~{DEBORAH'S POV}~
*
'The very next day…'
I jolted wide awake with my eyes wide open in fear.
I was shivering violently and when I looked down at my body, I was covered in serious sweat which caused my night garment to get stuck to my body.
I was breathing hard as I remembered the details of the horrible dream I had.
It was a nightmare about how I died.
I could vividly recall how I was wheezing and shaking violently without being able to cry or move properly.
That was a traumatic experience I didn't want anyone to experience but when I recalled who landed me in that situation, my will heightened and I hurriedly got out of bed before the day even broke.
I hurried to the balcony and stood outside the cool breeze to help me remain calm.
I hadn't even realized I was crying until a tear rolled down my face before another one followed. I quickly wiped my face and laughed at my pitiful plight but it felt like a dam opened and the tears refused to stop as I broke down.
Remembering what I went through in their hands made things more terrible for me and it brought so much rage into my heart, making me vow that I will torment them.
If that was the only thing I do, I will do it excellently.
This will be the last time I will cry out of pity.
If I am to cry, it will be about the things of joy.
When I had cried to my heart's content, I silently watched the sun rise and it was beautiful.
And merely seeing it brought a strong message.
'No matter how much the moon tries to hide the sun from shining, it always comes out stronger than the last, taunting the moon.'
"I am the sun," I said to myself and smiled in satisfaction.
"I am the sun," I repeated again.
"I am the sun!"
"I am the sun!!
"I am the sun!!!"
"I AM THE SUN!"
I screamed until joy found its way back into my heart and I felt rejuvenated.
"And since I am a sun, let us see who will dare bring me down."
With that, I went back inside and prepared myself for the day.
I went to my grand wardrobe and opened it as I searched for something intimidating to wear.
"Red? No."
I said dismissively at the first color I saw before moving to the next until I came across a grand black dress which had a full skirt covered in gold frills.
"PERFECT!"
It would go well with a fancy hat but it would go excellent with a pleated hair, styled in a crown.
I eagerly tiptoed with the huge dress as I went to drop it on the bed before going to select the ornament I would be wearing with it.
"Gold should do the trick since there's a touch of gold on the dress," I thoughtfully said to myself as I took out golden earrings, necklace and bracelets.
But I stopped halfway when I saw the set of ornaments I had picked.
It was a gift from Lauren one fateful morning, sent by his messenger. At first I had thought he was being sweet but he just did it out of obligation as we were supposed to show up at a grand meeting and he didn't want to look like a bad husband.
For a moment I didn't want to wear it but an evil thought came to my mind and I decided I was going to wear it regardless.
Once I had laid out everything I would be wearing for the day, I went to the doors and was about to open them only for them to be pushed open and I blinked in surprise until I found my ladies in waiting already present.
They were surprised to see me up so early, however, my attention shifted to the royal messenger who was present as well.
"Greetings, your highness," they all greeted me, including the royal guards before the royal messenger took over.
"I was sent by his majesty to deliver this message to you." He said and I waited for him to say it because strangely, I knew what it was.
"The king will be announcing a very important news later this morning when the day fully breaks and he has asked that you should avail yourself. It will happen in the throneroom."
At his words, I smiled because I knew exactly what it was. But even as I smiled, I felt a prick in my heart.
"I have heard," I said and gestured for my ladies in waiting to come in.
Once they did that and the doors were closed behind them, I began to orchestrate another plan.
"Lady Rachel."
"Yes, my queen," she dutifully responded.
"I want you to get to your father as soon as possible. I cannot wait any longer. Tell him it is urgent!" I hastily said, showing the urgency.
"Send him a letter if you may or a royal messenger. I will write a letter that will be taken to him so that as he is on the way, he will begin to work on my request."
Saying that, I hurried to the desk in my room and quickly took a white piece of paper before taking a clean feather.
On taking the feather, I froze as a déjà vu feeling came to me.
It reminded me of my time in prison before I had died. When I used my blood as ink.
I looked at my right palm and noticed that there was no scar to show what I had gone through.
"Is anything the matter, my queen?" Dally worriedly asked.
"There's a lot of matter, Lady Dally, and I need to act fast!" I responded as I sat down and got my ink ready before writing. I was a left-handed person and it had been an issue for my father but my brother had told him that writing with my left hand wasn't a bad thing, it just meant that I was special.
And so I began,
Dear Mr Rowland…
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~{LAUREN'S POV}~
'A few hours later'
Everyone invited were present.
The duke, baron, count, viscount, earl, marquis, magistrate and every other important body of the kingdom.
"The king has arrived! All rise!"
The royal guard announced and in confidence, I marched along the red carpet of the throne room in my royal regalia. Everyone rose and bowed in respect and I watched through the corner of my eyes to see who didn't dare show up.
Nevertheless, as I looked ahead, my steps nearly faltered when I saw that the throne beside mine was empty.
That was a seat for the queen and yet she was nowhere to be seen.
My eyes nearly widened at this and I wanted to demand why she wasn't present but didn't because it would raise an alarm.
It wouldn't look well for the kingdom if it got out that the queen has become rebellious and out of character.
Once I got to my throne, I remained standing as I purposely delayed just to buy Deborah time.
Whatever she was up to, she had to stop or it would get really ugly.
I may be calm but once someone overstepped their limit then I didn't mind doing as I pleased. I don't care if her brother is the devil himself or if her father owns the whole world.
A queen's presence is very important. After all, a prince cannot have the King title without a Queen.
No matter what, I still needed her because she was an important person.
My right hand man and personal advisor walked up to my throne and whispered into my ear, saying;
"It is said that the queen left the kingdom this morning with her new coachman. No one knows where she went and we only got this information now because she didn't use her royal carriage but a local one and was dressed as a commoner."
My hands clenched to fists as I asked a question.
"How long has it been?"
"Three hours ago."
My body began to vibrate in rage but I knew I had to remain calm, however, I couldn't.
All eyes were on me, waiting for my words of acknowledgement.
Since she was away, I had no other option but to do something I would never have done.
"Since she is not here, get Lady Peculiar and have her dressed in royal attire."
Thomas gave me a confused look and asked a question he didn't want to believe.
"Don't tell me you will have her sit on the Queen's throne?"
But instead of saying anything to him, I remained quiet.
"With due respect, your majesty, don't! If you do that then you will only get the queen more mad than she already is. I advise that you first try to see what may be the cause of her behaving the way she is before taking things into your hands. Mind you, she is a wise and crude ruler." He advised me but I had already made up my mind.
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Note: Song recommendation for the following chapter (16); 'The Abyss by The Weeknd featuring Lana Del Rey'