"Who is it?"
Something inside her twisted.
"Lady Allis, my Queen."
"Allis!" The voice called, tinkling beautifully. "Come in!"
Allis stepped carefully onto the stone balcony, aware of every crack in the floor, every fissure on the walls, every twitch in her shoulders screaming at her to turn and run.
Queen Eleanore stood on the balcony, pale hands resting on the railing, surveying the celebrations. She turned as Allis approached, and Allis noted the way she tilted her head just the right degree, her dark hair spilling off her shoulders, every bit a queen.
Allis felt rage bubbling in her stomach.
Eleanore swept a hand over the people below. "Look at them, Allis. They're so happy, and my council has been reporting that we have been doing better than we ever have. Isn't it wonderful?"
Allis bowed her head. "Yes, my Queen. You are wonderful, and we thank you for your rule."
"Is that true?" Eleanore asked lightly. "If your family admits it, Allis, I must be spectacular indeed."
Allis' restraint broke.
"Your reign isn't going to last," she hissed.
One side of Eleanore's mouth quirked up into a smile. "On the contrary, I think it will."
"They don't want you on the throne, you know. You made them think they do. Someone is going to see through you, and I'd hate to be you when they do."
"You're sweet," Eleanore purred, still smiling. "I never knew you were so gullible, Allis. How you've changed."
Allis' fingernails dug into her palm. "Look who's talking."
Eleanore's smile grew wider. "Surely, Allis, becoming a queen isn't quite as much a downgrade as becoming simply naïve, is it?" She stroked one finger against Allis' cheek, and Allis flinched away. "Where did our sensible Allis go, hmm?"
Allis gritted her teeth. "I'm not naïve. You're the one who I don't recognise anymore. What happened to the Eleanore I used to know?"
"Perhaps," Eleanore suggested delicately, "I murdered her, because I couldn't stand her, and she was getting in the way of things."
Allis sucked in a breath. "With the rumours I've heard about you, I wouldn't be surprised."
Eleanore tsk'ed. "Where is your sense of decorum, Allis? Perhaps you need a reminder of how a lady of the court should behave?"
She'd issued a threat, Allis realised. If she didn't comply, she would be stripped of her position and thrown onto the streets, and her entire family would perish. She thought of her father, and her resolve hardened. Her father had made his way to the top of the court by watching and waiting patiently, and she would do the same.
Eleanore watched her, eyes glimmering, like she knew exactly what Allis was thinking. That she'd manipulated her way into victory. Again.
Allis lowered her gaze, hating herself. "No, my Queen."
"Good." Eleanore clapped her hands, then turned back to watch the celebrations. "I'm glad we reached an agreement."
Except they hadn't. Except now they were out for blood, and someone was going to end up dead.
"I will take my leave, my Queen."
Eleanore waved one hand behind her carelessly, not even looking. "Close the door on your way out, won't you?"
Allis longed to rush across the eight metres that separated them to wring her neck. Instead, she murmured, "Yes, my Queen," knuckles white on the doorknob, and quietly let the door fall shut.
A/N: this is terribly written, i know, and it's not exactly the best of storylines (impulse writing gets you there sometimes) but i'll be editing it soon so hopefully it turns out better! In the meantime, thanks for reading!
