-HER-

After scheming for a whole day, I was able to find a way to get my brother alone. I managed to sneak into the chamber where he met his guests privately. I hid there and waited for him anxiously. I had to make him listen to me this time. Otherwise, he would commit the biggest mistake.

Though I was hoping that Herran wouldn't interfere. I wished to talk to my brother alone. I was hiding behind his seating place, highly alert. After waiting for a while, I heard some footsteps enter the room. I stilled like a statue and listened carefully. It was only one person, and by the pace and the sound of the footsteps, I concluded that it must be my brother.

I kept and listened to the footsteps stop by the seating area behind which I was hiding. Then the person sat on the seat. I still waited, ensuring no one else was in the room. I heard the sound of papers shuffling, followed by scribbling. Slowly, I rose to my feet and saw my brother sitting there, looking at some papers.

"You've been quite busy lately," I commented from behind, frightening him a bit. He straightened up before his head snapped towards me at lightning speed. "I want to talk to you," I clarified before he could do anything.

"What's left to talk about?" He asked as I rounded his seat and stood in front of him. "Are you here to tell me why you failed to kill me that evening?"

His question proved my speculations right. Herran had weaved and fed him a different story than what had happened that evening.

"That's what Herran told you, I'm assuming," I commented, "But did he tell you that he sent Khazar to hurt you?"

"Or Khazar was the one trying to save me from you," He pushed. I pressed my lips in a thin line and stared at him, unable to believe that my brother would believe something like this in the first place. Turns out, I might have been undermining his boneheadedness.

"Do you think I was there to kill you that evening?" I asked darkly, inching closer to him. Instantly, I saw his body grow tense while his right hand went over where he hid his weapon.

"I have no reason to believe you," He gritted, piercing me with a sharp glare, "After all, you've been having an affair with that mutt king,"

I tensed at his words. Selma must have seen the two of us together that night. I haven't had much time to pay attention to her lately, and she had been using this to poison my brother's ears.

"What happened? Don't have anything else to say to me anymore?" He questioned. I could hear hatred dripping from his voice.

"I can explain everything to you if you listen to me," I told him, but he shook his head.

"I want to hear none of your nonsense. I know where your loyalty lies. You've not only betrayed me, but you've betrayed Vittoria and everyone who thought so highly of you. Turns out you're nothing but a cunt!" He spat with disgust, standing tall to glare me in the eye. I've heard my fair share of insults, but hearing such things from my brother surprisingly hurt me. I couldn't believe that he was saying this after everything I had done for him.

A part of me started to think maybe he was right. After all, my indulgence with Alex was far from acceptable for my position.

I have failed everything and everyone...

"You dare speak to me like this!" I wanted to sound tough, but my voice wavered, and my eyes started to sting with tears. For a moment, his eyes softened, but he didn't say anything. "After all the things I have gone through because of you!"

"I never asked you to do anything for me," He gritted, having the audacity to say that while looking me in the eyes. "You did it yourself, and now, you must face the consequences,"

"So you're going to punish me for saving you?" I dared.

"You've murdered my Arch Mage, Theresa. You've taken someone's life!" He snarled. "You must pay for it,"

"And how are you going to make me pay?" I pressed, "Are you going to kill me?" I dared and instantly saw something flicker in his eyes. No matter what Herran and Krifaris made him do, I still knew that my brother didn't have it in himself to kill me. No matter how big of a King he became, I knew that deep inside, he missed the family that we used to be. Too bad we couldn't go back to being like that. It was too late.

"You've betrayed everyone, Theresa," He spoke grimly.

"Whatever I've done, it was all for you. I don't want you to do something that you'll regret later. It's costing me a lot to make you see the truth, but I wouldn't stop. If you want to punish me, then go on. Do whatever you want with me, but I will not stop. I have nothing to lose except...." I trailed off, feeling a lump building at the back of my throat, "You, my brother,"

A tear rolled down my cheek while I stared at him, expecting to see even a hint of warmth or the bond that we used to have as kids. But there was hardly anything left of him. Now, he was just a hollow man.

"I don't like to associate with traitors," He growled. "Don't ever call me that again," With that, he called the guards and had me escorted out of there. I didn't fight this time. I didn't know what I was supposed to do anymore. Slowly, every option that I had was closing away.

"What do we have here?" A voice commented.

"Herran," I gritted.

"Why are you crying?" He asked in a fake sympathetic voice. I glared at him as he continued, "Did your brother throw you out again? I wonder if you're not used to that, are you?" He laughed.

"I will make sure you have the same fate as Krifaris," I growled, but he laughed again before stopping abruptly. The shift of expression on his face was so sudden, reminding me how cold and ruthless he was from the inside.

"You shouldn't be talking to me like this after being in such an outrageous scandal," He spoke darkly. I clutched my fists, trying to control my anger, "And don't you think I'll let you go after killing my nephew in cold blood. I'm sure you must still remember what I am capable of...." He spoke darkly, sending a shiver down my spine.

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