"I-I will dye it black if you want." I shuddered.
My voice startled everyone for a minute and then, the whole palace was filled with laughter. Their laughter was saying even if you dye them, they will still grow red. You still are considered a wit...
The queen granted her permission and soon, I was in the queen's chamber.
The room was filled with scent of lavender. Maybe I found the incense's smell too strong, I had an urge to puke. In spite that, I kept calm. Otherwise, it would have been rude because I was in the presence of queen, and she was someone to fear of.
"So, how was the day?"
The queen asked, walking down the stairs, into her lavish sitting room. As she walked toward the chair, it felt like she was drifting in the air. Her elegance and beauty could entice anyone, regardless of the gender.
As of then I had fully realized, Ice Kingdom's royalties were born with unparalleled beauty. But their mind and soul were darker than the moonless night, filled with greed for power.
"Oh, won't you tell me already? How are the days in palace?"
She smiled as she rested her arms on the chair. I could see the sarcasm in her words. I could feel her contempt. It wasn't an easy situation. I couldn't afford to displease her anymore or I would die out of starvation, for real.
I swept my sweat and wet my lips with my tongue.
"It couldn't be any better."
I said, as I kneeled. I didn't have enough strength to stand still. I dug my fingers in my not-so-white dress and resisted to throw up. The urge was getting stronger with the time and I didn't know how long, I could hold myself.
"I am glad for you. But I didn't give you a permission to sit down, now, did I?" She said.
Her fierce eyes demanded me to stand up. And I couldn't afford to disobey her.
I pressed my palms on that cold ground and supported myself. It took me some moment to stand up. Yet, I could barely stay still.
"Better," she said, and lifted her hands. Her maid knew what she was supposed to do.
The maid slowly moved forward and leaned over the table to pour tea for the queen. She, then, took the lead off the small pot. I still remember, she put exactly one sugar cube in the tea. She then, moved back and bowed the queen. Soon, she left the chamber.
The queen picked the cup as she said, "It isn't easy. I know. But someone need to teach you that, right?"
"I am actually generous, you see. I am taking you out of the dungeon even after you killed my people." She said, in a cold tone.
Her fingers were still busy stirring the tea and I wondered, how much more? Wasn't it enough since it was just a cube?
It stopped. Finally, I thought. I carefully watched her as she put down the spoon and took a sip of the tea. I gulped at the same moment.
I must have gone insane. I couldn't focus at her words at all. It had been four days since I had something to eat or drink. I was slowly losing my ability to think when I saw her have a warm tea.
She figured. She knew how I felt. Therefore, she placed down her cup and wiped her lips with the handkerchief. Then, she reached the cake placed in the table and smirked.
"Eat it."
She said and threw the cake in the floor.
Even though I was scrutinizing her every moment, I hesitated.
"Aren't you hungry? Eat it." She spoke a lit louder.
"I am not hungry." I made an excuse. Even though I wanted to have something, I couldn't pick up the cake from the floor and eat it. It felt humiliating.
"Eat it." She finally lost it and screamed.
I shrunk a little as she screamed. My heart almost gave away as it stopped beating for a moment with the shock. My lips trembled, and so did my hands. But, I couldn't afford to displease her now, could I?
"Thank you, Your Highness." I responded with small voice and crouched to pick up the food. I dipped my fingers in the cake and pinched a bit from it. My heart, as heavy as it was always, cried. My eyes weren't in any exception. Tears started to roll out as I had the piece.
"See, I am even feeding you. You dared to bewitch my son. Yet, I am being generous." She said and started to sip her tea.
She watched me as I picked up the last bit of the cake from the floor.
"By the way, Princess, I am letting you fight in the front row. You know, the wind tribe is about to make another attack and I wanted to give you the honor." She said with a big grin in her face.
I choked on the cake I just had. I looked at her, still trying to figure if she was joking. Well, she wouldn't joke around with people. I knew, but still hoped it.
"I heard you were trained on the south castle." She stood up from the chair and walked toward me.
I wanted to deny the offer. But I couldn't because I had a persistent cough.
Soon, she stood near me and gave her final words, "I hope you come back alive."
I still reminisced the smell of blood from the south castle. Even the thoughts terrified me. I didn't know if I could survive a day more in that scent.
Ah, I finally figure. It was the smell of blood. The chamber had the faint smell of blood.
I realized, the queen had burned the incense with the lavender scent. But it wasn't just a pure lavender incense. It really wasn't.
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P.S. I tried to paint the Stella from my imagination. It didn't turn out that well, but its fine. :)
