No one dares look at me. They know my power, where I stand, what I could do to them.. Part of my old self lets a shiver roll down my spine. You didn't use to be like this. You used to be good.
Anyone can rise, and anyone can fall in this world of mi...
No one dares look at me. They know my power, my strength, what I can do to them. It's enough for my old self to let a shiver roll down my spine. You didn't use to be like this. You used to be good. I stroll down the dirt road my long elegant strides taking me each step. The people kneel to me, their heads bowed in fear. I should be use to this now. But I'm not. I am a cowered hiding behind the mask of a mercy less queen. I stop. I can almost hear the children shaking in my presence. I turn to face one of the children my long blond hair moving to itself to drape over my shoulder. I want to tell the boy it's okay. Not to fear. To tell him I was once the scared child he was. But I don't. Heartlessly I shake myself back into focus and carry on. Don't you have a soul? I plea to myself but I don't listen.
I turn the corner at the end of the dirt road my followers not fare behind me. They don't have souls. The don't even have hearts. I tell myself. They are the heirs, soon to own endless riches and a life time of freedom. It's no wonder they follow me. I could take it all away in a heart beat. I could end their lives if I wanted too. All it would take is a simple few words. "Tu est fini" and like that the guards would carry them away to the hall of execution. My heart pounds in my chest aching at the thought. I am not that cruel. I never will be. Even if I'm the queen.
"Raven my dear." A smile appears on my face at the sight of my king, my husband. The man I hate the most. I try my best to be genuine but that can never be. Arrow. The name is like a sword to the heart. Only I wish there was.
"Leonardo." I take his arm. My skin turns cold under his touch and I go a shade whiter. I once used to be beautifully tanned by the golden sun but living inside the castle, rarely going outside has turned my complexion pale.
"How are you enjoying the outing? Had to cut off anyone's head?" He laughs at his own jokes and I try my best to play along but I'm crawling with disgust on the inside. I stopped being real a long time ago. A long time ago... I stop laughing but the heirs continue sucking up as best as they can before the grand supper.
"When will the Lords and Ladies be arriving?" I change the subject turning my attention to the heirs. They are all only about sixteen to nineteen years old however they aren't that fare in age from me. I'm only twenty five and the king is five years older than me, but the Lords and Ladies range from forty to fifty. Even a few as old a sixty.
"Six thirty. And my dear do not forget that my parents will be joining us as well this evening. Make sure you wear the necklace mother bought you for your birthday last year." I smile a nod but my heart aches. I hate the former king. More than I hate my own. He is truly the man I hate the most. But Leo runs a close second.
"Very well let's head back. Tonight is a very important political night." He smiles at my understanding of the event and marches forward to speak with the heirs. A small cough from behind me stops me dead in my tracks. I turn around. A girl with orange hair is kneeling among the others. She's the only one brave enough to peak up from the ground. I lock in with her eyes. Her green eyes twinkle with not fear but hope. Determination. My ghost. I stand there gazing into her as she does the same to me. This should be a punishable affair but I don't speak. I simply let her see the pain that twinkles in my aqua blue eyes. To let her see my suffering. My past. The color of your eyes is determined my the place of your birth. But they can show so much more. She has hope. I have nothing. I don't even know if I am feeling pain. I don't feel anything. Ever.
"Raven!" My name is hollered and it bounces of the rows of stores echoing as it jumps. I turn around on my heels making small and shallow holes in he ground from my shoes. Puppet. I think to myself. That's what I am.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Back at the castle I find myself hiding in my room. I don't share a room with the king nor will I ever. This the once place I can alone. The walls are lined with book shelves and the floor is a deep oak. Only a single window but there's a terrace with glass doors so at least it feels more open. There's a fireplace a closet but that's about it. I have a separate door to my bathroom for privacy but I don't get much of it with my maids constantly fluttering around me waiting on me hand and foot. I grown to be strict with them making them stay late hours, I used to even let them go early but I've grown to be ice to the bones. No wonder children shiver.
"Your Majesty, which dress would you like to wear this evening?" Her voice quivers, afraid to say something of offense and be killed. She's new. I don't kill. But it reminds me of the girl. green eyes. Hope. Suddenly I'm beaming with a feeling I hadn't felt in a long time. Pure hope.
"The green one." I smile and the maid settles a little as her shoulders relax. The air tastes thick and uncomfortable in my throat. I want to cry but I don't know why. I'm feeling something for the first time in six years. Of all things it's hope.
"As you wish." She sets off to the closet to search through my endless amounts of dresses. I only ever wore the green one once and so it will be hard to find. But green will show. I have a plan.
