Day 40-2 Monopoly
DAY 40-2: MONOPOLY
"Hearts. Hearts. Hearts."
"Silence yourself, Uno. You're driving me madder than the hatter."
The secret entrance from above the foyer of the main room is uncomfortably small.
The room below can't be any darker, and all the frilly curtains and paintings are thick with over a decade of grime.
The light's are dimmed, almost purposefully, masking the crimson carpet leading from the entrance in a large s-shape.
The pungent smell of ammonia and rotting flesh can't be any more displeasing.
Two entities are present in the main room. A girl sprawled across the main sofa, knocking back a large drink. The other remains hidden by the walls encasing this upstairs balcony.
It'd be normal to question how in the world Orian was able to find this place, but the answer becomes obvious in an instant.
They aren't the only ones here.
"General Paola is so gorgeous!"
"I wish General Uno would look over here!"
The pushy behaviour of both the male and female servants of the palace become excruciating. Leda wriggles out from underneath the gaggle of bodies, manoeuvring her way over to where Orian is seated against the wall.
"Does this happen often here?" she inquires, joining him. "If they scream like that the generals will figure out we're in here."
"I'm sure they can already tell," Orian replies, cradling his injured hand. "But they don't seem to mind. I hear they never do."
Leda brings her knees to her chest. "There's no way we can eavesdrop on their conversation if there are this many people screaming..."
A shadow looms over Leda from overhead. She rotates her head. Beaming from ear to ear, a freckle-faced male crouches before her.
"You're quite the cutie," he says. "Want to get married?"
"Hell no."
Quite dramatically, he grasps his chest and teeters over until he hits the ground. Leda furrows her eyebrows, unable to wipe the disgust that has penetrated the majority of her face.
"The fiftieth rejection!" His cry is drowned by the gushing of others ahead. "My heart!"
Watching him squirm like he's been shot, Leda turns to Orian. "Who's the idiot?"
Orian laughs lightly. "He's—"
"—Estan Rez, the dude who's been showing Nairo the ropes since he started working here.
" He wraps an arm around Orian's shoulder, drawing him closer to himself.
With renewed vigour, he sends Leda a wink.
"You look rather new, too. I did hear we had a new maid join the ranks but who knew she'd be a gem like you. "
The similar vibes to Avel rubs Leda the wrong way. She fights the goosebumps that make an appearance on her arms. "Are all Hearts this flirty?" she genuinely asks.
"Depends who your type is," Estan responds with his goofy smile. "And you're definitely mine—"
"He's flirty but I think he's a good guy," Orian reassures her, shutting him up by pushing his face in the opposite direction.
"'I think?' Way to be a someone's wingman, Nairo," Estan mumbles. He sits criss-crossed, rubbing at his face. He parts his eyelids, revealing a ruby shade Leda doesn't expect. Is he a hybrid? His fixes his eyes to her, a twinkle appearing in them. "I didn't catch your name, did I?"
"Led—Adel." She inwardly berates herself for nearly slipping up. "So, Estan, how long have you been working here?"
"I'm glad you asked Led-Adel," he teases.
"And the answer is long enough. From under the table dealings to blackmail and bribes—even a place or two to camp out in case the head castellan or maid is breathing down your neck.
As long as it concerns information, I know anything and everything. There's no other man quite like me."
"Wow, so reliable." Her praise succeeds in boosting his ego, considering he juts his chin. "And?" she asks Orian. "What exactly have you learned from this trustworthy man?"
"Besides the fact that the Mond princess and Heart prince are marrying to form a political alliance, I also learned vital information about the royal family," Orian replies.
"And information about their pasts comes in handy, how?"
"If you recall, Master Avel told us the late King of Hearts, Erson Saga, passed due to treason. And the one who killed him—the Queen herself."
"Ah yes, that did come out of nowhere," Estan chimes in. "It was a shock to every citizen in Straeh. Nothing like this has happened since the first king was killed and there was chaos for a good amount of time."
Leda can't fight her surprise. "The first king was killed, too?"
Estan nods as an answer.
"Don't tell me the Queen also sent orders to..." Leda's voice trails off after Orian confirms it with another sullen bob of his head. "What—"
"The Red Witch, Estelle Hestia, dislikes threats to her power," Estan says. "It doesn't matter if you're her husband—the king—or even her son. If you threaten her authority or opinions once, you suffer immediate death."
The more she learns about this Queen, the scarier she becomes.
The madness raging through Straeh—can it have stemmed from this superficial ruler?
If Avel is psychotic, imagine the Queen's level of insanity.
'Crossing' the Queen doesn't just mean death.
You'd be lucky if she killed you as easily as it sounds.
"That's... messed up," Leda murmurs. "So what's so strange about this?"
"Master Avel told us he doesn't care if he defies the Queen," Orian replies. "But if we really think about it, that has to be a lie. There's no way it doesn't bother him."
"But Avel's helped us thus far," she says, disregarding a humming Estan.
Since Orian isn't taking precautions maybe he's already filled him in.
"I understand he has a few loose screws but he keeps reiterating how badly he wants to marry me.
He even told me my dead body would suffice.
If he wanted us dead he would've killed us a long time ago. "
"And if he also wanted to truly marry you why do you think he hasn't tried to make it a reality yet?
" His reasoning lodges Leda's voice in her throat.
"He's getting engaged to the Dia princess tomorrow—coincidentally the same day Ro's antidote should be completed.
Ever since we first met he's been suspicious.
You magically ran into a royal prince in the streets of Compa where he outright proposes—to a stranger—and decides to help us.
He even took us to the palace only for us to be—surprise, wanted criminals.
Don't you think if he sincerely tried, he could've freed Sir Nixon by now? "
Leda's heart deflates like a balloon. She gapes, wordlessly. She hadn't even thought to ask.
She understood it was strange; she'd been getting those vibes. Avel is going to be the next King of Hearts. And yet he supposedly has a heart of gold? Is powerless to even free a man from prison (granted it was the Queen who sentenced him there in the first place).
The 'Avel' Leda has become familiar with isn't capable of such kindness. Not that insane him. He's been plotting something since the beginning. He's been fooling around with them—her—for a reason.
Orian draws his knees closer to his body. "He's known who we were from the moment we stepped foot on Straeh. And yet he's been playing dumb."
"Like I said, that's the most likely conclusion," Estan cuts in. "His Highness is smarter than most people. And he's been raised to be cold, ruthless, cynical and with the nature to also wear a facade well enough to dupe his enemies.
"He'd only ever taken up a quack status because he desired an excuse to be able to slaughter people to his heart's content.
He goes out to fool around with Heart girls for his untimely amusement.
Whenever the Queen orders for him to do something, he's done it.
Never once in his life has he ever attempted to defy the Queen.
Even if the orders are to kill his very own father—the first king—he does it as readily and easily as a beast. His Highness loves spilling blood more than anything else in the world.
And I'm guessing since he put on such an act in front of you two, what he's planning this time around can make even me fear for my life. "
Orian trembles when Estan finishes. "What do we do then? He has Master Ro. And the reason we came here to Straeh is because..."
"But we can't run away," Leda points out, despite being conflicted herself. "Not without a cure, and the security that Nixon really is alive after all this. Our mission to recruit the prince will have been pointless as well..."
"Sounds complicated," Estan pipes in, a good-willed smile growing on his face. "If you two need any assistance—"
"Hohoho. It seems the youngsters are livelier than ever today."
All at once, rambles and chatter alike is brought to a standstill.
No one makes a peep.
No one moves an inch.
There are two footsteps that enter the main room below.
The voice that has spoken belongs to a male, and he is responsible for the short, rowdy steps.
But there is also the tapping of heels that follow closely behind.
Each hollow tap against the marble sends ice curling through Leda's veins.
She grabs her goosebump-ridden arms at once.
When she glances at Orian and Estan, she notes she isn't the only one to have gotten these chills.
All around the room, ice has begun seeping through the walls and curtains, crackling and expanding with every elegant stride.
The other servants have gone as wide-eyed as Estan. Their excitement for peeking outside this balcony has disappeared. They observe, openmouthed and frozen—as if entranced by some spell.
"Estan," Leda whispers, her teeth beginning to chatter. From either the sudden drop in temperature or the sudden fear of the unknown, she can't tell. "Who's..."
Regardless of her astonishment, Estan's eyes remain ahead, his fingers trembling from beside him. "Nobody said she'd be here..."
Deep down, Leda knows this reaction doesn't derive from the princess Valentina. Not this ominous entrance. Then, it has to be the...
"—Queen of Hearts," Orian answers Leda's thoughts perfectly. His happy-go-lucky essence has disappeared without a trace; towards a seriousness she's starting to familiarize with now.
Leda swallows hard to digest the idea, but only the scratchiness of her throat greets her as a result.
Click. Click. Click.
Servants have started scurrying for the exit. Like a stampede of wildebeest, they run as if their lives depend on it. Leda has to do all that she can to press herself against the wall to keep from being buried beneath this frenzied herd.
"If you guys know what's best for you you might want to leave."
Estan, who is already halfway out the door, pauses to look over his shoulder to see if they have followed. When the crowd has diminished and a deathly peace is restored, Leda and Orian remain rooted to the floor. Neither make any indication of moving. Estan's jaw slowly falls.
"You can't be serious!" he hisses, uncertainty prattling his tone. "You've already heard how dangerous she is! The three generals are all gathered as well!"
Leda meets Estan's eyes, tilting her head as she does. "I mean, if we get to see who this 'Queen' is, it might help in figuring out the questions to all our problems."
Estan flinches. "But..."
"The Queen doesn't come here often, right?" she goes on. "It's a secluded area for the lazy servants who come to hide from their duties. But since she has unexpectedly gathered with these 'three generals', they'll most likely be discussing something important."
Estan is utterly speechless. The crackle of ice becomes background noise in his racing mind. Trepidation swallows him whole. "Nairo, this woman is almost as crazy as the prince!" he hisses. "You're just going to go along with this?"
Orian from beside Leda raises his head. Nothing but tears swell in his eyes. When Estan looks close enough, he realizes Leda has him by a firm hold to his uninjured arm. "I don't want to but she has me trapped," he whines.
Leda merely tightens her grip, bringing her face closer to his. "We already agreed we're in this together. Besides, this is our best shot of finding out about Nixon and Avel. There's no way we can run."
"But Master, how about if we get caught?" Orian reasons. "We don't stand a chance!"
"Either we die like pathetic bugs caught in a spider's web or we fight trying," Leda affirms. "I'm not running away. As my partner in crime, you're not allowed to either."
Orian doesn't look the least convinced, considering his puppy-like pout and pleading stare, but Leda remains convicted. Estan lets out an airy exhale, reaching to adjust his cap above his curly purple strands.
"You two are really a handful..."
Estan gestures for them to keep it down as he tiptoes his way over to the peephole.
Leda unhands Orian and follows closely. She takes over next, peering carefully out onto the deck below.
The first individual she spots is the woman still sprawled onto the couch, countless glasses of alcohol surrounding her.
The second is a male who's a whole lot rounder, hovering beside her and repeating word after word to wake her up.
Leda recognizes them as the two from the ship—those who attacked them when they first arrived. Her lips curve downwards. The eerie footsteps of the Queen draw closer through this long hall, as well this 'third general' she can infer is a man. She can't quite identify them yet.
Leda retreats and she turns her attention onto Estan.
"Who are these three generals anyway?"
"Who are they?" He repeats the questions as if he can't believe she's asked. He lowers his voice to a scarce whisper, "The three army generals are the pride of the Straeh army. Aside from the royal family, they're the strongest mages Annadia has ever known."
Leda fights a shiver from the intruding cold. Estan gestures to share the peephole with her and she allows him.
"On the far right knocked out on the couch is General Paola," he explains. "Though she's ranked third, her magic is leaps and bounds more crafty than all of the generals put together. She manipulates not only the Embres, or the fairies of Straeh, but she can use other fairy's magic as well."
"Embres..." Leda mumbles.
So fairies like Blaze in Straeh are considered 'Embres'?
As the gears in Leda's mind begin to move, Estan frowns. "I heard you were raised in the slums like me but you really don't know anything do you?"
Leda laughs weakly. So rumours like that have flown around as well? "So tell me more about her," Leda says to change the subject.
Estan returns his gaze to the peephole. "Well, before General Paola served in the army she was once an Arsenals' teacher for young toddlers.
But after murdering the students of an entire school, the Queen found her strength admirable and allowed her into the army where she climbed to a general ranking in merely three days. "
His brows scrunch as he turns to the second.
"General Uno beside her is originally from the Rehte."
"The Rehte?"
"He's a grim reaper," Estan clarifies. "I don't know when he came to Annadia, or why, but the Queen has recruited him and he's been second in command ever since. He sees General Paola as a sister but they aren't truly related by blood. Both of them are always sent to the front lines."
As the words leave his mouth, a third enters their range of vision. It's a short man, old by the looks of the many wrinkles consuming his forehead. But it takes one glance at the circular glasses and whitish-purple hair to rid Leda of all the oxygen in her lungs.
Orian who was silently observing from beside her is stunned into silence as well. Estan's eyes remain ahead, talking on without noticing their shock.
"That's Mavix Houser. Not only is he strong enough to destroy all of Straeh in a heartbeat if he tried, but he also has the status of the 'Jack of Hearts.
' He's the proudest warrior in the army, and the Queen's right-hand man.
" Estan shakily inhales to calm his pattering heart, the slow clicking of heels closer than before.
His next words is weaker than the last, "Since he's always out on business I've never really seen him, but the rumours about him are rather deadly. "
Leda grapples for Orian's sleeve, unable to draw a proper breath. "He... Mavix... saved our lives."
Orian's brows surge together. "This just proves it. They've known who we were from the moment we've stepped foot here. Master Avel approached us on purpose."
"Give us vast hope only to destroy it in the end..." Leda gulps hard, attempting to swallow the bitter taste of betrayal on her tongue. She'd believed Mavix was a kind man. She'd believed Avel was too. But they were good liars. But the question is, why?
Why go this far? For their amusement? To have fun? Does the Queen know of their existence in the palace as well or is it all a facade both Mavix and Avel put on to keep them safe?
Who is truly good and who is truly evil? Who is an ally and who is an enemy?
Leda clenches her skirt. They don't have time to be sitting around, or the leisure to snoop around for information. They should've left Straeh as soon as they got these uneasy vibes.
Ro and Nixon had warned them plenty not to get involved with these lunatics—the Hearts—and yet she was too stubborn to listen. And now neither of them are around now. If Ro were in this situation what would he do? What would be the best way out of this?
When the heels come to a halt, the Queen stands directly below the balcony.
She's taller than you'd expect. Her cherry red dress of embroidered fabric accentuate her cleavage, hugging her curvaceous hips before flaring out just above her glass heels.
Her skin is bloodless—paled—without the slightest colouration to be seen.
Her amethyst hair is held high in a bun, luminous strands tumbled out onto her face.
Slender, crescent-shaped eyebrows hover above almost velvety purple lashes.
Her carmine-red lips twist into a faint smile, bringing out the entice of her heart-shaped pupils amidst her bright mint eyes.
She's so gorgeous Leda can't pry her eyes away. No, she doesn't want to. Orian is equally as bewitched from beside her; neither of them can move. Nor do they realize Estan has risen to his feet until they hear the tremor with his next murmur.
"I'm getting bad, bad vibes." His lips meet to stop his clattering jaw. "Nairo, Led-Adel, I want to help you, honest. And although other Hearts may find it pleasurable to die in situations like this, I don't have the intention to."
Leda cranes her neck up, as well as Orian. But they're still in a hazy daze. Their eyes keep returning to the moonlit Queen. The Red Witch.
"Paola," the Queen says, her voice a sugary purr.
Though inebriated moment's prior, the general's eyes open a crack. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"I learned information and kept cautious so I wouldn't," Estan goes on, watery eyes meeting Leda's once again. "I only accepted this job at the palace so I can raise enough money to become an apprentice. I can't die before I make my dream come true. I'm sorry, but you're on your ow—"
A whistle resounds.
In only a second, Paola has left the couch—now perched tall on the ledge of the balcony, her turquoise eyes gleaming in the darkness.
Her sword clatters against the scabbard at her side, her short purple hair flowing through a sudden gust wind that's been generated.
She hops to the ground, takes a step, then shuts her half-lidded eyes.
Leda has tumbled backwards, hitting Orian's body as she does. Orian reaches for Estan's arm to tug him as well, but soon as he tries to, his head comes curling back instead.
It slides off his neck, as neatly as a chopped vegetable. The head hits the floor first, the rest of his unattached body falling forward. Blood gushes from both ends, at ghastly rates.
"Your Majesty, are you sure you should be rolling the heads of our servants? We haven't held a proper trial—"
"The sentence comes first; verdict, second.
Don't make me repeat myself, Mavix." The Queen emits a booming cackle, shielding her mouth with the back of her perfectly sharpened nails.
A snow-white owl hovers over her shoulders like a cloak—wings large enough to enclose the entire room in darkness.
"Those pathetic mongrels have offered their lives to serve me, thus they should prepare to roll their heads whenever I see fit. "
Her laughter suddenly dying down, her eyes travel left.
"Now, now, Paola. You have to kill the rest of them, too.
" Her palm frames her icy cheeks. "And this time, make sure that their screams of agony—every drop of their blood—is seared into every inch of my mind.
Do not let either of them leave this world until they provide me the most delicious pleasure from their deaths. "