Page 72 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
“I like your horn,” Henrietta said, then blushed.
“And I’m lucky you do,” Keith replied, also blushing.
“See? Everyone’s getting their Happily Ever After.” Gerda smirked. “Besides, Fate’s plan wasdreadful. Is her storyline evenworthfighting for?”
“You dare!” Alice fought Visha’s hold, trying to physically attack the troll but unable to do so with her lowered stats.
“If I have to live in this world, then I have to dare,” said Gerda, her voice darker and resolute.
Julian felt the weight of her words hit him.
“You lost because you thought it was okay to force people down a path not of their choosing. But peoplealwayshave a choice, even when it seems hopeless.” Gerda lifted her manacles. “Even trapped, I could try to run or fight, or walk out of here with my head held high. That is how the world works. Fate and Luck walk hand in hand, andnothing is certain.”
Alice narrowed her eyes at the bridge troll. “Is that who put you up to this? Luck is the only one who has as much control over the story as my goddess. Are you her champion?”
“Why can’t I be working with Fate?” Gerda countered. “Perhaps she’s grown tired of her own plot?”
“Ridiculous!” Alice snarled. “Utterly ridiculous!”
“Is it, though?” Sir Tully added from the side.
“Shh.” Visha elbowed the paladin.
“I think I’ve heard enough,” Grand Duchess Calisto stated. “Visha, you may take Guild Mistress Alice to the Elkhorn Hall.”
His mother was sending Alice to her personal dungeon.
“I hope you enjoy yourHappily Ever After,” the Keeper of Fate told them as she was escorted out, “because Fate isn’t going to just sit back and watch.”
And with that threat, she left the hall.
Gerda looked up at Julian, lifting her manacles. “Do I have to go to the dungeon too?”
“No need for that, Miss Gerda … Or should I say,Madame Potts?” Julian pulled out the key to her manacles. But she surprised him.
“You have no real proof that I’m Madame Potts.” She lifted her hands away from Julian and chastised him. “Don’t unlock my manacles based on whatthatpsychopathic murderer said! You should unlock these because you think that I’m innocent and you were wrong to ever doubt me.”
Julian couldn’t hide the amusement on his face as he reached out and easily caught the troll’s bound hands. He dragged them back to unlock the binds, feeling the slight tremor in her fingers.
“Thank you for saving my sister,” he said sincerely. “And I’m sorry for doubting you.”
“I’m not,” Tully told Pram. “She’s right; weshoulddetain anyone suspicious.” Pram just shrugged as Julian offhandedly planned further punishment for Tully when they returned north.
Gerda rubbed her wrists, glaring up at Julian. “Only Alice thinks I saved Julia—I’m just your average, overpowered bridge troll.”
She didn’t sound convincing, and Julian opened his mouth to tease her.
“I have proof.” Except his mother cut in, matter of fact.
At the troll’s raised eyebrows, his mother gave her a gentle, pitying stare. “You honestly thought I didn’t have enchanted golems spying on every part of my castle during the festival?”
“Ah,” Gerda accepted readily, looking sheepish. “Sensible of you.”
“Especially whensomebodyforetold trouble?” Calisto teased.
Gerda looked around at everyone who was left and sighed. “All right, I give up. Let me explain—”
“Before you do,” King Keith cut her off, pointedly looking around the room. “I say we move this elsewhere; maybe over lunch?”
