Royal Academy Diaries II

King of Hearts ⚜ Ch. 4

Zaina started to settle in to life at the estate. Not having to work as a servant was certainly refreshing, although she found herself doing little things to make their lives easier.

When December rolled around, she was starting to get a bit antsy. While the three siblings were busy working one morning, she went out to take a carriage.

"Good morning, Princess. Where would you like to go?" the driver asked with a bow.

She buttoned her coat up one higher at the sudden cold of stepping outside. "I want to take a trip to Vanera to do some Christmas shopping."

The man considered for a moment. "That's about an hour's carriage ride away. Are you sure you want to go that far? There are shops in the town nearby."

She nodded. "I know what sorts of things are sold in Vanera, and I've got a rather specific idea of what I want to get. We'll be back just a bit after noon, no problem."

"Very well, your highness. I'll help you in."

Zaina took his hand and climbed into the coach, hoping it would warm up just a little after a while. The driver urged the horses forward, and they began the scenic drive to the Four Castle area. Her mind wandered until the scenery became more familiar. As they entered the small town, she realized upon seeing the empty streets that the students must be on holiday break. The only patrons were locals.

"Stop here, please." She climbed down and pointed down the road. "I'll meet you at the end of Main Street in an hour or so."

"Yes pri-" The driver paled a bit as he realized his mistake. "Yes ma'am."

She watched him go down the road a little ways before stepping into the first shop. She got a new pocket watch for Noa, a hairbrush for Kal (and some sweets from the chocolate shop), and had decided on a nice quill for Ren.

Going into the ink and paper store, she nearly tripped over an umbrella stand by the door. She moved it over a little and went in to find a quill fit for a wealthy knight of high status. She stepped around a woman by the main counter, muttering a pardon. The woman looked up, and their eyes locked.

The recognition was instantaneous. For over five years, her dreams had been haunted by those grey-blue eyes.

But no, it couldn't be. She would be in Aldovia, not in a shop in Vanera... holding Zaina's picture and questioning the shopkeeper...

"No..."

Vicinda's look hardened further. "Zaina. Back from the dead I see." She drew a short sword, the shopkeeper diving under the counter in terror. "It would seem that if you want a job done right, you have to do it yourself."

Horrified, Zaina backed away quickly, barely missing the tip of Vicinda's blade as she swung at her.

"You're a murderer! A thief!" she growled, dodging another slice.

The evil queen chuckled. "Name calling won't get you anywhere sweetheart. Look around. School's out, everyone's gone, and no one will hear you scream."

Zaina was backed to the door, which evidently was tricky to open from the inside. The handle seemed to have stuck, trapping her there.

Vicinda raised her sword to bring it down on her, and in a split second decision, Zaina grabbed one of the umbrellas from the stand, managing to block the blow.

The woman laughed. "You think you can hold me off with that? Think of what an honour it is to be killed by a queen."

Zaina set her jaw, pushing back and swinging at her with the umbrella. She skillfully blocked another swing, and the next, and the next. Finally Vicinda began to look surprised.

The princess smirked. "I didn't live and work at the Knights Academy five long years for nothing." In a quick succession of moves, she opened the umbrella and pulled the door handle hard. It finally opened and she backed out onto the street.

Vicinda hissed and swung at her again. "You can't win, child. Accept your fate!"

Carrying on a strong parry, she looked for an opportunity that one of the students had taught her. "No, Vicinda. Accept yours."

There. She hooked the tip of the umbrella under the hilt, wrenching the sword out of the woman's hands. As if in slow motion, they scrambled to reach the blade first. Zaina stepped on it, kicking away the queen's reaching hand. Then she rolled the blade onto its side with her shoe, lifting it into the air by the hilt and snagging it with her free hand.

Vicinda looked up at her in shock as her sword was now at her throat. "How...?"

"Fear is great teacher."

Hearing something happening outside, people started looking out doors and windows. Seeing a sword, two off duty royal guards came running.

"What's happening?" one asked.

"She-"

With all the grace and power of a true royal, Zaina explained, "This woman murdered my family and tried to kill me. She stole my kingdom and forced unfair taxes on them for the last five years. God knows what else she's done."

That was all the guards needed to hear, grabbing the woman's arms behind her back.

"Unhand me! I am a queen!" she snarled.

"Not anymore. Aldovia will no longer be bled dry by your selfishness. You will face both Andorran and Aldovian justice for what you have done."

The two glared daggers at each other as the guards and villagers wrangled Vicinda towards a car to take her to one of the castle dungeons.

Once the scene was over, Zaina staggered back, dropping the frayed umbrella on the sidewalk. She was exhausted, emotionally and physically.

Remembering Ren's gift, she went back to the shop, where the frightened shopkeeper gave her the best quill for free. Gathering her bags, she looked towards the Royal castle in the distance and sighed. It was finally over. She went back to the carriage and fell asleep on the ride back.