The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Bethany]

Bethany frowns, leaning in so she can see the book and her eyes widen. "I- what?" she blurts out. I've never read that before! I have Zevran, I don't- "That isn't-"

[Leandra Hawke ne Amell]

"Do not lie to me young lady! I know you are jealous of your sister but that does not excuse this sort of behavior! To do that to your own sister!"

[Carver Amell]

Carol's eyes widen. That's the engagement present Jadan gave me! "M-mother, I, that's not.. Beth didn't.." she begins. 

[Leandra Hawke ne Amell]

Instantly Leandra turns to face Carol with a gentle expression. "Oh sweetie," she coos. "You are far too kind and gentle hearted. You shouldn't blacken yourself to cover for Bethany, especially after she tried to get you in trouble." She completely ignores Beth's gape and shocked expression.

[Carver Amell]

"I-- I'm not--"

Carol never stands up to Leandra. On the rare occasions she's tried, she's been shut down too hard and fast to accomplish much. She ought to back down here. she ought to stop. But... Blood seeping into the bathwater, Beth screaming, 'Don't do this to me'

She swallows, lifting her head to meet Leandra's eyes. "Beth didn't do anything wrong. It's mine."

[Leandra Hawke ne Amell]

Leandra presses a hand to her breast. "Oh Carol, sweetie. Did she give that to you? Tell you it was a gift?" She clucks her tongue. "I wouldn't be surprised if she instructed the maid to check. I just don't understand what went wrong with you," she sighs.

[Bethany]

Car... that you- Beth sputters for a second at the twisted logic her mother is using. "What? I- I would never do that to Carol! Never!"

[Carver Amell]

"No!" protests Carol. "It was an engagement gift, but not from Bethany." 

[Leandra Hawke ne Amell]

Not even seeming to hear Carol, Leandra shakes her head. "You've always been jealous of your sister. Always hovering and trying to take the spotlight from her whenever you could. No, I simply cannot allow this. Bethany, if anything like this happens again, I'm afraid you will simply have to be sent back to the Temple of Domestic Unity again. Perhaps for two seasons this time."

[Bethany]

Bethany goes utterly pale and she trembles. "You- you can't," she whispers, eyes darting to Carol. "Please." She hates herself for begging, for bowing her head to this bitch but... Carol.

[Carver Amell]

"You can't!" says Carol, standing. "She didn't do  anything!" 

[Leandra Hawke ne Amell]

"Carol, enough sweetie." She reaches over to pat her hand. "Sit down and finish your tea. "

[Carver Amell]

"Mother," she whispers, hot tears falling as she sits. 

[Leandra Hawke ne Amell]

"I know, I know. It hurts me to think of it as well. But it's for the best. If she cannot behave..." Leandra shrugs a little, patting Carol's hand again. "It's her own fault." Flicking her gaze to Beth, she adds, "and she can avoid it simply by behaving as a daughter of the zi'Amell should."

[Bethany]

Tongue thick with half-swallowed rage and hate, Bethany forces a smile. "Yes Mother. Of course."