I am Reborn through Revenge

Trials

“She will have me executed your Highness,” she replied, refusing to look at me directly in the eyes. There was a tint of weariness in her voice.

I steadied my gaze on her, but she assumed a distinct scowl. I could tell that she meant what she said. But I still didn’t want to go with her. I glanced down at her hand, and I found out that her right index finger was missing. It looked as though it was chopped off by something sharp. Or maybe something similar. I wasn't sure. I felt a sudden need to ask why or what happened it.

“What happened to your hand?” I asked her, gesturing with my head..

“Nothing!” she replied quickly, hiding her hands behind her back.

“Please tell me! What happened to your finger?” I asked again. I leaned closer to her but she stepped back a little. I couldn't understand why I was concerned.

“Nothing happened to my finger your Highness,” she replied, keeping her head down and avoiding my gaze— totally.

“If you don’t tell me, then I am not sure I will be going anywhere with you." I threatened. I thought she was going to utter a word but she didn't. She rather kept quiet and avoided my gaze. "Wait! it seems like this conversation is taking too long,” I said and I tried walking away.

“No. Please wait,” she said, holding my arms. I looked back at her and then to her hands, she kept loosely on my shoulder. “I might lose another finger this time your Highness or I might even lose my head instead,” she said as she slowly removed her hands from my shoulder.

I knew it. I know exactly what or rather who made it to happen. It can only be one person.

‘So it was the Queen that did this after all.' I mumbled to myself.

She unknowingly gave me the answer I wanted. But I still needed her to say it herself.

“So she did that to you then?” I asked, waiting for her to say it herself.

She still kept her face unmoved. Maybe it was own way of defending the Queen but I still want her to admit it.

"She did this to you? the Queen?"

“Hmm!” she nodded and bowed her head, avoiding my gaze totally.

I wondered what a young girl like her would have done to deserve that type of punishment. Though I couldn't read or tell the exact type of person she was that instant because I barely know her. But I believe that there was nothing she would have done to deserve such type of punishment. And I have known the Queen for years, she could punish someone severely for an offense you would think it doesn't matter.

“Okay. Let’s go!” I said to her. I had to agree. Not because I wanted to, but because I wouldn’t want the maid to risk her life for my sake. She just didn’t deserve it, I thought. I am not that heartless. “Just lead the way!” I added, gesturing with my hand to the exit hallway.

She walked cautiously to the Queen’s chambers while I slowly followed her. I have been in the Queen's chambers only once since I came back and there wasn’t a lot I could remember about it.

Getting close to the door, I saw four heavily armed Guards standing very close to the entrance to her room. They were in their full military outfit and their faces were hidden in a golden iron helmet. If I would describe their heights in the most ethical, sincere way, then I would say that these men were mightily built. The first two men were two feet taller than me while I was the same height as the other two soldiers. These men were out of the ordinary, regular soldiers. I mean they weren't those types you see around in the palaces you can only find them among the Knights.

Their arms look very strong and big and the fact that I wasn't able to see any of their faces ran shivers down my spine. Taking a cursory look at the men, you will notice that they weren't just selected randomly. They were either picked selectively or they were hired specifically to guard the Queen's room.

“Her Majesty! The prince has come to see you” the maid announced as we got very close to the door.

“Let him in!” A female voice replied from the Queen’s room. That must be her, I guessed.

The door was opened and I walked slowly inside the room. Those heavily armed guards I saw made me wish I had a weapon with me, at least a sword would do or anything I could use to defend myself in case there was a clarion call for it. I just needed something to hold unto but I had none. I felt stupid for following the maid thinking of her safety while mine was swept under the rug. I swallowed my spit and kept my head up while walking straight to the Queen’s room. Hiding my fears was of paramount importance, I thought.

“Who do we have here? Prince Anon!”

That voice! The voice that gave me hiccups. The evil voice that got my mother killed, that got me exiled—the voice of Queen Veronica. I looked up immediately and I saw the Queen smiling mischievously at me while she sat comfortably on her chair, positioned in the middle of the room. She was on a yellow robe with so many designs and patterns embedded in her clothing. The robe covered all her shoulders and it reached to her feet in such a way that all her inner clothes were covered. “You are here! Ha-ha!” she giggled.

I looked at her face, I would give her credit for looking younger than her age—It was as if she never gets old. Wait, no! It was as if she aged back. She was as young as she was the last time I saw her, I mean before I was banished.

“Yes! I am here!” I replied, trying not to look intimidated. Her pinkish lips were sucked in halfway to her mouth. The worst I consider about this woman was, she had one of the most wonderful or should I say most cheerful smiles that don't conform with the content of her heart. Her smile most times was uncalled for—that is, smiles even when it's not funny. I believe she deliberately does that to make it very hard for anyone to read what was on her mind—she hides the evil in her behind the fake smile. But the good news is, I have learned that too. I had plans to even make it a habit.

“You don’t know how happy we are to see you!”

We? I didn’t even notice that Prince Nightwinder and the princess were sitting by the Queen's side. I was wholly sulked in reading the Queen that I forgot about others in the room.

Nightwinder was ceremonially dressed in a blue royal outfit that matched his black tuxedo. Just like her mother, princess Diane also did dress like the princess she was. To be honest, their outfit made sense. Diane was on a strapless sky blue gown. Her outfit shared the same design as that of her mothers' except for its strapless-ness

“Prince Anon! It’s been a long since I last saw you, big brother. You have been in the palace for a while but you don’t come around to see me,” Nightwinder said, smiling. He crossed his legs and his hands were widespread in the chair he was sitting on. He looked very comfortable. I have always admired Anon's smartness. He had always looked simple, more serious than his brother but more deadly.

“Hmm. You don’t visit either!” I said, chucking. I looked at Diane, she was sitting at a royal armchair kept at the Queen’s left side I steadied my gaze on her for a while, studying her. She nodded her head without saying a word while I nodded back at her.

“I love the way you styled your hair Anon. It reminded me of your lovely mother who unfortunately couldn’t be here today” the Queen said.

Why would she bring my mother up?

I didn’t understand why what she said pinched me on my chest.

It was like a sharp twinge.

It seemed like she purposely arranged her words in such a way that it would annoy me. But she was correct, Brady had always told me that whenever he looks at my hair especially from the back, he would think of a woman. Maybe I took over my mother.

" Mother!" Diane drawled. "I don't think so. Though the style looks outlandish and I am not familiar with the braids and patterns but I can tell you, the maid or whoever it was that arranged your hair deserves to be hanged” she said and giggled. As she was giggling, she covered her teeth with her hand.

Yes. If she did that so I would get angry, I would say she did a good job because I was angry already.

" Is that what you think Princess?" Nightwinder asked.

“Yes, brother. Can't you see? The prince's hair reminds me of my dead horse named Stranger. Her long hairy tail reminds me of Anon. You know my horse would waggle her tail even at strangers. I felt like she didn't deserve to leave. What a stupid horse!” Princess Diane gave a half-laugh. The Queen joined her shortly while the Prince chuckled too. It was obvious they purposely wanted to mock me and I was not surprised.

“The head of your dead horse which you rightfully said looks like mine, might fit a crown. Or don’t you think so Diane?” I asked slowly. Everywhere became so quiet. The Queen’s smile disappeared. Nightwinder's face became grave and of course, I wasn’t surprised with Diane’s face. The Queen's eyes were furrowed as her gaze became steadied at me.

Maybe I did say something that shouldn't have been said or maybe they took it out of context? Either way, they all understood what I meant by that. For a moment, I wished I didn’t say what I just said. But it doesn’t matter. I know the Queen would want to put on some kind of defense but I know she wouldn’t act rashly. The Queen placed her two hands on her forehead—like she wanted to think about something. The golden bracelets she wore dangled beautifully on her hands. She pressed her hair with her hands and glided them backward.

“It depends on the type of crown on the head. Of course, every head would certainly fit a particular size of a crown but not every royal crown would fit any type of head. Don’t you agree? Prince Anon?” the Queen asked, smiling. I was expecting something from her of course. She was tricky and she was good at playing mind games, that I know. I wasn’t planning to go in that direction with her or play mind games. There was no time for it.

“Have I been invited here this early for us to discuss my hair, your Majesty?” I asked, returning the smile.

“No, not at all. Ha-ha. You may grab a seat!” Queen Veronica requested, gesturing with her hands to a stool very close to Nightwinder.

“Thank you but I am comfortable standing here,” I said clenching my hands together in a fist.

“Oh! C'mon Prince Anon grab a seat let’s talk. Don’t be a brat” she stressed.

“Oh c'mon! Mother, the prince just said that he doesn’t want to sit down. Maybe he prefers to stand so why the headache? Huh?” Princess Diane said. I looked at her evil eyes, they were glowing in blue. It didn’t match the eyes of the heartless Princess. If I would want to kill anyone first in Zahrin, she would be the first I would kill and then her mother.

“Since he wants to stand, just let him!” Nightwinder giggled.

“The crown prince is correct, mother. Allow him to stand like a bodyguard. I’m sure the post of a bodyguard would suit him!” she gave an evil laugh that revealed all her teeth. I couldn’t figure out what was funny but I kept on smiling too.