One
I wasn't quite sure what I was doing there. But still, there I was: thirty feet underground, in the last and most putrid cell of the dungeon.
The guards left me alone with the prisoner. Between us was only the distance of the bars and a horrible stench.
"Hello, Papa," I greeted him, with relative coldness.
Rothbart frowned at the sound of my voice. He shifted, trying to drag the chains encrusted on his wrists with the remaining strength of his frail body.
"Odile," was his greeting. I smiled.
"I suppose not everything went as planned," I mocked. Ironic to see him like that; he, who always pretended to be in control of everything.
If the Court could see the illustrious Marquis of Samenia's situation now...
The dying man clung to the cell bars. His eyes gleamed with hope—it was the only thing he still had.
"But I'm sure my brilliant daughter will have some plan." He swallowed hard, glancing around to see if anyone might be listening. "To get me out of this filthy place."
"Oh, yes, I have plans. My plans," I admitted, my voice dry and my posture unwavering. Exactly as he had taught me. "But they don't involve you, Dad. It will be easier for me if you stay where you are."
Rothbart banged on the bars with animalistic force, trying to intimidate me as usual. I didn't even blink.
"Ungrateful brat! How dare you speak to your father like that?!"
I couldn't help but laugh.
"Let you loose for what, old man? So you can ruin everything again, and this time drag me down with you?" I spat, bringing my face closer menacingly. “No. You almost succeeded in ending my life, as you always wanted. By me, and only thanks to me, I escaped unscathed. Now, finally, I will begin my free life, leagues from here and leagues from you.”
I took a few steps back, admiring his expression of despair. Oh, how I had waited to see him like that.
“When I am the next queen, and listen to me when I say I will be,” I stated, my voice torn, “I will return to execute you personally.”
Rothbart’s expression hardened. There, he realized what he had created.
A monster.
“Until then…” I turned my back, with a wide smile. “Reflect on your complete failure. You will have plenty of time for that.”
