The First Queen

3 - House Summergarde

Athena's commands were strict and calm in the chaos and she handled it with such grace. I got to my feet as the Captain eased King Gabriel to the floor, resting his back against the slate. I held one of his hands as he continued to cough and within moments, a bearded man wearing a dark coat appeared in front of me and begun chanting something.

"It's poison." The man, whom I take to be Darius, answered and I gasped along with many others, "He should survive for the time being but it's highly unlikely that he will live for longer than a few months."

"Gods! Who would do such a thing!?" Athena hissed, holding a few supplies that Darius had asked if she could carry.

My father snatched up his hand from between mine and took a gulp of a small vial with a clear liquid within it.

I couldn't help but feel just a little bit dejected-- Anyone with their head screwed on could tell that my actual father didn't like me too much, except I couldn't tell whether it was because I'm a bastard or because I'm a commoner from The Wilds.

A few novice Royal Guardsmen appeared and lifted my father up to his feet before gently escorting him out to his chambers. I looked forward and saw Athena staring at the doors they had just left from with great worry so I leaned over and rested a hand on her shoulder.

Her head flung and our eyes met before her face softened. She gave me a small, weak yet reassuring smile before helping me to my feet and bowing to me.

"Your Highness, if you wish, I can squire you to your quarters. We don't want to keep you after the events that have just unfurled." Athena suggested and I nodded.

"Thank you, Captain, that would be nice." I smiled and she offered me her hand which I took.

As we exited the throne room, I felt a few fretting eyes on myself and Athena but with her by my side, I honestly didn't care; every worry that I have flooded out of my mind when I'm with the Captain of the Royal Guard.

When we were outside of my room, Athena turned to me, "That must have been disturbing for you to see."

"...I suppose it was... But at least he's alive." I sighed and Athena could hear the hesitancy in my voice.

"Is everything well, Lady Elia?" She wondered and I let out another deep sigh.

"I cannot seem to stop thinking that King Gabriel doesn't like me, Captain, which is arrogant considering what has just happened!" I grumble, playing with my fingers and looking at a tapestry on the wall.

After a few moments of silence, I gazed back at Athena and saw her with a contemplative look on her face.

"That is... Understandable... Your father is a very traditional man and having lived without knowledge of a second child makes him think that you are not his blood, which is preposterous because Xanthe always knows the truth... Not to mention that he always wanted a male successor so that his family would continue to be the supreme rulers of Azumond." Athena confessed and I nodded.

Of course...

"How could I have forgotten?" I mumbled more to myself than Athena and she cocked a brow. "About Prince Remiel..."

"No one would expect you to know, Lady Elia... Prince Remiel's death was tragic but not widespread." She tried to assure me but I just sighed again.

"Thank you for taking me to my chambers, Athena." I gave her a sad smile and I could see that she regretted some things.

"I, uh... Of course, Lady Elia. I apologise." Athena mumbled and started to march off but I stopped her by clasping her elbow.

She spun around to see me and I quickly removed my hand from her arm.