KINGSLAYER

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Her previously pale face now a burning red, the maid gathered her things at a rapid rate, never once raising her eyes to look me in the face. With her arms full of her supplies, she bowed to me alongside the other two in an attempt to redeem herself. "My sincerest apologies, Your Majesty," she squeaked, head down. My eyes narrowed on her.

I had half a mind to feed into her fears and become who she expected me to be. At the very least, she should be banished from the palace for such a display before her monarch. She could suffer any punishment I chose, no matter how brutal.

To rein myself in, I recalled what the tutors my mother hired for me instilled into my mind. Do not show anything but regal grace. You must be sure to keep your composure around your subjects, for they expect to see it. Your people give you your power. Treat them in the way you wish to be remembered.

With my face a mask of cold stone, I moved past the maids as if I had never laid eyes on them. I was unsure if the maids were so flustered simply because of my title or because of the rumors I knew were swirling—that I was as dangerous as my father. Whichever it was, this was only the beginning. Soon, I would be exposed to the general public.

Though I had traveled widely within the palace today, I went nowhere near the King's quarters, where the last monarchs had lain their heads to sleep every night.

In fact, I had seen nearly everything the castle had to offer, save for one place... It was an area my mother quietly disagreed with my father for letting me be exposed to as a young child. The extent to what lay down there was still unknown to me.

My gait quickened as I made my way to the descending staircase in question. Once I stood before it, I stared down at the uncovered steps, as opposed to all the others, which were draped with silver carpeting down the center. Something unseen made me stop. As I stood on the top step, I could almost feel the howling of a cold and eerie breeze from the depths.

"Your Majesty."

I turned, resisting the urge to point the tip of the small dagger concealed in my dress skirt at the interrupter's throat. It was my High Attendant, Antinoch Zurlide, dressed in the silver-threaded navy blue uniform of a high-ranking Oceanic official. Young Antinoch used to answer to my mother, but now she answered to me, doing whatever menial royal tasks were deemed below a Queen. I supposed in some ways, she was my number two.

She inclined her dark-haired head in a shallow bow, clearly wanting to speak with me. "I was searching for you everywhere, Madam. What are you doing...here, of all places?"

Ignoring her question, I turned back to the dark decline. "What is down there?"

"Some of the less pleasant aspects of the castle, Madam." She sounded vaguely uncomfortable.

"Such as...?" There were many secrets kept within this castle. I would be pleased to have one less.

"The dungeons, of course, and the servants' quarters." I raised an eyebrow, knowing she was purposefully keeping her statement too general. Besides, I was already very aware of the dungeon's existence—I was only seven years old when my father took me into the depths for the first time to deal out physical punishment.

Antinoch kept speaking before I could demand another answer. "I have word from your advisors. They have some concerns about how you are perceived by the citizens of Oceana."

Flicking the dark stairway one last look before turning away, I said, "Very well." I permitted her to continue with a wave of my hand.

"People—namely the aristocracy—wish to see you. Rumors are running rampant in the cities. It would be a wise idea to dispel them."

"What would you have me do?" I asked, knowing she clearly had something in mind.

Instead of answering my question right away, she revealed another piece of information that made my thoughts take a more calculating turn. "More then that, a select few foreign political members are sailing here as we speak. They come to obtain an idea of what this new Oceana will be like. And perhaps whether they will have issues with you in the future."

I raised an eyebrow. She continued. "I believe it would be a wise idea to hold an open ceremony. Perhaps a ball."

"A ball."

Antinoch nodded once as we began to walk through the hallway. "As you know, it is customary for a ball to be held in honor of a Queen's coronation, but your nineteenth birthday is not for another few days. Your advisors believe it will be wise to reveal yourself as a strong presence to the aristocracy now that you have returned to your throne." She was quiet for a moment. "The people are wondering who their Queen is. This is your opportunity to show them."

Such a public function would be the perfect time for the inevitable assassin attempt. If it was going to happen, it would be during the ball. But I was not weak, nor would I fall dead so soon after taking my back my crown.

"I agree," I said. "Begin the preparations. Invite only the most important authority figures." If they desired to know who I was, I would show them.

"I will notify the guests," she replied, looking relieved at my consent. "It will take many servants and much time we do not have, but we will have it ready for you in two nights."

I inclined my head in a small show of approval. Let them try to end me. Let them give it their all. Only then would they see I was the benevolent, merciful ruler solely when I chose to be.