Living Like a Mouse? How About a Lion?

First Bite of Revenge

The morning sunlight trickled through the heavy curtains of my room, casting a golden hue over the furniture. It looked too peaceful in here—too normal. And that didn't sit well with me, not after the queen's threat hung over me like a suffocating cloud.

She thinks she's smart. 

She thinks I'll just sit here and wait for her to strike.

Wrong.

I swung my legs off the bed and stood, straightening out my gown with a sense of resolve. If I wanted to live in peace, I was going to have to make the first move. There was no way I'd let that royal serpent watch me for the rest of my life, waiting for an opportunity to sink her fangs into me.

So, let's see how she likes it when I bite first.

The thought that came next was... unconventional. Some might call it insane, but I called it necessary. My eyes flickered to the window, where I could see the palace gardens below. A sea of green dotted with colorful blooms and perfectly manicured shrubs. But those plants weren't just pretty—they were powerful. And one in particular could be the key to solving my little "queen problem."

I knew a thing or two about plants. And one plant in particular stood out in my mind—La Morte de Fleurs. A rare, legendary bloom said to be so poisonous that even a whiff of its fragrance could cause paralysis. With the right care, it could be used to brew a subtle poison. Just enough to put the queen out of my life for good.

No queen. 

No threats. 

No one watching me for the rest of my life.

Callisto would be done with this power struggle, too. He didn't need her breathing down his neck, and I... well, I could finally live without constantly looking over my shoulder. A win-win for everyone, really.

I wasted no time. Wrapping my cloak around myself, I slipped out of my room and made my way to the gardens. It was early enough that most of the palace was still asleep, and the few servants milling about paid me no attention. Perfect.

As I reached the garden, the air was cool and crisp. Dew still clung to the leaves and flowers, giving the entire place a mystical glow. I walked among the plants, taking in the vibrant colors and delicate petals. But I wasn't here for a pleasant stroll. My eyes were sharp, scanning every corner for my target.

And there it was, nestled in a secluded part of the garden—a dark, purple flower with petals that curled inward like a secret. La Morte de Fleurs. I knelt down, carefully inspecting it.

Perfect. 

Absolutely perfect.

I plucked a few of the petals, wrapping them in a cloth to protect myself from direct contact. This was the queen's undoing, right here in my hands. The thought made my pulse quicken, not with fear, but with excitement.

As I stood up, satisfied with my collection, I heard footsteps behind me. I tensed for a second before relaxing when I realized it was just a couple of palace gardeners. They glanced at me, curiosity in their eyes, but said nothing.

Move along, peasants. 

Nothing to see here.

I continued my stroll through the garden, this time with a new goal in mind: planning. It wasn't enough to just have the poison. No, I needed the perfect opportunity. Something subtle, something no one would suspect.

Tea.

The queen loved her tea. It was practically a royal ritual, and who would ever suspect a simple cup of tea to be the instrument of her demise? I could slip the poison in during one of her many tea parties. One sip, and she'd be out of my life forever.

Maybe I should even send her a "Get Well Soon" card. 

Classy, right?

I smiled to myself as I made my way back to the palace. It was all coming together now. The plan was simple, but effective. Poison the queen, and finally, I'd be free. Callisto would have nothing left to fight for, and I could live in peace without worrying about someone constantly breathing down my neck.

Honestly, I'm doing him a favor too.

The cloak of the royal game was getting heavier with every day, and I was tired of pretending. I wasn't some fragile little flower meant to wilt under the queen's shadow. I was a lion, and I was about to bare my fangs.

As I neared the palace entrance, a thought hit me.

What if Callisto finds out?

My steps slowed for a moment. He wouldn't... mind, would he? He hated the queen just as much as I did—if not more. She was a constant thorn in his side, meddling in his affairs and trying to keep him under her control. He'd be free of her too.

And if he did find out? Well... what's a little regicide between allies?

He'll thank me for it later.

I slipped back into the palace unnoticed, making my way to my room. As I closed the door behind me, I unwrapped the petals carefully, placing them in a small box on my vanity. My heart raced with excitement as I stared at them, a smile tugging at my lips.

Tick-tock, Your Majesty.

Your time is almost up.