Echoes of The Crown

Chapter 03

Huge chandeliers, candles, lights and murals, embellished the high ceilings and walls around the Azura Castle. Thick carpets and rugs filled the dimly lit room. Moonlight shone through the large windows by the marble desk and a silhouette of an elegantly dressed woman with sharp distinct features, stood by the glass windows, staring outside, engrossed in her deep thoughts. A knock by the door brought her back to the present, "Enter", her deep voice filled the room. A slender and fragile guard walked through the doors and quickly bowed to the women in respect…and dread. Still facing the window, her back to the guard, She asked, "Well? is it done?"

The guard sweats and stammered, "M-My L-Lady..."
She frowned as she turns around to glare at the quivering guard, "What happened? " Though  her voice is all calm, spite seeths through her words. The power and wickedness of hers overlooks her physical beauty. "We did exactly as you ordered us, m-my lady. We let out our most ferocious and wild beasts on trail towards the princess. Y-yet..." the guard trailed off with fear.

The woman grew impatient with this pathetic being in front of her. "SPIT IT OUT!!,” She enraged.
"The princess came back alive my lady. All and w-well..n-not even a scratch!" he blurts out.
Silence swallowed the room. The woman walks closer towards the guard with slow steps, her sharp, prickly heels echoed throughout the room. Her dark brown eyes burned with anger while her cheeks reddened with distaste and frustration as she glares down at the guard. He looks up at her, fear engulfing his entire being as he stares into her terrorizing eyes. He knew what was to become of him as he failed to fulfill her commands.

Little knocks on the door interrupted the thick tension in the room. The door opened and the cousin of the crown princess, Zelda walked in, "Good evening mother. Apologies for being late,.I was informed that you wanted to see m-", she stopped abruptly when she glances the frightened guard crouched down on the floor, shivering.

  "What's wrong mother?" Zelda asked, but  she found herself intruding something, and she knew she made a huge mistake coming here. The woman pursed her lips and forced herself to smile, looking up at her daughter. ''My dear Zelda. Come, come, just the person I wanted to see.'' She pulled her daughter by her side, gripping her shoulders and turning her to face the bowing guard. ''Now, what do you see here my darling?'' she asks her daughter. ''Uhm...a palace guard?'' Zelda looks at her mother in confusion. ''No, no, no my darling.'' The woman pointed at the guard, “FAILURE ! DISAPPOINTMENT ! WEAK !'' the anger in her voice radiated the room as it sends a shiver down the spine for both Zelda and the guard.

''What should one do with these…things my dear?'' she asks her daughter with pure disgust. Zelda looks back at her mother unable to understand what she got herself involved into and shook her head ''I’m afraid I dont know mother,'' her voice coming out small. ''We.Destroy.Them!'' her mother seethes, with a sadistic smile on her face. The guard’s eyes widened in fear upon hearing it and he immediately falls down onto the ground '' My Lady...p-please...please forgive me. Please g-give me another chance'', he begged.
The woman completely ignored the guard’s plea and held her daughter's shoulders with firm and whispered in her ears, ''Go on..give him his punishment, prove yourself to your mother.” Too scared to look at her mother, Zelda stood still, her lips quivered and a wave of water filled her miserable eyes. The guard pleaded again looking at Zelda, ''Please spare m-my life my lady''.

''You are my daughter darling. Zora’s daughter should be strong, brave and powerful just like her mother. You will do this for me right? Now, tell him what is to become of him''. Zora spoke as her nails dig into Zelda’s shoulders threateningly. Zelda stayed rooted on her spot knowing very well that she cannot speak in favour of the guard when her mother, 'Lady Zora' is intent on punishing him. Plus she has no clue as to what he has done, and she will never go against her own words for punishing anyone without any proper justification and judgement.
When the silence prolonged; except for the sobs and heavy breaths from the guard,
Lady Zora stepped back from her daughter and called to the soldiers outside her doors. She pointed at the sorrowful guard on the floor and ordered the guards to take him away and to imprison him.
Once the soldiers and the guard were gone from the room, Zora turned to look at her daughter with  disapproving eyes. Zelda lowered her head, took a deep breath and waited for whatever wrath her mother is yet to unleash.