Northstar Vale The Boy Who Lived

Collision didn't say anything to the Duchess, this was clearly harder on him than he intended and she didn't calculate the consequences that this would have on the wolves that knew him. But it had to be done, it had to be like this because Vespera wouldn't let another tyrant ruin her life again. The cloaked woman continued to give him a confident smile until Reiko showed up, showtime, she thought to herself but there was twisting in her heart as she knew that they were really doing this. The Duchess quickly changed her expression to a familiar face that she knew how to make, her eyes became dull and her expression looked lifeless as if something sucked out her soul. While she was acting, Vespera was unaware of Collision's true feelings, but it dawned on the woman that this was going to be more painful than she had originally intended when Hiromi showed up. Poor sweet Hiromi, Vespera had forgotten that this would affect her the most since she was the mate of Yuudai and they had a pup together.

Her heart sank when she saw the fragile woman approach them and asked if they knew the whereabouts of her beloved samurai.

The Duchess swallowed, but she had to be strong but she didn't realize that this plan would have drastic effects. Then, it hit her.

How will they all react when they find out that this was a setup and they lied to everyone?

Vespera held her expression as best as she could and looked at Collision, ready for him to break the news to the women that loved Yuudai most. The guard was better at acting than she thought, or at least, that was her takeaway from his performance as he sobbed through his words and told the women that their beloved Yuudai had succumbed to the injuries that the Emporer inflicted on him. The purple-eyed woman hung her head and pinned her ears to her head and shut her eyes for she didn't realize that this was going to take a huge toll on Hiromi. Forgive me Hiromi... But this is the only way to get rid of Takeshi... To save the Empire from him... To make sure no one has to be abused by power ever again... Vespera figured that the Marchioness could hear her thoughts, her internal guilt, however, Vespera knew that her thoughts couldn't be heard no matter how much her heart started to ache.

Then, Collision turned his focus to the Empress, and like a viper, he struck her with harsh words that felt too real for the Duchess. The guard's fury resonated with the woman for she too felt the same way about Valette at one point and how she should have done more about her dictator of a husband.

And yet there was a difference between the Matriarch and the Empress.

Valette was a strong leader.

Her friend was right, it was Reiko's fault, her fault for not standing for Yuudai, her fault for marrying the false Emporer, her fault for letting this all unfold. The Duchess opened her eyes for a new spark of rage filled her orbs as she craned her head up and met the blue gaze of the Empress. She had lied to Vespera. It was only starting to dawn on her now that Reiko was the center of all this for if she had a fucking spine, this shit wouldn't have happened in the first place. She stared at Reiko with betrayal, disappointment, and remorse. But her words of sympathy were directed towards Hiromi as she softened her expression towards the lady, "I'm... So sorry Hiromi... I... I know words won't bring him back but... He was a warrior... he put up a good fight but..." Vespera's voice was raspy as she was finding this harder to say and her face showed it with her eyes wide with sorrow and sympathy.