Her Attack

Harlyn

I turn to the guards stationed at the palace’s imposing doors, a mixture of urgency and frustration swirling within me. I want to leave. I’ve had enough, and I’m missing Wayne far too much to stay any longer. If I leave now, I avoid my father; I will regret not waiting to say goodbye to my brothers, however.

“I need to return to the Manor, pack my things, and leave, please,” I explain, feeling the weight of missing Wayne heavy against me and pressing down on me like a heavy burden.

“I’m sorry, Miss, but you can’t leave,” one of the guards responds. Why can I not leave? It’s not like I’m anyone important. As if sensing my confusion, he continues, “Until the men return and confirm it is safe, no one leaves, and the gates remain locked for everyone’s safety.”

His words only fuel my frustration. Why am I being held captive within these walls? The desire to argue, to demand that I be let out of not just the palace but the entire kingdom, threatens to overwhelm me.

He’s right; however, until they know it’s safe, I would be putting everyone here in danger if I insisted they opened the gates. With a sigh, I nod and reluctantly retreat, making my way back to where my pups await.

“Mummy, can I explore the palace?” Lotta’s innocent inquiry pulls me from my thoughts.

“I don’t want to,” Thorin adds quietly, his gaze shifting between me and Diandra.

“If you’d like, we can try to find a way,” I suggest, knowing this might be Lotta’s only opportunity to experience the palace.

Diandra approaches before I can further plan the idea, her attention immediately drawn to the pups.

“What do we have here?” she asks, her gaze lingering on Thorin. I observe her with unease as she reaches out to him and grips his chin, only for him to forcefully hit her hand away. Diandra laughs. His protective instinct is evident even at his young age.

“Why do they look so much like...” Diandra begins to speak.

“Princess Diandra, how is your wedding planning going?” Lucy draws her attention away from the pups.

“Oh, it’s going amazing. Did you know that the...”

“Who wanted a tour of the palace?” Lucy asks, cutting off Princess Diandra, which seems to anger her. I get a sense Lucy doesn’t like her much.

As Diandra’s attention is diverted by Lucy’s interruption, I can’t help but sense the tension between them. It’s clear that Diandra’s presence doesn’t sit well with Princess Lucy.

“Me!” Lotta and Isaac chime in unison, expressing their eagerness for a tour of the palace.

“We’ll accompany you,” I state.

“No, no, you stay here. Your foot needs to rest.” Lucy says.

“Princess Diandra, I’m sure you would like to tell them about the picture your family gifted us,” Lucy says. I watch as she holds Lotta’s and Isaac’s hands.

Reluctantly, I watch as Lucy guides Lotta and Isaac away, leaving me alone with Thorin. His quiet words cut through the air, a stark reminder of the dangers lurking within the palace walls.

“She isn’t nice, Mummy,” Thorin whispers, his concern visible. “She wants to hurt you.”

His words send a shiver down my spine, confirming my already known knowledge. Forcing a smile for Thorin, I nod.

“She’s gone now. Shall we explore this room together?” I suggest, hoping to distract him from the unsettling encounter. As we walk around the room, we look at the palace’s relics; I tell Thorin tales of each item’s history.

Soon, I sit, and Thorin continues to walk around this hall, and the one connected, I can hear him calling out to me, so I know he hasn’t gone too far.

I want to say he can’t possibly get lost in here, but it’s the palace, so he highly likely could. With his senses, he would find his way back to me without any issues, so I relax slightly, knowing he’s safe.

“Harlyn.” Diandra’s voice comes from behind me.

I stand up and face her, watching as she walks towards me. She smiles at me and stops so our toes are almost touching.

“You’re good.” She laughs, and I look at her in confusion. “You have everyone fooled; I believe I heard Samuel and Colton talking; was it slut or whore that your father called you?”

My body runs cold, and I step back slightly.

“I have no idea what you’re speaking of!” I reply. I don’t understand why she would mention that, and I know Smauel and Colton wouldn’t have discussed it with her or spoken of it anywhere she could hear.

So, was she sneaking around listening to conversations? If she has, how much does she know about me, and what has happened before?

“Oh, you’re playing an amazing game. Those pups—well, they are proof of that.” She laughs, and I stand confused by her words. What is she talking about? “How did you keep it hidden?”

“I have no idea what you’re speaking of,” I say, taking a step back.

She laughs loudly. “Oh, but you do. When you leave with those things, don’t ever bring them back.” Her hand grips my arm, and I move to pull it away.

“Just because I didn’t respond yesterday does not mean I won’t today. Keep your hands to yourself!” I shout while taking another step back.

“Or what? You can’t possibly hurt me, want to see?” Her claws come out, and she swings. I scream, feeling her nails drag across my arm. Before I can respond, her hand swipes down across my face.

“I’m waiting, slut.” Her hands grip my shoulders, and I scream as her nails dig in.

A loud roar bursts through the room, and her body jumps. I see Thorin standing next to us, his eyes glowing blue.

“Don’t you touch my mummy!” Thorin screams, and she laughs. Oh shit, this can’t be happening.