Down With The Throne

04 - Suprise

Surprise (noun)- an unexpected or astonishing event, fact, etc.

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The greenhouse was full of different herbs and flowers. Azura started growing them when she was around 10 years old after her older brother Xander came into her room one night sobbing in pain caused by their father. The lashes on his back and front made Azura sick. What made her sicker was that she had no way of helping the boy.

So most of the herbs have certain healing and calming properties which are crucial when you live in the Hallows.

No matter how many times she came here, it instantly made her feel better. It's something about the fresh smells, the tinted lighting, and the colourful array of flowers. It's like seeing a rainbow after a rainy day.

Azura placed a silk square on a bench in front of her. She selected the three herbs that were promised and placed them neatly in the middle of the royal blue fabric. She wrapped them up tightly and finished it off with a white ribbon

Azura had everything ready for her brothers, she just had to find her family's messenger.

Back inside the manor she stands in an empty hallway and looks down each way before yelling, "TREVOR!"

Soon enough, the familiar footsteps of our friendly messenger come waltzing down the marble floors.

     "Ello their pretty lady, in need of some assistance?" he smirks.

     "Call me that one more time and I'll cut your hands off and feed them to your precious horse aye?" Azura smiles leaving him speechless. "Anyway, I need you to deliver this letter and parcel to the Everett Academy. I want it delivered directly to Ryker Starling himself and if I hear otherwise, there will be consequences, got it?" He nods rapidly as Azura begins to hand him the parcel.

     "And what do you think you're doing?" a low voice drones.

No, no, no. This can't be happening

Azura slowly turns around and holds her breath when she sees her father standing tall at the other end of the hallway. His black robes slowly finish shifting around his feet before he slams his cane into the marble floors demanding an answer. Trevor fled the scene without a second thought not wanting to be in the way of Vladimir himself.

Azura flinches slightly at the loud action but quickly stops herself in fear of what he might do to her. "It's for Ryker. It's just some herbs to help with his concentration on his exams" She announces across the hall.

Oddly satisfied with her answer, he nods, but instead of walking away, he walks closer. "That won't be necessary" He snatches the letter from her hands.

     "But father I assume you want-"

     "Don't interrupt me." He snaps "You will not need a messenger to send these herbs to your brothers as you will be joining them at the academy in a few days."

What. Azura was unable to reply. She was frozen in shock by his odd decision. Her father always forbade Azura from attending school. He said it was unladylike. Although that did not stop her from reading nearly every day.
     "What?" her voice was shaky. Azura bites her lip instantly hoping he did not catch her sinister slip-up. He always made sure his children were confident and strong. Shaky voices were a sign of weakness and were punished harshly.

Thankfully he didn't. Instead, he turned around and slowly walked away, tapping his cane with every step. "You are to attend tonight's meeting. Do not be late or there will be consequences." He called out over his shoulder.

And just like that, he was off, and Azura had to attend a Dekai meeting.

She just knew it could not be as good as it seems. Everything comes with a price.