The Violet-Eyed

Chapter 2

On the next morning, Solaria woke to frantic screams of the heir to the crown being missing.

Within seconds, she had dressed and dashed out the door, screaming at the nearest villager to tell her what had happened.

After a great deal of hollering and interrogating, she gathered the fact that Martin had gone missing due to unknown reasons. He had, quite literally, disappeared into thin air, and had not returned home last night. Which meant that Solaria had been the last person to see him. Nobody knew except her, and she decided not to tell anyone just yet.

That afternoon, a noblewoman arrived in the village. She appeared to be distressed, and had obviously been crying. Trying to compose herself, she made a feeble attempt at a dramatic entrance – which failed miserably. 

"All hail Lady Sonora of House Fairton!" A herald walked in front of her, eliciting murmurs from the villagers.

Clearing her throat, she began speaking, and everyone fell silent.

"My dear villagers, I regret that I have not been able to visit more frequently, and I'm afraid that this visit will be short, too. I have come to announce the sad news that His Majesty has passed away in the Royal Palace, due to indeterminable reasons. The heir has been reported to be missing as well. I should like to confirm this with you." She gazed at the crowd expectantly and saw a few people nod.

She drew a shaky breath. "Well then, as the throne cannot be left empty, I hereby declare that, according to our customs and the late king's wishes, the heir will be the second eldest Violet-Eyed, which I understand to be Solaria Archington. Solaria, you will be the next queen. You will be escorted to the palace shortly for your coronation. I will help you as much as possible as the highest ranking noble in the kingdom, seeing that you are unlikely to have any experience. Your Majesty, would you please follow me to the carriage?" She dropped down to one knee, and all the villagers followed suit.

Gaping in shock, Solaria wordlessly walked to the carriages, still unable to believe she had become the Queen. It seemed that she no longer had the luxury of dreading queenship.

Her coronation was brief. It passed in a blur, and the next thing Solaria remembered was being escorted to her bedchambers.

When she finally woke up, she was startled to find herself surrounded by royal blue tapestries and furniture. She yanked off the covers and was about to dash around her room when a firm hand gripped her. "Forgive me, Lady Queen. But a queen does not throw the sheets off like a savage animal, nor does she run around while barely dressed." Solaria looked up and saw a plump woman looking at her sternly. "I'm Miriam, your caretaker and servant, Lady Queen. I've been told that Her Grace Lady Sonora will arrive shortly to aid you and answer your questions."

Solaria was about to say something insolent when she remembered that a queen ought to be composed and regal. "Thank you, Miriam. Kindly step aside so I can change clothes in private," she said. Miriam looked mortified. "Lady Queen, a queen never dresses herself!" Shaking her head, Miriam pulled out an array of gowns from the wardrobe and presented them to Solaria, while muttering how heirs should be taught how to be a monarch properly beforehand.

At the end of Miriam's muttered complaints, Solaria felt neither composed nor regal.