Chapter 5

"What in the world does that mean?" Marilyn asked. "How could you betray someone because of how you loved them?" She asked him. "Greed," he said simply. "Sable was my lover, the one whom I planned to wed" he told her. "But I wished for more from her," he told her. "I wanted her to stop the thing she loved the most so all of her attention could be on me instead of the sword she loved so much" he said.

"The day she died I had switched her sword with a weaker one. An exact copy of her beloved sword hoping that if she thought it was broken she would give up being a knight" he explained. "What he didn't know was that day we would go on a hunt for werewolves" Sable told Marilyn. "She was killed by a wolf wasn't she?" Marilyn asked. He nodded. "I didn't know she was hunting them if I had known..." he said. "I don't believe you to be completely at fault" Marilyn told him. "Your actions and greed may have resulted in her death but..." "even as you say it you sound biased" he told Marilyn.

Suddenly the carriage stopped. "It appears we're here" the baron said as the carriage door opened. "Ladies first" he said with a quick tilt of his head to the door. Marilyn stood up. "Oh one more thing" he said, pulling out a knife, but before Marilyn could react he cut the rope that tied her hands behind her back.

"Now you could go" he said, and Marilyn stepped out of the carriage. As soon as both her feet hit the ground her eyes went wide at the sight she saw. Ghosts of servants and soldiers as well as other common folk lined the courtyard. "Lady Marilyn," a butler said, staring at her curiously. "I think you and I both know I'm far from a lady kind sir" she told him. "I wouldn't be so sure, my lady," he said with a slight bow.

"I'll take you directly to his majesty, he is eagerly awaiting your arrival" the butler said. As he led the way into the castle Marilyn followed him. To her surprise there was no one in the halls. The butler led her to the large doors where 2 knights stood. Without a word they opened it and the butler led her inside, and walked her to the middle of the room before bowing and walking away. As the room filled with the ghosts that were once outside Marilyn couldn't help notice the old king sitting on his throne and standing next to him was his son prince Theodore, and her brother Simon, who was to her surprise not in a knight uniform but what looked to be royal attire. It confused her.

"I, Marilyn Sinclair, greet the sun of the empire, your majesty the king" Marilyn said as she put her right hand on her heart, and slightly lifted the side of her skirt to curtsy. "Ms Marilyn Sinclair, the honor is truly all mine. I've heard many great things about you from your brother here" he told her as she stood up straight. "I mean no offense to your majesty but my brother hasn't spoken or even sent a letter to me or my mother in 3 years. I doubt I'm the same person he remembers" Marilyn said straightforwardly.

"As I can see" said the king. "Much has come to light in the last 3 years, much you don't know" he told her. "I'm sorry your majesty but I don't believe I understand what you mean" she told him. "Most may have forgotten but 26 years ago my youngest son vanished from the capital without a trace" he told her. "As did the only daughter of Count Hamilton" the king added.

"There was no evidence of where they vanished until 3 years ago when your brother arrived" he continued. Suddenly a guard entered the throne room with her mother and threw her to the ground. "Ah just in time lady Victoria I was just explaining the sudden disappearance of my youngest son prince Antonio, and the only daughter of Count Hamilton" he said with a smirk on his face.

"I beg of your majesty please dont" Victoria pleaded. Marilyn had never seen her mother beg before, it was weird and surprising and she despised it. "I don't believe you need finish the story my liege" Marilyn said. "Perhaps you're right," said the king as he stood up from his throne.

He then began to walk towards her. "Your majesty," her brother finally spoke. "Come now Simon you should know by now I would dare not harm Marilyn" he said turning to him before continuing to walk to Marilyn. When he finally reached her he looked her up and down before grabbing her face.

"What special eyes you have Marilyn I have never seen any with such a beautiful gold color" he told her. "I thank your majesty for your gracious compliment," she replied.

"I believe it's time I get right to the point since everyone has Arrived" he said as he turned and walked back to his throne. "The point?" Marilyn questioned as she watched him.

"He wishes to use you" a male ghost whispered in her ear. "He knows of what you can do," the ghost added. "How" Marilyn said in a whisper so quiet it could barely be heard. "Your eyes," said another. "He can tell by your eyes," said another.

"Yes the point Marilyn" the king said as he sat back down on his throne. "I beg of your majesty not to do this, not her," Victoria pleaded as a knight grabbed her. "I haven't done a thing" he told Victoria. "Your selfishness is what led you here girl" he snapped at Victoria.

"Your Majesty I swear it wasn't like that" Victoria pleaded "you Marilyn Sinclair...." "please your majesty I beg of you" Victoria interrupted her. "Gag her" the king commanded and the guard that held her quickly did as he was told. "You Marilyn Sinclair are the rightful second princess of the Avland Empire" he finally told her.

TO BE CONTINUED