Letters from Darla and Veangance- Chapter Two

A guide: things before or after ~*~ means that it's supposed to be
in italics.
Chapter Two- Getting Rid of William

"I think the spell is wearing off! It's only been a week since her
birthday and already she kind of likes him! I thought it would make her
loathe him for at least a month."
"Shut up, Maladia. Yes, it's only been a week, but she's still mad at
her parents about the whole marrying William thing. Don't worry,
okay?"
"There isn't anything to worry about yet Maladia. Relax. And if there
is, we have a fail-proof back up plan to kill Aurora. We can keep
casting the spell. It's not totally reliable, but it should do for now,
until Orpheus comes in."
"Good."
"What do we do after she's dead?"
"Kill her parents, of course. And William. He could only get in the
way. Then I rule Sibira, of course. You two by my side."
~*~
Okay, so William isn't that bad. Although, after that first day we
didn't find much to talk about. I feared that if I did end up marrying
him I'd soon die of boredom. I just want him to make me really mad for
a good reason so my parents will send his perfect self back to Cigam
and out of my life. Forever.
Well maybe not forever. I don't hate him. Much.
The veterinarian came today for Odetta's monthly check-up. And then
came to us with the most wonderful news: she's having cubs! Most likely
two or three! I absolutely can't wait. I love tigers. When they're tame
like Odetta they make the most wonderful pets (but of course only if
you have enough space for them to run, hunt, and swim or they become
temperamental and tend to eat people.). William was pretending to be as
happy as I was, but now he's going to be even more careful with his
words and actions than he already is because he knows the cubs will
obey me. Drat. I want him to become more loose and relaxed so his
tongue is more vulnerable to slip and I can get him in trouble.
That night I wrote to Darla, my favorite cousin, about William and
Odetta. She's also my best friend, and our parents are so much alike in
that they share the same views on everything, and decided to not let us
choose who we marry. Darla had suitors though, none of them she liked,
and eventually had to have a tournament where the winner got to marry
her. And it really would be a prize. She's quiet and sweet, like men
think a wife should be. At least the man that won was her best friend
(and she wanted him to win besides). This is what my letter said:
Dear Darla, July 27
How are you and Elliot? I wish I could have stayed longer after the
wedding but as my birthday was coming up (and I love to be at my own
birthday party, you know how it is) I had to return to help with
arrangements and everything.
I told you how Mother and Father said they had a huge and splendid
surprise for me, didn't I? Well, it was a tremendous mistake to say
that, to make me think that! Guess what that surprise was? MY FUTURE
HUSBAND, FOR PETE'S SAKE! I barely knew he existed before now! How
could they do this to me? I don't see why in the world they couldn't
have told me before! Yes, I know Cigam (he's the prince) has been at
war almost since I was born and he couldn't visit but still! They could
have at least prepared me for this! A girl, for her fifteenth birthday
usually doesn't ask for a husband. Well, I'm sure some do, but not me!
I know you would feel the same way. Plus, now I'm confined two hours to
spend with him each day and we've barely found anything to do or
say.
Be glad your parents are such angels. Do send Aunt Rosemary my
love.
But on a happier note, Odetta is to have babies. I'm hoping for at
least three more tigers. I can't wait until they're born (they'll be a
good threat against William), and they're so cute anyway! Remember
Odetta and Argie when they were little? They were very sweet.
Please write back soon. More than once if you have the time. Have
Elliot write as well. I'm dying over here! In fact, why don't you two
come stay with us? Mother won't mind, you know she wouldn't.
Love,
Aurora
If she didn't see how desperate I was with that letter, she'd never
understand. I know she will though, because Darla and I know each other
so well it's impossible that she couldn't. (April 8) Elliot is her new
husband. He is very sweet, I wish William was like him. Maybe he is.
Maybe I should give William a chance.
~*~
"Orpheus, I was right! Admit it! She's starting to like William! We
need to put her under a spell that will make her hate him!"
"We've got to make it look natural, Maladia, so her parents don't
suspect anything. That could ruin our plan."
"Orpheus is right. Aurora is naturally rebellious, we can use it
against her, and get rid of William that way. Maladia, I'm going to let
you cast the spell on her. Heaven knows you need the practice. With
luck, he'll be gone before next spring!"
~*~
Wait... what am I thinking? I hate William. I've got to get rid of
him. But what can I do? I don't want anything bloody. Odetta is far to
temperamental these days on account of her cubs to attack anyone at my
command. She only will if they really, really bug her, and William is
hardly likely to do that!
I have been feeling very ill lately. Not at all like myself. It's as
if I'm not in control with everything... even my emotions. Mostly about
William. Every time I felt like I should give him a chance and be nicer
to my parents about that whole issue (they thought they were doing the
right thing, you know?) I think, "How can you say that? Aurora, you're
crazy!" But I suppose that's right, and that I should do all I can to
get rid of him. Maybe vengeance will be fun, it sounds like the kind of
thing I'd be good at (I'm sure George, Darla's least favorite
contestant at her tournament would agree. I was rotten to him for being
even more rotten to Darla).
So, I've taken to spying on William. I creep into the dumbwaiter that
goes directly from the bottom floor, to my room, to his room. One day
when he's not there I'll go in his study and read letters or something,
but I mostly have to do this at night and during the day when my mother
usually sleeps so I'm not missed. The rope is getting rather old and
weak on the dumbwaiter, but it can hold a couple of months I figure.
This is just step one into getting rid of William.

William isn't very interesting. Mostly he sits at his desk and writes
letters. One time he went into the bathroom to take a bath and I heard
him singing this lovely opera. I recognized it as "King Amsa", one of
my favorites by Timothy Shaker. It's quite a tragic story though, even
if it is sung in some lost language that people stopped speaking a
thousand years or more ago.
Odetta becomes more irritable by the minute, so we had to let her
sleep outside. This is sad for me, since I'm used to have her furry
self by my side every moment. Still, it will all be worth it in October
when the cubs are born. Won't they be sweet, having them by my side,
and William not!
Darla wrote back in two weeks, on the very day she received her
letter, and then it came a week later. Must have been better weather
conditions. It's so unpredictable in Shallar, where she lives. Here is
what it said:
Dear Aurora, August 17
I know how horrible you must feel. Really, I do! Maybe your parents
will let you marry George, if you like him better. Ha, ha! I think you
should give William a chance though. He comes from Cigam, that's a
plus. I hear the country is beautiful there. Wow, I can see your icy
glare from here!
That is just wonderful about Odetta. I would keep a tiger cub if you
need me to, but I don't think Mother would go for that. I got my way
with Elliot, but I think a tiger is a different matter. My parents
prefer smaller, herbivorous animals. And you must think, "What kind of
animal is it if it doesn't have vicious eating habits?".
Elliot and I are to go on a late honeymoon to Seren tomorrow, for a
month. I couldn't be happier. He hasn't been on a holiday in his life
that he wasn't a servant on. His stepfather enslaved him, remember? I
almost wish we had invited him to the wedding just to see what you
would do to him.
Here is some good news for you: After our honeymoon (which should last
a month) we're coming to Sibira to visit for awhile. A long while. Be
sure to tell Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Richmonde we're coming.
I'll see you in a month, hang in there! I'm sure you'll do fine. Just
don't hurt the poor soul, alright? William can only take so much I'm
sure!
Love,
Darla