is your heart beating so fast? Only Chickens have the right to mimic that rate."

My gaze flashed to him, frozen for a moment like a deer caught in headlights,.

"uh-" I pursed my lips, swallowing once again, "it's just uh-"

"Just what?"

I noticed he had stopped eating for a moment, giving me his full attention, staring blankly at me, "Silver-"

"I was just wondering if it's just us for breakfast?" I eased, changing the topic with a cheerful smile, "I don't see anybody else set up."

His gaze shorty traveled the table, nodding.

"It is just us for today-" he replied, clearing his throat for a moment as he adjusted himself in his seat. His gaze refused to reach mine for a moment.

My eyebrows arched at the action. He almost seemed uncomfortable.

"His grace and His high lady had some matters to attend to. I haven't seen the young lord, and- well, the royals rarely ever leave their quarters."

I nodded at this information not taking the time to truly listen. I was trying to stuff my face in.

My logic was simple, the less I could speak, the less guilty I looked.

"Humans do enjoy eating." He realized, gaze narrowing on me in what seemed like fascination, his tone calm.

Embarrassment flooded my cheeks, as I froze mid-way with a muffin, looking up at him from my eyelashes. I calmly placed it down and wiped the corners of my lips with a napkin, chewing quietly.

Gulping softly, I replied, gaze trailing softly back up to him.

"We do."

He seemed amused at this, leaning back in his seat, whilst I calmly reached for a grape, though my finger shook and my heart-

"Your heart is still pounding."

I stared blankly at the comment, chewing the grape.

God, I was stubborn.

He seemed only more humored at this, laying back in his seat,

"Do you wish to tell me anything, Silver? Perhaps something about the prince?"

My eyes flashed to his, gauging his reaction. My throat stayed dry. He didn't seem too angry about it, a knowing look on his calm face.

Screw it. I couldn't take it anymore.

"For goodness sake, I went to the ball," I confessed, letting out a loose breath, my curls bouncing forward as my shoulders fell,  and hands rested on the table.

After I confessed, I could feel a weight lifted off my shoulders but the rook echoed a deadly silence.

The humor in Lord Graydons eyes immediately faded, a hard look replacing his once calm features as he stared at me for a silent moment.

His lips hardened into a thin line.

I couldn't understand the tension building up so quickly, my eyebrows drawing together whilst I grew more nervous. I opted to speak first-

"Is-"

"You did what?" He breathed lowly.

Goosebumps crawled up my skin, trying to read his stare, "w-wait why do you look upset? You just said that you knew the prince-"

"Visited you last night yes," He gritted, "you going to the ball against my explicit orders is certainly news to me."

"Oh..." I trailed off, my gaze dropping to the plate.

Shit.

"You.." he began trailing off for a moment, his eyes set on the table as he adjusted quietly, gaze snapping to mine, "went against the direct order of your Regional Lord?"

I held his gaze, my throat running dry.

"Well.." I began, holding the l, for a moment, "Technically, Lord Azrak is my regional-" I squeaked.

Not my brightest moment.

"Silver!" He roared, his fists banging against the table which caused me to jolt, my gaze snapping to him, staring at him wide-eyed.

He shut his eyes, his breathing harsh as if battling to calm himself down, opening his eyes slowly.

"Do you not see that I am in a battle to be second in command of a whole kingdom?" he gritted, "if I can not control one little human girl from my region, what would make the prince think me capable of keeping order in his entire kingdom?!"

I pursed my lips, at this, my eyes trailing to the floor.

"Perhaps what's worse is you do not think me worthy to be Lord Select, if you can not follow one simple order you certainly have no respect-" He spat.

"Not true-" I quipped, gaze snapping to his. I cleared my throat, "I- I just wanted to make sure sister was safe."

"And so you risked not only your safety but my reputation and put a question mark on my capabilities?" he grunted, his tone rough and rigidly

I shut my eyes, knowing I didn't want to drag this on.

"I was wrong. Forgive me, my lord." I whispered.

Silence loomed between us. And whilst I stared into my soup I could feel his eyes burning holes into my skull.

"You will be punished." he finally uttered and my gaze snapped to his, wide-eyed as he pushed out from his seat.

"Punished?" I echoed, my heart thudding within me.

A guard rushed to aid him but he raised a hand, stopping him, his stern gaze on me.

"You hold no service to your Lord and no feelings of duty because you went against a direct order that had been repeated many times. Whilst your reasons are somewhat noble, they are severely baseless. Vella has a mate to keep her safe and is sworn to be a member of the house of Veridian, thus the whole new world guards her safety," he grunted, "the sooner you understand that, the better."

My jaw hardened as he spoke harshly and my lips remained tightly pursed knowing this was what I had expected. I had gone against a direct order of my regional lord.

I was aware of the consequences.

I just hoped whatever punishment he deemed to serve me would not take me away from Vella. Despite the anger coursing through my veins at his statement, the last thing I needed was to make him more angry.

At this table, he held the power. In this world, he was the Lord and I was the subject.

I had to bite my tongue and cave.

"Yes, my lord." I swallowed, bowing my head.

Silence consumed us for a moment,

When nothing more was said. I calmly reached for my spoon-but he dragged the whole plate away from me, still looming over the table.

My eyebrows drew together, eyes raising to meet his.

"Your punishment begins now."

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Word Count- 2800