Heartlessness (finished)

Chapter 2

Some would say that I rule over the kingdom with an iron grip.

I know everything about it. Who is married to who, who had what job, even who came in and out of the actual city.

I also know that some people do not like my rule or me. That they do not like my punishments for criminals, they say that they are cruel and unforgivable.

There had been riots and peaceful marches. The people would hold signs that say things like, "Get out of the castle" or "Heartless", and though they may be true, they also have no power to tell me what to do or how to do it.

I handled the situation the best way I knew how. I told them that things were going to get better. That there was going to be a new beginning coming soon. That things are going to change.

They all walked away peacefully and let the words comfort and sooth them.

They do not know though, that the change is simply me killing my "husband". Sure, he is a good man, but he is slowing me down, and holding me back. Today I am going down to the castle kitchen to make him a delicious pastry, laced with poison of course.

I decided that an apple pastry would be fitting of the occasion.

Today was the day I was going to kill the king.

It was during dinner that the servant gave the sweet king his not so sweet pastry, and by the time five minutes had passed, he was on the floor coughing up his own scarlet blood.

I felt a sting. Just a tiny sting. Right where my heart would be.

How unusual, I usually do not feel anything unless it is physical.

I still went along with my plans though, and brought on the water works. Crying hysterically, I got on the floor and told the servants to come and help "my dear husband"

...

By the end of this week, there was funeral prepared.

And an execution.

A maid in the servant staff had been accused of baking the pastry and killing the king.

Of course, this is just how I had planned it, so I saw it coming.

The execution was right after the funeral.

"Miss Blakely."

"Y-yes." She stutters. She was on her knees in front of me, her hands cuffed behind her back and tears soaking her porcelain face.

"Did you or did you not poison the king and in doing so killing him?"

"No your highness, I did not kill the king. I was preparing for tomorrow's dinner, not making a pastry."

"Why should I believe you?"

"Your majesty, you have no reason to believe me. Just know that even if you do not believe me and kill me, please, all I ask is that you give my little girl, Star, to a loving family. And tell her that mommy loves her."

I stared at her. Her blonde hair was in a flurry of a mess. She had long bags under her eyes, and her lips were pulled into a frown.

I felt bad for her. She had a daughter. I had imagined what mine and Jest's children would look like more than once.

I looked over to see a small girl in the front row, sobbing and keeping back screams it looks like. She had blonde hair and, unlike her mother, yellow eyes.

I felt my non-existent heart lurch in its spot. I do not understand why I keep getting these bursts of emotion; I thought I had no heart.

I looked to the mother again.

"Sweet Miss Blakely"

She looked up at me with large blue eyes

"I do believe you and your claim, that you did not kill the king."

"What?"

"I believe you. Guards, un-cuff her and bring her to her child."

She looked at me with one of those extremely grateful looks. 

I looked over at her child slightly and saw that she too looked shocked. I then noticed that the entire room looked shocked.

They were all gaping at me.

I turned my head around the room and with my sternest voice I said "What?"

Immediately they all stopped their gaping, and started their whispering. 

The whispering was driving me insane. Blurring together into unintelligible hissing sounds.

I then heard a distinct voice. The voice of the mother still kneeling on the ground, with tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Thank you." I have never heard a more motherly voice.

My mother's voice was always harsh and unloving. This one however was soft and beautiful.

In return I gave her one smile. One tiny smile that lasted only a second. I never smile. But I knew she got it when she smiled back.

I then finally got up from my throne and walked to my chambers. My dress trailing behind me like a finality.