Long Live The Queen

Chapter 9 - Twisted Games

Trigger warning: s****l violence again in this chapter.

Iris opened the door to the carriage after the 15-minute ride back from the Cathedral that acted as an entrance to the palace grounds, appreciatively. Iris wasn't sure, but she was certain that was lust in his eyes.

"It was good, thank you."

"It wasn't supposed to be a whole charity event. You were just supposed to hand out leftovers. Speaking of which, you're back in time for supper." Jonathan said, offering his elbow to Iris.

"Shall I change?" She asked and he shook his head.

"No. I'm dressed up too. It's perfect." His voice drawled good-naturedly, and Iris felt dread hit her as the feeling of malicious intent washed over her.

"What's the occasion?" Iris couldn't help but sound stiff as she asked, and Jonathan grinned. She looked him up and down and noticed that he was true, dressed up. He wore a black and red suit with a tailcoat jacket, with golden buttons running up his chest vertically in two rows, four in each. The outside was red, while the inside lining was black. It contrasted nicely with her gown, together they looked like a set of emerald and ruby gemstones.

She followed him to the dining hall, she noticed his other cold and almost clammy hand had covered hers in this crook of his arm, patting it absentmindedly.

"So would you like to explain how handing out left overs turned into a whole organization through the church?" Jonathan asked as they walked through the cold hallways.

"I suppose I got carried away, " Iris answered nonchalantly, letting out a small little fake chuckle, her stomach churning. Had she gone too far?

"And who do they think allowed this operation?"

"You of course. The people need to be loyal to the king. So therefore you received the credit for allowing me my little project. I even have a document for you to sign, giving final authority that will be hung in the church. King Jonathan, providing food for his people during a never-ending drought." Iris said coyly, and he grinned.

"Well, it's a good thing. It all fell into place just in time. Soldiers need food."

"What do you mean soldiers need food?"

"Darling, I want to see you win a war." Jonathan chuckled, and Iris looked up at him confused.

"We aren't at war though?" Iris said, tilting her head.

"I know. How it would be interesting though." Jonathan laughed, and again a strange vicious feeling washed over her. Iris shuddered. As they turned down the corridor to get to the dining hall, Iris caught sight of Tabaya out of the corner of her eye. The cat was following them, stalking low to the ground. Her warning from earlier came to her mind, about possible military movement and skirmishes at the border. Iris took in a deep breath. Maybe war was possible after all.

Jonathan walked Iris to her seat at his right-hand side at the table, pulling the chair out for her.

"Sit, sit. Servants, bring out the appetizers." He ordered before sitting down and straightening his coat jacket out. When the platters of various finger foods came out, Jonathan smiled at Iris his hazel eyes flashing in excitement. "Ghoul. Lead our guest in here." He ordered, and Iris noticed the ghoul leave from the corner of the room he'd been hiding.

Iris shivered and looked at her husband in surprise.

"Guest?" She asked, raising her eyebrows. The anticipation and worry weighed heavily in Iris's stomach, and she watched as a man was escorted in by the ghoul, and sat down to the left of Jonathan.

"Your Majesty..." The man said nervously, "this treatment really isn't necessary. I am just a messenger." He said, and Jonathan grinned at him, and it would have taken a blind man to ignore the predatory nature of that smile as it almost wrapped Jonathan's face into a grotesque grin.

"Oh but messengers are such important people. If it weren't for messengers, no one could reach each other, come to understanding." Jonathan said. "Please, get some food. Be welcome." You could tell he was trying to sound welcoming, but what he was apparently taking as warmth in his voice sounded cold and dangerous. Like a threat that was promised in the silence.

The man reached over and took a plate with a shaking hand. You could tell he didn't want to be there. He was young and slightly round in the face. Iris felt sorry for him, he couldn't have been much older or younger than herself. Iris reached over and grabbed a bread roll, tearing it into pieces with her long slender fingers.

"Well, excuse me but I haven't been introduced." She interrupted, trying to send a genuinely warm, and reassuring smile to the man.

"Yes, your Majesty. I am Ronald, from Ardearia."

"The big kingdom to the northeast of us, who controls most of the shoreline of the continent," Iris spoke up, mildly surprised.

"Yes, I've come at the request of-" Ronald began to explain but Jonathan's cold voice interrupted.

"Tut! Tut! Tut! No business before dinner. A dinner is a place where work should not be discussed." He said in a condescendingly scolding tone. Iris looked at Jonathan nervously, and she smiled again.

"Of course husband. King Jonathan is right. Dinner shouldn't be soured by diplomatic blatherings. Our cooks are absolutely blessed with talent. And it would be a disappointment to sour any of their hard work." Iris chimed in as the main course was brought out.

Iris smiled as she was served roasted quail and boiled eggs with a steamed rice that smelled as if it had all kinds of spices in it. She picked at her food and honestly, it was the best food she'd ever tasted. Jonathan made idle small talk with both of them, and she responded politely. Near the end of the meal, the conversation took a turn, requiring Iris to pay more attention to the conversatio.

"The Queen just started a food charity for the people of the capitol. She's come up with some rather genius idea on how to provide food for people in a barren land." Jonathan said, smiling over at Iris as if he were proud. Iris felt the feeling of malicious intent flair up again, and worry again dug at her, making her stomach churn. Iris left her food half-eaten as she put her hands in her lap, smiling over at the messenger.

"It's true. Thanks to my generous husband for allowing me to do so." Iris said, once again trying to convince the fact that it was Jonathan's idea. Jonathan laughed and blew a mocking kiss to Iris, and she had to hold the reflex to gag.

"That's wonderful news!" Ronald smiled brightly, his face beaming. "I can bring this news to my king then! And war can be avoided!" the young boy clapped his hands merrily, and Iris felt only pity for him as he completely missed the evil behind the joyful smile on Jonathan's face. Iris mouth went dry at the messenger's words and her golden eyes looked at him, her mouth set in a thin line.

"What do you mean, 'war can be avoided?'" Iris asked, and Jonathan sighed loudly.

"I guess we've had enough of dinner. Now work talk can't be avoided, can it? I was planning on music and evening tea and coffee." The Mad King pouted and Ronald's face crumpled in worry.

"I apologize, Your Majesty."

"Oh no, Ronald. It's fine. Now, yes please explain the war thing." Jonathan smiled and gestured, leaning back into his chair. Iris had to control her breathing as her heart pounded. The feeling of evil was swirling around them, Jonathan at the center. A thick haze was clouding him from her view, and she didn't understand that. Her stomach wanted more than anything to eject the meal she'd just eaten, and her head was swimming as she fought off the urge to gag. She forced herself to listen in as Ronald spoke.

"His Majesty Tobias of Ardearia has decreed that should the condition of your people not improve in the next three moons, he will be declaring war on your kingdom, 'for the sake of liberating the people who suffer under your negligent ruling.' " Rodney had pulled a scroll out of his jacket and was reading the message. His voice trailed off in fear at the end of it, his face paling as he looked back and forth between the scroll and the king. "But, you have already been working to improve on it! I can go home and tell the king that the rumors we heard were false, that you are actually a kind king who has been trying to look for a way to help the people. That you and your Queen found a way to start changing things!" He smiled hopefully, looking between Jonathan and Iris. "And the meal you fed me was divine! There is no way that you are a cruel, merciless King like the whispers on the sea say you are." Ronald's young face was beaming at Jonathan and Iris was slammed with the feeling of evil intent. Jonathan had picked up a steak knife, carefully cutting the quail on his plate. Before Iris could respond, Jonathan flipped the blade in his hand and flung it across the table. The knife pierced Ronald's throat, and Iris stood up shrieking, before putting her hands over her mouth to cut herself off.

Her eyes were glued to Ronald, who was bleeding on the cold stone floor of the dining hall, her heart pounding in her ears. Hot tears burned her golden eyes. He was looking up at her, choking on his own blood, trying to breathe but he was drowning in it.

"What did you do? You've doomed us" Iris whispered, tears streaming down her face. Jonathan laughed and stood. Iris tried to back away from him but his cold fingers wrapped around her slender arm and yanked her back to him, where his other arm snaked around her wrist.

"Nobody threatens me." He snarled in her ear, pressing himself into her body. She could feel his excitement against her back and her heart raced. She couldn't breathe from the smell that was coming from him, like rotten eggs. He pushed her over the table, facing Ronald who was slowly dying on the floor on the other side. "I'm sending them a message. And you will be my general. You will win this war." He grunted as he yanked her gown up and Iris put her head down on the table, closing her eyes, but she cried out in pain as her head was yanked up by the roots of her dark black hair.

"Please don't play this twisted game..." Iris couldn't help but sob as she spoke, one hand reaching up to try and pry his fingers from her hair. "Please don't do this..."

"I do what I want. This entire world is my twisted game. I am eternal... and I was very very bored for a long time, Little Queen. Until you. You please me, so much." His voice growled in her ear, and it sounded as if several voices were speaking. She tried not to cry out as she could feel him pressing against her, her undergarment being torn from her. "You please me very, very much."

The last thing Ronald would see as his life slipped away was Jonathan holding her head up by her hair as he violently took her from behind, forcing her to watch him die as he took her roughly like she was a common low-priced w***e.

Iris woke the next morning, jerking herself awake in fear. She gasped as she looked around, golden eyes wide and terror making her heart pulse. She recognized Flora's cottage, and across the room Evelyn sat in a comfortable chair, chin supported by the palm of her hand. Iris hugged herself, the fear subsiding into relief, though her body trembled. The last thing she remembered was the sight of blood, staring down at the face of the man who looked into her eyes as her husband r***d her violently. She had eventually passed out when his hand had wrapped around her throat and squeezed for a bit too long.

Iris couldn't help herself, she burst out into tears, curling up into herself and hugging her knees. Evelyn woke up with a start, and she rushed over to Iris, wrapping her arms around her.

"It's okay, poor girl. It's okay." She whispered gently into Iris's ear, then she called out. "Mia! Flora!" Her voice held notes of panic, and the other two women came in from the main part of the hut hurriedly. Mia's pale hands went to Iris's back and she stroked her gently.

"It's okay Ev, just let her cry." Mia's voice was sad, and Flora went back into the kitchen silently. Iris sobbed for a while, her face buried in her knees. Flora came back with a cup of steaming tea, and she eased it into Iris's hands gently. The young Queen stopped crying, peeking up at them and sniffling.

"Drink up. It'll make you feel better and keep you from becoming with child." Flora said gently, and Iris nodded, uncurling herself and blowing on the hot tea for a moment quietly. Her eyes were rimmed with red, and it wasn't a great look for the normally beautiful woman. She noticed she was in one of her nightgowns, and she looked around.

"How did I get here?" Iris sniffled, and took a sip of her tea, letting the heat of the liquid wash through her belly.

"I had a guard pick you up and bring you here." Mia said softly, looking down. "I'm so sorry..." She shuddered, and Iris could see Mia was fighting back tears of her own.

"No. I'm sorry. I hate that you had to see that... again." Iris reached over with one hand and grabbed Mia's.

"I was afraid he was going to kill you already last night." the woman whispered, and then she looked over at Evelyn. Iris looked at the other woman too to see tears running down her face. "I had to hold her back, and cover her mouth." Mia whispered. "She wanted to stop him, but that would have gotten her killed. I'm so sorry." Mia sobbed and Iris shook her head.

"I don't understand why you are sorry." The golden-eyed woman swallowed her tea in a couple of large gulps so she could use her other hand to reach for Evelyn. Her maids sat close to her on either side.

"We couldn't stop it." Evelyn whispered. "He hurt you so badly..."

"Yes but I'm fine now. So Flora must have done a good job patching me up." Iris tried to make her voice cheerful, but it was strained. What she did remember from the night before was violent and painful, and the eyes of the messenger, Ronald going dim haunted Iris, staring up at her blankly as she held herself up as much as possible to keep her body from being slammed violently into the table over and over.

Flora sighed, and shook her head.

"That's not the point. I can't imagine what it's like going through the ordeal, but to sit and watch and be unable to do anything is also traumatizing. Especially since these girls have taken a liking to you." Flora sighed. Iris nodded, looking at Mia and Evelyn apologetically.

"If I could ensure you two never have to see that again, I would promise to do so." She said, shaking the dead eyes of the messenger from her mind for the moment.

"Well... one good thing did come of it," Mia said softly, reaching over and grabbing a rolled up scroll from the table next to Iris. She unrolled it and Iris recognized the contract for the food charity. She saw Jonathan's signature scribbled on his line, and she looked up at the girls curiously.

"I didn't even really get a chance to talk to him about it."

"When he was done with you, he picked it up off the table and looked at it. He stared at you for a moment before deciding to sign it." Evelyn explained, wiping a tear from her face.

"Good." Iris nodded, rolling the scroll up. "That means the one at the church will reflect his signature, right?" She confirmed with Flora, who nodded. "Evelyn, can I trust you with this copy of it? Hide it. And should I die, give it to the next Queen." She handed the scroll to Evelyn, who looked pale and frightened for a moment, then nodded, taking the scroll with trembling hands.

"My issue before was only trying to find some food for the people so I can gain some loyalty and trust. Now I have a whole new problem." Iris sighed. Mia went into the kitchen of Flora's hut as Iris stood up and did a self check. "Flora, you are a miracle worker," Iris said in surprise, stretching and moving around the room experimentally.

"It took almost all night. He damaged you all over, and between your legs was torn to shreds." Flora mentioned it and Iris turned to her. The truth of the whole procedure matter made Iris feel violated. Not only did she have to endure being r***d, but after this, the healer had to poke around in the sensitive area to heal it. But despite the violation and shame, Iris was thankful to the sorceress. Mia came back into the room holding a tray mounded with food and a pitcher and cups.

"Let's have some brunch."

"What time is it?" Iris asked, and Mia looked out the window. "It's about noon, though it's hard to tell from the sun."

"Can hardly see the sun anymore. Telling time the old way is very hard unless you're trained well," Flora mentioned and Iris nodded.

"I wish the sun would come out... or it would rain." She said. "The unnatural weather is another day's problem though. Apparently, I have to win a war. And I have no idea how to do that." Iris said, sitting down at a small table beside the cot while Evelyn and Mia made plates for everyone. "I have no military experience."

"Not to mention, you couldn't win a war with the military you have access to." Flora added. "Jonathan let his army fall to pieces, save for the guards that keep the castle safe."

"Oh. Wonderful." Iris groaned. "So not only do I have to build an army basically from scratch. I have to figure out how to feed a said army - and try to feed the people. And I have to train this army. And supply them." Iris was feeling the stress she did not get to feel last night. When Jonathan had murdered the messenger from Ardearia, Iris didn't have time to even contemplate what war meant for her. She'd been quickly grabbed and mounted.

"The best way to win a war is to avoid one at this point." Flora mused, watching her.

"Has the messenger's body already been sent back to Ardearia?" Iris asked Mia and Evelyn.

"His body?" Mia snorted and laughed, while Evelyn began to look a little green.

"Not his body. His personal effects, with his blood still on them, have been sent back though," Evelyn answered and Iris frowned.

"It's customary to send the body back, I thought. So that they can lay him to rest?" Iris asked and Flora groaned.

"Girl. What makes you think that Jonathan follows any formalities or customs? He fed the body to one of his nasty pets. That's what he does with all of the bodies he makes."

"Wait...even the Queens?" Iris asked, horrified.

"Yes, even them, girl." Flora stared at her, and Iris wrapped her arms around her. So not only was she doomed to die - but she was going to be fed to a ghoul or a vampire or some other weird creature in his terrifying undergrown zoo of predators.

"That is going to make things even harder... should I even fight at this point? Maybe Ardearia can stop this. Hell, any sovereign would be better than this..." Iris pointed out, and Mia shook her head.

"If you don't play this game and at least look like you're making an effort, Jonathan will only kill you faster." She said in a rushed voice and Iris groaned.

"This is going to distract me from my main mission, damn it." She grumbled, and she could feel the three women looking at her.

"What main mission?" Flora asked curiously, and Iris looked around at them. Things were falling apart around her - now was the time, if any, to tell them what she had planned.

"I wasn't planning on telling anyone yet, since I've only been here a few days -" Iris said uneasily, shifting in her seat. Her fork was playing with a fried egg on her plate idly and Flora snorted.

"In the few days you have been here you have effectively made a difference to our people in the city. And you've been handed a war. You are making history in this era of reign. For all six Queens before you lived and died idly. They didn't even try to survive - or change what they could until they did. This has bought you more respect among the servants here than you will ever even imagine. You have made it so many people who dwell here in the shadows of this castle have a little more peace. Their families are eating - maybe not every day, maybe not until their stomachs are full, but now they have access to available food. And because of that, the desperate people of this country and castle will pledge faith to you very quickly." Mia explained in a strong voice, and Iris nodded.

"Flora. How safe is it to talk here? How fast can these walls spread words?" Iris asked, and Flora raised her eyebrows.

"Let me make it to where nothing beyond us can hear these words." She said, "Back in a moment." Iris nodded as Flora left the room and turned to Mia and Evelyn.

"Thank you for bringing me here. To take care of me." She said, and Mia nodded while Evelyn looked down. "I imagine I am going to rely on you two a lot."

"I'll be honest. I don't think I can handle seeing that again." Evelyn shuddered, and Mia shook her head.

"You know, I told you what I saw when he killed the sixth Queen..." Mia whispered. "And now I've seen him almost kill you. I don't think... I don't think I'll ever sleep again." Iris felt so sorry for Mia as her haunted eyes looked down. She looked incredibly tired, and Iris reached out to her, grabbing her by the hands.

"Is there anything I can do?" She asked helplessly and Mia shook her head.

"I can't tell you to never allow that to happen again. So unfortunately not." Mia let out a little small smile, and Iris sighed.

"I know. I'm sorry." She said as Flora came back into the room.

"Okay. Silencing spells and wards have been placed," She said, sitting down across the table from Iris. "Now, tell me what this 'main mission is. I'm a curious old goat and I need to know." Iris looked at Flora, then at Mia and Evelyn. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes before she spoke. Breaking her silence meant it would be easier for her to be betrayed. But these women had no loyalty to Jonathan, and she felt they had no reason to betray her either.

"I am going to kill the Mad King," She answered.

"But... That's impossible...." Evelyn sputtered out after a moment of shocked silence and Iris sighed.

"Not impossible...but highly improbable," Flora corrected her. It was then that Iris noticed that Flora's eyes were bright pastel pink, and they were glittering with excitement.

"It's infuriating that I haven't even had time to go to the library yet to figure anything out about anything. A book on how to properly execute a coup would be nice. And the best way to murder someone. Hell, now I am going to need a book that tells me how to win a war too." Iris complained. "I can't win a war. And I can't even talk to the King of Ardearia to ask for help or mercy. Jonathan has sentenced basically a slaughter of his own people. And he's done so willingly!" Iris fumed. "What good comes for a King to have his own people slaughtered, or starving or impoverished?" Iris spread her hands to the side. "Can any of you explain what he is getting out of how he's running this country?"

Flora sighed and shook her head.

"I can't. But I can tell you that the library is where you will find out vital information you need to pull off winning a war and to kill the king." Flora insisted and Iris sighed, nodding. "Meanwhile... just know that I will help you in any way I can."

"You can't tell me what you know?" Iris asked and Flora shook her head and smiled sadly.

"I am not just cursed to stay in this garden and go no further than a little way from my home. I have a Locked Lip curse on me as well. I am a prisoner in more than just the physical sense..." She said sadly, looking down angrily at her hands.

"A hint is all I need then." Iris reached over and patted Flora's arm. "First things first then. I need to go to the library." Iris stood. "So... can I count on you three to keep this a secret? Or should I expect to be beheaded soon?"

Evelyn shook her head.

"I know nothing." She said in a dreamy voice, batting her eyes and Iris smiled. Mia looked up at Iris with conviction in her eyes.

"I don't know if you will succeed. But if there is any way whatsoever that I can help, please consider me your right-hand woman." Iris smiled at Mia and nodded.

"Good. Thank you. Flora?" Iris turned to the sorceress and the pink-eyed woman grinned wickedly.

"If there's a chance I could land the killing blow it would be the biggest honor of my life. No one holds me, prisoner. And it may take a decade or two but I will always have my revenge." Flora huffed and Iris smiled.

"I'll be headed to the library then, trying to find knowledgeable answers to my biggest problem then: how to delay an all-out war between two countries."

"Good luck finding that answer. It'll be at least a week before King Tobias hears of his messenger's murder. It takes about that long to get to the border from here, and the servant with the messenger's artifacts only left early this morning." Flora countered. Iris nodded.

"The sooner, the better then," She said, nodding her farewell to the sorceress and exiting the cottage in the garden with conviction, Evelyn and Mia following close behind her.