The King's Queen

Chapter 1

Clouds moved in the distance, dark and foreboding. A clear sign of rain, maybe in the early hours of tomorrow would it fall.

You continued on your trek to the river. Your aunt had ordered you to fetch some water as the well was drying up, and your sisters and a few workers stayed to plough the soil of any weeds.

You groaned and shifted the pole resting on your shoulders, still one of your favoured chores, though. If you could have a few minutes to yourself, enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature. Then, it was worth having the displeasure of having to interact with your shrivelled and bitter aunt.

It took you a few minutes, but you reached the river. It babbled and glittered in the faint light, clean, too. The chief of this small village had made it clear he would not tolerate anything more than fetching water from the rivers.

You dipped your hand in it, and a pleasurable shiver ran down your arm at the temperature. Icy cool despite the blistering heat of the summer air.

Leisurely, you began to fill your four buckets to the brim, 'This is gonna be a pain on my shoulders.' You lamented but continued on.

Your pace would probably have your aunt ripping at her brittle hair, being your mischievous self you could only dream. "Gods, I hate that woman." You said, humouring the fact she reciprocates the feeling.

After several trips later, your shoulders were screaming at you for overdoing it. Rubbing them was not an option as it would just aggravate the friction burns more.

You just let them sag after dropping the last load of water. A handful of workers walked up to the shed to have a drink, and they said their thanks to you before going back to quenching their thirst.

From a distance, you could hear the cicadas ringing like bells____ annoyingly loud. The sound was more tolerable with other sounds covering it up in the forest.

"Three, two, one -" "And where is that insufferable child!?!" You smirked lightly before sighing out loud. At least the cicadas could buy you some time before having to deal with your aunt.

You continued to talk to an older gent before being rudely interrupted by the raging bull that was your aunt.

"You brat!" You gave her a brief look before politely dismissing yourself from the conversation you most certainly weren't listening to____ though he must be grateful since you gave him an easy escape.

"Yes, dearest Auntie." You gave her an innocent smile. Your e/c eyes widened to really sell your guiltless soul. "Where have you been? You know what? Never mind, go help your sisters in the kitchen before I punish you!" She said as she stormed off. Posture stiff, self-important. A pompous fool that's what she was.

You glared at the back of her head before moving towards the kitchen area, not because she told you so but because your sisters would appreciate the help.

Sliding the shoji open, you were hit with the aroma of spices and roasting meat as your sisters ran around, attending to various dishes that would be plated tonight.

"Ah, look at the little rascal. Finally, willing to help your poor dear and sweet sisters." A weight settled on your tender shoulders, yet the grin stayed on your face despite the pained shocks rushing through your chest.

"Yuki-nee-san, of course I would help after all. You all would be lost without me." You joked, swooning into your sister's embrace for extra affect. She laughed rough and loud before messing with your hair____ as if it wasn't messy enough on its own.

She quickly rushed away before handing you a chopping board, playfully joking about accidental cuts before tending to the pork on fire___ literally.

Dutifully, you sat down beside the oldest amongst you, Mitsuki____ who immediately fussed over the nest that rested on your scalp. "Yuki should know how tiresome your hair can be." The h/c woman sent a look of reprimand to the second borne, though Yuki was too occupied by trying to stop the fire from ruining a perfectly good pig to really notice. Yuna already had frustrated tears as she rushed to help her twin.