The Throne of Stars and Snow

A Mysterious Letter

I stretched with a yawn as I looked around, still getting used to my new chambers. They decorators had added some plants to the room a few days ago. They do not seem to know which plants they are so I am playing the guessing game and doing research. I had discovered one to be Orchids and another to be lilies, neither of which have bloomed yet. I added a few things like a canopy and a bookshelf to it also.

 I slipped on my slippers and stood from the bed moving to my table to await breakfast. As I sat down a knock came to the door. “Are you awake my lady.” Sophie's voice seeped through the door. I replied. “Yes Sophie and stop saying my lady.” Sophie gently pushed open the door to let in the kitchen maids. They were two new girls, kind of skinny for their age and both blonde haired with really pale skin, each pushing a cart. I eyed them, wondering if they were the orphans I heard of. Sophie caught my attention before I could ask, as she sat an envelope with a seal I had never seen before down. 

The seal bore a raven in full ebon color. I looked at her with a questionable look. “We received it in the dead of night. We did not want to wake you.” Sophie said. I nodded in reply as the two kitchen maids placed their contents of the cart on my table. I started to open the envelope but was interrupted by the smell of blueberry muffins. The shorter maid had lifted the cover to a small tray holding three muffins. I sat the letter down and picked up a muffin with a wave of dismal to the kitchen maids. Sophie took a seat across from me, I always shared with her as she was my lady in waiting and my friend. 

She poured us drinks from the pitcher and plucked herself a muffin from the tray. I had finished mine before her so I returned to opening the envelope. I popped the seal and pulled the letter inside out. Sophie paused as she waited for me to start reading before finishing off her muffin. I was midway into the letter when Sophie started eyeing me with a questioned look. I continued reading and did not like what was implied. I looked to Sophie. “Did you know about an arranged Marriage..?” she almost choked on the last bit of her muffin, with a half mouth full she replied with a muffled. “No.” I put the letter away. “We will deal with it in one week when the so-called prince comes to call on me then.”

I spent my week tending to my duties, gardening and my training of my power. I had one day left to prepare for Prince Ashton’s presence. What kind of kingdom has a raven for a seal, could this have been my mothers doing… I have so many questions. My last day has passed and today is the day he arrives. I made my way down to the front corridor to await his arrival. I spent an hour waiting before I returned to my chamber for a well deserved nap but not before sending off a group of guards to search the surrounding areas of the princes route just in case.

Another week has passed since I sent the guards to look for Prince Ashton and I have heard no report. I wonder whether he even left on the journey between the kingdoms to begin with. Lost in thought I never heard Sophie come in. She tapped me on the shoulder and I jumped as I was startled. She had this horrid look on her face. "Out with it already….what is wrong?" She stammered with a slight saddened tone" the prince was found dead, all his guards along with him. Our guards said it looked to be a robbery gone wrong. The problem is one of his guards on the list is unaccounted for, which could be bad." 

I processed her words before strategizing in my head. "We will send word to his kingdom and await their response." I replied. Sophie nodded her head and retreated to send off the letter. I have been queen for less than a month and there is trouble afoot. Could someone be setting me up for failure or was this a fluke in the system. A missing guard is high priority but who's to say that one did not do the deeds leading to now. So many thoughts racing through my mind and the day has just started. I shrugged it off and went to dress for the rest of my duties. I still never will get over the fact I have so many dresses, one for any occasion. I did not feel like fixing my hair so I pinned it back in an easy bun and headed out the chambers.

The castle felt drafty even with everyone frantically bustling from the newfound news of the prince's death. I found out not even four hours ago, the air was bitter as I stepped into my gardens. I took my afternoon walk through to the fountain in the middle, it is my favorite one of the five we have. I can feel darkness sweeping me each day as the burdens pile on my shoulders as queen, I refuse to let it consume me. As I watched the water flow I came to an idea. 

I hiked up my dress and ran to the garden doors to enter my castle. Sophie caught me by the arm while I was in a sprint through the halls. I was pulled back into her and we almost had fallen. We stumbled, we got our footing, as she held me by the arm I glared at her. “Karina what is going on?” She asked. Half out of breath and half angry she stopped me, I replied. “I have an idea, it may be crazy but I have to seek it out.” Sophie gave me a concerned look, ”seek out what?” she said, checking my forehead for a fever. “I will tell you after I have written my thoughts on paper.” I said as I pulled my arm from her and continued to sprint through the hall to my chambers. I busted the doors open leaving a loud thud to travel the halls, I spun on my heels and slammed the doors shut. Locking the chambers doors I sighed with relief no one else stopped me. I went to my bedside table to pull out my ink and paper, taking it to my table. I sat down and began to write my entire plans down one by one. 

By the time I finished writing I had one hour left before it was time for dinner. I made my way to the dining hall, where I found Sophie already waiting. She looked so small and fragile sitting at such a large and lengthy table of oak. I walked to my seat at the head of the table and sat down, awaiting her scorn of my behavior as a queen should not behave in such a way. She simply nodded at me in greeting as she always knew if it was important she was the first to know. The bells chimed and kitchen doors flung open as the staff brought in tonight's dishes. It is never the same dish twice. They are always testing new ones, luckily I have grown to embrace new things as the last time I did not, went horribly wrong. My glass was filled with a new red wine that smelled of cherries and a dish sat down with the lid lifted immediately. I looked down to see a pre-cut trout laid on a slab of lettuce, I never cared for trout but it smelled so good. I plucked a piece of the trout with my fork from the plate, delicately. I happened to look over at Sophie who was already half way done before I took a bite of it. We sat in silence the entire dinner, picking at the plates not knowing what to say to each other. When we both finished Sophie left quickly for her chambers before I could stand up. I picked up the napkin I placed on my lap and put it on the table before retiring for the night.

Morning felt like it came too quickly as a knock from a servant on my doors woke me up. I went through my morning routine of dressing and fixing my hair, today felt different like something good was going to happen. I put my last hairpin in to hold one of my loose curls and took one more look at myself in my mirror. I seem to do that a lot these days. I headed to the throne room as today is when I find out what my subjects need most from me, once a week like it is stuck on repeat.

 I took my seat and waved for the guards to bring in the first one. A young girl, my age maybe slightly older, approached with a small bow. “Your highness I seek guidance from you today.” She shyly stated in a hushed tone but loud enough for everyone to hear. I replied with a nod to continue. “My family has hit harsh times as my parents have passed from illness. I wish to seek refuge for myself and my younger sisters here in the castle-” I cut her off mid sentence, “Say no more, It happens I may have a spot for you and your sisters here in the castle.” I pointed over toward Sophie, “Sophie will help you get settled in a guest chamber and send for your sisters and belongings.” The young girl bowed with a smile, “Thank you my queen.” she smiled before heading toward Sophie. The two disappeared down the hall and I moved on to the rest, forty-eight more to be exact. 

I motioned for the last subject to be let in. The male made his way to stand in front of me, raising his head to meet my gaze. His bright blue eyes electrifying to gaze into had me mesmerized, he was dressed in fine clothing that I eyed over spotting an emblem of a raven. I felt this pit in my stomach like I was going to be sick. He cleared his throat, “I am the second prince to the Ravenhold kingdom. I am here to confront you for the death of my older brother. A witness has came to us with information of your actions to murder.” The pit in my stomach went away, replaced with concern and confusion. The guards had already placed themselves between us during his daring accusation. “I am fully aware of his death, to be accused of murder will not be tolerated.” Trying to be bold and not let him see me shaking from nerves. I continued to speak, “You are welcome to one of our guest chambers while we sort this out.” His gaze never faltered from mine. “ I can promise I will know the truth and penalize the responsible to the fullest extent of the laws.” He said with a tone of anger. I motioned a guard to show the new guest to his temporary chambers, as I watched them fade down the hall I slumped in my throne. How could this have happened….then I remembered something, the missing guard. What are their plans and why, but there is one thing I vowed since I could talk….I will never let someone take my throne from me!