The Trial
1050 Words
AGATHA'S POV
"Why must we wait a fortnight for our wedding when we’re ready and our dresses are already made and perfect?” Penelope questions in desperation just as the servant start to clear the dinner table.
King Atticus leans back in his seat, “In our culture, the coronation precedes the wedding. You must be chosen as queens before you can marry me."
Aileen's brow furrow. “Chosen? But you already choose us!"
Atticus sighs, “The coronation is not just ceremonial. You will face a trial to prove your worthiness to be my queens."
A trial? It would take a miracle for my stepsisters to pass any trial.
"What kind of a trial?" Penelope questions her worry evident.
"The council will ask you questions to gauge your prudence and knowledge of running a kingdom. You don't have to worry, you still have days to prepare." King Atticus tells.
They both appear confounded, but they nod before the king can notice their apprehension.
They have never been wise and definitely have never had to deal with any important matters except those concerning their looks.
"Don't worry, with your outstanding intellect I'm confident that you will pass the trial. My council is really looking forward to it." King Atticus affirms but the praise no longer seems to excite my step sisters.
They force smiles nevertheless. "We'll try to make you proud, your majesty." Penelope simply says.
They finally rise. "Your special rooms and crowns will be arranged for you after the coronation."
"Thank you your majesty." They bow and smiles. He pecks their foreheads before saying goodbye.
They take quick strides towards the door and we follow.
"You heard the king, we'll be required to pass a trial and perform the most difficult roles once we get married to him." Penelope raves, angrily as soon as we enter the wide hallway leading to their quaters.
"Why does a queen has to have roles? Can't our beautiful company be enough? When will we not be required to do things we don't know." Aileen complains.
They were overjoyed about the wedding all day, but now they sound apprehensive as hell.
"What happens if they fail the trial?" I whisper to Lirith.
"The council will declare them unfit to be queens," she replies quietly.
A smile spreads across my face at the thought. Their failure might not make king Atticus like me, but it would certainly bring me some satisfaction.
"He expect us to know how to run a kingdom? Such wisdom is for the king. My only desire is to be his beautiful wife." Aileen expresses desperately as we open the doors to their room. "What if we fail the trial and he picks someone else!"
For the first time she is right. He may have selected them to become his wives and queen, but it seems what he and his council value most is their ability to perform the roles of the queen, not their beauty or submission.
It's time they learn to try doing something else apart from watching themselves in the mirror? They wouldn't be so apprehensive if they ever bother to read a thing or two about running a kingdom.
"We can't fail the trial. It would embarrass not only us but the king too.We need a plan," Penelope says, breathless. She turns to me. "You. Go get me some water."
I nod and hurry to the palace kitchen, where a servant hands me a glass of warm water. As I make my way back, I hear shouting echoing through the hallway.
Penelope's furious voice pierces the air, echoing off the ornate walls. "I can have you whipped... or locked up!" Her words drip with venom.
They’re probably taking out their frustrations on Lirith, just like they always did with me. When they’re upset, they would lash out, throw things at me and even call me names.
I quicken my pace and step into the room to find Lirith standing against the wall, her head bowed. "I'm sorry, my lady. But I can't..." she stammers.
"Then you're useless! We'll have you fired!" Aileen snaps. "Get out of our sight."
Lirith rushes past me, looking more angry than hurt.
"Goodnight, my Ladies," I say quickly placing the glass of water on the bedside table before hurrying after Ilara. I catch up with her as she rushes down the path towards our servant quarters.
"I'm so sorry they took it out on you," I say, walking beside her. Even under the dim light of the moon I can see tears on her cheeks.
"They were demanding I steal the questions that will be asked during the trial," she discloses. "When I told them I wouldn't break our laws, they resorted to threats and insults."
I shake my head. Of course, they wouldn’t just sit back and risk failure. That's why Penelope sent me to get her water, so that they can be alone when they make their crazy demands on my friend.
"You don't seem surprised that they asked me to do that," Lirith observes glancing at my face.
"I've lived with them for years, their ridiculous behavior doesn't shock me anymore," I tell her.
"You must have incredible patience to endure those evil beings for so long. You should have quit and found a job somewhere else." she says, a hint of pity in her voice.
"I couldn't leave. They're my stepsisters," I say and watch her eyes widen.
"You work for your own sisters?" she asks, her mouth opening and closing in disbelief.
"How did your emperor even choose them for our good king? He should have picked you instead."
"They don't treat me like family," I reply.
"I’ll report them to the king," she declares. "He needs to know they’re wicked and not fit to rule anyone."
"You have no proof of what they did," I point out. I doubt that the king will believe a servant over his beloved brides.
"I have a witness—you. You heard almost everything," she insists.
I frown and shake my head, and try to reason with her. "The king will trust their words over ours. If you report them, it could backfire on us." He might think I’m just trying to stir trouble because I’m jealous of their marriage.
- Writer
