86 Chapter 4 (1/2)

The next few days were nothing but a blur. Talking seemed difficult, so Min kept her answers to a minimum. She didn't really comprehend much that happened after. She remembered sitting in front of the bonfire, watching as her mother was set ablaze and her ashes scattered to the wind. She didn't know if tears fell from her cheeks. She didn't feel much of anything.

Her father had tried to talk to her. At least, she recalled seeing his face and watching his lips move, but finding words were difficult. It was easier not to see that face, so she shut her eyes. Nothing seemed to matter. Nothing seemed to change what she had witnessed that night. No matter how many times she went through it, she couldn't come up with a better answer.

”They'll be released… it seems.”

”Is that really okay?”

Those were the first words that shattered Min's protective coating. She lifted her head. She was being dressed by a pair of servants. Had they been dressing her the last week? Had it been a week? Min wasn't sure. However, she had heard a name in their conversation and it had connected to those other words.

”Baron?” Min asked.

”Ah, miss!” The two girls nearly jumped, having not expected Min to suddenly turn and speak for the first time in a week. ”That's right, miss, the Baron has been released after reaffirming a vow of loyalty in front of the council.”

Min simply stared forward, no expression influencing her features. The girls began to fidget uncomfortably in front of that gaze.

”Dante?”

The two looked at each other, and with a sigh, the girl who was speaking tried to put on a sympathetic expression as she sat next to Min, putting a hand on her shoulder.

”Elmindreda, perhaps it'd be best if you rested a little longer before-”

Min stood up, brushing the woman's hand away. ”Speak.”

”He- he is on house arrest. The council has yet to decide his fate. Likely, he will remain on house arrest for a set number of years and then claim the vacancy his father left behind-”

”Their house… survives.” Min's eyes widened angrily.

”Of course, my lady,” the maid took a step back at her glare, ”They have been with the council too long to be completely removed. The head of the house may face imprisonment, even banishment. Their house decisions would be made by a council elected earl until Dante is officially approved.”

”U-unacceptable!” Min snapped, pushing past the maid.

She quickly checked to make sure her clothing was acceptable and then pushed out the door. The maids tried to worry over her, but she brushed past them and made her way up to her father's study. She shoved her way through the door, ignoring anyone who tried to get in her way.

Her father was standing behind a desk. He seemed to be in the middle of a conversation with two other men Min did not recognize. She ignored them and focused on her dad. He had lost a little weight this last week. He had bags under his eyes. He looked tired. However, he was still immaculate in presentation. His outfit was clean and pressed. His back was rigid and certain.

”Elmindreda?” her father's eyes lightened in surprise as he looked up at her.

”Talk.” Min demanded.

Evan nodded to the other two men, ”Gentlemen, please.”

The two men rose with a gesture. They each bowed to him and then gaveMin a nod as they left the room. Once the door shut, her father took a drink and turned his back, looking out a nearby window.

”That was an important meeting, Min. If you hadn't been silent for the last week I might have made you wait. I hope this is important.”

Min took a few steps forward towards her fathers back. ”Dante, Baron… They killed…”

The words caught in her throat, and Min found herself unable to say the words that she had to say. However, she had to speak. She never would have assumed that with the pair literally standing over her mother's body that her words would have been so important. Why had she hidden away rather than speaking the truth? Those two men were murderers, and her father had to know what really happened.

”Murdered Alliana?” Evan casually answered before she could respond. ”Yes, I know.”

Min felt like she was falling for a second as the words came out. It took her three tries to get over the shock and reply back.

”Then, why?”

”Of course, I wouldn't believe their stupid concocted story. They didn't even have the time to fabricate it. Had I been a little later, they might have convinced enough people, spread enough doubt, but as is their guilt was clear. However, I can't do anything about it.”

”C-can't?”

”You need to understand, Min, that men like Hector are a scourge on the Elven nations. Your mother understood this, and spent years helping me stay on top their plans. We've managed to keep our nation strong today as a result of our sacrifices.”

”By- by… doing…”

Evan held up his hand. ”Let's not focus on what your mother did to achieve these goals. Instead, we need to focus on what we achieved. Hector has been pushed out of power, his plans that would have seen a mass destabilization of the council's power were stopped. His son has lost all respect. He'll be nothing but a puppet position for the council to manipulate.”

”That son raped Mom!”

Evan threw his glass to the floor, shattering it as he turned suddenly on Min with a glare. ”I know! But your mother knew the cost going in! That boy… and he is just a boy, may be the son of a monster, but we can still get some use out of him.”

”And Baron?” Min hissed.

Evan shrugged. ”Baron… knows a lot of people in high places. He's clever and conniving. His strength is something the council still depends on. It'd be a mistake to punish him too severely based on his… side jobs. Had I known things would turn out this way, I'd have paid him more.”

”You…” Min put on a sickened look, grabbing her stomach and taking a few steps back. ”Mom is dead!”

”Yes, I know. And I'm mourning her every day!” Evan responded darkly. ”I've even been force to deal with a daughter who refuses to talk and when she does, speaks like a child. You're over 70, Min, it's about time you started acting like it.”

Min stumbled back again, anger barely contained. ”You…”

”What would you have me do?” Evan held out his hands. ”We both had a part to play. Your mother fought hers, and I fought mine. It's a war, Min, and we both understood the possibility one of us might die. Why can't you understand that?”

”You protect her!” Min shouted. ”Your fault. Your job!”

She was using her body to save them. It was his duty to protect her. He needed to be by her side. Instead, he left her all on her own. He made her fight all of her battles on her own.

”My fault?” Evan's teeth clinched as he glared at Min. ”You want to talk about fault here? Alliana wasn't even supposed to be out there that night. Why do you think she was?”

Min flinched back, but Evan advanced on her.

”She was there looking for you. She let that stupid boy touch her because she thought you were hurt. Yes, I know what happened that night. You brought her out there that night. You sat back and watched them defile my wife. You let her get stabbed.”

”No…” Min covered her hands over her ears, taking several steps back.

”Quit acting like a stupid child. The reason you won't talk? The reason you shut down for a week? The reason you won't even meet me in the eyes is because of the truth we both know!” Evan shouted, his reason leaving him at that moment.

”Stop!” Min couldn't feel the tears, she couldn't feel anything, but it felt like something was tearing inside of her, ripping apart.

”You killed Alliana! My wife, your mother.”

”NO!” Min released a shockwave of wind magic.

It was mixed with one of Min's special skills, and shot out like an explosion in every direction. Evan was thrown back over his desk. Papers exploded all over the room. The doors to the outside were blown off their very hinges.

Min looked on in horror at the damage she had caused. Evan peaked his head up over the desk. He had a bloody gash on his face and a surprised look in his eyes.

”Min… I…” He seemed to struggle to find the words.