Gentle Eyes of Evil

Chapter 12: A Plan Fit For A Queen

It had now been roughly two years since Leo casted the spell to age his children. Luna was now 19, Jace was 20, Harriet was 19, Josephine was 17, and Eclipse was 18. The family had spent the first year of their older lives figuring things out and forming into their own people, the second year was the battle. We are currently still in the second year.

It had been several days since Luna's episode. Over this time, Harriet and Josephine had rarely been seen apart. If they were apart, then one always knew where the other was and they would go to each other with the drop of a pin. The two had even begun to sleep in the same room. This closeness had become noticed by the staff as well as the other siblings; the two hadn't been separated since Josephine left the hospital after her attack during the battle. As Jace had been occupied with Luna, Leo had been occupied with Sophie, and the staff had their jobs to do, no one apart from Eclipse could really question the pair on their closeness. She didn't exactly care enough about it to ask, though, as long as the two of them were safe and happy it didn't concern her.

Out of all the Ezerath siblings, Harriet and Jace had the best hearing due to their wolf ears. While Josephine and Luna also had these ears, their ears often stayed down as this was more comfortable for the both of them, whereas Harriet and Jace stayed alert and so kept their ears up. Due to this better hearing, it meant that Harriet knew most of what had gone on, even if it was behind closed doors. She had heard Leo and Sophie's argument, as well as the fact that Sophie was pregnant by Luna. Harriet knew it all.

She didn't tell Josephine any of this, deciding to keep her innocent minded sister in the dark about the worse parts of their family. Harriet then began to think.

"Hm...the boys are of age to take the crown, and Leo doesn't seem to be giving it up. But with him in power, it's just making things worse for us all. He didn't participate in the war, or even lead his own soldiers. The most he does is basic papers and even then he's never in his office for long so he can't be doing them properly."
Harriet thought to herself with a gentle sigh as she glanced down to Josephine, who was taking a nap on her as Harriet stroked her hair.

"Though I suppose I understand why the boys wouldn't want the crown. They do have their own lives after all. But this place can't be left without a ruler, and I'd rather know what was happening rules wise. Perhaps I should talk to fath...Leo, about it."
She continued to think, a plan of action slowly began to form in her mind. As Harriet came up with her plan, her train of thought was interrupted by Josephine, who slowly opened her eyes and began to wake up. She opened her mouth with a silent yawn, showing off the four fangs in her top and bottom rows of teeth. She then reached a hand up and rubbed both of her eyes before opening them fully and looking up at Harriet with a smile.

Harriet softened her gaze and smiled softly at Josephine, she continued to stroke the girl's hair and kissed her forehead.

"Good afternoon, sleepy head"
Harriet giggled gently, Josephine waved at her and didn't see any problem with waking up at around 2pm in the afternoon after a quick nap.
"Did you sleep alright? Are you hungry or anything?"

Josephine nodded to indicate that she slept well, she then put a hand on her chin to tell Harriet she was thinking. After a few seconds she nodded to say that yes, she would like food. Harriet nodded back to her and sat herself up as Josephine slithered her way off Harriet, standing up herself. The two were currently in Josephine's room and so would need to go downstairs if they wanted food.

"What do you feel like, food wise?"
Harriet asked her, to which Josephine shrugged.
"Very helpful, thank you for that delightful insight"
Harriet rolled her eyes with a smile, Josephine smiled and gave her a thumbs up as the pair walked downstairs.

"I'll have to talk with the boys about it. The crown must go to someone."
Harriet thought as herself and Josephine made their way to the kitchen. Josephine eventually decided she wanted waffles at such a time in the afternoon, and Harriet wasn't one to deny her.

As Josephine ate her waffles happily, Harriet sat beside her, thinking about her next move like in a game of chess. Where, oh where, was the princesses next move.
"There's no way Sophie can take the crown, so I don't need to worry about her. How do I go about approaching the boys with it though...given everything that's gone on, I doubt they'll be in the mood to-"
Harriet's thoughts were once again cut off as Josephine tapped her on the shoulder. Harriet snapped out of it and looked up to her sister.

"What is it, Josie?"
She asked

"Done"
Josephine wrote down on her notepad. Harriet looked down and the plate was indeed empty.

"Wow, either I was out of it for a long time or you're fast!"
Harriet smiled, she then picked up Josephine's plate and put it into the sink to be washed by Rose. The two princesses then headed into the living room. Josephine sat down on the couch and looked up at Harriet, who didn't sit.

"Wait here for a minute, Jo. I just need to go talk to Luna and Jace about something"
Harriet told her, Josephine seemed confused but nodded. Ordinarily, Harriet wouldn't leave her alone like this, but this was a talk that she felt needed to happen one on one with each of the boys. Harriet made her way upstairs to Jace's room first, she figured Luna would need more time to himself.

"Jace?"
Harriet called as she knocked on his door, Jace looked to the bedroom door.

"Yeah? It's open"
The prince called back, putting his phone down on the bed as he swung his legs over and onto the floor, watching the door.

Harriet opened the door and entered the room, closing it behind her and sitting down beside her brother.
"I wanted to talk with you about something, regarding the future of our family."

Jace seemed confused, tilting his head a little.
"What about it?"

"I'm right in thinking you don't want to take the crown once Leo decides to give it up, right?"
Harriet asked him

"Yeah. You know where my heart lies"
Jace smiled a little, as did Harriet.

"Do you know what Luna's thoughts are on it?"
Harriet questioned

"No. We don't talk about that kind of thing. But given what he's been going through, what with mother and his eye and all...I honestly don't think it's best."
Jace shook his head.

"No...I agree with you. Do you think it's worth asking him anyway just in case?"
Harriet tilted her head just slightly.

"Yes. I'd say gather his opinion anyway. It's best to never assume, especially not with something as important as the crown. The amount of power that comes with the title of king or queen is...unimaginable."
Jace nodded to her.
"I'm surprised father is doing as badly as he is, the man hardly has to do anything and is still failing at it."
He chuckled softly, Harriet cracked a smile.

"You and I both. Yet his refusal to give up the crown despite failing at it is also interesting...I wonder why he's holding onto it and doesn't just let us take charge. We're each of age, after all."
Harriet commented, Jace shrugged.

"I can't say I'm sure. Either way, you should get Luna's opinion on his next steps, and maybe discuss it with father himself as well. It is his crown, after all."
Jace advised, looking at her. Harriet nodded and pulled Jace into a hug.

"Thanks Jace. I love you"

"No problem, sis. Love you too"

He hugged her back before Harriet stood and left the room, waving him goodbye. Before she headed to Luna, Harriet went back downstairs just to check on Josephine. Jo was right where Harriet had left her, sat on the couch and just waiting for her to come back. She hadn't even put the TV on or anything, she was just sat there, waiting. Harriet headed down to her for a moment.

"Jo, you know you can put something on, right? You don't just need to wait here"
Harriet giggled

Josephine looked at her and nodded, picking up the TV remote and putting a show on. Harriet patted her head and smiled before she made her way back up the stairs. Finally, Harriet made her way to Luna's room and knocked on the door.

"Luna?"
She called to him gently, making sure not to be too loud.

"Yes?"
Luna muttered, looking to the door.

"It's just me...can I come in?"
Harriet asked him. She heard the sound of something being thrown into a drawer and then the drawer being closed before hearing Luna's feet hit the floor, like they had been swung over the bed.

"Yeah, sure."
Luna answered, Harriet stepped into his room.

"I had a question, regarding the crown and the future of the family."
Harriet began
"As you probably know, as the youngest son you'd be next in the line of succession after Jace. Now, I've had the conversation with Jace and-"

"I don't want it."
Luna cut her off, a little coldly.
"I don't want the crown, if that's what you're asking."

Harriet didn't seem surprised at his answer, it was more or less what she was expecting. She nodded to him.
"So you'd be alright with me becoming queen once Leo steps down?....if he steps down."

Luna smiled gently and looked at her
"If anyone was going to be the best for this family to rule, I would've said you. Jace had never been interested in the crown, and I've....well I've had a lot going on."
He chuckled weakly.

"Of course, I understand that."
Harriet nodded.

"But yeah, I'll be glad to let you become queen. I don't care for continuing this family's legacy."
Luna told her.

Harriet pulled him into a hug and stroked his hair for a moment.
"Thanks Luna. I love you, little bro"

Luna chuckled and hugged her back.
"Yeah, I know...I love you too, big sis."