“Victor?” Emilia questions, but tears spring from her eyes. Though her ankle is searing with pain, Emilia wonders how she could turn someone else into a beast. She should’ve known better because she knows how it feels.
“I’m sorry.” Emilia whispers.
The prince was so nice to her when they met. He didn’t make her bow or anything even though he is royalty. He didn’t even tell her he was the prince. Instead, he taught her how to sword fight. Victor grips Emilia by her ankle through the forest round Teddy races after. Victor pulls her through the mining tunnel. Once inside, they hear Borden’s speech.
“We either fight or flee. I prefer the former.” Borden shouts, but he loses his audience as many take note of Victor dragging Emilia down the walkway.
Borden continues his speech, “We turned into beasts. Some of us turned before their very eyes. Instead of trying to understand us, the kingdom tried to murder us. Instead of helping, they drove us out of our own homes. We should declare of war especially after this recent attack.”
Borden watches Victor dragging Emilia closely. Victor reaches the bottom of the pit leaving Emilia at Borden’s feet. Emilia looks up at Borden then covers her eyes with her paws. Her whole body shakes. Like a regal beast, Victor sits with his head held high glaring at Borden, and Borden glares back.
“What is this?” Borden asks.
“I have returned a member of your pack.” Victor declares.
“You have brought back someone who was sentenced to death.” Borden pauses then asks, “Who are you?”
“Prince Victor of the MoonLight Kingdom. If you want war against those who turned their backs on you, I can lead you.” Victor declares his words without a flinch.
Emilia attempts to crawl away ignoring the pain in her ankle until Victor presses down his paw on her ankle sending excruciating shocks through her bones. Emilia whimpers dropping her chin to the ground.
“You led the attack against us. Why help us now? Because you’re a beast?” Borden point out challenging Victor with his high chin angle, but Victor doesn’t flinch.
“Borden,” Emilia whimpers, “Victor tried to stop me from changing—”
“I’m talking!” Borden declares to Emilia. He turns back to Victor, “Well?”
“I did what I thought I had to do for my kingdom, and I am sorry that we stopped looking at you as our people when you turned. We are the kingdom, and we should take it back.”
“You murdered many of us.”
“Borden!” The elder scolds then turns to Victor, “If you’re truly one of us, you will survive the challenge.”
“I will do whatever challenge you have if you put this one to death.” Victor’s words turns everyone’s attention back to the wounded Emilia.
“No.” Borden surprises everyone, “If you’re truly one of us, you will forgive her for turning you. We do not kill out of vindictive spirits. We kill for purpose.”
“I agree.” The elder says clearly impressed with Borden, “She may not have completed the task to kill you, but she turned you. She gained us an amazing ally.”
“This girl led me to you twice! She is your downfall. I followed her when I led the massacre. I found her in the woods simply by following her bloody footprints. She is a hazard and will guide death to you unknowingly.” Victor announces making the beasts cheer and rumble in agreement. Borden glares at Emilia.
“Can’t you do anything right?” Borden asks.
“The prince will complete the challenge with the other newbies as well as Emilia,” The elder shares. The beasts woot and holler proud of the decision. The elder continues, “If she competes well, she will live. If not, Emilia will be sentenced to death.”
“Again,” Borden growls. Surprisingly, he does not glare at Emilia. He glares at Victor. He finally turns to Emilia, “This time, I’ll kill you myself. You’ll find I’m not as soft as your dear prince.”