Finally Beginning (Fighting for Peace)

10 Years Ago Andrea I, Matthew Maddox King of Fredona, hereby grant permission to Madison Maddox Carte Blanche to someone she trusts to return Maddox's blood to the throne. I crumple the small paper and toss it aside. Keeping my exterior calm, my personal maid picks it up and flees the room. Her long green and yellow robe hides the uniform Russell tears off other palace maids. It is pulled tightly around her, covering every inch of skin her uniform shows. Her red hair is up in a tight bun, prominently showing my Mark on her neck. I will talk to her later. As she closes the door, I look at Russell. His military crew cut accentuates his normal skin-tight, three-piece black suit, and tie. He is my head of security and lover for the last 30 years. He helped me remove many nobles, preparing for the takeover I have waited to start for years. However, today I look at him angrily. This permission slip puts someone in position to destroy everything we have worked for. With hard eyes, I question him. “Where was it?” I know he senses my anger, and speaks quickly. “Mason’s private office, a shelf opposite his desk, behind some heavy law volumes. It was attached to other papers with Madison’s name, no clues to location or appearance. I questioned Mason, and he said she didn't confide in him. He said the reason was for his safety. But she did say that she also granted amnesty to this individual, in writing.” Anger flashes through my eyes and Russell steps back. “Who told you where to find it? Someone had to have had knowledge of its existence. What were the other papers?” The strap on my high heel breaks and I kick off my heels, thankful for the physical excuse to remove them. But my eyes stay on Russell, waiting for his response. “I have been going through everything in his office and Mat…” I take a step forward as he begins the forbidden name. “The previous king’s office, ma’am. Apologies for the slip.” He bows until I acknowledge the apology. “Continue with your report, Russell. Don’t do it again.” “Of course, ma’am.” He says, straightening. “I have been going through every drawer, book, and paper to gather information. I started when you married and the previous one was neutralized. The previous left no mention of this power. I haven’t made it completely through his office. Mason's arrest disrupted me.” “What information have you gathered? Why haven’t you reported this earlier?” Russell’s nervousness increases as I take another step away from my throne. “Most of what I found in the other’s office is unimportant, or already known. It's almost like he knew you were planning something. Mason’s office is very similar. I almost wonder if that permission was planted, not real. Are they playing games with you, trying to make you unravel and chase ghosts? It will take time and energy from your real plans.” His sincerity softens my anger. “They would do that. Except that writing her name and hiding it in Mason’s office, has been their most honest. Even working for him, her name wasn’t used. She is only mentioned occasionally in this place, written or spoken. Why would he give her that kind of power?” I stand, pacing the dais. Russell I remain quiet, letting Andrea think aloud. She married Mason 10 years ago, waiting for the perfect time to strike. We laid the trap three months ago, and he fell into it. Our takeover was set, until this permission emerged. I don’t think it's real, but Andrea is considering it as real, causing doubt. “No one has seen her in years. She's the obscure daughter, treated as princesses from the past. Where did he hide her? Who would she trust with that kind of power? Herself? Someone else?” As she speaks, she stalks around the throne dais. I tune her out, mostly, admiring her wardrobe for the day. Her deep purple dress has a low cut neckline, plunging to her navel. She wears no bra, so her delicious cleavage peeks out at me. Tempting if she weren’t in such a foul mood. However, I knew this would upset her. “How long has she had this power? Does anyone else know about it?” The skirt of the dress is to her mid-thigh, kicking up with every step. She is higher than me, so I have a perfect view up to her commando ass. I lick my lips and swallow hard, maintaining my self-control. She is in no mood to do anything with me, except beat me. “We need to know everyone she knows, every bit of information. There is something about this that rings too true for me. We need to find out everything about her!” I watch and listen to her rantings, trying to figure out what to do. Every step she takes jiggles her muscles and I lose a little more control. “How, when, and why did he hide her so well? There wasn’t time between the marriage and his removal. So she must have left before either event.” She pauses a moment, looking up with an idea. “Or perhaps she and I left together. I remember rumors, but nothing else. I mean that was the point controlling me under his thumb. So I need to go deeper to find where she is.” I consider this, and open my mouth. She looks at me. “What is it?” Andrea He takes a deep breath and speaks. “There is very little known about her, but we have a few leads.” I close my eyes, releasing an angry breath. The stupid man that brought me here has given his unknown daughter permission to wreck my plans. He kept her away and locked me away as his personal prize. I finally escaped and came back as someone he wouldn’t recognize. I wormed my way into his heir’s heart and have been active in bringing down their empire. This edict, however, means that whoever is granted the Carte Blanche will be unknown. My anger rises! “We need to expedite our plan.” I say abruptly, turning to him. “How many do we have?” His shock gives me my answer, but I wait for his answer. After recovering from the shock, Russell shakes his head. “Not enough. We need triple what we have now. Most fight me. They hide, and I have no time to lock down all the hiding spaces. We need more guards, lock unused rooms, seal hiding places, and lock the doors out. A few guards said they see some escapees as far as the property line.” I pace, brooding. The more guards, the fewer escapees. I make my decision. “Stop searching the offices for now. Oversee everything at the location to improve security. Build 20-foot-high walls, and gate, at the edge of the property, with the best technology. They will be completed first. No holes or climbing holds. The gate will be on the south side, giving easiest access from here. “"Interior personnel: guards for every door, every exit, interior and exterior, and the grounds. Lock every door, seal them off. No one in or out without permission. “Put the runners on the top floor. I will come out thrice weekly. Work with them, and I will strike fear into their hearts. We cannot afford to allow the princess,” I say with a sneer, “to win. Her father and brother are no threat now. Not even my own children will stand against me.” Delilah At the door, I watch Russell looking gooey-eyed at the false queen. He has been under her thumb since long I started here. It is disturbing, watching him play a child. I was raised with a mind of my own, and forming my own opinions. I don't understand what she says, but Russell’s demeanor slips a fraction at a time. He really wants her off her dais and into bed. It is the only thing on his mind. I roll my eyes but strain to hear what they are saying. Andrea doesn’t let anyone in the throne room while she and Russell are together. A few listening holes are closer to the thrones, but as her personal maid, I can’t go that far away. Did that once. It resulted in a whipping, which was still illegal at the time. Thank you! So I hide here trying to hear what’s going on. I hear the name ‘Madison’ and swallow hard. I also hear Russell almost say ‘Matthew’. Andrea nearly tears his head off. A quick apology and Andrea is satisfied. She put a ban on the name ‘Matthew’. No one is allowed to use it, ever! She gave no explanation, no justification. Such a stupid thing! The nation is in outrage over it. The palace had to double security to protect her. Since throwing Mason in jail, she is impossible. I am quitting in a few days, though she won’t know until I am gone. She doesn’t have reason for a personal dressing assistant. To her, it is a status symbol. Her way to keep above everyone else, I think. “The princess cannot win this fight,” The intentional sneer in her voice, causes a chill up my back. Speaking of, did she raise her voice? “Her father and brother can't help. Not even my children will help.” It's interesting information: she has children. I assumed she ate useless connections. Apparently not. Filing that away, I watch Russell bow his way out of the long room, feeding her ego. She calls my name. I am in trouble. Andrea Russell bows, backing all the way out of the room. “Delilah!” I yell, knowing she is outside, not wanting punishment. My servant tentatively pokes her head in. “Yes, ma’am?” “All the way!. I can’t abide mousiness.” She rushes in, nearly tripping. I smile at her fear. “What can I do for you, ma’am?” I stride to her, grasping her face in my hand. Her eyes bulge in pain. I look at the fear I create. I feel powerful holding her here. I vice grip her neck. Delilah’s face tints blue, oxygen and blood restriction beginning to take hold. Her fingers claw at my hands, begging for release. “Please, ma’am.” she says weakly. I release her neck, and she gasps for air through pinched cheeks. “You will get a few of my toys ready in my bedroom. I expect them there when I ascend. No excuses. Send Debbie in.” Pain and fear maintain my power, so I push Delilah backward. She slides, hits the wall, bounces up and runs. “Debbie, she wants you.” I hear her cry. Debbie comes in with a confused look. “What did you do to that poor maid, Andrea? She is in tears.” I shrug. “I merely taught her not to listen in on private conversations. Close does not mean eavesdrop. If that means that she lost her oxygen for a moment, that is no concern of yours. Now follow me upstairs.” Debbie sighs, and guess she probably rolled her eyes. “If you want people to like you, you need to be nice.” I turn abruptly, stopping us both. “I am the queen. I am to be feared. No one questions me.” Debbie puts her hands up, surrendering. “My apologies, your Majesty. What are we doing today?” “Tell me everything you know about Madison Maddox.”