To His Hell and Back
Chapter 78: Two Misérables

Chapter 78: Two Misérables

He wouldn’t care. He wouldn’t, would he?

Cassius and her, whatever bound them was nothing more than an illusion. A game of power where she was nothing but a pet, a temporary amusement.

Easily discarded. Easily replaced. So why should she hesitate?

Agreeing to Queen Morgana’s offer meant securing her way out. It meant freedom, or at the very least, a way to survive. And that was better than foolishly clinging to the fragile, unpredictable whims of a prince who could turn on her at any moment.

At least this way, she wasn’t gambling her life on his fickle mercy.

Queen Morgana’s hands were outstretched, her smile even wider, urging her to agree to her, to forgo Cassius’s side and be on her.

Arabella closed her green eyes and opened it again, offering a smile, "I decline your offer."

The shock came to Queen Morgana like a snap. Her smile disappeared and her frown pulled the space between her eyebrows.

For a moment, there was only silence.

Queen Morgana’s outstretched hand hovered between them, the air around her turning razor-sharp with tension. Her smile, once brimming with saccharine charm, evaporated like mist in the sun. A frown settled between her brows, her expression darkening as if Arabella had just committed a grave offense.

Arabella met that piercing gaze head on, her own smile unwavering.

Believing in one of them was foolish. There was all there is to it. Cassius and Queen Morgana, no everyone in this castle cannot be trusted with her life except for herself. Simply because she was a pet and she comes from the village doesn’t mean she couldn’t tell how flimsy hanging to the people of power. They were even more fickle because the more power they have.

The Queen exhaled slowly, as though schooling her patience. Then, with a tone laced in quiet menace, she asked, "I must have misheard you, dear girl. Surely, you are not refusing the only lifeline you’ll ever be given?"

Arabella’s heart thundered against her ribs, but she kept her voice even. "I am grateful for your generosity, Your Majesty, but I have made my choice."

Queen Morgana tilted her head, studying her as if she were some curious little thing, a foolish, trembling creature unaware of the predator before her. Then, after a moment, she laughed.

Low and soft at first. Then, cold and sharp like shattered glass.

"Oh, girl," she murmured, amusement flickering in her eyes now. "You must think yourself quite brave. Should I tell you a little more about the Crown Prince that you don’t want to betray?"

Arabella remain calm on her exterior front but her curiosity spike which she schooled.

The Queen pointed to her heart, "He," she whispered, "He killed his own mother because the King asked him to."

A sudden coldness envelope Arabella’s heart, her breath caught in her throat.

She saw the Queen giggling upon her expression that broke from shock and continued to tell her, "I wonder when it is that your turn would come? If the King tells him to kill you next, do you think he would hesitate? Even his own mother couldn’t escape it. You?" She let her words hang.

The room, already cold, seemed to plunge into something far more chilling, a silence laden with unspeakable horror.

He killed his own mother.

Not an enemy. Not a traitor. His mother.

The weight of the words crashed down on her, each syllable striking like a death knell. Her mind raced for reason, for context, for some shred of disbelief to cling to, but all she could hear was Queen Morgana’s voice, laced with cruel amusement.

It shouldn’t have shaken her. Cassius was cruel, unpredictable, and ruthless. She had known this. But this was beyond cruelty— this was a monster’s tale, whispered in the dark to frighten children.

Except it wasn’t a tale.

The question coiled around her like a serpent, tightening with each passing second.

She had asked herself before, what if he tires of me? But this? This was something far more terrifying.

Because if Cassius had once slit the throat of the woman who bore him...

What did that mean for her?

Queen Morgana’s lips curled into a mockery of kindness. "Leave now. I hope you don’t regret it. But if you do... perhaps I will be generous and accept you. We are both human, after all."

The words lingered in the air, an open invitation laced with poison.

Arabella forced herself to remain composed, these games they play. She would rather that they do it between themselves, don’t drag her to it.

"May I say one thing before I leave, Your Majesty?" Arabella’s eyes flicker and Queen Morgana knowing she was going to be swayed nod.

"You may," she gestured with her hand.

"You have never once asked for my name," Arabella’s green eyes trained on the woman and she spoke wisely, "Because it doesn’t matter to you since I would be easily get rid when I cause you to stumble. But at least he did. If choosing worse from worst. He’s better, safer. Whether you’re human once or not, you don’t have the heart that would be concern for my safety."

Then Queen’s eyes narrowed, the unhappiness written on her face was deadly as if the cup she was holding was going to be thrown to her. No. Not going. It was about to but she hesitated knowing that Cassius wouldn’t be happy if she got wounded.

Arabella bowed her head, showing the politeness to the Queen and pick herself toward the door, opening it when the Queen’s words resounded,

"The people in the castle could never learn to love. You will learn it soon. You will see how he abandons you."

Arabella steeled herself. She knew that was true but she pushed her emotions out of the window and pushed open the door, her feet padding down the cold floor as she felt more alone than ever.

Cassius. As a child have you ever felt as miserable as me?

She closed her eyes, determination channeling inside of her.

"I will leave. I will."

Meanwhile back in the room, Queen Morgana smashed the teacup down the floor. Anger bubbled up her throat as she recalled Arabella’s face. That human girl was smart and that is bothersome. She wasn’t as easily swayed and money doesn’t move her.

Minister Rueben who had came not long after Arabella had left then passed the parchment in front of Queen Morgana’s table, uttering as he does so, "This would be the list of slaves that would be put on the human hunt."

Queen Morgana pulled the parchment, her body leaning to the side as she absentmindedly rub her tummy, "This date. Isn’t this the same date as when Cassius leaves to discard the remaining barbarians from the North?"

"Indeed," Minister Rueben answered when Queen Morgana lift her smile.

"I have an idea," she whispered, tapping her fingers. "This would kill two birds with one stone."

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