The Princess' Choice

Reputation

Berke

I kneeled in the garden surrounded by people who whispered about my skin while Penelope pointed at me.

- How could you even be here? You are a monster! - she turned to her audience and with fake tears in her eyes she complained.

- Berke tried to kill me before! - they gasped and I saw disgusted glances all around. My stomach clenched and I was about the throw up. I just wanted to change my clothes these sluts sliced in the kitchen earlier. I wanted to smash her skull. Just rip her hair off and use as a wig... I lifted my glance to look at her and I smiled. It would be so easy to turn into the monster she calls me. Should I do it? I wondered. I haven't been this humiliated for a long time. Kill her or not... Penelope noticed me staring at me.

- Who do you think you are?! - she walked to me and grabbed my hair grinning into my face.

- You are a nobody Berke! You better know your place!- that was the final phrase that made me decide.

- Careful Penelope... Didn't you know?

- What?! - she asked after a laughter. I grabbed her wrist not caring about my own hair and twisted it. She screamed in pain and I said slowly.

- If you call a witch's name three times, she gets her full powers. You have called my name out loud twice already. Come on sweety...what's my name? - I asked and put more force on her wrist. A few people took steps towards us but stopped. Penelope grunt her teeth and screamed.

- LET ME GO! RELEASE ME!

- Say my name. - Penelope's pain increased and her fear as well.

- What's wrong Penny? Are you afraid? - she shook her head. Penelope noticed someone on the corridors and tried to look strong.

- No!

- Such a delight...there is someone you care for! I looked around and noticed Emmett. My mouth curved into a mischievous smile and I whispered to Penelope.

- I've slept in his bed last night. - her eyes widened.

- You know Penny, he couldn't take his hands off me all night! - Penelope screamed but sounded more like a screech and tried to attack me. I released her. It was time for payback. Penelope rushed to a knight and took his sword. She launched at me and screamed.

- You'll die Berke! - when she was close enough I avoided the sword and kicked Penelope's legs out of her. She fall on her back with a loud sound and I leaned down to grab the sword. I pointed the weapon at her and sais slowly.

- You said my name three times Penny. I'll die for sure, but not today and not here. - Penelope screamed for help and a voice cut the whole scene.

- What is going on? - I looked at Lise and stuck the sword to the ground, only millimeters from Penny's head and kneeled.

- Your Highness! - Lise looked at my clothes and at Penny.

- What happened? - she asked from me but Penny interrupted. She got up and crawled to Lise's feet.

- Your Highness! Please save me! She has gone insane! - Lise looked at the pathetic woman and rolled her eyes. I shrugged and said.

- She called my name three times. - Lise's eyes shined bright. We have played this trick in other situations as well. She looked at Penelope with sorrow and said.

- I cannot do anything for you I'm sorry. Berke, didn't you tell her the consequences? - I bowed.

- I did your Highness. - Penelope held Lise's skirt and cried.

-Please your Highness! She listens only to you! Please stop your maid your Highness! - Lise shrugged and with faked sadness she said.

- She is not my maid anymore. - Penelope looked like a lightning struck her. That moment Emmett appeared behind Lise and Penelope continued her begging to him.

Emmett

What I was waiting for finally happened, Berke got the upper hand. I walked there with blood lust. I wanted to kill that maid personally. I had no idea what Berke whispered to her to enrage her, but worked. Now Penelope was begging at my feet and all I wanted to do is to cover Berke. People kept staring at her like she was some kind of exotic animal. For four years no one knew about her condition apart from my family, from today, her secret has been revealed. I saw the pain in her eyes, that pain wasn't physical... It was the black mass, for a second slowly surrounding her and it looked like there was a hand holding her neck.

- Shut up! - I ordered after the maid's begging began to get on my nerves.

- You humiliated and attacked my maid! Sir Douglas, let her know what this means! - Dave bowed slightly and said in a loud and clear voice.

- Whoever attacks the Royal family's direct knights or underlings, the punishment should be equal as an attack against the Royal family. Since attacking their closest personal is a direct humiliation of their judgements and questioning of their decisions! - Penelope begged with her hands put together. I reached for my sword to behead her when a small, dirty hand touched mine. Berke looked into my eyes and smiled softly.

- Your Highness, please don't get your hands dirty with a nonsense like this. Let me handle it. - anger rise in my chest. This whole scene was for me to protect her and she stopped me?! I pushed her away and only realized what I've done when Lise shouted.

- BERKE! - I looked down and saw blood. Lots of blood. I looked at my hand and I was holding my sword. Berke's blood was dripping down from it and I froze. Her side had a deep cut and the black mass started to cover her. Lise called my name but I didn't react. She gave out orders and soon we were running with Berke in Dave's arms to her room. Dave laid her down and Lise kept calling my name. How could this happen? I didn't mean to hurt her! I wanted to protect her and her honor! Why is this happening?! I cannot lose her! My mind raved ams my heart beat faster. My vision blurred and my head hurt like Hell. A sharp pain in my cheek brought me out of my thoughts. Lise slapped me!

- Cure her! We have no time! - she ordered. Dave was out of the room and I did as my sister ordered. Berke's cut slowly disappeared but she didn't open her eyes. Dave entered and asked what could he do. Lise looked at him and said.

- Snap the maid's neck. - Dave left without saying anything. Lise sat on Berke's bed and all I could ask was.

- Why? - she looked into my eyes and caressed Berke's hair.

- That's what she wanted to do.

- How do you know? - Lise smiled.

- That's the only way not to get your hands dirty while killing. - my jaw dropped. I knew my little sister only acted like a fool and maniac to keep her power in secret. Lise grew up, she wasn't the little cheerful girl I left to Berke's care. She grew into and intelligent, meticulous, quick witted young lady.

- How did you end up there in the right time? - I asked and Lise tilted her head and sighed.

- I saw the eternal fire turn redder in a vision. I knew something was wrong.

- The eternal fire... I almost forgot about that. - Lise smiled.

- She will conquer the darkness.