The "Not" Queen

Hold On

Dear Tedros,

Agatha knew that Camelot wasn't like Gavaldon. Camelot was Good's Greatest Kingdom and was one of the icons in the entire world past The Woods. She knew that being a Reader was something that not everyone liked, considering them a lower race than the "pure-bred" students; so the reaction she received when Tedros introduced her to his court wasn't at all surprising. The mild sneers were quickly covered up with coughs and claims of dust in the air with allergies. Tedros had asked if she was okay and she nodded, having been used to this treatment back where she grew up.

The only difference was that she had no one.

Back in Gavaldon, she had Sophie. At school, she had Tedros. Here she was alone, despite the fact she had ready access to both of those people. She probably should've done so, but she knew better than to be a burden. Sophie was busy with the School for Evil and Tedros had more tasks than ever, trying to fix the economy of the kingdom and the crumbling infrastructure that his father left him. It would be stupid to bring up her issues to either of the succeeding leaders. Hester, Anadil, and Dot were all on their own quests and probably wouldn't give the comfort she wanted.

I want you to know that I love you. This is not your fault and I completely understand why you stopped loving me. 

"So, what do you think about our new queen, Lucile?" A grating voice asked, walking past Agatha's door, most likely trying to head to breakfast, as the women of the court slept in the same hallway as her. They would until she and Tedros married, tying the knot and solidifying her spot as his queen. Agatha rolled over in her bed, pulling the too soft pillow over her head and squeezing her eyes shut, trying to block out the sounds.

"Oh, I believe that the King is just pulling our leg, Lillian." The stuck up middle triplet replied to her older sister. The three girls, Lucile, Lillian, and Laura, were some of Agatha's worst ladies of the court. The three were never quiet about their dislike of her whenever they were alone and often let Agatha know when she wasn't doing something that they would do. 

"You really think he would do that?" Laura giggled before gasping. "What if the poor thing was spelled? What if he's stuck under some spell and can't get out!" She giggled once more, seeming to swoon at the thought. Agatha groaned, sitting up as they walked past. She knew she looked like hell, having struggled to sleep since she found out the news of an upcoming ball. 

A ball her loving fiancé had yet to tell her about. She had to find out through the court ladies. 

I know that I'm not the queen you expected, or wanted even. I'm to tall and not pretty like the other court ladies; as they so often remind me of. I'm not some princess with a title and a land...

Deciding that wallowing on a day like today wouldn't be good. Especially considering what happened the week prior and what was happening in a month. Today was the perfect day to do what she had planned, especially considering how much Tedros would be watching today. She didn't blame him for not watching honestly. If her duties were anything to go by, he was too busy and had a very reasonable excuse. 

She was right when she said she looked like hell warmed over. Her hair was knotted and her eyes were dark. She hated looking at herself in the mirror, not liking the body nor the face she saw. She flinched as she locked the door, picking up a brush and running it through her hair, trying to not wince at the amount that came out on the brush. Pulling out the makeup, she quickly put on a coat to make herself look a little alive before rushing over to her closet to pick out a dress.

"Lady Agatha?" The voice of Prudence, one of Agatha's maids, called. "Lady Agatha, are you okay? Would you like some assistance?" She asked. Agatha winced this time, finding a dress and pulling it on over her head and peering out to see the eyes of her maid.