𝐻𝐸𝐼𝑅𝑆 𝑂𝐹 𝑇𝐻𝐸 𝑇𝐻𝑅𝑂𝑁𝐸

𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅 𝟗

-SERAPHINA-

We were in our carriage heading back from the dinner, the rhythmic clatter of the wheels on the cobblestone streets doing little to calm the storm brewing inside. My grandmother, Queen Orlagh, sat opposite me, her face twisted with fury.

"How dare they?" she seethed, her voice a low hiss that filled the confined space. "That mortal woman and her insolent husband, presuming to lecture me about leadership and alliances."

I glanced at my mother, Queen Nicasia, who sat beside me. She maintained her regal composure, her expression calm but tense. It was clear she was choosing her words carefully, knowing that anything she said might further ignite Orlagh's anger.

"Mother," Nicasia began softly, "we must remember the importance of diplomacy. Tonight was about maintaining peace and unity between our kingdoms."

"Peace and unity," Orlagh spat, her eyes flashing. "They insulted us, undermined our authority. That Jude, she has no right to sit on the throne, let alone speak to me with such disdain."

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, feeling the weight of the evening's tensions pressing down on me. Despite the chaos, I remained silent, knowing that anything I said could escalate the situation further. The air in the carriage was thick with the unspoken words I kept bottled up, my thoughts racing but my lips sealed.

Orlagh's gaze snapped to me for a moment, her expression softening just a fraction before turning back to my mother. "You're right, Nicasia," she said, her tone slightly calmer. "But we must not let their arrogance go unchecked. We need to remind them of our strength."

As the carriage continued its journey, I glanced out the window, the city of Elfhame passing by in a blur of lights and shadows. The evening had been a test of our resolve, but it had also shown me the complexities of leadership and the delicate balance of power.

As the carriage rattled on, a wave of nausea suddenly washed over me. I felt a familiar, unsettling churn in my stomach, and I had to clench my jaw to keep from retching. Panic bubbled up inside me—was it coming back? The illness I thought I had overcome?

I held a deep breath, willing the feeling to pass. The last thing I wanted was to draw attention to myself or worry my mother and grandmother, especially not after the tension-filled evening we had just endured.

Queen Orlagh was still fuming, her eyes blazing with residual anger, while my mother maintained her calm, trying to soothe the situation. I pressed my back against the seat, focusing on the steady rhythm of the carriage wheels and the cool night air seeping through the window.

My mother's voice broke through my thoughts. "Seraphina, are you alright?" she asked, her tone gentle yet concerned.

I forced a smile, nodding slightly. "I'm fine, Mother. Just a bit tired."

Nicasia's eyes searched mine, and for a moment, I feared she would press further. But she simply nodded, turning her attention back to Orlagh, who was still muttering under her breath.

I closed my eyes briefly, trying to steady myself. This was not the time to be weak. I had to hold it together, for the sake of my family and the delicate balance we were trying to maintain. Taking another deep breath, I willed the nausea to subside, promising myself I would deal with it later, when the time was right.

As soon as we arrived back in the Undersea, I wasted no time. I hurried to my room, my movements growing more urgent with each step. The familiar, soothing environment of our palace did little to quell the turmoil inside me. My thoughts were singularly focused on reaching my bathroom.

Once inside, I barely had time to close the door behind me before the nausea overwhelmed me. I leaned over the sink and retched, the contents of my stomach spilling out in a violent wave. My body trembled with the effort, and I gripped the edges of the sink, willing myself to regain control.

When it was over, I rinsed my mouth and splashed cold water on my face, trying to wash away the lingering queasiness. The cold water was a welcome shock, grounding me in the present moment. I took a few deep breaths, feeling the cool air fill my lungs and steady my racing heart.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my face pale and drawn. I couldn't help but worry—was this a relapse of the illness I thought I had left behind, or was it the stress of the evening catching up with me? Either way, I knew I needed to rest and regain my strength.

I left the bathroom, feeling slightly better but still shaken. As I lay down on my bed, the events of the night replayed in my mind. The tension with Queen Orlagh, the careful diplomacy of my mother, and the strain of maintaining our composure had all taken their toll.

Pulling the covers up to my chin, I closed my eyes and let the gentle sounds of the Undersea lull me into a restless sleep.

***