III
1089 Words
ALARA:
I awoke with a start, disoriented and grappling with the remnants of a strange dream. The haunting lullaby still echoed in my mind as I looked around, trying to shake off the surreal images that lingered. The events of the past few hours flooded back, and I wished fervently that they were nothing more than a hoax or a nightmare. Closing and opening my eyes didn't change my reality. I stood up from the floor, brushing off the imaginary dirt from my dress when something clanged to the ground.
"Whoopsy," I quipped, noticing the broken menottes on the floor. The lock I had damaged must have finally given way during my unconscious spell. Aiden looked at them in astonishment.
"Oh, you thought I came here because I had no other choice?" I snickered, relishing the moment I insulted him. His flushed expression confirmed the hit.
"Enough," a commanding voice cut through the room. She stood, walked down the dais, and confronted me. I restrained the urge to pull her hair on the spot.
"Leave," she ordered, and everyone promptly scurried outside. My glare remained fixed on her, but she seemed impervious to it.
"This glaring won't take you anywhere, kizim," she smiled, using the term of endearment.
"Take her to her room," she instructed Aiden. I scoffed and followed him outside, climbing the grand staircase until we reached a landing.
"There, your room," he pointed to a door on the right. Opening it revealed a bright and cozy space. Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a gentle glow.
The room exuded an air of royalty, from the wooden bed with velvet curtains to the chandelier hanging above. Shelves lined with books, a desk with a laptop, a built-in closet stocked with various clothes, and a dressing table completed the regal ensemble. I stood there in awe.
"Don’t try to escape," Aiden warned, his warm breath sending a shiver down my spine. Turning around, I heard the door click shut.
"Arsehole," I muttered before flopping onto the bed. Sleep descended like a comforting cloud, sheltering me from the tumultuous reality.
"Wake up!" I jolted awake to a high-pitched voice. Rubbing my eyes, I saw my mother standing in front of my bed. Groaning, I attempted to go back to sleep, only to be yanked up.
"Bathroom, NOW!" she shouted, propelling me toward the bathroom. Scowling, I flipped my hair and entered.
"Can you please leave? I know very well how to scrub myself," I motioned for privacy.
"Renarde sans manières (mannerless vixen)," they gossiped, their whispers barely audible.
"Eh bien, je sais que je suis attirant, mais tu n'es rien d'autre qu'une paire de bavards (Well, I know I am attractive, but you are nothing except a pair of gossipers)," I retorted, gazing at them coldly as they retreated. A tinkling laugh reached my ears, drowned out by the sound of running water. The hot shower eased the tension in my body.
After indulging in a refreshing shower, I emerged from the bathroom.
"You are late," she eyed me sternly.
"A queen is never late; everyone else is simply early," I sauntered toward the changing room.
"Already thinking about claiming the throne?" she chuckled.
"No damage in claiming what is mine," I gritted back. Satisfied with my appearance, I stepped out.
"You do cease to amaze me, young woman," she smiled. I rolled my eyes, closing mine and resting my head on the sofa.
"I am a vixen, right? And aren’t vixens sly, fierce women, especially cunningly beautiful?" I smirked at her through the mirror.
"You haven’t changed a bit, you know," she observed, examining her manicured fingers.
"Old habits die hard, don’t they?" I replied. By the time my hair was done, I was half asleep. Glaring at the maid for waking me up, I stifled a yawn.
"Pardon," she excused herself sheepishly, and I stood up.
"Let’s go," she motioned for the maids to open the door, and they scrambled to do so. Suppressing a yawn, we walked toward the garden, where ministers and noble ladies awaited. The royal crier introduced us, and the gasps at my presence amused me.
'Well, I do know I make an impact on people, but this was way more satisfying,' I thought, smiling at them. Aiden stood near the throne, smirking at me. I fought the urge to tear his handsome face apart.
The young men were fascinated, while the young women glared. The council was called to announce my involvement and return to my family. After the announcement, there were murmurs of confusion, agreement, and disagreement. Nobody had said anything until a girl my age stood up, likely the daughter of an influential aristocrat.
"Does she have the blood?" she inquired. I chuckled. The audacity to question!
"We could do the test," she suggested, looking at the queen.
"And who are you to question a Queen’s decision and a royal family member, Maddison?" the queen asked sharply.
"I didn’t mean that; she is a witch, and we can be conned," she quickly clarified herself. I scoffed, standing up and leaving the council. Aiden grasped my hand and pulled me back.
"Let go," I spoke through gritted teeth, but he held me by the waist, leading me back to the council. I stood there beside him, my mood sour.
"Now, Alara, you need to know a few things about Magna," the queen turned to me.
"First of all, we will talk about Vincula Civitatis (The Imprisoned City)," she began. I nodded.
"You must know all about it—the people, the commander, the rebellion that is being caused there." I didn’t know if it was a question or statement, but I nodded. Who doesn't know about Vincula Civitatis? The City that beholds the Muhlak. Muhlak are the people who are more powerful than us. We are magic; they are death. We can be hopeful; they are wretched. They are now divided into two groups: The Malik and The Baghi, now raging a fight against us.
"You know about their intentions of attacking us, but I made a deal with them, and they have stopped," Aiden looked at me cautiously as the queen spoke.
"And the deal is to send Alara to help them recover their loss" I turned steel at her words knowing all the way that I was her sacrificial lamb. But, she was my mother. Had she no mercy for her flesh? Not. The way she ended her note was enough to tell me that I had to oblige.
- Writer
