traitor chapter 11

Fury at her betrayer surged through her, from the tips of her toes to the crown of her head. Her hands trembled, her shoulders shook, and her breath came in ragged gasps. “Just how far did you think I’d let this go?!” Her enraged voice echoed through the silent labyrinthine corridor.

Leonhardt straightened, then bowed his head, not in deference, but to meet her gaze. Amber eyes flashed, holding her captive in their depths. “Your Majesty, I, too, have exercised restraint. You would be impressed if you knew the extent of my patience. It’s a shame I couldn’t show you.”

The sheer audacity of his words sent Diana’s hand rising again. Slap! The sharp sound cracked through the air. She forced his head away with the back of her hand, then grabbed his hair, yanking him close. “Are you mocking me?”

Though he could have resisted, Leonhardt allowed himself to be pulled toward her, his lips pressed shut. Their faces were close enough that she could feel the heat of his breath, ragged with anger. The unrepentant expression on his face fueled her rage. “How dare you speak of patience! You indulged your own whims, crossed the line, and now you have the gall to utter such nonsense!” 

She rarely raised her voice, but now, her fury was unrestrained. Leonhardt’s eyes widened, his lips parting slightly. Her anger was usually cold, her displays of passion rare. Born into power, never having known weakness, she had always been composed. Yet here she was, enraged, her fury raw and untamed.

A thrill shot through Leonhardt. He, of all people, had evoked such a powerful reaction from her. But alongside that thrill came resentment. She clearly felt something strong enough to express such intense emotion, yet his own feelings… “Do you truly not understand? Or are you simply choosing to remain blind?”

“What are you asking? Are you referring to the fact that you harbor inappropriate feelings for me? That you sought out those who resemble me, using them as substitutes in some pathetic attempt to erase your affections?” With every word, his expression hardened.

“I turned a blind eye. You should be grateful. I tolerated your impure gaze, your charade of romance with those stand-ins. I never interfered in your private life, only acknowledging your service to the crown.”

“That’s not what I wanted…!” Leonhardt choked out, his voice rising.

Diana released his hair and shoved him hard. “Get a grip.” He stumbled back, momentarily stunned. She turned, beckoning Ruby to her side. She took the arm of her loyal knight, who had maintained a precarious composure throughout the ordeal.

At this, Leonhardt’s face twisted in a grimace. She could feel his anger radiating towards her. The absurdity of it all was almost laughable. Diana fixed her gaze on him, her lips set in a firm line. “Whether it’s love or lust you feel for me, I pray that isn’t the reason for your betrayal. I did not raise you to be this way.” Treason against her, fueled by something as trivial as romantic affection? That was unacceptable.

Leonhardt, his blue eyes blazing with fury, let out a shaky breath. “I pray your rebellion stems from my perceived incompetence, from my being a tyrannical ruler. I pray it’s the allure of ultimate power that drove you to this.” With that, she turned and walked away, Ruby’s arm still in hers, leaving the traitor frozen in place.

Ruby, ever perceptive, knew this was their chance. Leonhardt, reeling from the rejection of his affections, was momentarily vulnerable. This was their last opportunity to escape, especially with the labyrinth still incomplete.

Ruby quickened his pace, pulling slightly ahead of Diana. She matched his stride, her legs pumping, and together they turned towards the nearest balcony. Without hesitation, she swept the curtains aside and stepped out.

Darkness swallowed her vision. Where the sky, the sprawling gardens, and the encircling forest should have been, there was only emptiness. A void stretched before her, like a starless, empty night sky. Ruby stepped towards the balcony railing and reached out. His hand sank into the darkness as if it were jelly. “It’s not yet complete. I’ll break through from the top of the railing down. Jump as soon as there’s an opening.”