Chapter 69 - My justice will be done
Fernando
The unpleasant smell that hung in the air of the basement, lit only by flickering candles, was really irritating. However, what really disturbed me was not the stench, but the slender voice that slithered up behind me like a poisonous snake. I slowly turned around, curious to find out who the mysterious visitor was who had emerged from the darkest shadows in the corner of the room. To my surprise, he held a sharp saber in his trembling hands, with an apprehensive look and a fearsome smile on his face, in a futile attempt to intimidate me.
To his disappointment, it wasn't just any man who would make me afraid in that scenario. That asshole had no idea that what was about to happen in that basement would be anything but pleasant. Suddenly, he switched his saber to his other hand and kept smiling, perhaps finally realizing who was really in control.
"The nest of snakes is almost complete, isn't it, my dear brother?" I teased.
"Things shouldn't have come to this, we could reign in Spain. I have inside information about the future that you couldn't even imagine, but you've corrupted yourself," Filipe replied, moving away from me and stopping next to the marquis.
"Reign?" I asked, without diverting my attention from the possible danger Jaime posed. "We're about to embark on a two-on-two struggle, in which survival will depend on the courage and skill of each. And you're talking about reigning?"
The strange smell in the air only added to the tension of the moment. As well as wondering what information he had acquired, had Lucia Ortiz revealed secrets of the future to this meticulous man? Unlike Joana, who didn't even tell me about the future, Lucia said more than she should have.
"What did she tell you?" I asked.
"We're not on the same side at the moment, so I have no reason to share it with you," Filipe replied.
"Your friend better put down his saber, or he won't see the next dawn, Filipe," said Raul, pointing his gun at Jaime, who didn't even feel threatened.
"I've been ready to feel gunpowder kill me for many years, but you don't have the guts, soldier." Jaime slapped his chest with the palm of his free hand, what a noble idiot, so as not to call him a savage.
"Don't divert the focus by discouraging my soldier, it doesn't even matter to him. I don't care what he is to the court or the nobility. What matters is that this man is loyal to me, as well as being a very good friend. I assume we'll have to talk after we leave this cellar, because I owe him an explanation," I said, hoping that Raul would believe me.
Jaime then laughed out loud without looking away from me. He looked like he knew how to handle a sword. How dangerous it was to approach me like that.
"I'm not missing the point, as always, you want to keep yourself on the same pedestal, don't you, Your Grace?" He shouted, turned his head a little, filled his mouth, and spat his filthy saliva into a corner. "I'm sorry to reveal this secret, but you two won't have a chance to escape, Lucia has forced me not to allow you to leave here. We'll all die on this day, how beautiful."
"You're crazy! What has Lucia done to you? One day you're kidnapping my fiancée, and the next you want to kill yourself? Let me help you with the second part."
"I told you that woman…" Filipe tried to argue, but was abruptly interrupted.
"No more lies, Filipe, you've both found out about our conspiracy and who we serve." Jaime said. "Lucia was always the woman behind everything that happened."
"How stupid of me not to have realized that! That wretch has always been under my nose, plotting her Machiavellian plans with my brother, with you, Filipe!"
"I'm sorry, brother, you were a good man while you were alive, but this is where we say goodbye."
"Keep your feelings in your ass." I replied again.
"But look on the bright side, Your Grace, isn't it divine bliss that we die together, gentlemen?" teased Jaime, with a mischievous grin on his face.
The tension in the air was palpable, while Raul, with his piercing gaze, muttered:
"I can shoot whenever Your Grace wants me to."
Reflecting on Raul's suggestion, I wondered if it wouldn't be better to resolve the situation as men should, with their bare hands rather than with guns.
"I don't want to use weapons, Raul. After all, it's been a long time since I've had fun in a fight, and those two idiots deserve a lesson." I turned to Raul, who agreed positively with my proposal.
"You're right. Let's teach those two a good lesson. Who will you let me hit? Your brother or the weakling who wields the saber?" he asked me, as I felt the determination take hold of me.
"I want Jaime to feel everything Isabela felt when he humiliated her. He's mine, and there's nothing to stop me from putting him right."
Raul let the gun fall to the floor and snapped his fingers, demonstrating his willingness to act alongside me. I know he hasn't forgiven me for what he found out about my past, but between his anger for me and his desire to help Isabela, Raul wouldn't think twice.
He approached and stood next to me, ready for the battle that was to come.
"But what's that?" asked Jaime, startled to see Raul with his hands free.
"They were whispering, be careful." Said Filipe.
"What we're talking about is no secret. Let's face them with just our fists and show them the true meaning of the word humiliation. I can't wait to see the look on their faces when they realize they're not unbeatable."
A radiant aura floods me with energy, and I feel a pulsating life inside me. The time has come to do justice and prove to Jaime and Filipe that they are no match for us. From this moment on, my fate is sealed, and I'm prepared to face any challenge that crosses my path. Nothing will be able to stop me from being by Isabela's side, even if it means facing my own family.
I keep my gaze steady, determined to achieve my goal. I'm ready to fight for what's mine. If redemption exists, let it not forget me. I want to make up for all the mistakes I've made. I don't intend to become a saint, but I will start defending what is basic. Nothing is more important than making Jaime feel the pain he caused Isabela. Justice will be done, even if I have to use my fists to do it.