The Rise - Chapter 71

Quick Recap:

Power has been taken away from the government and given back to the Emperor – currently the acting Emperor is Thomas Vinzent, the crown prince. Leon is on a helicopter with the sick Emperor. Leon doesn’t know why Gideon told him to be a part of the heist to take the Emperor. Bethany Garner, who is working for Thomas Vinzent providing him with a ‘army’, has stormed the parliament and arrested Leon’s father – Alexander Lapuzi. She is looking for Leon’s mother Jessica Cottonwood and threatens Alexander that she has already taken Gideon and Hilda. The high school election vote counting is nearly done.

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Alexander Lapuzi was blindfolded and taken to a hidden location where Thomas Vinzent was staying. Upon arriving his blindfold was removed and he was forced to sit by two foreign guards, tied up. Bethany stood menacingly over him as she looked ahead at Thomas. Thomas had a stern face, looking at Alexander with piercing eyes. His usual confident aura was no longer there and Alexander felt the weight of the dark room. All he could see was a shadowed Thomas, a wooden desk and a small lamp.

There was a long silence as Alexander maintained eye contact with Thomas. Even he wasn’t able to stop his heart racing from fear of the situation. Gideon had warned Alexander that he should run away with them, but he had refused. As his throat became dry and his hands started to shake, he began to regret the decision. Looking at the eyes of those around him, it was clear, they were cold-hearted and detached, prepared to do anything to get what they wanted.

“I don’t know where Jessica is.” said Alexander unable to bear the silence

“I know.” said Thomas coldly.

“Then why am I here?” said Alexander

“You’re just a bargaining chip.” said Bethany

“We’re waiting, Mr. Lapuzi, for your foolish plan to take effect.” said Thomas

“I never expected this to be easy, every king in history had the mountains he had to climb, but failing to see this is truly unforgivable.” continued Thomas with the same stern look

“I was never part of the plan.” said Alexander

“You used my sister against me!” bursted Thomas as he slammed the desk in front of him dropping the lamp.

He got up and stuck his face into Alexander’s.

“The ‘first empress’ crap was a distraction, you gave me a false victory, you knew I was going to take the parliament by force and the man responsible for trying to pass that legislation to make my sister empress was you!” he spouted out, as saliva foamed from his mouth in anger.

“I do as Hilda tells me-”

“Silence!” said Thomas cutting Alexander off “Just as you used my family as sacrificial pieces, I will use each and every one of you to destroy you one by one.”

Alexander chooses to remain quiet. It was clear he could not quench the anger of Thomas. If he spoke anymore, he puts himself at risk.

Suddenly a guard enters the room and salutes at Bethany.

“At ease.” she said to the guard

The guard moves closer to Bethany and whispers information into her ear. Alexander tries to eavesdrop but can’t hear anything. All he sees is a slight smirk on Bethany’s face as she hears the news.

“We’ve found her.” said Bethany to Thomas

Alexander’s head snaps at Bethany in sudden shock, looking at her with worried but angry wide open eyes.

“The jig is up Alex. Without Jessica on the loose, your plan is a bust.” she said as she immediately leaves the dark room. Thomas follows suit behind her. Alexander was left alone in the room with two guards, tied up to his chair unable to do anything. He looked down at his feet in disbelief.

“Jessica…” he murmured defeatedly under his breath.

___

Meanwhile on the helicopter, the Emperor and Leon sat facing each other. The Emperor had just told Leon that he looks like his son when he was young.

“He would’ve made a great Emperor, unlike Thomas and his destructive ambitions.” said the Emperor talking about his late son.

“What happened?” asked Leon quickly getting comfortable with the Emperor.

“He was fond of charity work, but not simply throwing money, rather getting engaged in the projects himself. Travelling here and there, building houses, wells, schools with his bare hands with volunteers.” said the Emperor looking out the window of the helicopter.

“But as you know, these places are impoverished, they are dangerous, and a man with the name that he has – will always be a target. Especially given his wealth. In one of his projects, in the eastern nations, there was a kidnapping attempt that had several of his bodyguards killed. An underground militia wanted to put him up for ransom, but unfortunately he got caught in the crossfire and was murdered.” continued the Emperor. His eyes squinted slightly in remorse, but it was clear he had told this story many times – the memory and sorrow had became duller and hurt him less.

“A man, my son, came to help those in need, but the greed of men resulted in nothing but suffering for everyone. It truly enrages me.” said the Emperor.

Leon kept silent.

“I’m sorry for your loss.” said Leon

The Emperor smiled and nodded.

“But why did Thomas end up so differently to his father.” said Leon

“After the death of his father, Thomas changed. He went from seeing his father as a prime figure in his life, to something that he detested. He started to believe that had his father been stronger, had he not been reduced to what he calls ‘decoration’, he would still be alive. In a way, Thomas’ frustration arose from the death of his father and translated into a misguided attempt at vengeance. That is why I chose to work with Hilda and Gideon. I failed to tame him, I failed to see him change after his father’s death. I must take full responsibility… even if it means relinquishing the monarchy to your mother.”

Leon’s heart sank. He shifted deeper into his seat, bringing his head back. He never knew why he was on the helicopter, or why the Emperor was taken away from the palace.

“What…?” said Leon, still in disbelief.

“Gideon hasn’t told you, has he? Yes, my dear boy. You see, even though the Parliament believes they returned power to Thomas, the reality is they returned it to the Emperor. Thomas is simply acting Emperor-” the Emperor suddenly starts coughing and the military guard next to him quickly tries to tend to him “sorry.”

“That means you’re still Emperor…” said Leon continuing the Emperor’s thought

“Yes. Meaning I have the power, as the Backpates previously did, to relinquish power to another family. That family is the Cottonwoods… specifically your mother.”