The Diabolical

Tricked

As the carriage comes to a halt, Calypso Arvel looks outside the window before smiling at her trouble aide.

“Mistress, why are we here of all places? I don’t see the reason for us to be here. Look- even the servants seem to be judging us. I don’t like it at all.” Calypso smiled.

“I’m pretty sure they’re judging the captain of the mercenary group and not us. Do you know the identity of that woman?” The aide shakes her head no.

“Her name is Gisele Goutin. She used to work here in the palace as a knight. That was before she went on a killing spree. Before she was disposed of, Gisele was a young and talented swordmaster. Do you see why I hired her?” The aide hummed as Norman opened the door for his mistress.

Calypso smiled before walking down from the carriage. As the aide placed a shawl over her mistress’s shoulder, Gisele came to her employer's side.

“Now that you’ve arrived here safe and sound, I would like to have my payment now. Whatever happened here is not any of my concerns.” Calypso smiled.

“I’m sorry- but you have to escort me inside. Did I fail to inform you? Not everyone who works at the place likes me. I need someone to protect me. Norman alone is not enough.” Gisele sighed before she stared at the palace entrance.

“I am not allowed to enter the palace.”

“You may enter the palace, dame Gisele.” Prince Kian Hawthorne smiled as he welcomed his guests.

“Your highness- I am dame no more. Have you forgotten that the knight commander stripped my title off of me? I am a degraded knight who will only dirty your proud home with my presence.” Kian sighed.

“Her Majesty wishes to see you and lady Calypso, Miss Goutin. I’m sure you’re well aware of what is happening within the empire. We need your opinion on things. Besides, you used to roam this floor while you were a knight working for the crown. Didn’t we share the same training ground when you were a student at the academy?” Gisele clicked her tongue in annoyance.

“That was before the empress turned her and chose to be a tyrant. Besides, the elders will never accept me walking around this polished marble flooring after what I did to their kin. They deserved whatever I did to them. They have aimed their sword at the neck of Mr. Liam since I was a kid.” Kian smiled.

“Don’t you want to know who took Mr. Liam’s life? If there were people out there that could find his killer, it would be her majesty. Now come, don’t mind the elders. They’re afraid of her majesty, and they won’t be that stupid to chase away their ruler’s guests.” Kian smiled before inviting his guests inside. Calypso placed a hand on Gisele’s shoulder.

“Meeting the empress might be the best for you.” Calypso smiled before trails behind the prince. Gisele sighed before turning to his vice-captain.

“Wait here and keep yourself away from trouble.” The vice-captain nodded before Gisele followed the courtesan into the royal palace of Goterra.

MEANWHILE, Gisele’s PoV

I lost count of how many times I walked through these overly decorated hallways when I was a child. Mr. Liam was my savior, and he was the one who taught me how to hold my first dagger.

I was only five when I began to have an interest in being a knight. As a child, I often copied what the old man did to his students. When I was old enough, I decided to enter the academy. That’s when I first met the empress.

That woman used to be a wise and kind fellow. But now- Rose Hawthorne is nothing more than a tyrant who seeks blood and rash decisions without thinking of the consequences.

It’s good to see the prince continue to be his friendly self. It’s a wonder how he could stand marrying that tyrant.

“How long has it been since you leave the capital, Gisele?” I shrugged my shoulder when the prince asked me a question.

“Hmm- too long to remember.” The prince chuckled as he asked the butler to open the door to Rose’s private lounging area. I don’t have a good feeling about this. Because every time I was summoned into this bedecked room, nothing good ever happened.

“Please, take a seat.” The prince said before closing the door behind us. Where is that crone woman?

“Are you looking for me, Gisele?” I didn’t say a word when Rose Hawthorne finally showed herself to us.

“That’s it? No, response whatsoever? I thought we were old friends, Gisele.” I bow my head with respect to the monarch.

“My condolences to the death of your son.” The empress takes her seat before offering the courtesan to sit down.

“Thank you. Anyway, let’s not talk about death, shall we? Now, I believe this is our first meeting with each other, Calypso Arvel. I’ve heard of your reputation before, and just like I thought, you’re one beautiful woman. Perhaps that is why your establishment seems to be THE information hub.” Calypso chuckled.

“I’ll take that as a compliment, your majesty.” But- Rose wasn’t complimenting her at all. This b***h is simply showing her authority. I don’t know if Calypso noticed this, but something about Rose’s body language makes me uncomfortable being here.

Perhaps it’s only me because Calypso herself resonates such an immense presence of her own.

“You exceeded my expectations. Perhaps I should visit House of Beauty once in a while.” Calypso chuckled before bowing her head.

“It would be our honor to serve you, your majesty. I appreciate the praises given to me, but I believe that my presence here is more than that, am I right? Your majesty, what can I do for you?” Rose suddenly turned her eyes to me.

I wanted to avoid looking straight into her blue eyes because I know such an innocent-looking woman hides something terrible and ominous within her. This woman is the same person who ordered the destruction of a monastery without a second thought. Even though the priest was at fault, does she have to burn the building down with its tenant?

“It’s simple. All I need is information. If possible, I want to win this war and make sure that my enemies know it’s a mistake ever to cross me.” Calypso giggled as she took out her fan.

“Well, I have all kinds of information. But, my information isn’t cheap.” Rose scoffed.

“How much?” Calypso shrugged her shoulder.

“Well, I’ve been trying to buy land just outside the capital for months. Perhaps a word from the empress might change the owner’s mind.” Rose leaned back to her seat.

“That’s it?” Calypso nodded.

“I think that’s sufficient for a little information.” Rose hummed.

“Kian, you know what to do. And as for you, Gisele- why don’t you stay for the night here in the royal palace? We need to discuss a lot of things regarding your future.” Huh? I find that amusing, though.

“My future is fixed, your majesty. There’s nothing even you could do to change my past. We might be friends, but that’s as close as possible.” I stood up from my seat before bowing to the empress and her husband.

“This has been a wonderful reunion. I will take my payment now and leave. Whatever is going on, it doesn’t concern me.” I smiled as I made my way towards the door.

“The person who poisoned my son is the one who poisoned your caretaker. We have the same enemy, Gisele.” I stopped midway through opening the door.

“Don’t you want to avenge Mr. Liam’s death? That woman standing there has limitless information that could help you find the killer.” I turned to Calypso, who smiled.

“You’re the guild master- the one who hired us to search for the bandits?” Calypso smiled. The chief was just a farce to keep her identity hidden. I am walking into this heinous woman’s plan.

But I want to find the person who killed my savior. Damn it.

A FEW DAYS LATER

“Captain- I don’t know how you get us into such a luxury abode, but I don’t think this is inappropriate. We are mercenaries, after all.” I watched as the vice-captain said while he ate the food prepared for us by the palace.

“Elfie, why don’t you stop talking while eating? The reason why we’re here is complicated. I need some time to think. In the meantime, keep everyone under control. Do not cause trouble while we’re here. This place is the Devil’s territory, after all. I’m sure everyone had heard about the empress and how she likes to drink the blood from her enemies for breakfast and dinner.” Suddenly we all heard someone chuckling in the room.

“Oh, my-“ Elfie and the rest of the guys were surprised to see our sudden visitor.

“Are you sure you should speak I’ll of the empress in her own home? What if the servants here act as her spy and tell their master what you just said?” It’s Calypso.

“What are you doing here?” I admit that this woman is beautiful, but she’s too mysterious even for me. Who would have known that this woman is the guild master everyone seems to be wary of? I didn’t- and probably most of the people out there.

“Is there something on my face? You’ve been staring at me since I walked into the room. Not that I hate the attention- it’s just if this continues, you need to pay up.” I clapped my hands to gather the guys’ attention.

“Go find yourself a prostitute! Stop staring at her! If this Courtesan starts asking for charges, it won’t come from my pocket!” The guys diverted their attention to the food while I raised an eyebrow.

“What are you doing here? You just had to drag me to the royal palace; now you wish to take away my freedom too?” Calypso chuckled.

“Well, I was planning to invite you to lunch, but it seems you’re already eaten.” Well, duh.

“Yes- now it’s time for you to leave.” I was about to leave her alone when the courtesan cleared her throat.

“Isn’t that a bit cold for someone who sought my help not long ago?” Is this b***h going to be a nuisance? I appreciate beauties who come and go in my life, but I have never met someone who would waltz in a room filled with brute men! This woman is too daring.

“What do you want from me?” I asked.

“Come with me.” Calypso grabbed my hand before dragging me out from the room and to the throne room where the empress and her husband are. What is going on? Wait, is that-

“What a surprise- did you come crawling back to the master who fed you, Gisele Goutin?” Never in my life, I thought that I would meet the knight commander who degraded me without consulting with the empress.

“Commander, I’m sure you’re well-acquainted with Gisele Goutin.” The commander nodded his head before facing me with his proud face.

“Of course- this child is why our enemies think that the knights of Goterra are a joke! You’ve ruined our good reputation with your stupidity. I admit that you possessed such a promising talent with the sword, and there’s no doubt you’ll be the best the empire has ever seen, but your attitude needs adjusting! You tainted the sword given to you by the empress with innocent blood!” Those claims are bulls.

“The only reason you’re mad is that I killed your only son. Why? Didn’t you have enough ladies around your pinky to birth male heirs for you? Don’t tell me that you’ve contracted some disease that stops you from taking advantage of young women,” Calypso stifled her laughter while the rest of us kept nonchalant looks.

Even the commander seems a bit too calm. Wait, don’t tell me that it’s true!

“Here.” Kian suddenly threw his sword towards me.

“His time has finally reached the end. You’re permitted to end his life.” Rose suddenly announced. Even the commander seems surprised by her words.

“Your majesty! What is the meaning of this?! I’ve been working hard for this country! Is this how you repay my hard work?!” Kian takes a step forward and faces the commander.

“Did you think the crown wouldn’t know what kind of parasite you are? The empress had known your antics since you decided to work for the enemy. We have enough proof to convict you in the royal court, but that wouldn’t be fair for the citizen.” Oh- the commander has finally met his worthy opponent.

“What are you waiting for? Kill him.” Rose ushered. But- why me? Why not the prince himself? It wouldn’t be fun to decline this offer, though; I’ve been dreaming of decapitating the commander’s head for far too long.

“Come on- do it. This man degraded you from your status because you tried to seek revenge for your savior. Look at him- that’s the face of a man who raped young children when he was supposed to help them. It doesn’t end with young children; there have been multiple reports of his evil-doing behind the crown’s back. Raise your sword and be the punisher.” Calypso whispered into my ear as she placed both hands on my shoulder.

I could almost taste the scent of Jasmine from the courtesan’s body. Damn it- is this the power of the empire’s number one entertainer?

“I will regret this.” I raised my sword and smiled at the commander before decapitating his head.

“Hmmm- great! Welcome back, dame Gisele.” Huh? What just happened?!

“You’d killed Goterra’s knight commander. The only person in this room that has the skill to lead my knights is you. Don’t worry about your friends from the mercenaries. Since they have the skills, we could knight them.” The empress stood up from the throne with such a devilish smile.

“Lead Goterra to its victory, Dame Gisele Goutin.” I couldn’t even say anything as the empress left the throne room. Wait- it all happened too fast for me to process what is going on!

That b***h tricked me!

“YOU TRICKED ME!” I shouted as loud as I could while the empress laughed. Damn it!