The Violet-Eyed

Chapter 8

This time, Solaria stepped into an unfamiliar hall with only Lady – no, Deputy Queen Sonora – and a clerk she hadn't noticed before. Somehow she had a sudden urge to laugh. "So, Deputy Queen Sonora," she spat each word as if they were poison on her tongue, "is this the trial you had me dragged out for? Apparently, Deputy Queen Sonora, your court is so lacking in staff that you couldn't spare a few more lawyers," she jeered.

Sonora smiled tightly. "Slap her for being rude to me," Sonora said evenly. Before Solaria's mind registered what Sonora had said, her cheek already stung from a quick slap dealt by a guard. "How dare – " she started, but bit her tongue when she remembered she no longer had any authority.

"Good to see that you're so aware of your status now, Your Former Royal Highness," Sonora regarded her coldly. "Now, shall we get started? Martha, read the accusations," she said to the clerk.

"The accused, Solaria Archington, is accused of first degree murder." She paused to let the weight of her words sink in. "According to written records, at the previous trial, Archington expressed her wish that four nobles present would die. Shortly after –"

"There were no written records at the trial, there wasn't even a clerk!" Solaria snarled, losing every bit of her composure. "You liar, you're framing me just to be queen, aren't you! AREN'T YOU!" she screamed at the top of your lungs, which resulted in her being gagged with a putrid-smelling sock. "Argmmmphh!" she said through the sock.

"Shortly after Archington had expressed this, all four nobles were found dead. Their deaths were of indeterminable reason, much like the earlier deaths of guards and kitchen staff. There were no visible injuries. Archington claims to have no power – she has been sentenced to death for treason regarding her claims. But now she obviously has a power, which is murdering people using only words. She is therefore accused of the murders of the guards, the kitchen staff, and the four nobles, all of whom died a tragic death," the clerk announced.

Sonora nodded her approval. "I have overturned the previous death sentence for treason – Archington is, however, sentenced to death for first degree murder. The execution date will remain unchanged, which is two days later. Escort the accused back to prison."

Back in her cold cell, Solaria spent the next few hours in silence, pondering what she'd done to deserve execution. She even found herself wondering what was the Soulvalinian method of execution and laughed darkly to herself. Only somebody so close to death would be able to think of such matters, she thought, I suppose I'll find out soon enough.

Soon Solaria could bear the silence no more. She was dying of boredom, and she had no wish whatsoever to die before the assigned date. "Miriam?" she called.

"Yes, Lady Queen?" Miriam answered timidly.

Irritated by her formal title, she snapped at Miriam. "I'm not the queen anymore. We're equal. You can be mean to me all you like, and there would be nothing I could do about it. What does it matter anyway? Both of us will be dead very soon," she said bitterly.

"I apologize, Lady Queen, for having offended you in any way. You are still the queen in my heart, and I should be honored if you permit me to continue addressing you that way."

"Why the change of heart, Miriam? I'm tired of your pretend games, you know."

"I'm so sorry, Lady Queen, I was so spiteful towards you. I was grieving for the late king, whom I was quite close to. Your presence seemed to make everyone forget about him, and I was so upset."

Solaria smiled. She decided to ignore what kind of relationship Miriam might have had with the king. She felt a twinge of guilt for hating Miriam so much. Much more gently, she asked, "Why were you always away during murders?"

Miriam gritted her teeth. "That was Lady Sonora's doing. She always found errands for me to do at those times, so as to mislead you into believing me guilty of murder. She threatened to kill my family if I dared to explain to you, so I never did. I believe she played a role in the murders."

"Well, we have no way to prove it now, do we?" Sighing, Solaria cradled her head in her arms.

Solaria and Miriam spent the rest of their days in prison chatting idly. On the day of their execution, guards came for them at the break of dawn.

"Goodbye, Miriam."

"Goodbye, Lady Queen. Will you forgive me for being rude?" Miriam asked, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Too sad for words, Solaria nodded.

They were brought to the gallows, a rope around each of their necks.