Page 78 of The Princess's Pet

“What does a gardening servant have to gain from my death? How would they have had access to my mother’s meals or my bloodbag? No, I am right to accuse you. You and Lady Sana conspired to gain the throne for yourself. I believe Lord Antoniou has helped you also,” I replied calmly.

“Where is your evidence for these accusations?” Lord Antoniou shouted. I turned my gaze to him sharply.

“Evidence?” I asked amused. “I will have your confession by the end of the day, Lord Antoniou.” He scoffed and I turned my gaze from him dismissively and back to Vasilios lifting my borrowed sword to point it across the table.

“I challenge you for the crown as is my right as heir,” I made my statement of challenge.

“Ha! Don’t be ridiculous, Selene. You are weakened from Hades’ Delight. You are no match to me now.” He laughed, the way his lips trembled, and throat bobbed he was feigning confidence, poorly.

“I am strong enough to end you and that is what I intend to do now, here, before the council,” I replied calmly my sword still raised. “You cannot refuse this challenge,” I reminded him.

“The Princess is correct you cannot refuse a challenge for the throne from one who is next in line,” General Creel said standing from his seat and moving to my side. “I’ve had my suspicions about the three of you for some time. It makes no sense why our king would name someone of Ardens his regent.” He turned to me smiling. “I for one want to see how my Royal Highness’s sword skills have developed since I last saw them at play. Get over here Boras, you too Halkias, you want to be on the winning side of this challenge.”

“If you two dare to move, when this is over, I will hang all three of you for treason,” Vasilios yelled, spitting as he did.

“You make a good comedian Vasilios.” General Creel cackled beside me smacking his thigh.

“Vasilios, please,” Lady Sana pleaded and placed her hands on his arm. He shook her off violently.

“This is your fault!” he accused angrily. She stepped back as if physically struck.

“Please don’t,” she begged.

“You said there was no cure for Hades’ Delight!” he continued. “If that is so then why does my bitch sister’s daughter stand here challenging me!?” he shrieked loudly his voice an octave higher in pitch.

Lady Sana paled, all colour leaving her face and she wobbled leaning against the table for support.

Vasilios was a coward. When challenged he turned against his co-conspirator and gave himself up so easily. General Creel cackled beside me, laughing so hard he bent over coughing.

“Is this really a laughing time?” Noblewoman Boras asked tensely while whacking her hand against General Creel's back.

“I’m going to commission a bard to write a song about this moment,” General Creel spluttered as he got his coughing under control. He turned to me. “Did you hear how high his voice was?” he asked, tears of laughter running down his cheeks to his bright red beard.

I couldn’t suppress my grin. General Creel was a fool, who lacked any sense of decorum, but he was always entertaining, a master swordsman, and the best war strategist alive.

“I heard,” I answered simply.

“I had no knowledge of this, I swear,” Lord Antoniou cried stepping away from Vasilios.

“No, no, I’m going to commission a playwright, this will make an excellent farcical comedy.” General Creel was laughing and wheezing again.

“Lord Antoniou, I would be careful not to step closer. I will cut you down where you stand if you dare to get within range of my sword,” I told the man as he rounded the table and walked towards me. Perhaps he thought that physical distance from Vasilios would save him.

“Where are you going ?!” Vasilios shrieked again. “You swore yourself to Ardens, to me! You traitor.”

“Oh, shut up you fool!” Lady Sana shouted finding her voice and slapped Vasilios hard across the face the sound filling the room.

The action seemed to calm my mad uncle. He looked around as if only now seeing the predicament he was in.

“They, they made me do it. They tricked me. They told me there was no choice after your father became unwell. Theyconvinced me it was best for the kingdom, that you were too young and inexperienced to rule. I tried to save you by offering Valen’s hand in marriage. I could have acted as regent in his place while you completed your studies. But you refused. There was no other option. It was for the good of the kingdom,” Vasilios spoke, his voice no longer a screech.

I had grown irritated by the sound of his voice, by the ridiculous excuses. How was it possible that such a sorry lot had managed to cause so much damage to my family? Was my father no longer capable of ruling? It took Amelia and I, all of two days to discern their betrayal. Unquestionable proof would have taken a few days longer to collect had I not been poisoned. Even then Vasilios was quick to condemn himself when confronted with a show of power.

“Silence,” I commanded. “Vasilios step forward and meet my challenge. Have some dignity and die on your feet.”

“This is unnecessary my niece, my family. We can settle this some other way,” he pleaded.

My patience was gone.

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