Queen Zezanna

Queen Zezanna - Chapter 6

After the scolding is done, my advisors fill me in on what nobles usually ask for. Money, land, all that shit. A few might pester me to marry them or their sons, but I can just laugh them off. Or, as Haroth puts it, "Let them down gently."

No. The idea of one of those nobles, as old as my father, thinking that they could possibly become my king? It's pathetic. I'm sure that a few of their sons might be ok, but I'm certainly not going to want to rush into anything. Certainly not if the only reason they want us to be together is in an attempt to grab power.

"These are nobles," Brokk reminds me, "So you cannot be too harsh in your criticisms. Remember, you still need them to support you."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm pretty sure that we've had this conversation before." I wave him off. "Still, if some fucker tries to push himself on me, I wouldn't be surprised if one of my guards 'accidentally' killed him or something."

"We will keep you safe, and if anyone makes you feel even slightly unsafe, we shall remove them from the throne room." Heroth promises.

"Good." I tell him.

"Your word is final, m'lady, but please do try and not make too many enemies." Vinill begs.

"It will be tough, but I'll try to stay on their good sides. At the same time, though, just remember that I refuse to let them walk all over the peasants. I want to try and be a fair queen."

"We would expect nothing less." Emma says, giving me an encouraging smile.

"Excellent. Now, if we're done here, I need to return to my room." I tell them. The stench of the forest is still strong on me. I really need a bath.

While they all go off to do their own thing, I return to my room. I throw the window open, and stare out for a moment, letting my mind wander.

My biggest question right now is what to do about Ysana. Any sensible person would order Brokk and his soldiers to destroy her... But my heart is screaming out at me to give her a chance. I can understand why she did this, even if it was absolutely terrible. So long as she doesn't try anything, I don't believe that we need to kill her. But if she does?

I sigh, and lay back on my bed.

Can I really forgive her for killing my father? Could you forgive anyone for doing that? He was one of the most important people in my life, and now he's gone. Ysana never forgave my father for killing her parents, so why should I forgive her?

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a spider walking in through my window. Something feels off about this spider. I feel as if it's giving off some kind of weird energy. Naturally, I decide to walk towards it.

"Ysana, I can tell that it's you. Reveal yourself!" I demand.

The spider jumps to the floor, and then transforms itself into Ysana.

"You caught me, huh? Not bad." She says.

"What are you doing here?"

She pushes the right sleeve of her robe up, revealing a dagger in her hand.

"I'm here to kill you." She tells me.

"If that's the case, why are you just standing there? You don't really want to kill me."

"Zezanna, I must avenge my father. Surely you understand? You must want to kill me."

"I don't."

"How could you possibly not want to? After all I've done to you? Are you mad?"

"My father killed both of your parents. To avenge them, you killed my father. Are we not equal, now?"

"Equal? This isn't about being equal! This is about revenge!"