Ms. Milena, The Reaper

Chapter 1

« This world is a wretched place,
Where injustice sets the pace!
But there will be a day
Where the wicked shall pay »

These are the words that echoed in my mind as I watched the gravestone of my recently deceased mother. I'll never forget the day her dead body was brought to our small cottage in the outskirts of the kingdom.
Tears rolled down on my cheeks as memories resurfaced

Few months ago...

Gathering some wild fruits in the nearby forest, I put them in my woven basket and headed towards my mother who was fetching some wood few meters away.

"Hurry up mom! We might miss the early customers" I said while helping her

"I'm doing my best..."

We headed to the marketplace; there, we had a small spot where we could showcase our articles. We were lucky that few customers bought some of our items but the market was gradually filling up with other merchants also opening their stores for the day. I grew uneasy at this: the reason is that the people, especially women, will make snide comments about my mom. For some unknown reason, mom always kept quiet.

"Mom, why are you so calm when the others so mean with you?"

"Haha darling, sometimes you have to be the bigger person when others refuse to step up for that role. You're still young, so you might be a little impulsive now but as you'll grow older, it'll make sense to you"

I was around 10 years old when she said that. I just nodded and decided not to inquire further. We decided to buy some fresh vegetables with part of the earnings we made today.
A young boy of around my age was looking after the stall. I picked some vegetables carefully and gave him some coins, just then a woman; probably his mother, came out and gave us a haughty look. When we exited the stall, I heard her whispering to her son just loud enough for me to hear

"Be careful with that girl! She might be pretty but is probably a wh*re just like her mother"
I saw the boy just obediently nodding.

We were used to this sort of treatment. Even me could see the looks of disdain, arrogance and a few hints of jealousy when the villagers looked at my mother. Yes jealousy, my mother had a beauty which could be compared to those noble women boasting around from time to time. But as years passed, she accumulated dark circles and grew a little thinner. Needless to say that years and stress were taking a toll on her!

I was lucky to have taken up after her! We looked alike but the difference resides in our eyes! She had beautiful emerald green eyes and I had hazel eyes, probably from my deceased father she doesn't like talking about.

Days went by uneventfully until a particular night arrived !  A well dressed man came to our door, he had the royal crest on his breast pocket. I assumed he was the palace's messenger because he held out an envelope to my mother saying that she has been summoned and needs to be present in the next teo days. He bowed and quietly exited making sure not to be seen.

I turned to my mom surprised! She had a solemn look on her face . Why would the palace summon her?
"Mom did we do something wrong ?" I asked
Breaking from her reverie she simply replied with a tentative smile

"No honey! Maybe the other merchants received this too"

I wasn't quite convinced and uneasiness settled on me. The day arrived and my mother dressed up in a lovely dress. Not quite as luxurious as what the other nobles wear but presentable enough for the palace. Unfortunately, she had to go alone so all I could do was to wait for her return.

"Be safe honey, I'll be back before you know it! Don't forget not to open the door to any stranger."

I quietly nodded eagerly waiting for her return. She smiled and began her trip to the palace. Hours passed until it began to grow dark outside but mom still haven't returned...
"Maybe it's just a delay and she'll be back tomorrow" I tried to convince myself in vain, a feeling of dread overtaking me. I finished the leftover porridge she cooked before her trip and went to bed.

The next morning, I decided to gather some fruits from the forest and head to the market alone. As usual when the other stalls will start filling up I'll buy fresh food items and head home. But today was strange...

People were avoiding eye contact with me, others simply whispered among themselves . Needless to say, worry took over me and I mustered the courage to ask
"what's going on ?" Looking around frantically
I was given the daily newspaper and the title almost knocked the air out of my lungs
'Attempted poisoning of the queen, Adriana Dureli accused of treason and awaiting death penalty!'

My knees became weak and I eventually stumbled on the ground. "This is impossible! Mom can't even harm a fly!" I yelled but it fell in deaf ears.

"What was she expecting when she tried poisoning the queen?" One whispered

"I always knew she was suspicious.." said another

"Maybe there's a misunderstanding ..." said a faint voice which was directly interrupted by a harsh one

"Shut up! Unless you want to be taken away as an accomplice"
But everything was just fading around me... I stood up and ran in the direction of the palace! Despair, rage and sadness all at once crashing on me. I was hoping to at least be able to plead with the queen, I knew my mom wasn't capable of such! Surely it's a mistake! Yes, it must be!

When I reached at the gate of the palace, I was stopped by 2 guards
"Please let me see my mom! This is all a misunderstanding"
"Step back young girl, else we'll have no choice but to use force" said one of them

This was far from discouraging me. Maybe it was adrenaline but I was ready to do anything to see my mother. I threw myself at their feet, begging

"Please, just a few minutes..." I said between sobs
"I said move back" he said landing a kick on my forehead. Blood was oozing from the wound it created but I couldn't care less! I just wanted to see my mom

The ruckus apparently caught the attention of another person. Another voice cut in...

"What is all this about?"

I looked up and saw a boy, apparently a little older than me...

To be continued ...