Part 1

Rebecca listened intently as the two young children quietly spoke to her. One was bleeding from the head, and the other was holding their arm, with tears in their eyes. She had warned Victoria. She warned her so many times. Do not harm them.

"It'll be okay little ones. She'll never hurt anyone ever again, okay?" Rebecca said softly, hugging the two of them, before leaving them in the care of Heather, who gently picked them both up and carried them out of the room.

"She's already fled the manor grounds, Duchess." Marv said, running into the room.

"Find her. I want her brought back in chains. I'm going to fucking crucify her on the front lawn of this manor!" Rebecca shouted. "Sergei!"

"Yes ma'am." Sergei replied, appearing in an instant.

"Your wife has signed her death warrant." Rebecca said, before relaxing slightly. "Hunting your own loved ones is never easy, so I will forgive you if you bow out from this. I can assign you to other matters."

"With all due respect, Duchess. I swore an oath of loyalty to you. You warned her what would happen. You did so much for her, and she threw it away on her own. I informed Baron Andrew as soon as it happened."

Rebecca smiled. Maybe being away from Victoria was a good idea for him after all. Her thoughts were interrupted by a messenger running in.

"Duchess! Duchess! The Baron of Thorns has Victoria detained presently in his dungeon! She was caught shortly after Sergei informed him of the events!"

"You knew her plan?" Rebecca said, turning back to look at Sergei.

"She was dumb enough to tell me, Rebecca. I knew she wouldn't last. She knew she wouldn't last." Sergei replied, shaking his head. "Let's go collect the wretch."