There she was.
Standing behind her husband, rubbing her stomach. Alti felt her brain almost short circuit with equal measures of madness and anger. Then she remembered the servants around them, murmuring, watching. Of course they knew who Ifika was. The infamous runaway bride. She took comfort in the obvious disdain in their voices and stares. If push came to shove, this palace would not be big enough for the both of them.
She dismissed them all, trying to compose herself.
Phelon watched apprehensively. He was getting ready for an explosion.
Ifika boldly moved forward, refusing to be intimidated.
They were both shocked by Alti's reaction. There was no tears nor screaming. Only laughter. Long, loud laughter. It was cutting. It was harsh.
When Alti finally caught her breath, she smiled mockingly at both of them.
“Ifika. My long lost sister. Welcome back.”
Ifika looked both confused and agitated but Alti's attention was now on Phelon.
“Phelon. My disappearing husband. I take it that this explains everything?”
Her casual attitude to the entire situation irked Phelon in a way he did not understand.
“I know everything.”
“Do you?”
“Yes. You are a liar. You tricked Ifika into running away. And you lied to everyone afterwards.”
Alti laughed, even more mockingly.
“Is that what she told you? Poor, helpless Ifika who was tricked by her scheming sister to leave her dear prince whom she loved so much.”
There was silence. She was already creating doubts in his mind, questioning the version of things that Ifika had told him. For the first time Ifika spoke up.
“Phelon don't listen to her. She's lying. Alti is a snake. You know this.”
“Am I? What is the truth then? Angry Ifika who felt so much disdain for the prince that she was desperate enough to ask her evil sister for help to escape. If I remember clearly, you told me not to tell anyone about your whereabouts.”
Ifika was breathing heavily, panicking. She knew exactly what Alti was trying to do.
“Shut up. Shut up, Alti. You know it was because –” She paused, swallowing, desperate to prove herself. “You know what happened.” She finally concluded.
Alti smiled at her.
“But does he? Ifika, I need to understand my offence. My sister was being forced to marry a man. As her older sister, I wanted to help her despite the fact that we did not always see eye to eye. We arranged for your escape. Remember? I agreed to keep things under wraps for your sake. Yes, I lied in the process but it was all for you. You never wanted him and so he moved on. Is that why you are so bitter? That I got something you did not want in the first place?"
Ifika shifted, making eye contact with him.
“I love you now. I made rash decisions when I was younger, Phelon but it changes nothing.” She took his hand, looking into his eyes. “Please do not let Alti ruin what we share.”
Alti raised a brow.
“What we share indeed. Although, coming from the woman fucking her sister's husband, I'm not surprised."
The words stung and Ifika felt something akin to shame. Phelon rubbed her palm comfortingly.
Alti turned to her husband, ignoring his gesture.
“When did this start, Phelon?”
She got no answer and deduced the timeline for herself.
“Before your mother got ill, I assume.”
She sighed, walking slowly up to him. Ifika moved behind him. If she was being honest, she feared her sister. Alti ignored her, getting in Phelon's face instead and spitting on it.
He flinched.
“Coward! ” she hissed. “You were waiting for her to die, weren't you? Knowing that she would never allow this to happen.”
When he avoided her eyes, she knew she was right. She chuckled.
“Well, well, well. True love is always worth the wait isn't it?"
Ifika spoke up.
“Alti, I'm sorry that it has to be like this.”
“No Ifika. You're not sorry.” Not yet.
Alti turned to leave, but she paused as if remembering something.
“Ifika, you must be careful. The people here do not take very kindly to impostors.”
“Is that a threat?”
Alti's eyes went comically wide.
“A threat? Never. It is an advice. Take it from your sister. Goodnight.”
And she was gone.
YOU ARE READING
A Tale Of Queens
General FictionAlti is a hard woman. Raised as the scapegoat daughter of two social climbing parents, there is absolutely no other way that she knows how to be. Sa-Alti is named for her mother. In many ways, they are similar. However, the newly crowned Queen find...
