WITCH - The Queen

Chapter 82

Cleo

Cleo felt overwhelmed. What was she actually doing here? She had promised her sister to help her, although... Although what? What?

Even though she was still loyal to her mother?

No.

Even though she is in favor of slavery?

She had been for a long time. She didn't know anything else.

Although Julia was bringing four dragons with her?

No, not that either.

Harpys?

Cleo liked Jane and Tinke. Therefore, this couldn't be the reason. So? What was going on?

Charlotte was talking to Tinke, who was being carried by Pelle. The dragon had taken the form of a very large lion. The group still used the overland route, as it was not far from the border. They had enough material to set up some tents, but there was still a lot missing. Cleo had experienced such problems many times before. Shortages and other complications in procurement also occurred in the royal army. It was rare, but it did happen.

So why did Cleo feel overwhelmed? Her? An adult, trained soldier!

And her delicate little sister? When Cleo looked at her, she still saw the ten-year-old girl playing hide and seek with her nannies without telling them beforehand. The little girl who climbed trees and balanced on the roof of the castle, not afraid that she might fall. Long before she became quiet and shy.

What did all these people see in her?

When it came to the use of the sword, Julia made very slow progress. Unlike Marko and Leopold. Did Cleo have to train harder with her? No. That could not be the solution. But when it came to magic... Julia was very talented. And with each passing day, she became more confident. She seemed stronger with each passing second. And there was an overwhelming determination in her eyes as they considered the first steps of their plan. She spoke in a strong voice and stood with her head held high before her allies. She was as brave again as she had been then.

The dragons assumed that Julia would be queen. The harpies believed the same.

Would Julia be a good queen? She was only nineteen. And she looked like sixteen, maybe seventeen. And in a hundred years? Who would take a queen seriously who looks like a child? Who would be a teenager forever?

Who could be and become wise, but would always think like a teenager?

And Cleo? Did she want to be queen?

She has been asking herself this question since her childhood. If something were to happen to her mother, who would be her successor? Fritz? Lea? Her? Cleo resembled her mother too much to be a good queen. She was equally stubborn and proud. Cruel. No. She shouldn't be queen. Paul and Ingried? The two had already built a life for themselves outside the castle. Peter? Heaven! No! The country would sink into chaos... All he had ever cared about was anything that glittered. And magic. Magic he never got. Art.

Julia.

Was it right to help her dethrone her mother? To join forces with the rebels, criminals!? Could she put this on her little sister?

And then what? If the queen had lost the throne, presumably by brute force, what would happen? What would become of all the bound servants? Would they be released? No. Julia would never agree to mass murder. And there was no other way to free them.

Cleo wouldn't hesitate. Death was better than life in captivity. Serving, without freedom, or dying. She didn't have to think twice. She would order to free all slaves. For Julia, this would be an abomination.

I'm a fool.

Why had she considered slavery to be legal for so long? Why had she believed the lies of a mad queen?

Queen Agathe von Sonnenhof had to be stopped.

"We're here!", someone shouted from the front.

Charlotte looked excitedly at Cleo. "We have reached the woods! Do you see the trees? They already look magically!" She pointed to a few colorful treetops behind some narrow oaks and other trees.

Cleo nodded nervously. "I go and look for Juli." She kissed her wife fleetingly and hurried through the crowd. At the front, Julia stood together with the dragon girl and her boyfriend, Leopold. They talked. Apparently, they were planning something.

"Julia!", she shouted to her.

Julia smiled in surprise. "What is it? Were you afraid I'd leave without saying goodbye?"

"No. Of course not." Cleo shook her head. "But. Are you sure? This forest is..."

"I know. We were already in the fairy forest. Don't worry. And I've already met two of the sirens."

"Besides, I can eat anything that looks crooked, Your Highness!" Josefine made the most mocking bow Cleo had ever seen. "My teeth are sharper than your little sword, Oh fair well-born!"

Leopold smiled. "We're taking care of Julia. Although she might not need it. No more."

Julia shook her head. "What?"

"I've seen you use magic. You don't need protection!" The elf winked at Julia.

"I'll eat everyone anyway!", grumbled Josefine.

"Good. I trust you", Cleo said softly. "Be careful, okay? All of you."

Josefine grimaced in annoyance.

(c: sasi)