The Dark Princess {OUAT AU}

Chapter 16

"You will not be queen as long as I live!" Miranda roars, standing as well. The two women get into each other's face before Valerie storms away.

"That can be arranged." She whispers menacingly to herself, slamming her mother's door behind her with a flick of her wrist.

~~~

Valerie takes her time getting ready, the little vial never leaving her sight as Claire does up Valerie's dress or pins her hair. Once she is dressed like the princess her mother desperately wants her to be, Valerie goes downstairs to the dining hall to meet with her parents and Killian's family for supper. They are going to leave the next day and this is to thank them for coming all the way to their kingdom. Valerie is about to enter the already noisy dining hall when she hears her name being called. She turns and looks down the brightly lit corridor to find her new mother-in-law, Milah, walking towards her.

"Queen Milah." Valerie smiles, subconsciously touching the dial tucked into her dress. Milah notices the girl touch her wrist but chooses to ignore it. It's an innocent action, she thinks.

"Valerie, I just wanted to thank you for inviting my family to your castle for this celebration." Milah smiles, touching Valerie's hand fondly.

"Oh of course, it was my pleasure. I mean, I didn't even do all of the planning." Valerie assures her and pulls away from Milah as casually as possible. Milah picks up on the girl's slightly jumpy nature quickly.

"Are you okay? You seem very nervous." Milah asks, her tone only concerned. Valerie puts an easy smile onto her face.

"Yes, of course. I'm fine. I am hungry though. Care to join me?" Valerie says, gesturing towards the open doors towards the dining hall.

"Yes, let's." Milah smiles, ignoring the small warning bells going off at Valerie's behaviour. They enter the dining hall together and King Aaron stands upon seeing them.

"Now that the last two have arrived, I wanted to start off this last supper together with a toast. Thank you for coming to our home and helping us unite our children in matrimony." Aaron gestures to Milah and Killian's brother and sister-in-law. "Killian and Valerie, we all wish you a happy marriage and only the best once you two are crowned later on in life to run this kingdom."

"Hear hear!" Everyone chants and Valerie offers Killian a sweet smile. He leans over to kiss her on the cheek and everyone awes, making Valerie blush lightly. As dinner goes on Valerie's focus flits between the conversation and her parents. In the public eye they seem so nice and generous but Valerie knows about their thirst for control and how awful they can be behind the scenes. She touches the hidden vial in her sleeve multiple times and even though Valerie doesn't know Milah can see the girl touching her arm slightly suspiciously. Finally the dinner comes to an end and Valerie knows this is her chance. While some people start leaving the hall, the king and queen start saying goodbye. Valerie slips over to her parents' drinks and dumps half the vial in each behind their backs. As she walks away she watches as they walk back over to the table, pick up the chalices and each take a hearty sip while turning to talk to Killian's brother and his wife. The other couple does the same and and the talking suddenly ceases. Valerie turns to see Miranda clutching her throat and both of her parents drop their chalices to the floor.

"Queen Miranda, King Aaron! Are you guys okay?" Killian's brother Liam asks loudly and everyone who didn't turn at the noisy clattering of the metal chalices on the marble floor does so at this comment. But as Miranda opens her mouth to speak her eyes roll back in her head and she slumps to the floor, her head landing close to her spilled drink. Aaron drops only a second later and everyone jumps into action. Valerie plays along immediately.