The Mad Queen

Chapter Fifty-Two: The Castle

The Second Queen's Trial was sixty years after the first trial between the Triplet Queens. It was between the Grandaughters of the winning Queen of the first trail. There were four Princesses in this Trial. Princess Lana, Princess Fantine, Princess  Orla and Princess Cora. The Master Scholar at the time determined that, unlike the previous Triplet Princesses, these princesses should grow up together. That they should love each other like any other sibling. That way, by sacrificing her siblings to win, the winning princesses will further prove her dedication for the throne.

The King chose Princesses Cora, his youngest daughter, as his choice. She was, after all, the most popular of all the girls. She was beautiful, young and innocent. With there being ten years between her and Princess Lana, she was seen as the baby of them all. She was often remembered as the Kindest of all the sisters.

Unlike the Triplets who loved each other dearly even without having met, these sisters grew up hating each other. Though the eldest three have one thing in common. They despised the perfect, youngest child. That lead to a very interesting and gruesome second Queen's Trial. 

The History of the Queens Trial

Cordelia sits alone in her room, brushing through the tangles of her ginger hair. Getting annoyed with the thick curls which always seem to find themselves tangling, she gives up and sends for a maid to do it for her. The woman arrives only a few minutes after.

"Good Morning, Princess," she says, curtsying as she enters.

"Morning Rose," Cordelia smiles.

"What are you after today, princess?" she asks.

"It's up to you," Cordelia replies to the woman. Rose is the best hairstylist in the city and also owns the workshop which provides the Princesses with all their dresses. She makes some of the best hair potions and is extremely talented in styling. She also comes up with the most unique dress designs, with some of the Princesses input of course. 

"Anything special happening today?" Rose asks. Cordelia smiles.

"Just a couple of important meetings," she shrugs.

"Ahh, so you want to look like a proper princess then?" she asks. Cordelia doesn't reply, but a smile does toy at her lips. "I have just the style that would be perfect. I could recommend a dress too if you would like. One that makes you look like a force to be reckoned with," the woman smiles.

Cordelia chuckles back. "No, not yet. I need to be their perfect, innocent little doll," she tells her. The woman nods her head knowingly, a dark smile on her lips.

"Sometimes, a dress can be a better defence than armour," Rose tells Cordelia. Cordelia smiles back.

"Sometimes, a dress can be a better weapon than a sword," Cordelia replies. Rose nods her head and begins to work on Cordelia's hair.

"Tell me, princess, do I need to get some of my designers working on a different dress style for you? One for when you shed the skin of a sheep and show them all the lion really are?"

"That might be a good idea," Cordelia smiles.

After about half an hour, Cordelia's hair is complete.

"Wonderful job, Rose," she tells the woman. "Thank you." The front of her hair has been pulled back into two intricate twists and attached at the back of her head. The rest of the curls descend down her back. However, with one of Rose's special ointments, they are no longer tangled and messy. Instead, the rich ginger colour glistens as the strands fall in perfect ringlets. With the added addition of a small silver tiara sat on the top of her head, she certainly looked the part. Glittering and perfect.