The next morning, Chu'si walked to her mother's chambers, head held high. She sighed, wondering of her mother's reaction, of the Court's reaction of her giving the throne to her cousin. They would wish to know why the child of the queen could not take up the throne and why she was refusing. Chu'si pursed her lips in a thin line and stuck out her chin stubbornly. She would tell her mother the news and, if the Court didn't accept it, then...what was she to do?
Wearing black silk slacks and a light cream shirt under a black tunic, Chu'si looked different from the lovely, carefree and stuck-up princess she had been: There was a colder air about her, a shadow darkening the fair skin and molten gold eyes.
Knocking on her mother's door, she was surprised when she entered. The room was a mess of ripped draperies and overturned objects. Oliza sat on the bed, trembling. Chu'si felt a deep stab of regret in her heart when her mother turned around. Oliza's black hair draped uncombed around her shoulders, her face wan, and her usually-sparkling gold eyes were dull with sorrow and puffy from crying.
"Mother..." The word came out a rasp. What had she done?
Oliza smiled thinly, "Come here." The queen reached out but Chu'si hesitated.
"I-I..." Chu'si sighed, "I know who murdered Father." Chu'si bowed her head, unable to see her mother's reaction.
"Who?" Oliza's gaze bore into her daughter and Chu'si sighed.
"It was Ralon who forced me to put the poison in his drink...I'm so sorry, Mother! I know I must give up the throne now, I—"
Oliza held her daughter to her chest, "Shh, it's alright, shh." Oliza stroked her daughter's hair, "You wouldn't have done it without someone telling you to and I know you loved your father...Oh, Chu'si I love you too much to condemn you. You are going to be the Court's new queen, soon and even Nassin knew you didn't do it intentionally."
Chu'si shook her head, "I'd never."
Oliza nodded, "I know, love, I know."