The Scoundrel's Daughters

Unexpected opportunity

Tanya

I wished we could heal mommy's wounds but if we did, we'd expose ourselves. Instead, Dina ripped my skirt and bandaged mommy's back. Soon I heard footsteps approaching and my eyes met Dina's. I motioned for mom and Dina to remain quiet and put my ears against the door.

- Why doesn't his Majesty just get rid of them?

- He needs lady Rankin to control the Duke in case he survived the war. - Dina gasped softly and mommy's eyes turned dark with anger and hate.

- Why does he need their maid now?

- Stop questioning the Emperor! - they stopped at the door and I made a single movement with my hand, soon, I looked like the maid Diana, and Dina was back in her body. Dina opened her mouth to say something but the heavy door opened and the guards grabbed my arms.

- You must come with us. The Emperor's orders.

- Wait! - Dina shouted and they stopped.

- Give at least some water and ointment to my mother's injuries! She is still the Duchess of Rankin and I'm the heir of Rankin Dukedom.

- What makes you think we will obey your orders? - the knight on my right asked from under his thick mustache and his companion laughed.

- She still thinks she has free will! - the other said and as soon as these words left his mouth, Dina appeared by his side, with his dagger at his throat, just like Victor did back at the Duchy before we were taken away. Mommy smiled proudly and honestly, Dina was really cool as she said.

- I do have free will, and as long as my head is on my neck and I'm not stripped from my titles, I'm the heir of Rankin Dukedom. Therefore, I can give you orders. Bring my mother ointment and water, now. Oh and if there would be a scratch on my maid, I'll come for you! - they got a bit shocked but tried to laugh it off until Dina cut the mustache of the right sided knight into half precisely.

- We'll send a maid immediately. - he said and we left the tower. They dragged me along but being somehow considerate.

- Did you know that the Lady was so skilled? - half mustache asked his still shocked colleague.

- No, but, taking in consideration that she is Duke Rankin's daughter, we should've expected it. - we arrived to a dark room, it had really simple design, a few old and dusty furnitures. The Emperor was standing in front of an old desk with Isaac by his side. The thought of killing them now rushed through my mind.

- Your majesty! - the guards greeted him and threw me at his feet. The Emperor lifted my face up with his foot and forced me to look at him.

- What's your name?

- Di... Diana your.. Ma.. Majesty. - I mumbled and tried to look as scared as possible. It was a good idea to switch with Dina quickly before being brought here.

- Diana. How loyal are you to your Ladies? - he asked and Prince Isaac walked behind me, putting the edge of his swords against the back of my neck.

- As much as a servant should be to their masters, your majesty. - I said and suddenly realized that I didn't mutter nor sounded scared.

- This is weird. - Isaac said and scratched the back of my neck with the sword. " Oh just wait a bit your little pest... Soon I'll repay this kind detail with interest." - I thought and imagined how I'll cut Isaac's face into little pieces.

- Tell me Diana, which one do you value more, your loyalty, or your life. - I swallowed hardly.

- As it might sound selfish, but in the end of the day, all I have is this one single life of mine your Majesty. - he laughed and waved to Isaac to put his sword away, but in the Prince's eyes I saw a slight doubt.

- In this case, I'll put it simple, if you want to live, you must kill the Duchess.

- Give me your orders, your Majesty. - the Emperor laughed and handed me a little bottle of poison.

- Feed her this tonight. - I've bowed and got escorted back to the tower. There mommy and Dina rushed to me checking me out for injuries.

- I'm fine.

- What did that rat faced fucker want? - mommy asked and Dina chuckled.

- I have to kill you mommy. - I said and her eyes opened wide. I gave mommy the bottle, she sniffed it and laughed.

- Salut! - she said and sent the poison down.

- What is the plan now? - she asked and Dine rubbed her eyes. She picked up the bottle and smelled it. Her eyebrows furrowed and she grimaced.

- Seriously? At least he should have choose something fancier. - I giggled at my sister's remark and turned to them.

- This is a good opportunity to get one of us out. I vote for mommy.

- No way! We'll get Dina out! - mommy said and Dina shook her head.

- No! I'm with Tanya in this, we'll get you home. You can hide your appearance and follow daddy!

- I won't leave you two here defenseless! - mommy said and we shared a glance with Dina before we busted into laughter. Mommy sighed and buried her face in her hands.

- Seriously... You two are going to put me to the grave!

- Literally, since you are dead on paper mommy!

- You are sometimes tiring my love. - she said and I shrugged. Dina lifted her hand.

- I suppose Tanya has a plan, and I'd like to hear it.

- Once mommy's out of the castle, she'll fled home and warn daddy. They want to get both him and Finny killed during this war. We will stay here and poison the castle from the inside. If everything goes according my plan, by the time Daddy and Finny come back, people will already loose their faith in the Royals.

- Oh! You want to use their insecurities and our victory to turn the tables! - Dina said with enthusiasm and I've nodded.

- Exactly! Imagine mommy, you help daddy and Fin to create peace with the barbarian tribes. They'll return to the capital as heros. In the meantime we f**k the capital up with Dina!

- People would loose their hope, and you want to use Fin as their newly risen hero.

- Yes!

- Good, I like it, one question, how do you two want to create chaos here? - mommy asked and I got silent. I haven't thought that far but Dina coughed.

- The Prince wants me, right? Why don't we make a fool out of him first? Then we can mess up the Empress's head who is already a fool for her son.

- Dina... This is too risky. What if he forces himself on you? - mommy asked and Dina looked scared. She played with the ring she got from Fin and her eyes filled with tears.

- I haven't even told him my answer... - she whispered and mommy hugged her.

- What is your answer my angel?

- I... I want to marry him mom! - she sobbed and mommy kissed the top of her head.

- I'll let him know and I believe that will make their return even faster. - Dina stopped crying and thanked mommy.

- Mommy, fear not, I won't let anything to happen to Dina. - mommy's eyes filled with sadness and Dina looked a bit angry while mom asked.

- Why do you think your life is less valuable than Dina's?

- I don't think that. I know both you and daddy love us equally.

- Why are you speaking of yourself as someone who could be easily sacrificed? - Dina asked grabbing my shoulders and shaking me.

- Sissy, you said you trust me. I'm aware of the limits of my capabilities and it's far beyond you both think. So when I say I'll protect Dina, I mean it. Don't worry, whoever tries to lay a finger on us I'll get rid of it.

- Tanya, why do you speak of killing so easily? - mommy asked with worry and Dina released me. I sighed and looked deeply into my mother's eyes. "How should I tell you that I know what you have been trough to get here? That I choose to be born as your daughter to protect the life you lived and died for so many times?" - I shrugged and said in a cold tone.

- I suppose the Rankin blood is thicker in me that yours mommy! - she pinched my nose shaking her head in disbelief. Soon the maids approached to being us some dinner.

- Are you ready? - I asked and both mommy and Dina nodded. Mommy hugged us.

-Kill all of them if needed but survive my angels! - she whispered and we kissed her cheeks before she pretended to faint. Dina screamed and started to call mommy.

- MOM! MOM! SOMEONE HELP! MY MOTHER IS NOT BREATHING! - the maids rushed in and soon guards came with a doctor who told us that mommy died. Dina fall on her knees and cried uncontrollably. The Emperor came and shook his head with a faked sadness.

- My poor niece... Make sure her body is safely taken back to the Rankin Duchy. I suppose her husband wouldn't rest until she is back home. Lady Rankin, I'm deeply sorry for your loss, if there's anything I can do to ease your pain. - he said and Dina looked at him with hate. She jumped against the Emperor and I held her back.

- YOU KILLED MY MOTHER! - Dina shouted and our eyes met with the Emperor.

- My lady, please calm down, you'll hurt yourself. - I said and Dina slapped me hardly. I fall behind and she trembled with anger. - the Emperor nodded to me and left us alone. As soon as we were completely alone Dina kneeled next to me.

- f**k! Tanya I'm so sorry! I got carried away! Are you okay? Can you forgive me? - she asked and I wiped some blood off of the corner of my mouth before healing the wound.

- Do me a favor...

- Anything!

- If the opportunity rises, punch Isaac ten times harder than this! - Dina laughed and kissed my still rubbing cheek.