KINGSLAYER

♕ 0 | 1 ♕

A large group of servants and maids gathered outside the threshold, unsure of what to do in the omission of any orders. Emerging through the crowd were five figures—the five remaining court officials that had been reigning in my absence. They all got on their knees and bowed before me.

"Your Majesty, how is this miracle possible?" asked one of the officials, head low. "You are meant to be dead, killed during the Royal Massacre."

Though the servants' whispers from earlier about their Lost Princess echoed in my ears, I said nothing, keeping my posture ramrod straight.

The only female official slowly raised her head so that she could address me. "There are already rumors of your arrival circulating the city, Your Majesty. People wish to know the truth. What shall we tell them?"

I inclined my head to her with a cool gaze. "Tell them their Queen has returned."

♕ ♕ ♕ ♕ ♕

The only sound to be heard was my heeled footsteps echoing off the marble floor as I strode through the endless chambers of my home. Though not much had changed within the luxurious rooms themselves, the palace had a different feel now that I was the only Imperatrix left to enjoy it. It was vaster, holding more opportunity than ever before.

There was no longer anyone to tell me no.

I passed by a series of sitting rooms filled with expensive items such as decorative couches and glass tables. Everything was beautiful and ornate, light and airy. Fit for a Queen.

A few of the chambers were present in my memories, such as the time the previous Queen had tea with an Etharian noblewoman and I caught a glimpse of the two sitting regally across from one another. If I imagined hard enough, I could nearly see them sitting there.

Still, I did not stop in my gait. Those days were behind me now.

Despite the fact I would have liked to be lone as I wandered, my guards trailed behind, surveilling my every move. Unless in the safety of her own chambers, it was unusual for a Queen to be by herself, even inside her own castle. Their presence was made even stranger for me due to the humble life I had lived during my time away. The Ithara Mountains were certainly dangerous in their own way, but those perils I could handle. They were familiar. This...this was was something different. Not everything here was what it seemed.

My recollections faded as I moved on to survey the rest of my castle, guards in tow. Though their following me like shadows did make annoyance rise up in me, I knew their presence was necessary. I did not dare order them away for two reasons.

One: it was improper for the Queen to be alone and vulnerable. As a child, the last Queen reminded me of that daily.

And two: after the disastrous events under the last crown, many would love to eliminate me before I became too powerful a threat. It made me wonder who—besides the obvious—would have the bravery to attempt it; after all, I had gained a reputation of swinging my sword first and asking questions later.

As I marched up one of the wide staircases and through a hallway leading to the east wing, my procession came across a trio of maids. It was improper on its own—servants showing their faces before the Gods-anointed Queen—but then the middle one dropped her supplies all over the floor in surprise. The noise rolled out over the chamber.