The Unfortunate, стр. 56
“You told them everything?” the queen finally managed. “Even about our …?” She began to whimper as she considered the consequences of her choices—of her sins, of everything.
Deogol smiled sympathetically and squeezed Marlisa’s hand. “They know about our attempted marriage. The actions of foolish youths, they called it, and they are aware of our continued relations.”
“But do they also know about our child?” The queen was becoming more hysterical.
“No,” Deogol soothed and moved his hands to clasp Marlisa’s shoulders. “They never asked, and even if they had, I would never have told them. The truth would not only be our downfall but also our son’s. If it were discovered, if they were to learn Banan is not Beadurof’s issue, then he would have no claim to your husband’s title.” Deogol paused again and smiled before concluding, “No one will ever know.”
The queen returned the gesture and reached for Deogol’s hand. “Only we shall know the truth. Only we shall know, despite all that has occurred and no matter what Fate delivers, you will live on through Banan. Your son. Our son.”
Even though the queen had little time, she did not want to depart, for she knew it was likely the last time they would ever speak. Oh, what she would do to return to years past when they had been in the prime of their youths, happy, and in love. They had believed they would be together. They had believed they knew what the future entailed. And they had believed they controlled their futures. They had indeed been foolish youths.
“You should go,” Deogol interrupted the queen’s memories. “A guard will soon pass through for an inspection.”
She nodded and laid her head against the bars. “I know, but I do not want to leave.”
Deogol moved his arms and wrapped them around Marlisa’s waist as if he would lose her forever. “Although it has been deemed a sin, our love will not end with this world. We shall again be united in the Life After.”
The queen sighed. She knew treason would not be tolerated. She was aware of the inevitable events that would accompany the dawn. But she was additionally bothered by the memory of the warning she had received years prior. You will give birth to a son, but he will be unworthy of your husband’s title. He will be a curse, and he will be the bringer of distress. His life will be a plague of grief to all, but you will suffer most. You will be the most unfortunate.Because Beadurof had not taken the child’s life, I shall be the one to suffer? Other than having wielded the blade herself, Marlisa had done all she could to obey the warning. Yet it had been in vain. She would be punished with the death of the only man she had ever absolutely loved. I am indeed the most unfortunate.
“Have faith.” Deogol again interrupted the queen’s thoughts. “My heart is with you.”
Despite the waves of melancholy that refused to subside, Marlisa smiled and answered, “And yours with me.”
✽ ✽ ✽
And yours with me. Those words had first been spoken on the night she and Deogol, despite the danger of being spotted, had escaped to a local shrine. There they had joined hands and had recited their vows in unison.
“Our pasts have guided us to this union we now bind for Fate alone to loosen.”
Using their free hands, they had fumbled with the strip of white cloth, and even though the wrapping and tying had been far from perfect, the significance remained.
“With this we become one, body and soul, to learn from each other and in love, grow. Fate guide and bless us with a marriage strong, one where love survives this life and beyond.”
“My heart is with you,” Deogol had added with a smile, that smile.
“And yours with me.”
But despite having occurred in the presence of Fate, it had not lasted. Their vows had been spoken in vain, and within a fortnight the only man she had ever loved had been taken from her. Marlisa’s future had been determined, and her marriage to Beadurof had soon followed.
✽ ✽ ✽
The queen’s memory was interrupted by yells. She looked down to the courtyard and saw Deogol being led to a pyre around and under which several layers of straw and small timbers had been spread. From what she could tell, the guards showed little mercy as they shoved him through the crowd that had gathered, caused him to walk faster than he wanted, and forced him to mount the steps and step onto the makeshift platform.
First Deogol’s arms were pulled behind his back and secured to the pole. Then a longer coil of rope was wrapped several times around his torso and upper legs. All the while occasional insults were repeated.
“SWINE! FORNICATOR! TRAITOR!”
Doing her best to hide behind the doorway of the balcony, Marlisa continued to watch. She had not wanted to be seen by the crowd, had not wanted to be ridiculed. But when Deogol looked to the balcony, the queen dismissed the anxiety of being scorned and the fear of what she would be called, and she moved into view.
But as quickly as Deogol had looked to the castle, he averted his vision back to the crowd.
Marlisa moved forward a few steps more. A few more again and again, hoping the sudden movement would cause Deogol to look, but it was to no avail. She wanted to shout his name. She wanted to do something to make her presence known, but when yelling commenced the queen moved back into the shadows.
“SWINE! FORNICATOR! TRAITOR!” The chants resumed, and this time were