20 Chapter 19: The Path that Forged Her

A few days past since then. Eventually, Lillian is able to tell Malinda what truly happened. After hearing the truth Malinda takes protective measures to keep a scarred and broken Lillian safe from the evil in whose house they live in without a choice now. They are trapped until Prince Winston's decision of who shall be his queen is known.

Malinda never leaves Lillian's side for anything and Lillian never leaves her room now. Malinda makes sure to keep a fireplace fork nearby both day and night. To make matters worse Lord Argon is chosen to receive half of what was Lillian's family's property including the minor lords of the land while the other half becomes land of the crown. Thus making Lord Argon the most powerful lord of the realm.

It has been almost a week since Lillian and Rosalinda returned from the capital, but Prince Winston's decision is still not known due to seeing to his and Vincent's own recovery. Though Lillian now sees the prince's decision as her only chance. A chance to get away from where she is now and a chance for revenge.

One day as Lillian stares out her window she turns to Malinda. Thankfully Malinda managed to keep her connections with the servants of the mansion and had them bring needed supplies and information every now and then. She is using material to make Lillian and herself new dresses.

"You said you had something to tell me. What is it?", Lillian says to her.

"It seems he does have plans in case Rosalinda becomes queen.", Malinda says while not taking her eyes off her work. In truth Lillian has not had the strength to continue her own plan, but for her Malinda did and made sure to tell Lillian what she knew. Lillian's silence let's Malinda knows to continue. "He wants her to become queen then get rid of Prince Winston and his family. Allowing him or his family to become the rulers of the realm.", Malinda says. Lillian doesn't react with much life, but it is clear that she isn't going to let the man who destroyed her family go any further.

"Then we must stop him. Prince Winston and his family will not be his next victims. Not only that, but I have my own plans...and I need the throne to fulfill them.", Lillian says getting to her feet. Malinda looks up to her.

"What will you do?", Malinda asks. Lillian doesn't respond right away. She looks at Malinda for a moment with damaged eyes that no longer glowed with innocence and light.

"I will unleash my fury on all of them.", she says simply.

That night, while everyone else in the mansion slumbers peacefully. Lillian and Malinda walk quietly through the corridors to Rosalinda's room. When they get to the hallway where the daughter of Lord Argon is Malinda offers the present guards a drink.

However, unknown to them the drinks are tainted with illness causing herbs that take effect after some time. Resulting in them having to leave their post with Malinda continually apologizing to them as if she didn't know and offering them help. While this takes place Lillian hides in the shadows with a wooden box. When the guards and Malinda have gone she creeps into Rosalinda's room.

Lillian finds her sound asleep in her bed. Lillian walks up to her and gazes at her for a time. Here lies a girl she knows is innocent and as far as anyone can tell does not possess the evilness of her father, yet she is still an obstacle that must be dealt with.

Without a word and with the gentlest movements Lillian places the box as close to Rosalinda as possible. She begins to open it facing her, but stops. She thinks to remove her slippers and once she does she fully opens the box. From it flows a heap of rats that flow over the sleeping Rosalinda like a foul black tide.

As soon as they are all out Lillian quickly closes the box and takes it with her to the farthest corner of the room by the door using the shadows to hide. The rats swarm around Rosalinda and begin to bite her continuously in her face and on her body. She jolts out her sleep screaming in pain and fright. She flails her arms to fight the rats off, but the creatures are relentless in their pursuit as if willed on mentally by Lillian who watches without a sound.

Rosalinda screams as the rats one after another sink their teeth into her flesh. Lillian watches on with no feeling of regret or concern. It is a while before anyone shows up in the room by which time the rats have done their work to her. When guards finally storm into the room they head straight for Rosalinda to help her out of the mass of rats. At which time Lillian takes the opportunity to slide out of the room and makes her way back to her room unseen.

Everyone becomes aware of what happened last night the next morning. Feelings of sadness, shock, horror, and all other feelings that can be connected to the event fill the mansion. The result of the rat attack leaves Rosalinda scarred and horribly disfigured for life. It is clear to everyone that there is no chance for her to become the fiancée of Prince Winston and that there is no way to avoid it.

There is no doubt that Rosalinda's father suspects her and or Malinda to be somehow involved, but what could he do? There is no evidence that he can use against them if he were to persecute them. What happened could only be classified as a horrible, unfortunate incident similar to her family's incident. Therefore, he has no choice, but to inform the royal family of what happened and accept what comes next.

This comes two and half weeks when prince Winston announces that he has chosen a fiancée and reveals her to be Lillian. After this Lillian and Malinda are taken away from Lord Argon's manor along with a few of his servants who coincidentally choose to quite around the same time. As Lillian and her servants depart her and Lord Argon share one final exchange of looks. It may seem like their confrontation is over, but Lillian knows that is far from the truth.