THE KING'S QUEEN

Ciara rushed down the creaking stairs, rubbing sleep from her eyes. “Good morning mo—” The words died in her throat. Her mother sat on the old couch, a bottle of drugs trembling in her weak hands. Ciara quickly snatched it away. “Mom! Have you eaten?” Brenda sighed tiredly, leaning back against the chair. “You know there’s no food in this house, Ciara. Just let me take the drugs.” “You can’t!” Ciara snapped, panic flashing across her face. “The doctor clearly said you must eat before taking them.” Brenda gave a bitter smile and glanced at her crippled leg covered with a faded wrapper. “And how exactly am I supposed to solve that?” she whispered painfully. “I can’t even walk properly anymore.” Ciara’s eyes softened immediately. “I’ll get something for you to eat, okay? Just wait for me.” Before Brenda could protest, Ciara hurried outside. The harsh morning wind brushed against her skin as she stepped into the quiet street. “Ciara!” She looked up to see Daniel approaching their house. “Oh… good morning,” she forced a smile. “I was actually about to—” He frowned immediately. “Why do you look like someone died?” Ciara sighed heavily. “It’s mom again. She almost took her drugs without eating.” “What?” Daniel stopped walking. “Why?” She shot him a look. “Seriously? You know the reason already. There’s no food.” Daniel went silent for a moment before dipping his hand into his pocket. He brought out a few crumpled bills and handed them to her. “Will this be enough?” Ciara’s eyes widened. Without hesitation, she hugged him tightly. “Daniel… thank you so much.” “I know,” he grinned proudly. “You’d probably die without me.” She laughed softly as they began walking. After a moment, Daniel suddenly spoke. “You know… I think this kingdom is cursed.” Ciara frowned. “Why would you say that?” “Because everyone’s saying it.” “Saying what exactly?” Daniel lowered his voice dramatically. “The king.” Ciara rolled her eyes instantly. “What about him now?” “He’s been on the throne for years without a queen. Tradition says the king must marry immediately after being crowned.” “So?” she scoffed. “Breaking tradition doesn’t suddenly bring curses to the land.” Daniel narrowed his eyes at her. “Look at you defending him.” “I’m not defending anybody.” “Sure you’re not.” They both rolled their eyes at the same time. ★★★ INSIDE THE PALACE The palace was silent… cold… intimidating. King Reagen stood near the large window in his chamber, his dark robe flowing behind him. His sharp eyes remained fixed on the kingdom outside while two royal messengers stood nervously before him. “Your Highness,” they bowed. “Speak.” His voice was calm… but deadly cold. The two men exchanged nervous glances. “If you have nothing to say,” Reagen said slowly, “then leave.” One of them swallowed hard. “The people sent us with a message, Your Highness.” “And?” “They… they demand that you choose a queen.” Silence. Heavy silence. Then Reagen turned slowly. The fear in the room instantly doubled. “Tell them,” he said coldly, “what you always tell them.” The men quickly bowed. “Yes, Your Highness.” They hurried out immediately. But before Reagen could return to his thoughts, the chamber doors opened again. A woman stepped in elegantly. Queen Mother Elena “You sent those poor men away again,” she said calmly. Reagen didn’t even look at her. “If you came here to repeat the same conversation, Mother, then leave.” Her expression hardened slightly. “The kingdom needs a queen.” “The kingdom needs peace, not another pointless discussion.” “You cannot avoid this forever, Reagen.” Finally, he turned to face her. His cold gaze alone was enough to freeze the room. “And you cannot force me.” Queen Elena walked closer. “If you refuse to find a wife…” her voice dropped firmly, “…then I will choose one for you myself.” A dangerous silence followed. Then Reagen smirked faintly. “Try it.” The simple two words carried enough warning to send chills down anyone’s spine. But his mother didn’t back down. “You were not raised to abandon your responsibilities.” “And I was not raised to marry for the entertainment of desperate citizens.” “Reagen—” “I said enough.” The queen mother stared at him for a moment before finally sighing. “You may be king…” she said quietly, “but even kings cannot outrun fate.” Then she walked out. Reagen’s jaw tightened slightly. For the first time that morning… irritation flashed across his face. ★★★ Later that afternoon… Ciara sat quietly inside the servants’ quarters of the palace while her best friend Amber folded clothes nearby. “You look terrible,” Amber said. “Thanks.” “I’m serious.” Ciara sighed deeply. “It’s my mom. Things are getting worse.” Amber stopped folding immediately. “She still hasn’t gotten proper treatment?” Ciara shook her head. “There’s barely food at home. I don’t even know what to do anymore.” Amber hesitated before moving closer. “Actually…” she whispered, “there might be something.” Ciara looked up. “What?” Amber lowered her voice carefully. “The palace kitchens.” Ciara blinked. “What about them?” Amber scoffed. “There’s more food there than the entire village could finish in weeks.” Ciara stared at her in disbelief. “You steal from the palace?” Amber shrugged casually. “Borrow.” “Amber!” “What?” she whispered loudly. “Nobody notices! The royal family wastes food every single day.” Ciara immediately shook her head. “No. Absolutely not.” “Ciara, your mother is sick.” Those words hit hard. Amber softened her voice. “Look… we’ll only take a little. Bread, fruits, maybe soup ingredients. Nobody will even notice.” Ciara bit her lower lip nervously. Her conscience screamed no. But the image of her mother struggling to swallow medicine on an empty stomach crushed her resolve. Slowly… Reluctantly… She nodded. ★★★ Night fell over the palace. The kitchen was quiet. Amber carefully opened one of the large storage cupboards while Ciara stood beside her nervously clutching an empty bag. “Hurry,” Ciara whispered. “I have a bad feeling about this.” “You always have bad feelings.” Amber rolled her eyes and stuffed loaves of bread into the bag. Ciara quickly grabbed fruits from the counter. Their breathing grew faster with every second. “Okay, that’s enough,” Ciara whispered urgently. Just as they turned— “STOP RIGHT THERE!” The girls froze instantly. A palace guard stood at the entrance. His sharp eyes fell on the bag in Ciara’s trembling hands. And his expression darkened. ★★★ A few minutes later… Ciara and Amber were thrown onto the cold floor of the throne room. Ciara’s heart pounded violently. The palace guards stood behind them while King Reagen sat on his throne, looking down at them with emotionless eyes. “Your Highness,” one of the guards spoke. “We caught them stealing from the royal kitchen.” Amber lowered her head in fear. But Ciara stared frozen at the king. He looked even more terrifying up close. Cold. Unreadable. Dangerous. Reagen barely glanced at the bag before speaking. “Take them to the dungeon.” Ciara’s eyes widened immediately. “W-What?” The guards grabbed them roughly. “Please!” Ciara cried out desperately. “Please don’t do this!” Reagen remained expressionless. “My mother is sick!” she continued, tears filling her eyes. “She needs those drugs to survive and we have no food at home!” The guards paused slightly. But Reagen’s face didn’t change. Not even a little. “She can’t even walk properly anymore,” Ciara’s voice broke. “I wasn’t trying to steal for myself!” Still nothing. The king simply stared at her with those cold unreadable eyes. Then finally— “Take them away.” Ciara’s breathing stopped. As the guards dragged her toward the doors, she looked back one last time at the king sitting on his throne like a man completely untouched by human emotion. But just before the doors closed… Reagen’s eyes lingered on her for a second longer than necessary. And for the first time in years… Something about him felt… unsettled.