Chapter 578: "Queen without a kingdom" (1/2)
”Five minutes, cousin, that's a bit harsh.”
”Nonsense,” said he, ”-don't try to defuse the situation.”
”Fine. Here then, Mother and Big sister Eira arrived at my door a few days ago. They were in rags and hadn't eaten in a few days. From what my sister told me, they ran from the kingdom and barely managed to teleport outside the border. From there, with no money and nothing valuable, they've walked and asked, worked part-time, helped in slaying a few monsters till here.”
”Tough bout,” cried he, ”-anything else, the arguments more sentimental. Straighten up, cousin.”
”Right,” he breathed, ”-emotionless as usual,” a glance showed deep bloodlust-colored irises. ”The merit is you have royal blood and the rightful inheritor of the throne. Princess Eira's the next queen.”
”Great,” said he sarcastically, ”-how about I take an army and launch an attack against Arda. A revolution for the Ardanians, how does that sound?”
”Good actually,” returned the prince staring into the vacant distance. The fingers moved about the nonexistent beard, ”-might just work.”
”Stop it,” refused Igna, ”-no way that'll happen. The Empire's powerful as is, now, add the church, we're grasping at straws. This wouldn't have happened in the first place if,” a swipe broke the barrier and opened the door, ”-not for an incompetent queen and princess!”
”Oh,” they stood stumped by what to do next, ”-hmm…”
”Queen Shanna and Princess Eira,” glared Igna, ”-come on in.” The howling figure stretched long-skinny fingers about the room, it curled invitingly to dance with the devil. One measly step inside and the body cried a severe head ache and nausea culled any left-over discontent. Another gesture and the door shut automatically. No magic was involved. Éclair's influence stretched out around the whole apartment, windows, doors, to even the toilet, total control. A few meters onto the scorching heat of a never-ending desert. Sand for miles on end, currently, the sand was replaced into a miasmic substance of black and red. Even though Julius sat a stride away, their body and faces were blurred, the dense aura and presence made such a simple venture into a trek into his territory.
'What's wrong with him?' wondered Eira, '-the presence is too strong. Using magic to counter it is useless, there's nothing to fight raw strength against. My body's shaking, my mind says to run, my heart's beating fast. The element's reacting, I feel the mana coursing through my veins, this feeling of fight or flight, I hear even the Dragon's voice.'
”Sit already,” said Igna, the density eased too normal.
”Julius,” coughed Shanna, ”-were you fighting against such a foe?”
”Mother,” said he in sympathy, ”-it was more of a test than fight. Cousin Igna here is a very hard shell to crack.”
”I'm still here,” returned he murderously. Sat comfortably, the conversation resumed.
”I understand what you said, cousin,” pleaded Julius, ”-if not for the queen's demeanor and the princess stubbornness, this could have been avoided.”
”Insolence!” refuted Eira, ”-how can this be our fault?”
”Silence!” snarled Igna, ”-this conversation is between cousin Julius and I. Exiled Queen and Princess, we stand in Rotherham, of which I remind is the dukedom of my lady mother. Please maintain decorum and not lash as if a jealous kid?”
”Cousin,” sighed Julius, ”-a bit harsh, don't you think?”
”No, I think it's adequate. I mean, guests' who'd prefer to eavesdrop on private discussion don't have the right to an opinion. If basic ethics cannot be maintained, what's the difference between an animal and them?”
”Still, isn't it the host's responsibility to care for the guests?” argued Julius.
”Cousin, dear cousin,” monotonous and heavy, ”-they're not guests. How about changing the subject, a frivolous argument isn't going to resolve the matter at hand.”
”As I was saying-”
”No need,” he interjected, ”-continue with the reason.”
”Queen Shanna and Princess Eira are here to petition help in reconquering Arda.”
”-And?” he paused, ”-should this not be taken to Lady Elvira or my lady mother?”
”Thing is,” he gulped, ”-they're at odds end. Any audience will end in failure.”
”You sought refuge in me,” facepalming, ”-cousin, the power to alter the course of the world is at thy disposal, why not use 'em?”
”Might I speak?” interjected the Queen.
”Queen Shanna,” he watched silently, ”-go ahead.”
”The blames on us,” said she in woe, ”-we're the ones who are responsible for the attack and invasion. I didn't realize my fiance to be such a shame of a man. I was content in having him by my side if it meant running away from the responsibilities.”
”I see,” said Igna softly.
Her face lightened in bliss, the words reached his heart,”-you understand?”
”NO!” a direct refusal, ”-how ignorant and childish can a queen get. It doesn't matter if you're lonely or sad, an entire kingdom rests on thy shoulders. Royalty doesn't have the right to complain and run, they're to stand strong and lead by example.”
”That's easy for you to say,” returned Eira, ”-you haven't experienced pain as we have.”
”Pain huh,” he stood, ”-listen here, princess, don't play the damned victim. People are dying because your QUEEN was lonely. What is there to show for the trouble, a kid. A queen without her kingdom is nothing more than a woman. Considering the queen threw away her only aid, she's more of a burden than anything else. I'd honestly recommend to give and return to thy husband's feet. Beg and lick the floor, become a mistress to the new kingdom, isn't it the duty of a wife to follow her loved one?”
”But-”