The Mad Queen

Chapter Sixty-two: The Castle

I have seen things you would never believe or understand! You will suffer for this. All of you. I will make sure of it. I will haunt you from beyond my grave and make sure your souls burn. I will destroy you and everything you hold dear! Just you wait. Every person in this room will suffer from this injustice. I have seen it and I have already set it all into motion. There is nothing you can do to stop me. Even as you cut me down, I will always be what you fear. When my revenge happens, just know that it was me who ensured it would happen and it will happen. I have seen your futures and know that I relished and enjoyed every moment of your suffering!

I will be the Mad Queen YOU created.

Evidence piece 24 in Queen Orianna's Trial. Her message to all the council members and her brother during the trial itself.

Rayana sits on her bed and takes in slow, deep breaths. It isn't long before she is taken from her room. Her eyes snap open and she pants heavily. She looks around her. She is in the castle. But it is different. There are different tapestries on the walls and the furniture is different. Looking down at her body, she realises she isn't wearing the usual plain dress she would usually be wearing in a vision. Instead, she is dressed in a grand dark purple dress. She catches herself in the mirror. Her hair has been styled in a neat bun and large diamond earrings hang from her ears. A matching diamond necklace sits around her neck and her skin has a glittering sheen to it. The dress isn't like what she or her sisters would normally. It is very grand. A tight corset embedded with more diamonds and also lace with a bulking, heavy skirt. This certainly wasn't the fashion from her time.

The door opens behind her. Rayana's head snaps round to see a woman enter. Her eyes widen and her breathing stops. It is her. The woman wears a dress very similar to her own. A tight corset and large skirt. Her auburn hair has been tied into a tight bun and a golden tree crown sits on her head. Rayana gasps.

The Lost Crown of Vivelle.

That crown has not been seen since the death of The Mad Queen. It was Visara's crown and was worn only by female queens who wielded The Gift.

The woman stops and stares at Rayana with wide eyes. The guards behind her see her too and immediately draw their weapons.
"What are you doing in the Queen's Chambers. Speak of I will slice you where you stand," he snarls. Rayana doesn't know what to say. She can only gulp. The woman holds up her hand.
"Leave us," she orders him. He tries to argue but she sends him a glare. He bows and leaves the room.

There is an awkward silence between the two as the woman looks over Rayana.
"I have seen you before. Who are you?" she asks. Rayana gulps.
"My name is Rayana," she says, her voice only a whisper. The woman raises an eyebrow and right then, Rayana could see a hint of Illyana in her features.
"Rayana?" as she gestures for her to elaborate.
"Rayana Dulavelle," she whispers even quieter. The woman frowns and sits down at her dressing table.
"Interesting," she sighs. Rayana takes in her features. Auburn hair, soft brown eyes and slightly tanned skin. She is very pretty and younger than she expected.
"Well, I am assuming you know my name," the woman says. Rayana nods.
"Queen Orianna," she replies. The woman nods and a small smile plays on her lips. The two stare at each other for a few more moments.
"You have the gift of the Fae," she tells her. Rayana nods her head and the woman stands up and walks over to her. She inspects Rayana closely.
"I have seen you. Multiple times. In my visions of the future," she frowns. "Yet somehow, you are here in person," she says. "You have a very special connection to the Fae Gift. It would appear as though you can travel through time instead of only being able to see through it and for some reason, you have come to me. This makes me think that something is going to happen in my time that will drastically affect yours," she says and sits back down. She bites her lip as she thinks. Rayana gulps.
"Something does and it is going to affect us for many generations," she whispers. Though that is all she can get out before some force stops her. She wanted to say more about the Trials but the words don't come out. Orianna turns and looks back at her.
"I have been struggling with my gift for so many years," she sighs. "I can see the toll it is taking on you." Rayana glances in the mirror. There are heavy bags under her eyes and her skin is paler than normal.
"It is a cruel gift. Not really a gift at all, thinking about it," she says as she lets out a humourless chuckle. "But to have access to such knowledge and secrets should not come without a price." Rayana can only gulp as the Queen gestures for her to sit.
"I expect you cannot tell me of what is to come or what has happened in your time to bring you here."
"No," Rayana replies as a thought pops into her mind. "I can't tell you because if I do, you'll change things. Things that will result in me not being born and without me being born, I wouldn't be able to warn you and without my warning, you wouldn't be able to change your future." She frowns as she says it. It is a very strange circle. The Queen nods.
"Yes, I understand," she sighs and stands again. "Princess," she says as she comes to sit next to Rayana. She takes Rayana's hand and looks into her eyes. They are wide and scared. "I think you've been sent to me for a reason. Perhaps not to help me, but to help someone in your own time. I do not know. But there is something happening within my walls and I do not know how to stop it. I am surrounded by enemies and I do not know how to flush them out. My visions have stopped coming and I am blind to their plans. Please help me," she whispers and tears begin to fall down her cheeks.
"I don't know how," Rayana replies as she looks at the Queen. A Queen who is supposed to be mad. She frowns. "But I can try."
Queen Orianna smiles and let's go of Rayana's hand.
"Thank you," she whispers then smiles softly. "It looks like you are about to leave me. I'll see you again soon." Rayana looks down and sees her body fading. She takes one last look at Queen Orianna before there is a black pop in front of her eyes.