Guardian Of The Betas Heir

5 - Locket up like a criminal!

Elenor

I had just finished cleaning when the door knocked. It seemed a little early for Sylva to be home, but I wasn’t surprised. I sighed because I expected tears as soon as I opened the door. I put Decker in the backyard because I needed all my attention on Sylva.

However, when I opened the door, I was met with four warriors. I narrowed my eyes because I didn’t understand what they were doing there. It was unusual to see them without the Queen and Sylva.

“Can I help you?”

“Elenor Dawson, you are under arrest for treason by order of the King.”

“What!?”

I had no chance to ask what treason they were talking about. They had me handcuffed and in the cells faster than I could blink.

I don’t understand what’s happening! I haven’t committed treason. All I have done is take care of Sylva the way I was asked to all this time.

What could have happened?

I pace the small cell, wondering how the hell I’m going to get out of here. There are no windows, and it’s dark. But there must be something I can do! I have to get out of here. I need to know if Sylva is okay. She must be wondering where I am. Her time with her father will be up by now.

What will the King tell Sylva about where I am?

Who’s going to take care of my dog?

Will they let me see my brother?

So many thoughts rush through my head all at once, and I can’t keep up with them. It’s cold down here and only lit by candles on the walls. I can’t even say it’s damp because it’s not. If it was, I could manipulate the water and get the hell out of here!

The Dragon King knew what he was doing when he built this place. Once you’re in, there is no way out unless the King releases you. Your powers won’t work here, no matter how hard you try, and I’ve tried.

What am I supposed to do if I can’t get out of here?

Am I to be executed for my so-called crimes?

Gods, I feel so defeated!

I will never give up fighting for my life. I haven’t done anything wrong. I swear, I haven’t. I don’t understand this!

I thought I had a good relationship with the King. He’s always been good to me and my brother, and I have never done anything to make him think I would go against him. He won’t kill me while I’m pregnant, but after the fact, is another story.

What the hell could I have done!?

I don’t go anywhere or see anyone to talk to other than my brother. I am honestly stumped!

My hand trembles slightly as I brush a stray lock of hair from my face. The cold stone walls of the cell enclose me in a stark, silent embrace, the only company being the distant echoes of the castle’s daily bustle. The flickering candles cast eerie shadows across the stone floor, and I can’t help but wonder how I’ll get out of this dire situation.

The door to the dungeon creaks open, and the heavy footsteps of a dungeon guard grow louder. He marches in with a sense of urgency that sends a shiver down my spine.

The guard, his eyes stern behind a helmet, announces, “Prince Ricon wishes to speak with you.”

My heart leaps, and my stomach turns over. I have been in this dungeon for what feels like an eternity, with no explanation for my sudden arrest. The mention of the Dragon Prince is both surprising and alarming. I knew the Prince, of course—everyone does—but I have never interacted with him beyond the interviews and my duties as Sylva’s Nanny.

Sylva sees her great-grandfather on those occasions that her paternal grandparents visit. I bow politely, and Ricon tips his head, but that’s about as far as our interactions ever go. He did interview me once before I got the Nanny position, and he seemed okay with me caring for Sylva.

Ricon, the eldest son of the Dragon King, strides into the cell with the confidence of a man who has never known fear or doubt. His eyes, the color of smoldering embers, met mine with a gravity I hadn’t anticipated. If his eyes are that color, it means he’s angry enough to breathe fire into my soul and kill me!

“Elenor.” His tone is clipped.

“Your Royal Highness.” I bow in respect.

“You have been found guilty of treason,” He says, his voice devoid of emotion. “You will remain here until my father deems it fit to deal with you.”

“But I don’t know what I’m supposed to have done!”

My thoughts race, trying to piece together any shred of logic in this madness.

“You are here because of what you’ve been doing with Sylva.”

“What?” I shake my head. I haven’t been doing anything wrong!

“You know what you’ve done, Elenor. Stop acting the innocent; it won’t wash with me.”

“But I don’t understand,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “All I have ever done is take care of Sylva.”

“And that’s over now. You will never see Sylva again.”

I suck back a sob of devastation. “But I've always been there for her. I love her so much. Why take her from me now? What did I do that was so wrong?”

The Prince’s expression softens, if only for a moment. “Your affection for the child is not in question. But you overstepped your bounds when you allowed her to address you as ‘Mummy.’ It has angered her father, and he has demanded your removal from her life.”

The weight of Ricon’s words settles heavily on me. His British accent suddenly seems foreign to me. The love I have for Sylva is pure and unyielding, a bond I had thought unbreakable. Now, it seems that bond is to be severed, all because of a title I had never sought, a title that simply slips from Sylva’s lips in moments of comfort.

“But I didn’t ask her to call me Mummy, my Prince. Sylva did that on her own, and I swear, I tried to correct her each time. Sylva’s father has never bothered with her before. Why is now so different? Because she called me something he doesn’t agree with? He would rip Sylva away from the only person who has been there for her her whole life? And for what? Power?”

Ricon squints his eyes sightly. “That is none of your business, Elenor.”

I close my eyes momentarily and swallow back my emotions. I open my eyes and look at Ricon. “Do you believe this is right? That I should be locked up like a hardened criminal for Sylva calling me mum?”

Ricon smiles slightly. “Elenor, it doesn’t matter what I think. My grandson is angry, and until he comes to speak with you, there is nothing any of us can do about this.”

I hang my head. “But what about my baby?” I lift my head. “Am I supposed to give birth in this cell? What about Sylva? She needs me.”

Ricon sighs. “It’s best you forget about Sylva, Elenor. Her father is taking her back to Lykos. You won’t see her again. As for your baby… I’m not sure. But I won’t let you stay here for long. I promise. I do not believe you belong here, and I will do all I can to calm my grandson.”

I nod.

“Try not to worry too much, Elenor. Michael will be here to see you soon. We can have this all sorted soon.”

“When will he come to talk with me?”

“I don’t know, Elenor. Once he has Sylva settled, I imagine. Just hang in there.”

What else am I supposed to do?

As the guard escorts Ricon out, leaving me alone with my thoughts, I clutch at my chest, feeling the cold emptiness where my heart had once been warm. Weeks could pass before I face Sylva’s father, and the thought of those endless days in the dungeon fills me with dread. I don’t want to have my baby here. I don’t have long left before I give birth!

Amidst the fear, anger grows. This was not just my battle; it’s Sylva’s, and I vow to fight for the child I have come to love as my own. I will never give up on Sylva, and her father is a fool if he thinks he can get rid of me that easily!