Rejected and forgotten.

Voices that give answers.

There was a big rush in the dungeons. Clare could hear guards rushing from one end to another and back. Something important was about to happen. Clare could listen to a name constantly repeated, Lord Gustav. Whoever he was, this man had to be a high persona here. It seemed like everyone feared him.

Clare wondered what the man with his position could do in the dungeon. He didn't arrive yet, but all guards were already on the highest alert. Clare found it amusing. It felt like a King himself was coming for an inspection. Soon her amusement was gone as all that made guards forget about her breakfast. The food portions were not generally impressive, so losing one meal was painful, especially when your stomach constantly grumbled. Clare had hoped that her dinner and blood would be on time.

Finally, the big moment came, and the mighty lord arrived.

Clare tried to hear as much as possible, which was not easy as usually, silent warriors became very talkative around this man, trying to impress him. Lord Gustav had a high-pitched voice, which Clare found uproarious and not matching his title.

- How do the prisoners behave? Do they enjoy their new accommodation? - He asked and laughed loudly.

His words were the opposite of his funny voice, and Clare decided this man had to be cold-hearted and cruel. He clearly enjoyed the suffering of prisoners.

Guards burst into laughter, following his example, making Clare nauseous. How low could they fall to impress this man?

- Show me the traitors. - Lord ordered, cutting off the false laughs. Judging by the sound of opening doors, someone fulfilled his wish immediately.

- Lord Lucas, how are you? - The man asked someone, and Clare froze. Was another lord imprisoned here? What could this man do to end up in a place like this? Something terrible was happening in this coven, and Clare was grateful that her father had escaped this place.

- Live and kicking. - The warm low voice could be heard in the hall. This one, in fact, sounded like a lord. Clare focused on hearing more of this conversation.

- We will see about that. - Gustav replied.- You should keep your opinions about my daughter to yourself. They brought you here.

- Being imprisoned for the truth is nothing I could be ashamed of. - Lucas replied calmly. - Everyone who has eyes can see Susan is not a Quenn material. But years of pushing her under the Prince's eyes paid off.

Clare almost gasped at hearing those words. Were they talking about Susan? The bride of Prince Christopher?

- When my daughter becomes a Queen, you will beg her for mercy. - Lord Gustav replied coldly.

So it was true. Now all of it made sense to Clare. Lord Gustav was a very high persona. The girl could not remember him from the ball, but she was too excited then. Now all this rush had its explanation. Susan's father was indeed not much lower than King. His daughter was going to rule all vampire kind anytime now.

- If she becomes the Queen. - Lord Lucas corrected him. Clare admired how brave he was to talk back like this. He could be quickly executed for such words. Disrespecting the future Queen was a big crime.

- What do you mean by that? - Lord Gustav asked him in a challenging tone. This man had a death wish.

- Your daughter will never be a Queen. - Lord Lucas laughed dryly. - I may be here, but I know the Prince postponed the wedding. Why do you think he did it? If the perfect woman was already by his side.

Clare could not believe her ears. Why would Prince do such a thing? His bride was more than perfect, beautiful, and from a wealthy family. What else could be needed?

- Prince had an urgent matter to attend to, that is the only reason. - Lord Gustav replied, and his voice sounded higher than before. It was evident he was nervous.

- I am sure he had. Birds told me that this reason caught his attention during the ball. And it looked like a young lady. - The man in the cell laughed again. Shortly after, there was a sound of a punch and a loud groan. It looked like Susan's father lost his patience.

- Those words will lead you to the grave. - Lord Gustav warned.

- I don't care what will happen to me. You cannot kill everyone who will speak the truth. - The other lord said with a struggle.

- You may not care about yourself but do not forget your wife and son stayed out there. Their lives mean nothing to you either? - Gustav said with a cold chuckle.

His only answer was silence.

- That is what I thought. You see, we both want what is best for our families. If you stay quiet, everything will be ok. - Gustav continued.

Clare thanked the gods again for allowing her father to return home. She could manage anything knowing he was safe.

Susan's father had enough of the conversation with Lord Lucas and left his cell. Guards quickly shut the door.

Lord Gustav spent more time in the dungeon, talking and threatening other prisoners. Some of them followed Luca's example and stayed quiet; others still had the nerves to go against Gustav, shouting insults into his face.

Soon the inspection was over. Clare, for the first time, was glad that she was forgotten.

But not for long. A few hours after Lord Gustav left the dungeon, the door to her cell opened. Since the dinner was delivered and it was still time for the bathroom visit, there was no reason for anyone to come.

Clare sat on her matters, waiting until her eyes got used to the light.

The girl cursed under her breath when she recognized her visitor.

Susan entered her cell, lifting the bottom of her dress to avoid the dirt on the floor.

It had been months since her last visit, and Clare hoped never to see this face again until it was time to go home.

- I came to share some good news with you. - Future Queen said, but her voice remained cold. Clare doubted how any news said which such a tone could be good.

Yet she stood up and bowed.

- Your Majesty. - She said quietly.

- You will leave this place in six months. - Susan told her, and Clare's heart skipped a beat. She was correct; there could be no good news for her. But what else could she do?

- Thank you, my Queen. - She replied politely, even if the title wasn't belonging to Susan yet.

- That is who I am, and never ever forget about that. - The Prince's bride said in a hateful voice.

Clare was taken aback by her reaction. All she cared about right now was to be safely back in her home. She could not understand why Susan was so against her. She was just a hostage here. She could not be a threat to anyone, not that she wanted.

As Clare said nothing more, the future Queen glanced at her for the last time and left the cell.

- How could she be better than me? - The woman mumbled to herself on her way out.

Clare let out a breath and returned to her mattress. This visit was unpleasant, but it let a tiny flame of hope lit inside of her. She will be free in a few months. That gave her a new strength. All she had to do was hold on.

Clare was not the only one who could listen carefully. Susan was not aware that anyone could hear her words. She left the dungeons, satisfied with herself. A little bit longer, and this girl will be gone. Christopher can search for her now. In the next few months, he will have to keep his word and make her Queen. She would make sure of this.

Lord Lucas listened from the moment Gustav's daughter entered the dungeons. First, he was scared she would come to him. Susan was just like her father, cruel and hungry for power. But she was smart enough to pretend to be a sweet, loving girl. Everyone fell for her tricks, including King and his wife. Susan got the ruling couple wrapped around the little finger.

But now she came to someone else. Lord Lucas discovered that the nearest cell was occupied. It was the cell Susan had entered. She spent there a short while, but it was enough for the man to notice his neighbor was a woman. But what shocked him the most were the words Susan said, thinking no one could hear her.

Who this girl could be, and why Gustav's daughter feared her.

Lord Lucas decided to find out the truth at any cost.

It seemed like luck was on his side after all. Prisoners used the bathroom and returned to the cells. Most of the guards disappeared, leaving an empty, silent hall. Lord Lucas came to the door.

- Girl, girl, can you hear me? - He whispered- yelled.

There was no answer, and the man was ready to give up. But after a while, he heard a pretty lovely voice.

- I can hear you.