Chapter6:I Cannot Read or Write
1479 Words
TAYLOR (AURELIA) POV
“And the ultimate punishment is... death!”
I stood up. “Death?! This is ridiculous,” I scoffed. How can the punishment for attempted suicide be death?
“Even if she is human, our rules should be applied to every being in our kingdom…,” Elise said. I looked at Ragnar to at least say something.
The original host must have known a secret that she wasn't supposed to know for Elise to want to get rid of her so badly. But why can't I remember that?
“Since it has come to this, Grand Royal Aunty, I am sure that you accusing me of wanting to kill myself is not the crime that leads to death, so what other crimes have I committed to warrant death as punishment?!” I said, my voice holding pain. The original host might have been weak enough to let them pass judgment without questioning the proof.
But me, I will not go down without a fight.
“You want to know the other crimes you have committed?” Elise laughed.
“You committed treason?!”
Treason?!
How will the original host commit treason? I swear from her memories she can't even do anything to harm ants. She loves the Alpha King too much to do that.
“We need proof, Grand Royal Aunty. And you know we can't pass judgment like this... she is human, and it will be a sign for them to wage war against us. The kingdoms are at the edge…,” one of the councilmen said.
At least someone tried to make sense. I don't want to die.
“Wait till you see her letter to her accomplice…,” Elise muttered.
I swear she came more prepared than I imagined. I think I should have never underestimated these people. Coming to court this morning was the first biggest mistake.
“Where's your proof?” Ragnar asked Elise.
“Your Majesty, in a few minutes. My men will arrive,” Elise bowed.
I smiled. I have minutes to turn this around, or maybe lower the stakes of me dying. I can also take advantage of the pending underlying war between the humans and werewolves.
They don't want me dead. They want to keep peace with me being alive, but if Elise wants me dead under the pretense of crimes, there's something that I didn't know. Maybe that part was what was missing in the original host's memory.
“I am accused of attempted suicide and treason... How wonderful!” I scoffed as I walked down the throne stairs.
“You still have the guts to talk? Why are the guards not holding her yet?!” Elise snapped.
I raised my hand and stopped the guards from moving closer.
“I am accused of poisoning myself with a poison from my homeland while lying unconscious for three days in a room guarded by palace servants. Tell me, who had access to my chambers during that time?” I asked.
Everyone went quiet.
“Since nobody will remember, Moonblessed Maiden Velka is in charge of the harem, am I right? And she is not even a concubine or the queen,” I added.
“Are you saying someone is framing you?” Ragnar asked.
I ignored him.
Elise scoffed. “We are now aware of your tricks, human. Don't think my nephew will let you go because you are a peace offering sacrifice. Even if you manage to turn this crime around, let me see how you would prove yourself when the proof of your treason is here.”
“I won't say frame. Like the physician said earlier, it will be a miracle that I survived the poison. That means I would not be here if I took the poison, or am I wrong, Royal Physician?” I asked, turning to the royal physician.
“Your Majesty, there is no possibility of the queen surviving if she had truly used the poison…,” the royal physician answered, bowing to Ragnar.
I was surprised.
“See... someone came into my room and placed that box in there, trying to frame me,” I stated.
“Don't accuse…”
“The Moonblessed Maiden, Lady Velka, and the Grand Royal Aunty. One of them has access to my food, my chambers, and everything that concerns me, which means she could be the one who poisoned me, and since the Grand Royal Aunty is adamant in trying to have me killed for a crime I am not guilty of, maybe there's something that you, Grand Royal Aunty, will gain from my death,” I stated.
Ragnar sat up. I watched as his jaw clenched.
That is the reaction I have been waiting for, confusion and suspicion.
“And you, Your Majesty, will rush to protect Lady Velka over your wife, Luna, and queen!” I added, my eyes wet. I held my chest, my cheeks flushed.
“How dare you accuse me of attempted murder?! I am sure the only reason you tried to kill yourself was because of the treason you committed!...” Elise snapped, losing control.
“Treason? What tells me why I would want to betray my husband and the people? I have done everything to show how loyal and pure my intentions are, but because I was human... you all hated me! I will no longer sit down quietly and take those insults and abuse. I will no longer be mistreated because of my nature,” I cried.
Playing dirty? I can too. If you all can go low, I will go lower.
I will play the victim card to the end.
“I have endured enough, and I will not turn a blind eye to it anymore, and I am sure Your Majesty will investigate this…,” I stopped, bowing.
“What do you think, Aldric?” Ragnar asked.
Aldric moved closer.
“I suppose the queen should be under investigation after we review the treason proof. Till then, we wait for the Grand Royal Aunty's men,” Aldric advised.
Ragnar nodded.
I rolled my eyes. No wonder he is easily manipulated, I scoffed mentally.
Soon, five new men arrived in the hall.
Elise smiled as if she had won a lottery.
Our eyes met.
I don't know what is inside that letter, but I won't panic.
“Your Majesty, Grand Royal Aunty, we are here with the proof of the queen's treason…,” the leader of the men bowed.
Proof?
I give them all thumbs up. They are really good actors and actresses.
Then it hit me.
The original host does not know how to read and write.
How come she is supposed to be able to write a letter?!
And that secret of hers they don't know!
Goodness, original host.
Just give me the upper hand.
“Bring it forward,” Aldric commanded.
The men walked forward with a scroll.
Aldric took the letter and looked over it.
He read it and looked up at me.
I blinked.
He walked to Ragnar and gave him the letter.
“What insolence! Aurelia!” Ragnar snapped.
I frowned.
“What did I do? When Elise said proof of treason, I expected witnesses,” I muttered.
“What are you implying?! This letter shows that you gave out future plans of the kingdom to your people's allies,” Ragnar paused.
“Playing dumb will not save you, Aurelia,” he added.
I fell to my knees.
“I swear I don't know how the letter came to exist because I can't read and write,” I lied while crying.
I can read and write.
The original host can't.
Ragnar seemed surprised at first, as if he couldn't believe his ears.
If he had gotten to know his bride, these things wouldn't have happened.
For a second, I saw curiosity, pity, and fleeting shame, but they disappeared as quickly as they appeared.
“You can ask my handmaid, Elara,” I added.
The councilmen began mumbling, pointing to their hands.
“If she can't read, how was the Grand Royal Aunty sure it was the queen's handwriting?”
“That is true.”
I smirked.
That is it.
The doubt.
“Liar!” Elise screamed.
“Quiet!” Ragnar commanded.
I looked up at him with tears in my eyes.
If I get out of this, Elise will have hell rain down on her.
“Aurelia.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I answered, keeping my heart steady.
If there is one thing I learned as a crime investigator, it is how to perfect a lie.
I watched as Aldr
ic stood in front of me before turning back toward the throne area.
“Tell me the truth. Can you read and write?” Ragnar asked.
I looked straight into his eyes.
“No, Your Majesty.”
- Writer
