Chapter 406 - Old friend (1/2)
”Fate is such an elusive lady,” said Staxius stood as the guests entered.
”Very much so,” added Queen Gallienne as they now sat in the lounge right after the bar.
”Rosetta, please, have Rile tend to the bar.”
”Will do, majesty,” bowed the head-maid.
”Meanwhile we wait for refreshments, care to speak of the reason for this impromptu visit?” a frown had the room tense, not overbearing, but present.
”I'd like to say thank you,” smiled the queen lowering her head into a grateful nod, ”-I can't believe thee did the impossible. I never thought of Ardanian magic being so potent.”
”One can't just raise the dead,” interjected Staxius who gestured to be at ease, ”-dear friend, I did what was necessary and what thee desired. Think of it as nothing but the duty we are bound to as comrades to one another,” the phrase disarmed her guard, the Queen felt no misgiving of which she exhaled softly. To her right on the same couch, Lady Aceline's fingers moved, her body language was of a person unable to keep cool or relax. Perpetually tapping her fingers against her knee, her gaze wandered around to reluctantly settle onto his face.
”Nonetheless, I'm thankful,” said she as the door opened. Rile and Laura came to serve drinks as well as snacks. The visit was casual as was told by their outfits.
”The reason we're here,” her body turned to Aceline, ”-go on, speak,” articulated the voiceless mouth.
”King of Arda.”
”What?” he crumbled her courage with a single harsh tone.
”I want to pay back the favor I owe since my life belongs to you, I'll do as you say,” soft at first glance, the conniving look, despite how deeply it hid, couldn't escape his watch.
”Payback the favor,” said he cutting and lighting a cigar, ”-how amusing,” he puffed. ”Do you think me a fool,” the words came across as rude and intolerable.
”No…” returned the idol uninterested, ”-wait, I mean, I'll do what you want, I'm being honest, give me a chance to prove my worth.”
”You don't understand,” said he caught on her intent, ”-Lady Aceline is no longer part of this world.”
”W-what do you mean?” inquired Gallienne with a shift in her sharp-edged lips.
”What I mean is simple,” he touched his earlobe, ”-Éclair, if you would.”
”Orders confirmed.” The harmless wooden table split to reveal a stand onto which rose a screen. Information on the state of things in Alphia was filtered and shown. ”The idol Aceline is dead as far as the continent is concerned. I don't have to remind you,” a side-glance had her breathe restlessly.
”Are people mourning my death, will I not be able to return to the spotlight. What of my belonging, what about my fortune, what will happen of it?” her thumb and middle finger pressed hard against her temple, one could have mistaken her intent as wanting to break her forehead.
”I don't know yet, it's not decided. There was no will in the discussion, it's probably going to be returned to the state. Idol Aceline, or should I say, Aceline, what happens going forward? You're but a remanent of the past, thy manager left, thy fame left, and thee were betrayed in the end by those who thou slept with to reach thy position of power.” The more he spoke, the more aggravating grew the sentences, and just like that, the sharp words chipped away at her shield, her façade, her illusions.
”You're nothing,” he added the cherry on top, ”-nothing more than a whore who has but herself to blame. Do apologize for my use of vulgar language.”
”Stop,” said she quietly.
”I can't hear anything amidst the enormous pile of garbage of which is thy mouth, do say once more, lady who's been but an insolent brat. Where's the bravado, where is it now, why won't thee fight back, come on, do something, say something.”
”SHUT THE F.U.C.K UP,” she screamed and kicked the table. *Woosh,* by hands, feet, and neck, white strings came from out the walls to bind her upwards.
”LET ME DOWN,” an outburst to no avail, her body was restrained to the point where a single hair wasn't allowed to move.
”Majesty,” said a rather darkened voice, ”-should I send her to the afterlife?” asked Laurance in ire.
”Forgive me, majesty,” said the king facing Gallienne, ”-you see, my retainers are very much like myself. We don't take lightly to act of disrespect; in that regard, you could say I'm more or less lenient. Sadly, I can't vouch for them,” he pointed back with a thumb.
”Do as is pleased,” realizing the situation, ”-there's nothing more I can do to help. My request was fulfilled, a friend of mine was brought to life. The latter is in her hands, if she chooses to die, then, who am I to stop the will of nature,” a push on the door had her blend and fade into the common room.
”Aceline, Aceline, Aceline,” he shook his head smugly, a blatant act of superiority which was backed by Laurance. ”The higher thou art, the harder thy fall – it couldn't be any truer. The same could be said to me, though, I know how to keep my feet on the ground. What of you, Icarus, what shall thee do for thy wings are melted?”
”Let me go,” said a persistent voice, ”-LET ME GO.”