The Violet-Eyed

Chapter 9

"By order of Her Majesty the Queen Sonora, Solaria Archington and Miriam Guthbert shall be executed by hanging on this day. Do you have any last words to say?" the executioner mumbled, obviously very bored.

Miriam was weeping at this point. Solaria, however, had put on a mask of indifference, although she was trembling with sorrow inside. It was her way of maintaining her queenly dignity even in the face of death. "I would like to make my final declaration to the traitorous monarch Queen Sonora, who has just claimed my place for herself. She is the one who committed treason, and it should be her who hangs today. I have been wronged and framed for murder –but I maintain that I am the rightful queen. Goodbye to the world who has offered nothing but unfairness to me. May God have mercy."

The executioner was about to yank down on the ropes that would open the trapdoors, which would cause Solaria and Miriam to break their necks. Then suddenly the royal trumpets sounded five times, which caused the executioner to freeze.

"Oh, thank the heavens, we have been saved!" Miriam wept, clearly overjoyed. Solaria gave her a questioning look. "When the trumpets are sounded five times, all executions should be halted. It's always been the rule," Miriam beamed.

Then a short messenger came scurrying towards them. "Her Majesty requires the prisoners to be brought to her immediately," he said in a rush. "Oh, and she has to wear these brown contact lens at all times to disguise her eyes so that she will not be recognized. They're from the queen. Consider it a rare gift, since these were bought from other places at a high price," he added. Solaria looked disdainfully at the contact lenses, plainly refusing to be thankful for anything Sonora gave her. Confused, the executioner scratched his head, but without any delay rammed the contact lenses into Solaria's eyes, and yanked Solaria and Miriam forward, practically dragging them.

They reached the main hall in no time. They were ushered inside into Sonora's presence. Nodding in Solaria's direction, Sonora said to the bearded man who stood before her, "You asked for a woman and here you are. Take her, and do with her whatever you desire." Bowing deeply, the man thanked her. Looking at Solaria, Sonora said,"It seems you are in luck today. This man here – Keith, as he calls himself, is a foreigner who was banished from his own land. He claims to have special abilities like a Violet-Eyed, although I don't believe a word he says. It's as plain as day that he has brown eyes." Solaria glanced up at Keith and saw that he was rather handsome, although his hair was unkempt and he had a thick beard.

"However, though, I find him quite amusing, which is the only reason I haven't ordered him to be killed. He requested a woman so earnestly I could not deny it. After all, I'm sure such a poor girl like you would not mind, would you? Yes, I'm sure you'll enjoy the new experiences of pleasing the fellow. Miriam can go with you – I've no use for her." Flicking her hand, she shooed Keith, Solaria and Miriam out of the room.

Solaria and Miriam followed Keith to his chambers in silence.

Once in his suite, Keith plopped down on an armchair and ordered Miriam to head to the adjoining servant's room. Miriam went without protest, clearly having no wish to speak with this stranger. Solaria started following Miriam.

"Stay."

Solaria stopped in her tracks. "I may be a gift to you from the Queen, but it doesn't mean I'll listen to your every command. I'm not your property and I refuse to be treated that way," she said defensively.

"Please stay. I only wish to speak to you." Keith said, much gentler this time.

Sighing, Solaria gave in and sat in the armchair across from Keith. "You're lucky the Queen didn't have you hanged, you know." she said bluntly. "Oh? Is that so?" Keith said. "Because I certainly didn't come to be hanged," he added with a hint of a smile.

"Then why did you come to this land? The Queen is a horrible ruler." Solaria remarked.

"Ah, so you are no fan of the Queen's. Evidently she holds a grudge against you. I heard that Queen Solaria was the current ruler – she's a Violet-Eyed, is she not? The Queen doesn't have violet eyes, though."

"Queen Solaria is dead," Solaria whispered. "The current queen is Queen Sonora." She wasn't ready to tell this man about herself, not to mention her true eye color and identity.

"Oh. I guess I should've known. I'm sorry to hear that, then. I haven't come to please Queen Sonora, or anything of the sort. I've come only to find Queen Solaria. I have a lot to tell her." Keith kept his expression blank, but deep sorrow could be seen in his eyes. "Not that it matters, of course, now that she's dead."

Solaria's breath caught in her throat.