Regrets of Evil

Chapter 4
Riot and Ruin

It took a few weeks, but Meiko finally returned to the inn accompanied by three others. All three looked like her sort. One was a burly blonde man with a nasty scar on his face. The other two were women, another blonde and a pinked haired woman. Kaito had been waiting for her and gave Meiko a skeptical look.

"Alright, I'll introduce you guys," Meiko said. "Kaito, these are our uh, "helpers", as it were. This is Leon, he's a specialist in pyrotechnics. And this is his wife, Ann. She's a hand to hand fighter and a damn good one too. And lastly, we've got Luka. She's pretty nasty with that whip of hers. Each one's got some kinda beef with the princess, like you and me. So, are these acceptable?"

"I suppose so, but we're going to need a lot more man power than just five people."

Meiko held up her hand to stop Kaito. "Got it covered. Come on, guys. It's time we got started."

There was a docks located at the east gate, a perfect place for a stage. Meiko had had her goons from the inn spread word around of a rebellion and to meet at the east docks for more information. She was actually a little surprised at the number of people gathered. Even some of the aristocracy had shown up. Well, I guess even they're tired of her, Meiko thought. She climbed up on a stack of crates and addressed the crowd.

"Citizens of the city! Young, old, rich and poor! You know why you've gathered here today! Today is the day we end the tyranny of Princess Rin!"

The crowd gave an uproar of agreement and approval. Meiko held her hands up for silence.

"Yes! You all have felt the tip of her cattle prod, some maybe more than others. Well, I say no more! We're not going to cower in her shadow like dogs anymore! Who's with me?"

The crowd roared again. Meiko drew her sword and pointed it towards the palace. "Onward then, my comrades! Down with the princess!"

Rin was taking her afternoon tea in the library. From its high windows one could see most of the city. She had her back to the window, but Len could see what was going on.

"Princess," he said quietly. "Something seems to be happening in the city."

"So?" she snapped. "It doesn't matter to me what those peasants are doing."

"But Princess, they-"

"Shut up! I told you I don't care!"

Len bowed his head and turned away from the window. "I'm sorry, Princess."

There was a loud clattering of steel on marble and a soldier appeared at the library's door. He saluted the princess. "Your Highness! The people are rioting! They're calling for you blood."

Rin sniffed and took a sip of her tea. "Just sent out the troops and crush them. Really, are you that stupid you need me to tell you that? Now, go away. You're interrupting my tea time."

"But Princess, you don't understand!" the soldier protested. "They've already stormed the castle gates are are headed here even as we speak!"

Rin's eyes grew wide in real fear. She dropped her teacup and stood, shaking out her skirts. "What the hell are the troops doing?"

"They've been sent to the green country as reinforcements, as you ordered Princess. We're woefully outnumbered…"

Rin's hands started shaking. She scowled at the soldier. "Then get whatever we have left out there and drive them out of my castle! I will not tolerate this!"

The soldier gave a hasty salute and clanked out of the room. Rin started tearing at her hair, more than her hands shaking now. Len came up behind her and took her shoulders.

"Princess, come with me. I promise they won't get to you."

Rin meekly obeyed, too overwhelmed to protest. Len led her out of the library and back to her chambers. Soldiers and servants were running around in a frenzy everywhere. Len closed the door of the room and steered Rin to her chair by the window. Thick smoke was rising from the stables. Rin pressed her hands to the window.

"They…they've burned the stables…Josephine…"

Len pulled her gaze away from the flames. "Princess, you must listen to me. There is something very important I must tell you."

"Len? Why are you so serious all of the sudden? It's not like you to be this brazen…"

Len got down on one knee and took Rin's hands again. "You must trade places with me."

Rin pulled her hands away like lightning. "What?"

"It's alright. They won't notice a difference, because…well, we're twins." Len sighed and stood. "Before your nursemaid died, she told me the truth. She made me promise not to tell you, but now it's necessary you know. Princess…no sister, please! Trade places with me."

Rin was silent for once in her life. Something didn't seem right about his request. She remembered all the nasty things she'd done and how she hadn't cared. And now everything had come up to bite her back. She looked up at Len and his pleading eyes. She could see herself in him now that she knew. Slowly she shook her head.

"No, I can't allow that. I-I deserve this punishment…"

There was loud shouting of several people outside the bedroom. "She's in here! Break it down!" Something rammed into the door, shaking the whole wall. Rin's eyes grew fearful again.

"I don't want to die…" she whispered.

"And you won't." Len had taken his clothes off and now wore Rin's mourning gown. He handed them to Rin. "Put these on, quickly!"

"But-," she started. Len held up his hand. "No! Just do it!"

Rin submissively minded. She pulled her ribbon out and unclipped her bangs. They went POING and sprung up in a haphazard way. Her dress was shed swiftly and Len's clothes put in their place. They were a little too big for her. Someone put a hat on her head. She turned around to look at Len. He had used her hairclips to tame his own bangs and put her ribbon in. He looked exactly like her dressed like that.

He smiled at her, something he hadn't done in a long time. "See? No one will be able to tell. You and I are the only ones that know." There was another bang on the door and the wood was beginning to split. Hurridly, Len pushed Rin into the wardrobe. "Stay in here and be silent. Don't open the door, no matter what at least until you can't hear anything in the room. Promise me that."

"I…I promise…little brother…"

Len smiled again and shut the wardrobe door. Rin's world became black. She shoved herself into the back corner of the wardrobe and pulled loose clothes around her. She jumped and nearly squeaked as she heard the bedroom door crack and break. Something wet dropped onto the back of her hand. She suddenly realized she was crying real tears. She pressed her face into her knees, letting them come as they pleased.

"Len…," she whispered.