Madelynn had never been disemboweled, but as she forced her swollen eyes open, the hollow ache in her chest made her wonder if it might feel like this.

Her belly swirled with guilt, nerves, and nothingness. That’s all she’d left for herself: nothing. A chill swept over her, and she didn’t even bother pulling the covers up. Did she even deserve the comfort her bed provided? She was a failure of a Young Woman- a good for nothing little whore.

She’d truly ruined everything just for Callum. Did she truly believe he would come and save her from herself? Her life was hers and his life was his. He had no obligation to her, and that was if he was even still alive. For all she knew, Casimir could have killed him for the way he’d acted last night. The way he spoke about Casimir, it didn’t seem out of the realm of possibility.

The nothingness in her belly was replaced by dread when a soft knock sounded at the door. Madelynn whipped her head to the side and watched as the door slowly swung inward. But, she let out a breath of relief when Elise emerged from the hallway.

She wanted to stand, to run to Elise and wrap herself in the comfort of her presence. But her body felt heavy, and heat crept up her cheeks as she remembered she was naked beneath the covers.

Elise’s eyes darted around the room, landing on the dress on the floor. Madelynn half expected her to scream for tarnishing a perfectly good, gorgeous gown. But her eyes softened as they flicked from the ruined dress to Madelynn. She stepped closer, hesitating as though unsure whether to speak or reach out.

“Oh, Maddie,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, as she took a step closer. “How can I help you?”

She looked on the verge of tears, just as Madelynn was. “I don’t know.” Madelynn’s voice shook as she fought back a sob. Elise looked so tiny, so frail, and yet she was everything right now. “I think-” she heaved out, forcing herself to take a deep breath- “I think I’ve blown everything.”

Elise’s mouth pulled into a sympathetic smile as she crossed the room slowly and carefully, as if a wrong step could result in catastrophe. She came and sat on the edge of Madelynn’s bed and folded her hands in her lap. “I heard what happened,” she stated, her voice as small as Madelynn felt. “I know it doesn’t mean a lot, but I’m proud of you.”

Madelynn blinked at her, forcing tears to stream down her cheeks. “For what? For ruining my life?” she choked out.

“For being you,” Elise said boldly, her hand coming to rest on Madelynn’s covered leg. “I’ve watched for years as you’ve shoved yourself aside time and time again. You are so much more than your parents will ever see, and I am so proud of you for finally letting yourself shine.”

Madelynn blubbered, a shudder shaking through her body as she stared at Elise. “That’s very kind-” she sniffled, wiping at her nose with her arm- “of you, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m going to be forced to marry a man I do not love and cannot stand.” She sat up, pulling the comforter up to cover her bare chest. “The things Callum said about him… Casimir is either broken or evil. I’ve witnessed it, I’ve played his game, and I saw the way Callum was terrified of him. I will not subject myself to a lifetime of misery.”

Elise’s smile faltered as Madelynn spoke. She knew something. Madelynn could tell by the way she suddenly refused to meet her eyes. “What is it?” Madelynn asked, dread creeping up her toes as Elise sighed heavily.

She blinked, her eyes searching the ceiling. Then, she closed her eyes and let out a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping forward. “I wish I could shelter you from what I’m about to say but, like Miriam always tells me- it’s better to just rip the bandage off in one swift motion.” She turned to face Madelynn, her eyes full of conflict and sorrow. She wrung her hands in her lap, gnawing on her bottom lip. “He’s downstairs speaking to your parents now.”

Madelynn’s mouth fell agape and her stomach sunk to her toes. “Wait- what? C-Casimir is in my home?” she stuttered out. Elise’s words didn’t make sense. Casimir was here? In her home? She sat frozen, the weight of it pressing her down, until her shock gave way to something sharper, hotter. Anger. Her privacy, her home—violated. He thought he could negotiate her life away? ‘What is he doing here?’ she demanded, her voice low and trembling with fury.

“I believe they’re negotiating for your wedding.”

The walls closed in on Madelynn, and suddenly she couldn’t breathe. The room pressed in around her like a vice, threatening to squeeze out her last breath. But even then, her anger endured. “Elise, can you help me get dressed?” she asked, pushing her fear aside. This was no time to be scared, to feel weak or hopeless. She needed her fury, her raw unfiltered rage to get her through this altercation. She clenched her fists beneath the covers- her parents could rip everything away from her, force her into a life of solitude, but they could never rid her of her fury.

“That’s the Maddie I know.” Elise stood and strode toward Madelynn’s wardrobe. “I’m thinking pants are appropriate for this occasion.”

She pulled a pair of black, leather riding trousers from the closet and turned around with a smile dripping in revenge. Madelynn returned the sentiment, thrumming her forefinger against her chin. “Perfect.”

Elise helped Madelynn into the trousers and a crisp, white shirt, her fingers masterfully fastening the buttons as if to armor Madelynn from the battle ahead. “There,” she said, smoothing the shirt over Madelynn’s shoulders with a grin of pride. “Now, go show them what you’re made of.

Madelynn squared her shoulders and nodded curtly. “Thank you, Elise.” She pulled her into a tight hug, letting the warmth and safety radiating from her linger. “I don’t think I would have risen out of that bed if not for you.”

She pulled out of the hug and turned, preparing for the fight ahead. She took a deep steadying breath before pulling the door open and stepping out into the long, sprawling hallway. She could do this. She had to do this. She let her rage fuel her as she descended the stairs, her parents voices radiating up the stairwell, followed by the practiced smoothness of Casimir’s.

Her toes tingled as fear crept up them, but she couldn’t let herself dwell on it. She had to remember her anger. She had to remember the look on her mother’s face when she’d called her a whore. The emptiness left inside her when Casimir stole Callum away from her. The feeling of knowing he was inside her home- her sanctuary. He was not welcome, and she could no longer pretend otherwise.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she could see her mother’s head bobbing as she laughed at something Casimir had said. Madelynn cleared her throat loudly, drawing their attention. Her mother and father whipped around, glaring at her from the other side of the sofa. Casimir’s eyes shot up, staring at her with a controlled intensity only achieved through years of practice and manipulation.

“Lady Madelynn,” Casimir started, rising from his seat, “I didn’t expect to see you today.”

“Yeah, that goes for two of us,” Madelynn responded, letting the words flow from her without a second thought. “What the hell are you doing in my house?”

“Madelynn!” her father bellowed, rising from the sofa. His face was red and puffy, as if he’d been up drinking all night. The rage in his eyes was fogged over with the glossiness of sleeplessness. “You are not permitted to leave your room. Get back upstairs. Now.”

“I don’t think I’m going to do that,” she said flatly, ignoring her mother’s firy gaze on her. “In fact, I’d like a moment alone with General Aldrich if that’s alright with you, my dear, loving parents.” Her words were sharp and angry, fueled by nothing but pure anger.

“That’s fine with me,” Casimir said with a pleasant smile. Madelynn wanted to punch him in his stupid teeth.

Her father turned and glared as Casimir before his gaze returned to Madelynn. “You have five minutes, then you’ll return to your room until you’re called on.” His tone was ominously calm, as if he was saving his voice for a later explosion.

Casimir nodded, giving her parents a slight bow as they exited the room. Madelynn waited until they were out of ear shot, then blundered toward Casimir, each step heavy with a barely-stifled rampage.

She stopped less than a foot in front of him, staring up into his golden eyes. “What the hell are you doing here?” she growled out, baring her teeth as she spoke.

Casimir chuckled, as if the situation was cute to him. “I’m discussing the terms our courtship with Lord and Lady Hawtrey, of course. I figured you’d be thankful after last evening’s events.”

“Thankful?” Madelynn spat. “I’d sooner marry my handmaiden before I’d even consider taking your hand in marriage.”

Casimir shrugged playfully, as if they were exchanging friendly banter. “That would be a shame, wouldn’t it? Letting someone with your… potential fly away like the little bird you are?” He raised his eyebrows, his voice dropping low to barely a whisper. “I’d help you spread your wings and soar like a heron in the night.”

Madelynn gawked at him, taken aback by his passiveness. She felt her momentum slowing, and bunched her hands into fists at her sides. “Enough with the cryptic remarks. What did you do to Callum?”

A sinister smile spread across his lips and he leaned in to speak into her ear. “Let’s just say you won’t be hearing from him for a while.”

Madelynn stepped back, scowling up at him. “Why are you doing this? Why can’t you just walk away? Leave us to live without you.”

“Ah,” he drew out, as if finally understanding Madelynn’s rage. “He was telling you stories, wasn’t he?” He brought his hand up, picking at a nail as if the conversation was boring him. “General Whitlock is known for his…flamboyancy. He fabricates and stretches things, searching for sympathy.” His eyes met hers again with that same violating intensity they’d had at the ball. “You should be more careful than to trust men you’ve only just met. It’s unbecoming for such a striking Young Lady, such as yourself.” Madelynn took another step back, feeling cornered by his gaze. The fear crept further up her now, settling in her belly. Her fists shook as she tried to retain the anger that was quickly being replaced by panic. “I suppose you could consider my visit today as an act of forgiveness.” The word leaked from him like venom from the fangs of a python, wrapping around her in a suffocating coil.

“Forgiveness,” she breathed out shakily. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she took another step back, knocking into the wall. She was stuck- cornered.. “I’ll forgive you as soon as you let Callum go.”

“Oh, Darling,” Casimir laughed out, spreading his arms out around him as if he knew he’d won. He followed her, the air growing colder as he leaned in, his breath brushing against her skin, carrying the faint scent of smoke and wine. His shadow loomed over her, swallowing the faint light from the windows. “It’s just you and me. Who is left to save you? Your parents? They’ve made their choice. Callum? Well, let’s just say he’s run his course. And you? I’d hate to see what happens if you make this… difficult.” He leaned in closer, and she turned her head away from his to avoid his gaze- his breath heavy and hot against her cheek. “It’s a shame, really. You could have had everything- freedom, power, safety- and yet here you are, fighting a battle you can’t win. Is that what Callum told you? That he’d save you?”

Who was left to save her? The question clung to her, their weight dragging her deeper into the suffocating grip of dread.

“Alright!” Her father’s voice broke the tension, and Casimir stepped away, an easy smile spreading across his face as if nothing had happened. “You’ve had your time, Madelynn.” Her father’s eyes landed on her, not softening or even questioning the heavy breaths heaving her chest. “Back to your room.”

Madelynn scowled, drawing her lips up, but didn’t argue. She didn’t look back at Casimir before she stomped away, back up the stairs. She couldn’t catch her breath as she pushed the door open, the hinges groaning as it slammed against the wall. Her eyes frantically scanned the room until they found Elise. She was sitting on the bed again, her eyes not meeting Madelynn’s as her eyes scanned a piece of parchment in her hands.

“What now?” Madelynn shouted, panic swirling around in her belly.

Elise clutched the parchment as if it might crumble to dust if she let go, her fingers trembling with an unspoken weight. Her gaze darted to Madelynn’s, and the tears threatening to spill over only deepened the pit in Madelynn’s stomach. “Maddie,” she started, her eyebrows curling upward as a single tear rolled down her face.

Madelynn’s eyes shot wide and she darted across the room. Time slowed and the walls closed in as she knelt next to Elise, the poor girl’s eyes filled with more sadness than she’d seen before. “What is it?” she asked, softly this time.

“It’s from Callum,” she choked out, reaching out to hand the paper to Madelynn. “I’ll follow you wherever this leads.” she whispered.

She grabbed the letter and read it hungrily, desperately.

Madelynn,

I don’t have the time or words to write anything deeply meaningful. I’m being sent away to Korner indefinitely. I’ve been assigned to the Vanguard in an invasion effort, and the odds of me returning with my life are growing increasingly slim the more I learn of the strategies being implemented.

“I’ve never felt more alive than when I held you during our dance, and I wish I’d had more time to tell you how much your fire and your courage has meant to me. I’m begging you to meet me one last time, and if you choose to find me, I will be at my residence as detailed on the opposite side of this letter. If you do not wish to meet with me, please heed my advice: Do not let Casimir in. He will ruin you.

I don’t know what lies ahead, but I can’t face it without knowing you’re safe. If you come to me, I’ll do everything I can to protect you. If you can’t, please promise me you’ll protect yourself.

With love and admiration,

Callum

Her hands shook as she clutched the letter, her vision blurring with tears. She wanted to scream, to rage at the world for being so cruel- but there was no time for anger now. Callum’s words burned into her mind like an order, a plea, and she couldn’t ignore them. She wouldn’t. If Casimir thought he’d broken her, he was wrong. Madelynn drug her gaze up to meet Elise’s. She clenched her jaw, swallowing hard.

“We’re going.”

Elise nodded, reaching behind her to grab a bag that was already packed.