บท 27: Mete Punishment
"V!"
Nelson uttered her name with utmost seriousness. He had somehow succeeded in dragging Valda to the art gallery room where they recently conversed, away from prying eyes. She was presently pacing about, murmuring incoherent words to herself, and Nelson sighed for the umpteenth time that evening.
"Are you going to listen to me?"
"Why did you pull me away from there?" She demanded after she stopped pacing, "I would have… I honestly don't mind getting executed after I kill them, I'd happily face judgment if that's what it takes. That deceitful wench and her despondent parents, I just want to get my hands on them, can't you see that?"
"Believe me, I do." Nelson answered, "but that's why you need to control yourself. You think anyone would listen to you afterwards if you went on with your idea of 'getting your hands on them?' no Valda, they won't, and they're already sent to the dungeon, you've won, so let it go."
"But didn't you hear what she… they said to me?" Valda unconsciously pointed at the exit, her teary eyes fixed on Nelson, "didn't you hear they said… they said I got picked from a bush, can you believe such nonsense?! They want to rip me out completely from the Griggs family lineage so they are lying about everything. They don't mind going to that extent of denying me of my heritage, but… but you don't believe that too, right?"
She looked into his eyes desperately, awaiting his response. Valda couldn't bring herself to accept that she had no heritage. She was practically being marked as an outsider in front of everyone, and there was absolutely no way that could be pictured as the truth.
It couldn't be!
Her father loved her dearly, who would show such love and care for another man's child? He even bought her this special necklace around her neck! She has no reason to doubt his fatherly love. They must be lying, she just needed someone to side with her on this one.
"Valda." Nelson's tone grew softer, quieter as he called her name, and he led Valda to a long stool so she could sit. He exhaled tiredly, then lifted his head to meet her watery, expecting eyes.
"I… don't think they were making that up." He admitted, "I'm not siding with them at all but… listen, I'm sorry for keeping it away from you. Believe me I wanted to broach the topic but… but I wasn't sure how you'd take it. Among those documents you provided, the ones you wanted me to look at and confirm if they were the property files…"
He paused, using more effort than he expected to say, "among those copies were your adoption files. I saw it, I didn't know how to tell you about it so I… I wanted to wait till you've gotten this out of your chest first."
"Adoption…papers?" Valda blinked, and the world around her seemed to freeze. She shook her head slowly in denial, but Nelson nodded his head, as if to say it was the plain truth.
"I'm… I'm an outcast?"
"No, you're Valda Griggs." Nelson urged, "you were given a name, a title, you're not an outcast. Not in any way."
Valda averted her gaze, and she raised a finger when he wanted to say more, as if to silence him. Her mind seemed to process her life at that moment, and she wasn't sure about whether she'd laugh it off or cry it out.
She wasn't her father's real daughter?? How– how is that… was she really abandoned??
"Am I really…?" She looked at Nelson again, her tears dropping freely as if she got tired of holding them, and her voice trembled, "I… I'm not my father's blood, I was… really abandoned, I…"
"Shhhh, it's okay." Nelson gently hushed her, drawing her close so she could bury her face in his chest and release her tears. He felt her shoulders tremble from grief, and he silently provided the solace she desperately sought.
Meanwhile, in the throne room, Eryx walked in just as the guards closed the heavy door behind him. Once alone, his gaze darted to Sebastian who was standing beneath the dais, and when he approached, the King himself was the one to offer a bow to Eryx.
"You still recall my presence?" Eryx's smile held a hint of feigned gratitude, "and what is this? You insult me, a King such as yourself should never stoop low to bow before another, unless, of course, I command it. However, it seems you've been obedient. Are you sweating?"
Eryx tilted his head a little, noticing the sweat that rolled down Sebastian's forehead. His smile only broadened, and he sauntered towards the window that overlooked the royal garden.
"What… what brings you to the mortal realm, Master Eryx?" Sebastian questioned as politely as he could. He couldn't believe his eyes for a moment when he recognized the demon fox lord amongst the crowd, and his body right now, being alone with him, was oozing from an adrenaline rush.
"Why?" Eryx hummed, "Do you find my presence here that unpleasant?"
"That's not what I meant."
"Then elaborate, what did you mean?"
"Forgive me if I have displeased you," Sebastian immediately lowered his head in the form of an apology, "your presence will always be welcomed in my Palace."
"Is there a reason I should not?" Eryx turned to the side to cast him a furtive glance, "I come and go as I please; you mortals tend to puff yourselves up once on your little pedestal. That is fine, but don't forget who you work for, Sebastian."
"I won't make the same mistake."
"I trust you won't."
And a purple mist suddenly shrouded Eryx form, enveloping him in the form of an embrace. When the mist dissipated, an ethereal fox emerged.
Sebastian swallowed his saliva when the little brooding fox came to stand in front of him.
"As to why I'm here…" The fox's long, bushy tail swished to the side. "Didn't you love the show I so meticulously worked hard to comb together? The posters I ordered you to scatter around with her image on it did me quite a lot of advantage. However, what really grinds my gear is the brutish display your guards fervently indulged in, thrashing my newest underling."
The temperature in the room dropped instantly as he commanded, "deliver the second guard, as well as the chief guard into my custody. I shall attend to both miscreants in a manner that tickles my fantasy."
Sebastian lifted his head slightly, only to witness the fox's tail twitching with a sinister anticipation. It sent a chill down his spine, and he dared to inquire further.
"What about the three culprits?"
"Who?" Eryx's fox ears perked up, his gaze shifting as if trying to recall the question, then suddenly, as if remembering, his eyes widened with a flicker of realization.
"Oh." A cunning grin spread across his face, and he instructed, "didn't they say the dungeon is invested with wild vermins? Those poor creatures must be positively famished after enduring months of starvation. It would be downright heartless of me to deprive them of a feast, wouldn't you agree?"
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