12. Chapter 12

JULIETTE

I pace the room a few more times, smacking at the tears that just won't stop rolling down my cheeks, wondering why my father hasn't returned to berate me for my mistakes. Even Queen Helvania has been silent over the past hour, no news of Ophelia or what is going on brought to my door. My stomach grumbles but I ignore it, glaring at the plate that was delivered a few moments ago.

Needing to be anywhere but cooped up in my room, I walk to the door, wondering if the threat of discipline is the only thing truly keeping me in here. I heard the door lock but maybe, just maybe…

A terrified giggle tears from my throat as I twist the doorknob and then shriek when two familiar faces are standing there. They seem just as surprised, hands raised to knock on my door. "Blaise? Artemis?" I peek my head out and frown, wondering where my father's guards are. There's no way he would leave me in the hands of Kusovania.

Artemis grins. "Trying to escape, princess?"

"Maybe? They left my door unlocked?"

Blaise shakes his head. "No. We might have tampered with it. Also might have bribed the guards watching your door to give us a minute. We don't have much time but we wanted to check on you."

My nose scrunches and I tilt my head to the side, wondering how I found such a wonderful woman with brothers just as nice. "I'm fine but I don't understand. Where are my father's guards?"

Artemis shrugs. "Not sure. He brought in another one of Kusovania's teams but they're good friends. Not the smartest idea on your father's part." He winces as the words leave his mouth but he's not wrong. My father is ruthless and unforgiving but he can be a little daft when it comes to the specifics of things. He didn't bring enough guards to watch my door 24-7 and also follow him around. It's how I escaped in the first place.

Relieved to have Ophelia's brothers here, I ask the one question I truly want an answer to. "How is Rom… Ophelia? Is she okay? Did my father hurt her?"

"We don't know, princess," Artemis offers, leaning against my door. "We sent her off from our rooms but that's the last we've seen of her. Don't worry though. She'll pull through."

"How?" I cry, my voice hoarse. I've been crying for a while and I'm sure I look a mess. "My father is ruthless and doesn't like to be confronted. He doesn't play fair. Ever." The participants would believe they were getting a fair chance and then my father would send in a horde of soldiers to beat them down.

Blaise throws me a small smile, trying to comfort me. "Princess, our sister isn't just one of the best. She has the purest heart and everything to live for. She will come back." His voice wobbles at the end, and for the first time, I realize that they are uncertain of Ophelia's success.

"She… she might not make it, will she?"

"We have to believe that she will, princess." Slowly, he lowers his head as I've seen him do to his sister. Should anyone see this, Blaise might suffer the same fate as Ophelia but I relish the warmth that comes with the familial touch. His forehead rests against mine, the silence calming. "Trust that she'll return to you, to us."

Blaise pulls away and then Artemis does the same. "Ophelia will return. She has to." Artemis straightens up and they both bow as is custom before pulling the door shut. I hear the click of the lock and then once again I'm left in the silence of my own room. Just hours before, Ophelia was holding me against her chest as I secretly planned a forever.

Now, she has been taken from me and my father is determined to give me over to a woman who deserves nothing.

I will steel my heart and hope for the best. Should tomorrow come and Ophelia not return, I will appease my father with a marriage to Queen Helvania but I will not give her my heart.