The Crimson Queen

The day I was crowned Queen part 2

    After that sham of a coronation I was hurried off to a room where I met a richly dressed nobleman.

    "Is this it?" I assumed the 'it' Mr. Curly Beard was referring to was me.

    "Well the ‘it’ is needs a bath and some food, if you don’t mind.” Eyeing me with his cold eyes I could see a tick of amusement curve his mouth.

     "Are you sure? She doesn't look like a Froinian royal." Markedly ignoring my comment altogether the two continued with their conversation.

    "I assure you she is indeed that woman's daughter, I've kept her well all this time asking me to just leave her here all by herself is truly something I just don't know if I can do it, she's as precious to me as my own daughter."

    "psh" The scoff that unintentionally left my lips didn't go unnoticed as she squeezed my hand tighter causing me to wince in pain. Of course she ignores my grumbling stomach but is able to hear me snicker quietly. Honestly after such a blatant lie what did she expect me to do? As ridiculous as they sounded these were the words that fell from my nanny's lips, the kindest I've ever heard her say in all the time I’ve known her. Had she said "worthless leach!", “stupid brat!" or even my personal favorite "that b***h's daughter!". Any one of those insults would have fit her just fine but 'precious' and ‘daughter’, just made me sick to my stomach. My empty stomach

    "Of course you'll be compensated for your services, as well as your silence." In that moment I saw more joy flash across that women's face then the time she caught me secretly handing trashed bread to some on the beggars near the mansion. She had me stripped and beaten to an inch of my life; I can still see the sneer that graced her callous face as she whipped me. "My guard will escort you out, I'm sure you'll find your compensation satisfactory." 

"Well I guess its what's best, could I at least give her my farewell?" Flicking his hand as if that was the most troublesome thing to do he gave her permission. Nobody asked me I see. Dropping down beside me she pulled me into a warm embrace.

    "No matter what happens remember,” Lowering her voice even more she whispered. “You are nothing, never have been and never will be. When they eventually kill you, I’ll be sure to host a party in your honor, Your Majesty.” She left a slimy kiss on my cheek as she wiped away an imaginary tear but right before pulling away I hugged her closer, for my own last remarks.

       “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, you WILL reap what you sow dear nanny, I can promise you that.” I satisfactorily smiled at her as her face paled and a flash of fear swept across her eyes. Forever the actress, she recovered quickly while wiping an imaginary tear away from her eye and disappearing through the double doors. 

    As the man continued to asses me, I returned the favor and assessed him as well. He seemed deep in thought, as he smooth his mustache between his thumb and index finger. Something about him just didn't feel right.

  Though I suppose I'm not all that normal myself, I did just unflinchingly go through a coronation with a bloodied crown on head. I mean for goodness sake they couldn't clean the dang thing before putting it on my head? 

    Feeling his stare still on me I looked up just as he smiled, effectively stopping my rant, his smile sent a chills down my spine. He had this better than thou disposition that almost made me shrink into myself. Almost…

    "It’s rude to stare." It seemed as if no matter what I said he remained unfazed. He didn't seem angered at all just creepily amused, not knowing what to do I resorted back to Sem’s teachings.  

***Flash back***

    "Back straight, head held high, eyes forward. A strong firm posture is the first step of not losing ground in an unfavorable situation. Never let anyone make you feel less than you are sweetie or you will find yourself at the mercy of others. This is your first lesson when found in a hostile environment; you can’t always be as unmovable as the Nieve Mountains. There are times when you need to be like Tilia trees from the Hazah forest. Though they gives way to the storms and rain, they do NOT break. There's a time to stand strong and there's a time to bend in order not to break, pay attention to your surroundings and know the difference."

***End Flash back***

    "Your majesty," I was caught off guard by his sudden act of respect when he bowed low before, me making me to mimic him in his actions. "Please, forgive me for any lack of respect I simply had to be sure of your identity, for the good of the kingdom." Before he looked up again I fixed my posture even as I realized I was not supposed to do as he did. He straightened his back and eyeing me once again. I'm so happy Cruz isn't here, he'd ever let me live that little blunder down. Clearing my throat I tried to gauge what type of man he was.

       "I don't understand, why do you call me your majesty? my name is Leonora." tilting my head to the side to come off as innocent as possible. A lesson learnt from Teacher '

"    Have more than you show and speak less than you know."

    "Of course I know your name your majesty but it isn't proper for someone like me to address you as such." The guard from earlier who took nanny away came back and bowed to me and Mr. Curly Beard. The hem of his jacket had a darkened red stain that wasn't there before. It seems my nanny certainly got her due reward, I'll have to remain wary around this guard. Nodding to the guard Mr. Curly beard faced me again. "I have some pressing matters to attend to, so now Zena here will take you to bathe and ready yourself for bed." Eyeing the young maid I wondered if she could be someone I could come to trust. "You have a long road ahead of you now that you are Queen but you don't have to worry though, because this Uncle will be here to help you every step of the way." 

    Uncle? 

*gag 

With a wolfish grin he left me with Zena, busying herself with doing as he said. 

    "So Zena, where are you from?" 

Silence.

    "Ok, well how old are you?"

Another stretch of silence.

    "Are you mute? Deaf? Or are you just plain du..." Before I could finish the sentence she whirled around, causing me to jump at the sudden action.

    "Your bath is ready 'YOUR MAJESTY'..." I could here the slight bite of irritation in her words. She was neither too hostile or too submissive. She also didn't seem to keen on the Mr. Curly beard from earlier. She has spirit, now that I can use, smiling to myself I thought about just how I would bring Zena to my side. I was in enemy territory and most likely there was not a friendly or loyal one among them. But I was of the mind to start with this interesting maid first.

***Later***

    After all the scrubbing and primping I found myself laying on a cloud of feathered pillows and heavenly white linen. Staring up to the beautifully crystal chandelier and landscape drawing that adorned my ceiling I thought about my current situation.

    "Nanny's gone and that's good.... but the old man she left me to is suspicious so that's bad... I became Queen and I sure that's good... but I'm probably going to be used as a puppet so that sucks." ugh rolling over I grabbed one many fluffy pillows that adorned the humongous bed. "I could play the fool but who am I kidding I have no filter. As for Mr. Curly Beard, even without knowing his full plan I figure he means to keep me alive for the time being. So at least I don't have to worry too much about being killed by him, most of the servants seem to be either loyal to him or to the crown in general. Not really sure if that's good or bad yet. Not to mention how at the coronation the Chalotic priests seemed ready to bust a vein seeing a girl with Akillian blood crowned Queen." Rolling once again but to the edge of the bed I let my head hang over as I peered through the balcony window towards the night sky. The went from the ceiling all the way to the floor doubling as a door. From what I observed the balcony was circular and over looked a large garden area. The drop was too far down, especially if you used the rose vines that snaked up the side to climb down.  "I'm probably more suited as an escape artist than Queen." As the clouds began to darken the lights moon I scooted back to the center of the bed. I'd take fighting those traffickers with Cruz over this any day.

    Laying back into the duck feathered pillows I sighed in frustration. "Well worse comes to worse I could always runaway and join a traveling caravan and high tale it back to Sem back in Senri City." Curling up into myself I prepared I decided to worry about it after a good nights rest. Right as I closed my eyes I heard the the cracking of the balcony window and light footsteps approach my bed. Gripping the dagger I always keep on me, I continued to feign sleep until the assailant loudly cried out,

"Death to the Crimson Queen!" Ugh, only 8 years old and the level of difficulty of my life has reached an all time high.