Felicia's Guilt

Felicia took the newspaper from Alex and began to read it out loud. Indeed, the demon monkey had covered his tracks and quite well at that. His lies and the evidence to support them was very persuasive. As a holy man, nobody would doubt his claims about how he solved a problem that even seasoned knights, city guards and Constables who worked with criminals every single day were not able to resolve together.

If Felicia didn't know what she knew, she would have been swayed as well. 

It has been a terrible week for the people of Delgard as well as the Del Montague family. Since the appalling attack on the children of Grand Duke Roelle Del Montague, the city nights and royal knights have been working without rest to find the three culprits who escaped after attacking Lady Felicia Del Montague and Lord Alexander Del Montague. The attack left eleven knights of the Duke's household dead and resulted in the complete lock down of the city of Delgard. The Montague siblings had been on their way to visit their aged caretaker, Agatha Hildegarde when the attack occurred. Despite the city guards having shown up in time to save Lady and Lord Del Montague, the culprits remained elusive.

Now, finally, the fears of the nobles and commoners of Delgard and the Dukedom can be put to rest. All thanks to the diligence of our empire's Holy Father, Pope Matthew. Our revered head of faith, used his connection to the Goddess to bring the criminals to heel. Today, at the early hours of dawn, the city hall was filled with people both shocked and in awe with the event that had taken place. Pope Matthew was present, alongside members of his faction and the bodies of the culprits and their written confession. The Holy Father gave a speech to all those gathered about how the Goddess had answered his prayers for peace and justice to resume within Delgard.

The Pope had prayed to the Goddess to tap into the conscience of the criminals. He wished for them to recognize their wrongdoings and turn themselves in. He had hoped to take them into the monastery and give them a second chance at life. However, the Goddess's magic had impacted their minds far more significantly and the men not only left a written confession, but they committed a group suicide by slitting their own throats. A sorrowful event, regardless of their crimes, according to the Pope.

The royal family was informed and their knights have been ordered back to the palace. The investigation has now finally been closed with both the city officials and guards able to resume their regular duties. The city's curfew has been lifted and the Pope has suggested that people release their fears and celebrate the Goddess's continued blessings upon the citizens of Elysium.

Felicia finished reading and looked back at Alex. "How disgusting! Such bold faced lies. He probably killed those men himself as well as wrote that supposed confession."

Alex nodded. "He's a dangerous man. And very much revered as a holy being."

Hildegarde bit her lip in an anxious manner. Lies being printed and distributed on such a large scale was unsettling. 

Suddenly, another knock sounded causing Alex to stand up straight. "State your business."

"I apologize for the interruption, my lord. But the Duke is requesting both yours and Lady Felicia's presence in his office."

"Lets go," Felicia said, taking a step forward before looking back at her nanny. "Our discussion is not over, you need protection."

Hildegarde smiled.

Alex opened the door for Felicia and the two of them stepped out. 

Following the servant, they walked out of the servants quarters and across the living room to the large staircase. Cooks, maids, stableboys, guards, gardeners, the butler and the chauffer were gathered in random groups. All having heated discussions. It appeared the news had spread fast. 

Heading upstairs, Felicia folded the newspaper under her arms and contemplated on their next course of action. Alex vowed to decipher all the symbols on his sword. He was convinced the key to defeating the Pope was on the Goddess's sword.

Entering the Duke's office, they saw that both Helena and Tyren were already seated inside. The Duke was, as usual, behind his table. Alex took his seat as Felicia walked up to the Duke's desk and set down the newspaper.

"So the matter has been resolved, your grace. You can breathe easy now knowing that all the criminals who slayed our knights are dead." Felicia's tone betrayed none of the frustration she felt.

"Indeed." The Duke's eyes moved over the faces of his family. "Now listen carefully, all of you. Something like this can never happen again. From now on, we must be vigilant when we leave the manor. For any reason. The Del Montagues knights who died saving the two of you are not lives to be taken for granted. Though it was their duty, it's still a loss and their families are heartbroken."

"I feel so bad, father. Those men did not deserve to die like that. I know it was not intentional, but if only sister had not made the decision to take that excursion...." Helena's words trailed off as her head drooped.

Neither Alex or Felicia appreciated what she was implying. They glared at the stupid girl in unison.

"The only ones to blame for our dead knights are the scoundrels who ambushed and attacked us!" Alex spat.

Helena waved her arms in distress. "Of course, brother! I know that! It is not Felicia's fault. I know she did not intend for so many to die because of her, she only meant to visi---"

"Shut up, you idiot!"

Helena flinched and cried at Alex's sharp retort.

The Duke too was unimpressed with Helena and frowned at her.

Tyren pulled her daughter into her embrace and gave Alex a stern look before glancing at her husband. "Your grace, Helena simply feels grief for the knights who died. She is very delicate in her heart and can't stand the thought of anyone being hurt. That is all she wishes to express."

"And you shouldn't put word into her mouth, Alex! She hasn't done anything wrong so don't speak so harshly towards her. She is still your little sister!"

Alex sneered and looked away. Put words into her mouth, pfft! As if. The little brat said what she said.

Felicia shook her head in derision. "I almost died during that attack! Alex almost died! Hildegarde almost died! All three of us, including the fallen knights were at risk the entire time! It was an unprovoked attack on a noble family for the sake of extortion, Helena! It could have just as easily happened to you, your mother, even the Duke!"

"When you are wealthy, you can become a target! No part of that was my fault and I too am very upset about the knights who died to protect me and Alex! I don't need you to remind me of the deaths." Felicia eyes grew misty.

Helena said nothing, but secretly grinned. She liked the fact that she was able to strike at Felicia's conscience. She wanted to humble this bitch who thought so highly of herself despite causing deaths just to fulfill her selfishness.

But she was a bit peeved that Alex was defending her instead of seeing her for what she was. He nearly died because of her! Wasn't he in any way resentful towards her for bringing him along on her stupid visit to some old hag who was going to die soon?

Tyren too was bemused to see how Felicia thought the death of those knights wasn't her fault when she took so few and left the Dukedom lands with unskilled young lads who could not handle an ambush without getting slaughtered. 

If I was one of the mothers who got her son's body back, I would be so furious at the woman who ordered my still training son to accompany her on a trip with no seasoned knights alongside them. 

The Duke cleared his throat. "The matter is resolved and as Alex said the only ones at fault are the criminals who did the killing. Going forward, we must be more careful. That is all. Leave me."

Tyren and Helena left first. Looking over her shoulder, Helena saw that Felicia was still grappling with her emotions over the death of those knights whom she indirectly killed. 

Chuckling slightly, she shared a smile with her mother once they were outside of the room.

"Well done, my dear. That wench has been thrown off balance, hasn't she?" Tyren praised.

"Indeed, mother. Imagine her, how shameless, for her to try and avoid the blame when she was the one who planned that stupid trip! It is her fault." 

"Not so loud, dear. The Duke may hear you." 

The pair walked further down the hall feeling very satisfied with the conclusion of the meeting.

Inside, Alex had to guide Felicia out of the Duke's office and back into the Emerald Room. She appeared a bit shell shocked and Alex knew that she was indeed blaming herself. Helena's words had gotten to her head. Locking the door behind him, Alex signed when he saw the guilt and pain on her face.

"Felicia--"

"Helena's right about this one, Alex. The more I think about it, I can't say I'm not at fault. I caused the death of---"

"Felicia, stop it!" Alex's voice was stern. He grabbed her by the shoulders. "None of that was your fault. It was the Pope's fault. And you saved me, remember?"

Felicia lifted her head, her gaze now blurry from the emotions she was no longer able to hold back. "Those men...they're dead and what of their families? Their mothers? My god! It's all my fault!"

Alex pulled her into a tight hug. He knew he could not reason with her, so he decided to let her have a good cry. Kissing the top of her head, he lead them to the settee.

An hour later, Felicia regained her composure. After wiping her red eyes and drinking some tea, she marched back to the Duke's office and asked him to give her the names of all the knights who had died and where their families lived. She then returned to her room and spent another hour writing out heartfelt condolences to each of the families. She cried as she wrote and begged them to forgive her. She spoke of their sons' heroism and told them she will forever be grateful. After sealing the last letter, she blew on the wax stamp insignia and had them mailed out immediately, alongside some gift baskets. Inside each gift basket, hidden beneath the freshly baked pastries and fruits was a small bag of gold coins.

Felicia spent the rest of the day finishing her math and history assignments and tried to keep her mind as distracted as possible. On occasion, a tear would slip from her eyes but she quickly wiped it then proceeded to do sit ups and jumping jacks to shake away her emotions.