The Scoundrel's Daughters

Bring it on!

Dmitry

We followed the butler of the Emperor through the wide corridors. Both of us received many fearful and suspicious glances. Finley grew into a really handsome, tall and fit man. His swordman aura made him stand out of the crowd and his cold gaze turned the curious eyes away. I shared his feelings. We were technically dragged away from our home at a very important moment. He still hasn't received Dina's answer now that he agreed to our plans and we both missed Tanya's sixteenth birthday. I smiled a bit remembering that now we wore a curse that my sweet little daughter cast on us to protect us. We arrived to the throne room and walked in, kneeling in front of the Emperor's throne, the crown Prince was sitting on his right while the Empress on his left.

- Raise your heads. - he said and I could hear his selfish arrogance in his voice. Oh how badly I wanted to wipe that smirk off of his disgusting rat like face. I noticed Fin's hands clenched behind his back and he couldn't take his eyes off of his half brother. "Yeah kiddo... You go to the right I go ahead and with two slices we could end this circus... But Tyranny is not the way we want to settle things, that's plan B."

- Greetings to the Sun, Moon and Little Sun of the Empire. - I said and Finley smiled.

- Long time no see, father, mother, brother.

- You cheeky arrogant little prick! Who did you call mother?! - the Empress asked and I knew that Rene's attitude rubbed on the boy during all those years. He learned where to pinch them exactly to make them as annoyed as possible, without actually being disrespectful. The Emperor pulled her back into her seat and she couldn't take her eyes off of Fin. Finley became a lot better looking than her son Isaac, and I knew that he was way more qualified for the throne. After all, we taught him that way.

- My dear, calm down and be happy that the young Finley considers you as his mother. You provided him the motherly love he needed in his first years of life. - Fin chuckled and Isaac stood up this time.

- What are you laughing at... Brat? - Fin shrugged and smiled. Oh how annoying that grin was, I wished Rene was here too, she would be wiping her tears and say something like "Oh my little boy became and annoying brat like I hoped so! Those long hours of practicing weren't useless!" Gosh, I missed her already so much...

- Pardon me, I just found funny that father thought that was the reason I called the Empress mother, I meant that she is the mother of our nation, not mine. Not at all, my mother is dead, and the woman who raised me from the first moment I've opened my eyes was my cousin, Duchess Rene Rankin. - the crowd who gathered there gasped in unison. This wasn't a well-known thing around the empire and now, Finley offered the most disgusting secret of the Emperor on a silver plate for the gossiping nobles. "Rene will be so proud." - I thought and the Emperor cleaned his throat, looking for words to wash himself out of the situation, but his hot-headed son, grabbed his sword and marched down the stairs pointing the weapon on Finely.

- I'll kill you if you disrespect my mother again you filthy dog! - Fin leaned closer to the blade and I swear his eyes shined like opal in the sunlight. With a wicked smile and soft tone he asked.

- Are you challenging me for a duel, brother? - he emphasized the word "brother" and Isaac's nostrils widened. We were here to discuss the details of the war, but if Isaac is stupid enough to duel with Fin, the inheritance of the throne will be settled today.

- So you wanna die today? - Isaac asked, and Fin kept smiling, but this time, he looked into the Emperor's eyes.

- Worry not, I'll outlive you brother.- the Emperor's eyes widened and he shouted.

- Isaac, enough! - the Empress pouted.

- Why are you stopping him dear?! He wanted to protect my honor! Isn't that important for you?! - I saw the desperation in his majesty's eyes and when our gaze met I knee my eyes said "Allow it if you dare." He knew too well, that I taught Fin. Even if he wasn't a spectacular swordsman, under my wings he must be beyond average, which we couldn't tell about Isaac.

- We haven't gathered here for brotherly bickering! - he said and I grinned.

- Duke Rankin, Prince Finely, I called you here to give you the honor to lead our knights to the war and to protect the Empire's borders from the barbarians. - I took a step back and Fin followed my example.

- We are sorry your majesty, but we must decline the honor. - he raised his thick blonde eyebrows and asked.

- How dare you?

- Your majesty, as you know it well, in the veins of my dear wife, apart from the royal blood, there is some from the southern tribes.

- Your majesty, I cannot tarnish my mother's heritage by killing her tribe. It wasn't her fault to be brought here and die in our lands. - Fin said and the Emperor roared.

- This wasn't a suggestion! I order you to lead our knights! - he said and I turned to the nobles and knights present. We knew each other well.

- Your majesty, I don't think the royal knights could trust me enough to follow my lead after my previous declaration. May I hear their opinions? - he groaned and nodded.

- Gentlemen, we fought together, we know each other. You all know me well enough to understand my situation, would you follow me with clear conscience, knowing that I'm forced to eradicate people of the tribe my beloved wife came from? - they looked pensive and they were confused. I hate to use this as my advantage, since I knew that Rene wouldn't care at all. But the whole situation was too strange and the hairs on my back stood up immediately when we arrived to the capital. They wanted us far from home, and I didn't want to help this plan. On the other hand, I knew, they wouldn't trust their lives to another leader if I was between the options as well. The leader of the Royal knights stepped ahead and bowed.

- Duke Rankin, I understand your situation perfectly and I hate to ask you this, but please, give us a chance to return to our families. Without your leadership and without Prince Finley's knowledge of those tribes, we won't survive.

- Why am I not surprised that you knew about Fin's travels my dear friend? - he lifted his head and Samuel smiled.

- Let's end this war quickly my Duke! - I sighed and turned to Fin.

- What do you say kiddo?

- I'd prefer to try to persuade them for a peace agreement.

- Do you think you can talk with those people?! - Isaac laughed and Fin scoffed.

- I'm half barbarian, yet you are conversing woth me without issues brother, also, the most intelligent person I know shares the same blood. Sorry Duke. - he added with a shy childish smile. I waved him not to worry.

- I cannot disagree with that statement. Let's try to talk to them first, I assume his majesty also wishes for as less bloodshed as possible. - he held the handles of his throne nervously but nodded.

- Of course! Please prepare for departure Duke and Prince. - we bowed and left followed by Samuel. He was a man as tall as a bear and as hairy as well. With a huge scar on his right eye. He pat Fin's back.

- Nice try kid! You were so close! - Fin looked at me for reassurance and I nodded.

- Samuel is our person Fin. - he smiled with relief and said.

- I wanted to end this so badly...- Samuel laughed and pushed me gently with hsi shoulder.

- I like the kid! There's fire in his eyes and his back is strong.

- He is the perfect candidate. - I said and he nodded.

- You'll bring us a new era kid, and don't worry because many of us would follow you and the Duke to the depth of Hell with a smile on our faces and kiss the demons goodnight! - we laughed as we headed to the knights barracks to prepare our plan while I knew well that his majesties blood were boiling with hate. I smirked and Samuel laughed.

- What are you thinking about my dear friend!?

- Oh, I just remembered how proud my dear Rene would be if she could see this today!

- She wrapped you around her fingers! Once this is over, tell her that I send her kisses on those pretty little hands of hers! - I've nodded and Fin asked curiously.

- Do you know the Duchess? - Samuel nodded.

- I've been in the group who brought her to the castle. Honestly, she tried to kill the Emperor when we brought her in front of him. She attacked him like a jaguar.

- I haven't hears this story either! - I said and Samu laughed.

- Oh you should've seen it! Her eyes sparkled and she was smiling like a maniac who has nothing to loose. - I wondered if this was the case in all of Rene's lives, she lived so far. When we get home, I'll ask her. "I'll be back soon my little witch." - I thought looking out of the window and blowing a kiss into the air hoping that somehow, she'll feel it on her cheeks.