Queen's Reign

Chapter 8

Ravenna gathered her court in the castle library, where they sat at a round, birchwood table centred in the middle of the room. They sat around the table, with a map of the realm of Cannia sprawled underneath their fingers. Laila brought over a few coloured pawns and placed them all over the map, while Crescentia hummed to herself beside Aldare, polishing her flute with a silk cloth. 

“Oh please, can you pay attention to me?” the duchess put her hand to her forehead and rubbed her temples, frustrated at the ignorance of her court. “We are not raiding another farmhouse this time.” Ethelina raised her head from a book she was reading, interested in Ravenna’s words. The rest of them slowly followed, intently looking at the duchess. “Then, what this time?” Aldare took out her sword, thrusting it back and forth excitedly. 

“We are going to attack Aeviria.”  Aldare’s sword flew as she thrust it in surprise, narrowly missing Crescentia’s head while Laila choked, coughing loudly. All eyes turned to Ravenna. "Are you crazy? Aeviria is too strong!" Aldare stated, stepping forward to retrieve her sword and apologetically smiling at Crescentia, who was glowering at her for almost impaling her head. 

Across the duchess’s seat, Isanta was inwardly refusing, she didn't want to attack a country which did them no harm. Regardless of what she thought of, she had to blend in to survive. "It is hard, but I believe Ravenna could do it," she said monotonously, folding both hands  on the table. Norwine kicked at her friend's dress under the table, tiny beads that hung from the hem clinking together. 

The alchemist batted back at Norwine's arm, beaming widely at the duchess. "Oh yes, I forgot we have an acquaintance," she gestured to her right, where Ethelina sat. "She could help us, isn't that right Princess Ethelina?" The princess snorted and laughed, stealing everyone's attention. "If I am here, do you think I will refuse?"

Ravenna reacted first, snugly looking at Ethelina. "Well chosen, princess. Now you will tell us every single detail of your extravagant palace and we will attack them, seizing their queen."

"Of course, Ravenna." She said as she pulled out a large piece of paper and a quill, dipping it in ink and drawing the interior of the palace. The rest huddled over the drawing of the Aevirian palace, their voices reiterating in the vast castle library. 

*********

Zaria walked down the palace hallway alone, humming happily to herself. It has been three days since she moved to the palace. Queen Adelyn is really as good as they say, she thought to herself. She was the kind of sovereign people at the Hart could only dream for. Centuries of tyranny had broken the spirits of all Hartians, old and young alike. Only the ones that the royal family favoured could lead a peaceful and happy life. The rest, would be forever subjugated to lifelong hardships and suffering. 

A servant gently tapped her on the arm. "Lady Zaria, you have a letter," he said, holding out a blackened envelope, sealed with the crest of three roses, entwined together. Zairax and Zandra. Without bothering to thank the servant, she bolted to her room and locked the door, tearing the envelope to reveal a letter, burnt at the edges.

Our dear sister Zaria,

How are you doing? According to our calculations, you must have found a safe place to live now. If you’re wondering about us, we are doing pretty well, apart from Zairax’s frequent chronic pains. I managed to find a doctor, but he said with our price, he could only prescribe some herbs to help suppress the pain. The week you were gone, she has finished the whole bundle, and now she would cry out in the middle of the night if it hurts. I am really worried for her, sister. 

As to myself, I am doing fine. Recently, the duchess keeps sending guards to watch father’s farmlands, and I suspect that she wants to claim these lands for her own. I tried planting some food, but the guards kept trampling them, telling me that they didn’t do it on purpose.  

Oh yes, before I forget, I need to tell you this. The duchess and her court are planning to attack Aeviria, and their princess is on her side. I accidentally overheard Lady Crescentia and Lady Laila’s conversation in the town square. I fear that she might know, so now me and Zairax will stay at home, we will not set foot out of our family’s grounds if it doesn’t require us to do so. Please, sister, be careful wherever you are. I could not escape in your place, so be aware. 

Also, this might be the last letter we will write, to not let anyone track us down. 

Your obedient little sister, 

Zandra.

A thousand thoughts ran through her head like horses. Are they safe? What will happen if Ravenna catches them? Will they die? Torn between the decision to ignore her sister’s warning and the need to tell Queen Adelyn, she paced. If what her sister said was true, the Queen would be in imminent danger and if false, it would mean that she might be banished, and the search of a safe haven to house her sisters would need to begin again. 

What is more important to you, Zaria? Your sisters’ welfare, or a kingdom with barriers too strong to be attacked? She placed both hands on her vanity to support her weight, turning her neck upwards to see her reflection in the mirror. The very image of both her sisters appeared before Zaria in the mirror, making her stumble backwards in surprise. Zairax, the elder and stern sister, who would always reprimand them if they’ve done any wrong. Zandra, the youngest sister, who filled their drab lives with joy and happiness. Tears ran down her cheeks, unable to hold them in anymore. 

A voice coming from the main stairs cut him short, making them both turn in surprise. “What about me?” Adelyn gracefully descended from the stairs, her right hand grazing the handrails. The two men immediately stood and bowed. “Good evening, Your Majesty.” 

The queen acknowledged them with a smile, signaling for both to stand. “Kyle, I believe your shift is about to start, you may leave us.” Kyle bowed low again, and left the two standing in the middle of the foyer.

“H-Hey, Adelyn. Shouldn’t you be asleep by now?” Desiric stammered, unable to directly look at her. His cheeks turned a deeper shade of red. The queen ignored him, walking to one of the large windows at the side, light yellow drapes pulled back to reveal the night sky. “I can’t sleep, so I came down here.” Adelyn’s ankle-length nightgown billowed about her legs, soft silk slippers cradled her feet. Her chestnut dark brown hair was down, pulled back into a simple braid. Now, she looked like a simple girl at the edge of womanhood rather than the queen of the greatest kingdoms in the realm.

The general joined her at the window, gently wrapping his arm around her waist and pulled her towards him. She gasped in surprise, but relented to rest her head on his shoulder, flinging her braid aside. They stood in silence, both surmising in their own thoughts. He occasionally felt her warm breath touch his neck when she exhaled, and felt the urge to protect her, the 18-year-old young woman that became queen.

“Don’t worry, Adelyn. I will protect you no matter what it will cost me. Whether you are the queen of the kingdom, or the woman whom I love. I will still be here, by your side.” Desiric whispered, tightening his grip on her waist and pulled her more to him. Queen Adelyn nodded, smiling. She stood on her toes and gave him a little kiss on the cheek. “I’m going to bed now, good night.” 

“Good night, my queen,” Desiric answered as she pulled away and went back up the steps, disappearing at the entrance to the inside of the palace.