The Queen Of Eternity

Grumpy beginnings

"Good morning, daughter," He greets as I enter the throne room.

He gets nothing but angry silence from me.

He looks smug. And I probably look like I could kill someone. Preferably him.

     I hate how much power he has over me. I could take down an entire army on my own but one scold from him and I want to coil into a ball.

I don't think I can ever hate someone as much as I hate this man in front of me.

"So, as I was saying. I am sending you to Etrurg. I want the kingdom. Take as many soldiers as you think you'll require," He says then lets out a single laugh before continuing, "I don't think you'll need too many soldiers. You are the greatest weapon I have ever created."

Weapon. Not daughter, not Princess not even a person. A weapon.

That's what I have always been like.

Stick to the plan, I tell myself.

"Yes, father," I say, in the sweetest voice I can muster while puking inside.

Father.

"I want you to-"

"I know. Consider it done. And I am sorry about the rebellion. It was dumb. Never again."

"That's my girl."

Is it bad that it pains me to think how easily he believes my apologies?

I turn around, stuff my hands into the pockets of my jeans and walk back to my room.

»»----♔-----««

"How bad was it?" Luke asks as I lean my head on the door.

"Strict parents raise sneaky children. I know how to lie."

Luke sits on my bed and Azrael stands across the room, leaning against the wall.

"Exactly how many people in the rebellion hate me?" I ask even though I am terrified of the answer.

Luke and Azrael exchange uncomfortable glances.

Yep...they all hate me.

And can you blame them?

We worked our butts off to make this kingdom a better place. Then, I freeze like and idiot an ruin everything.

Everyone gets stuffed in the dungeons, injured, starving and cold while I wake up to imported hot chocolate beside my warm bed.

"They don't hate you just..." Azrael trails off.

Yeah. Yeah, I get it.

"I need to go to Etrurg," I say, desperate to change the topic even though I was the one who brought it up.

"Etrurg?" Azrael asks with genuine confusion.

"It's a fancy state in the western side of Queloband. It's one of the only places her father doesn't own. It's very prosperous," Luke explains.

Etrurg's royals don't like me. Mainly because of my father. They think my rebellious side is just a facade.

And after my stupid move at the battle, I can't blame them for not trusting me even more.

"Wait..I thought that was Estra not Etrurg," Azrael says looking even more confused than before.

I let out a huff-ish laugh before saying, "Etrurg and Estra are sister cities. And are the only ones who aren't under my Father's control."

"Why not?"

That's...a good question.

"I don't know," is all I can say.

"I am coming with," Luke declares.

I can't change his mind no matter how hard I try, so I just don't bother.

"So am I," Azrael says.

I smile at him but shake my head.

"I need someone I trust here. You need to keep me updated on what my father is doing."

"But-"

"Please?"

He sighs but agrees.

I stare at myself through the mirror, as always not recognising the girl who looks back.

Spite is a dangerous thing.

My father adored my blonde, princess curled hair. And now I stare at my straight brown hair.

He hates tattoos and I got five of them. He-

"Uh... Ray? You've been staring at yourself for the last five minutes," Luke's amused voice says.

Oh. Forgot they were here.

"Yeah. I am that gorgeous," I respond, earning a grin and nod from Azrael.

»»----♔-----««

"What exactly is the plan?" Luke asks as we get in the car.

"Uh... don't get killed," I reply.

"Great plan. Totally not regretting coming with you," He says with a visible gulp.

I let out a chortle as the car picks up speed.

"There's a masquerade ball happening in Etrurg's palace. We're gonna use the ball as a clever ruse to talk to the royals,"

He look at me with a scrunched up nose before saying, "No offense but they despise you."

"I never said it's a good plan! We'll figure it out as we go."

"Great plan. Greaaaat plan."

I look out the window at the seemingly dead city.

The people look at our car with tired eyes. A small child runs towards his mother, scared. Scared of the emblem that's on top of the car. And in a way, scared of me.

I tear my eyes away from the city and tug on the black out curtain-like things until it falls on top of the window, making me blind to what's going on outside the car.

Luke does the same before telling the driver to drive faster.

Leaning his head against the head rest, he closes his eyes.

I need comfort so I move towards him, placing my head on his shoulder and closing my eyes as well.

I don't know when I fall asleep but when I wake up, we have arrived.

I fix my dress, place my masquerade mask over my eyes and what I see outside the car makes my skin crawl in something between shock and fear.