19. Quando se realmente Precisa
Henrietta is quite a woman. Our conversation was flowing, in an easy way. This woman is not difficult to talk to. You just have to know where to step. For example.
When she tells you about her history, about her childhood, you discover so many things that your hair would turn white. There are many things that games, and even books, do not tell us.
When she was little, her sister was beaten, abused, humiliated, but this was only what she could see. Because on her side, it was just as bad.
The men to whom her parents gave so much value and respect, only abused Miss Henrietta, so much so, that for a long time she didn't have the strength to fight back against the injustices of the past.
She, more than anyone, knew to much to whom those deaths were related. She had already put the pieces of the puzzle together, but what could she present as fact, other than speculating that her sister might be to blame?
A sister she herself didn't know if she was alive.
I told her a little of what I knew about her sister's life since she was taken away. Not that I knew everything, that was something I made clear to her, but at least I told her what I knew.
Unfortunately, Sylvia was not lucky enough to find a Damien who would protect her as it should be, she found someone who loved her too late, when her mind was so broken that she mistook the love the other felt for scheming.
"What will be done with my sister? You said Geralt would have a mission with her." she looked tired, the weight of the crown sometimes not worth its price.
"Yes, I want her to see not just one side of the reality she lives. I've been in her shoes once, but in my case, it was quite different. Anyway, what I can say is, the world is not just about good or bad, black or white.
Unfortunately, your sister has only seen the darker side of the world, and that is why she does what she does. Geralt can show her the gray that exists in everything, as well as the light part of life. He's been through a lot, he has experience in that," I explain.
"I didn't get the point." she is quite sincere.
"In other words, she will be able to see who the real culprits are that her life has gone this way. When she starts to see who is really to blame and who is not, she will calm down, and that will be good for you sisters to have a new chance.
Just then, two guards arrive, leading the way of some ladies-in-waiting and two rather distinguished men. Regis and Geralt, with Regis trying his best not to give any kind of strange reaction to my presence.
"Your Majesty, the requested duo is here." says the soldier, as if no one else can see but him. Sometimes protocols are just ridiculous.
"Thank you, you can go with the other soldiers, it will be a private matter now." she gives her order, and the soldiers leave, leaving only Damien there.
"I was explaining to Anna here what your sister has experienced over the years, and how things got to where they did. Anyway, now that you are here, I can explain everything more easily.
But I must charge the price for my help, after all, I don't work for free, no matter who I work for. Even if Geralt has called for me, this matter is more complex than a simple help, so, Anna Henrietta, how will it be?
The air had changed. What was once a relaxed, easily conversational place has become tense, heavy.
"Give me your price." she replies directly.
A cunning, toothy smile is what is presented to her, and to the others who were staring at me.
"You will be my lady for a week," I reply.
Damien, the knight on duty is outraged, already drawing his sword, ready to, as his mind bawls, ' teach me my place'.
"Are you serious?" Geralt asks, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. After all, he did call me here.
"Very. You asked me for help, and here I am. But there is a problem in all this, one that Regis can explain to us better than I can. The one who is killing the Queen's knights is a vampire.
Not just any vampire, but a Superior one, of course, to others extremely stronger than him, but they will not interfere in this matter. If Sylvia Anna, the sister of the princess is not handed over to him, Toussaint will be the scene of nothing less than a massacre.
He will not care about people's lives, whether they are noble or not, knights or not. Love has turned to hate, and now only Anna Henrietta can pay for this help. As for your help, Geralt, your vineyard will produce something for me.
That will be your part of the bargain. Should none of you accept, I will just watch as beautiful Toussaint becomes a ghost town, or rather, a town that will feed who knows how many types of vampires there are here," I explain.
"You can't treat your majesty like a high-class whore." Damien complains, taking a step forward.
"There's the rub, knight. The weight of a crown, can only be carried by those who are prepared to bid their pride goodbye, when the time comes. Does she want to save her people? Does she want to save her sister? Here is the choice, she just has to do it," I say calmly.
"Your Majesty, use my life as you see fit, but let me eliminate this threat or die trying. I can't watch her sell herself to someone who we don't know whether or not she will do as she says." Damien retorts.
It was at that moment that Regis took two steps forward, and points to a strange dark cloud, far away on the horizon, hiding the top of a mountain.
"What is that?" Geralt asks, looking at Regis.
"A higher vampire is summoning those of lesser scale, they are all gathering in that direction." he explains, then looks at the knight. "Forgive me for saying this, Ser Damien, but your life will not help at all."
"Shut up, all of you," Anna Henrietta says harshly and coldly. She walks up to me, stopping less than 10cm from me. "Can you really fix this?"
"Yes." I answer simply.
"Then I will be your royal whore for a week." she says finally.