The Naive Queen

Episode 6

Can we stop time?

I know I am the most unimportant person before, I have accepted and understood it well… I did not want the attention that I could have if I was the appointed future Queen of Altinova before the tragedy happened, I was happy.  Contented. Being alone in my room, where I can draw and observe the things that are happening around the castle. But was I too ignorant? Was I too shallow for being content with simple things? But I have known for a long time that I cannot handle being a Queen, not because I do not have the heart to do it but because I feel too much. At a young age I have understood the weight of my feelings. During the acknowledgement of Beatrice as the next in line for the throne, the Priest expresses his disagreement. By the time he finished explaining the reason why, my father snapped his finger and the very next second the Priest’ head was on the floor. That took me a month to recover, I questioned my father why he had to do it? He could have imprisoned him or banish from the country! He answered “If one person were to spare for their disloyalty to the throne another one would come up and express their disagreement for Beatrice. We have to set an example, as no one in history ever disagreed with the next in line for the throne”.

I remember my mom, playing with Beatrice, she spends so much time with her that sometimes I wished she could do the same with me. I saw them playing in our backyard with my Mom making flower crowns for Trice, as soon as I saw them, I ran to my mom. Hoping for a flower crown that is made by her and will be worn by me. By the time I reached them my Mom said “Come on now, my dear Trice we have to choose a gown for your 18th birthday and leave me. I can still feel how my palm opens that day hanging in the air, wanting to stop my mother from walking away but I cannot… I do not have the guts to do so… I stand there, feeling the cold breeze from the air and my palm making the shape of my mom’s hand. I Hope someday I can walk with her hand in hand.

It was completely dark at a bewitching hour. The stars are beautifully shining. It’s like in this world full of darkness there will always be light and with that tiny light, our hope ignites…

I immediately step back when a figure is starting to show in the shadow. I lower my head and play with the hem of my dress to hide my nervousness…

“I-I apologize, we don’t know how we will be able to connect with Hera… As from what I-I-I have been told, Hera died a long time ago… My mother is the d-d-daughter of Hera so… I am afraid that she will not be with us too…”

The man walks closely, his feet one meter away from Astra... Astra felt the cold and violent aura as soon the man arrived.

“I don’t need Hera here when I have you here My Queen”

Astra gazed up at the man, shocked and horrified with what he said but when her eyes met with the man, Astra stood frozen on her spot. The man is flawless, white hair, grey eyes, and sharp jaw. Everything about him screams perfection… She was out of words. He stares at her and smirks with that doe eye looking shocked.

“It seems that My Queen is preferred a ‘Man’ with blood on his lips instead of a decent man that is now standing in front of her. Trust me I am convinced that we are a monster, but we are also intelligent enough to present ourselves in a formal way…”

Astra gaped like a fish but immediately hid it with her hand.

“I-I am so sorry; I didn’t mean to be rude… to be straight forward I am not the Queen...” that is when Astra realized this man was the reason there is no King and Queen in Altinova right now… She understood that this monster in front of her will not stop until he gets what he wants in fair means or foul…

“What do you want in Altinova? What do you need here that you have to savagely kill my parents before even reaching your castle?!” Composed but nervous. She didn’t know that he could hear every beat that her heart is drumming…

“You. You… being the Queen of Altinova and me as your King Milady”. Thaddeus is itching to puncture his fangs into her exposed neck. She is glowing more than the moon… The skin is like porcelain. Delicate and smooth. Oh! I can’t wait to ruin it... Thaddeus thought to himself.

“W-what are you saying?!” She can feel the heat from her ear through her face. She is turning red from anger. She clenched her fist and counted the stars to prevent herself from doing something impulsive. So impulsive that she might lose her life to this Night Eater!

“Oh! I forgot to tell your Knight… The treaty includes a daughter from the previous King and Queen… and… that little princess will be the Queen of Altinova with me as her King” Thaddeus ends his sentence with a sinister smile.

Something Astra did not wish to see, hoping she would not…. but here it is…