The Queen Wicked Deeds

This time I will leave the house.

Next time I will leave the town.​​

And then I will be finally free.

I repeated that phrase in my head over and over like a powerful charm, like a promise I made to myself. I vowed to escape from this house the moment I see a chance.

"Elizabeth! Get out and come here right now!"

The deep voice of a man echoed through the house reaching fiercely my ears. It was such a powerful voice that could send shivers to my spine every time I heard it. Once it was the cause of my happiness, now it only brought me sorrow.

I stayed hidden inside the closet cabinet while hearing the footsteps getting near step by step. My heart was beating so fast, I was so afraid that he will hear me. My body was trembling and my legs were shaking but I tried to restrain them with my arms.

Then from the little opening of the door, I could see the man's huge body walking from outside with the whip in his hand gripping it tightly. His red eyes were inspecting every corner of the room leaving nothing out. I just wished that he didn't remember the secret compartment of the closet. I just wished he can just leave.

"Eli, I know you are here, come out now and the punishment might be lighter."

I won't come out. I won't. I know what will happen, I always know. Father is going to hit me with his whip until I faint from the pain. I always do. Katia told him that I stole the meat from the kitchens, and he became enraged. That time his eyes turned red and I knew I was doomed.

"Eli!"

I trembled but I won't come out. Not until he returned to his normal self, until he becomes my father, the gentle father I knew, the Great Duke of Hilltown. The one who raised me with love and care when my mother died. The one who brought me presents every time he went outside the town. How much I miss him. Why did he turn like this?

The changes started three years ago. He returned from a trip and he was different. His temper changed. Now instead of gifts, he rewarded me with punishments. Instead of smiles, he showed me indifference. Instead of teachings, he imparted me slaps. He was not my father anymore.

"Daddy? Did you find sister already?"

"Katia, baby, she is not here. Go back to your room."

"But…"

"Go back or you will catch a cold."

"Alright."

My cute little sister was an innocent child. She was three years younger than me, and she never suffered any abuse from father. I am thankful for that, but I am afraid. What if he turns against her when I am gone? What if he has not enough with me?

"Daddy… daddy I know where big sister is."

"Darling I told you to go to your room."

"I know Dad, but I remembered where she used to hide when we play."

He looked at the little girl with a gentle smile and patted her head carefully. My heart started beating fast and some drops of sweat came down my forehead. My eyes were already full of tears and I tried to muffle my mouth with my hands. 'Please, please, Katia, don't tell him.'

I felt my tears covering my face completely, I was so scared of letting out a sob that I bit my hands hardly leaving marks on my white hands.

"Sweety, where is this place? Where is your sister, darling?"

"Over there, daddy."

She pointed at me with her little cute fingers. My heart stopped and panic surrounded me. I couldn't believe what was going on. Then I saw her eyes, they were not her ordinary eyes, they were malicious and evil with a tint of black inside them. Her little smile was smirking. More panic tormented me, and I felt blood running down my hand from the bite.

"Eli, you could have done this easier, but you chose the hardest way."

He destroyed the closet with a hard lash of the whip and the door of the secret compartment broke. I was left completely exposed to his angry eyes. My tears and sobs were nonstop and the smell of blood from my hand was alerting.

"I will give you an opportunity to come out and tell me where you hid the meat, then your punishment will be lighter."

"Daddy… I didn't… please daddy, don't hit me."

"Eli, I will count to three and if you continue being stubborn you will face the consequences."

"Please Daddy no…"

"One…"

"Please, don't hurt me, I didn't…"

"Two…"

"No…" My lungs couldn't contain my panic anymore. I was trembling.

"Three!"

"No!"

Then a light came out from the bracelet on my wrist. The same bracelet with white gems my mother left me before she died. The white light blinded my eyes and I felt weak. I only saw a pair of blue eyes looking at me.

"Emile?"

I felt my pet dog, Emile, ŀɨċkɨnġ my face and then I lost consciousness.

******

"Why did you bring her here?"

"She was going to die there. I have to bring her with me."

"Are you nuts?"

"What should I do? She is the one for me."

I heard two kids talking in whispers. I didn't recognize their voices. I tried to open my eyes put they were covered by a dark cloth.

"What is this? Where am I?"

"You woke her up."

One of the kids yelled. I tried to reach the cloth with my hands, but they were tied.

"What is going on?"

"I am sorry Eli, but I had to tie you up. Don't worry, everything will be alright."

"Who are you? Where am I? Where are father and sister?"

"They… they don't deserve to be called that, Eli, I rescued you from them."

I started sobbing. My tears were wetting the cloth, but I couldn't wipe them. The little kid's hands reached me and helped me dry the wet cloth. He hugged me while I was still crying, I wanted to cry for so long, so long. I felt so hurt and this was the first time in many years that someone gave me some warmth and care. I missed so much the feeling that I let it all out. Then I fell asleep again.

"Don't worry Eli, I am here for you, always. You will be fine. You will be fine. I promise for the moonlight."

Then I went to sleep.

"She is Elizabeth and I hope you can take care of her."

"Yes, she is so cute."

A silver-haired woman was talking to a beautiful blond-haired woman dressed elegantly. I has been living with Madam Lu from some months ago.

I still remember what happened after that horrible day, I woke up in a bed inside a warm house in the woods. The one taking care of me was a beautiful woman with long silver hair. She helped me recover my strength from malnutrition and the hits and scars that covered my skin.

I thought that I could stay with Madam Lu for more time but then she took me out the woods and unto a beautiful castle near the town. It was an amazing sight. The castle was enormous and shining with a warm light. The gardens were filled with exquisite and colorful flowers and many people went in and out with smiles and laughs filling the atmosphere with joy. It was an incredible view.

"Elizabeth, this is the Duchess of Cordam, you will stay with her from now on."

"Alright, Madam," I made a small bow and smiled shyly.

The elegant woman smiled gently at the little girl and extended her hand.

"Come darling, I will introduce you my daughter Emily, she is about your age. You are going to be friends from now on."

"Okay"

The little girl turned around to look at the other woman, but she had already left.

"It is okay darling, don't be afraid."

Then she guided her towards a room at the end of the beautiful bright mansion. The other servants were very kind and smiled at the beautiful woman, some of them even asked about the new little girl.

"She is Elizabeth, she will be staying with us from now on."

Then a little girl came running from the door and stopped looking at me.

"Mom, who is this girl?"

"She is Elizabeth, she will be your playmate."

"Is that true?"