**********
Zen noticed me holding my shoulder. He sat next to me to peek at the wound. I lifted the towel and was surprised to see that it had stopped bleeding. Wolt motioned for him to return, and we started to discuss our findings.
"Hi, Wolt—" I stood up to greet him.
"Hey! It's been a while. How have you been?" Wolt cheerfully approached Darq, ignoring my greeting.
What the...?
"I'm well. How about Zen and yourself?" Darq gave Wolt a manly side hug while Wolt went with an intense full hug.
Zen patiently waited for the awkward hug to end. Wolt sat back down and gave Zen a reassuring peck on the cheek.
"Your Grace, I just wanted to say that you have amazing citizens. I toured the area, and everyone has been nothing but kind." I put away my annoyance and gave him my sincerest smile.
"Why are you filthy? I'll need to burn everything that you've touched now." Wolt said as he held his nose with a handkerchief.
Darq is filthy too!
Feeling responsible for the confrontation, Darq spoke out, "It's not her fault, Wolt. The dust was my fault; she didn't do anything wrong."
"You don't have to defend her because she's from your territory. I'll let this pass for now and settle with tearing down this room after we are done tonight." Wolt replied.
Darq looked over and gave me a small smile, revealing a dimple on each cheek. I'd never noticed them before; a smile escaped my lips before I could turn away.
Wolt cleared his throat, "I know what you have been up to, Fellanie." He leaned back and crossed his legs.
"I've been working with your citizens, and the roads are so much cleaner!" I beamed; I was pretty proud of what I had accomplished.
"Yes. Stop it." He glared at me.
"What?"
"Stop doing it. I know what you've been trying to do," said Wolt.
"What? I've been helping your citizens. They're much happier now."
"Have you found any magic stones?" he asked.
"Uh..no? There are no mages in this territory. The magic stone shops in Manatown have all gone under." I frowned at his crappy attitude.
"I sent you out to gather magic stones, not to do community service to mock me. You managed to both fail at the task and brought down my reputation."
Calm down. Deep breaths. I can't afford to lose my shit here.
"I do not understand, Your Grace. Would you please tell me more"
Just nod and let him talk.
"You have been going around telling people that I am incapable of running the West. The gossip now is that the Villainess of the North should run the territory instead of me."
They're not wrong, you insecure little shit.
"And one more thing. You've been funding gang violence, illegal card gambling, and weapon trafficking with your little project," he added.
"Excuse me, what?"
"You heard me. You hired half of the gangsters in town. Who do you think lives in the center of the city? Old grannies and their grandchildren? It's criminals and gang members. You're beyond worthless," he derided me.
....
"I apologize. That was not my intention. What can I do to fix this?" I dug my thumbnail into my palm as I took a deep breath.
"You can't, miss villainess. A failure like yourself couldn't possibly fix this," he crossed his arms and grinned.
That's it.
"THAT'S IT! I'M A VILLAINESS, HUH?" I looked down at my trembling hands, and a tide of anger washed over me. Breathless with rage, I picked up my teacup and hurled it at the ungrateful asshat. I smirked at the fear in his eyes. He snapped them shut and froze in place.
CRASH!
Warm tea ran down her dress, staining her apron brown. Ceramic shards crashed onto the floor as Sheraton stood there with her arms out.
"I apologize, my lady. Please punish me as you see fit." She closed her eyes and bowed her head.
Wolt, Darq, and Zen sat in silence, their eyes glued on my maid. I covered my head with my hands and sighed.
"I can't do this. Screw all of you." I rose from my seat and slammed the door on my way out. I had to escape before my adrenaline wore off. Heat bubbled up my throat. My pulse drummed in my head. My breathing came in fits and starts.
SLAM!
I picked up my pace when I heard a metallic clanging noise behind me. The clatter rose in volume rapidly. Right as I wiped my tears with my forearm, cold metal clamped around my shoulders and lifted me off the ground.
He's here to take me back. I can't go back.
I flailed uselessly against him as he continuously shushed me. His hot breath on my ears and neck made the situation more real, and the tears rolled down my cheeks and onto his arms. My breath rushed in and out as I fought for more oxygen.
"Calm down, Fel!"
"Fuck off, Darq!" I shouted at him.
"Sshhhh. It's ok. Everything is ok. No one is angry," Darq whispered in my ear as he squeezed me, "take a deep breath. Everything is alright."
Luis...?
My vision narrowed, and I felt the blood drain from my head. Darq's voice became more distant and muffled with every passing second.
[Darq is a very confused boy at the momment.]
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