The Ruler's Rift

Cope and Coexist

Although she escaped her suffocating bedroom, Celeste couldn't evade her royal duties; they didn't care about her depression. Briefly, she longed for her life as a jester, but she had chosen the throne so she wouldn't run from it.

The following week, Amber accompanied Celeste to a world full of rich vegetation and cobblestone villages. Its people were equally humble, gardening and fishing without a care. Yet they were poor, and still in recovery from Violet's reign. Celeste almost felt bad walking between their cottages with black velvet and gold in her wake.

On their way to the world's god, Amber whispered, "How much are you going to give them?"

Celeste rolled her eyes. She'd been pestered about the figures all day. "As much as they need."

"Nova approved?"

"In the most annoying way possible."

Keeping their voices down did little to reduce the stares of the villagers. Still, Amber softly said, "how?"

"She insisted upon coming with me and leaving you out of it," Celeste clarified. She vied to avoid the eyes of those watching her as she walked through.

The assassin huffed and matched her pace with the queen's. Then, she smiled. "I guess that fox is only as annoying as me suggesting we walk all the way to the god's castle."

Celeste looked down to see Amber's wry smirk. The queen's brow furrowed. "Quite proud of that, aren't we?" She scowled.

"I thought it would make you feel better. It's pretty out here."

Celeste couldn't deny that. Anyone who claimed that the lush life wasn't beautiful would've been branded ten times over. She scoffed at something else. "Don't talk to me like we're friends."

"That isn't a very nice tone to take with the one who cleaned up that guard this morning," Amber retorted. Her eyes drifted in thought. "Well...what was left of him."

The queen nearly froze, but she managed to continue her walk. Perhaps a cabinet wasn't the best place to hide her leftovers.

First paperwork, now this - by the time the pair reached the castle, the sun began to set. Under a blanket of orange and pink, the queen and her royal advisor found the god's throne room. It paled in comparison to Celeste's, but she feigned respect.

Upon the throne, composed of twisted wood, sat a bearded man with tanned skin and insect wings like those of a dragonfly. He looked to be in his late thirties, no doubt having received his immortality in his midlife. When his eyes, gold like honey, fell upon the queen, he leapt from his seat and stumbled before the monarch, dropping to his knees and smashing his forehead into the floor. "Your majesty," he gasped, shaking, "thank you for coming. We lack the resources to travel to you, yet you came to us. How gracious...you are a far cry from your mother..."

"Yes, I received your letter," Celeste muttered, unsure of why he exploded into this speech. His mention of Violet only brought further discomfort. Did she truly differ from the witch? Unwelcome questions entered her mind but she quickly shook them out. "I'm busy, as you know, so let's discuss this quickly."

"Of course, of course," the god agreed. He stood, knees quaking. "I am Excuptero, god of planet Leafleff, and I'd be honored to accept whatever you choose to bestow upon my small world."

Too downtrodden to bother with formalities, the queen cut to the chase. "Mhm; my treasurer and I already deliberated on your restoration package." She snapped her fingers and with a flash of her eyes came a storm of magenta and blue. The magical wave delivered barrels and kegs full of raw materials, funds, and rations. Excuptero's eyes lit up at the sight. Celeste explained, "It should be everything you need. Even tomes for the youth. I know the...previous queen didn't allow enslaved worlds access to proper education."