The Mad Queen

Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Capital

The Queens Trial between sisters Princess Hettie and Princess Delilah was one of the biggest failures of all the Queens Trials. Princess Hettie was killed on the first combat trial, meaning that Delilah didn't have to do any of hers. As it turns out, Delilah had poisoned her sister. A poison that made Hettie weak, disorientated and confused. She wasn't able to even fight back against the first soldier who attacked her. He killed her with only a single punch. A shame as princess Hettie was said to be an excellent warrior.

The King and Council knew something had happened in order for Hettie to perish like that. In fact, they knew that Princess Delilah was behind it. However, there was nothing that they could do about it. Princess Delilah was the only Dulavelle who could continue their line. She was a wicked Queen. The King thought that her husband would be able to control her. However, she used her own special potions, thanks to the Centaur Gift, to twist his mind. Making him easily susceptible to what she told him. He died before their son was old enough to take the Throne. She became the Queen Regent until he reached the age of eighteen.

~History of the Queen's Trials.

Cordelia gently presses the cold cloth against Kristoff's back, wiping away the blood.

"You really care for my son?" Councilman Drake asks. Cordelia nods her head.

"I do, Councilman," she replies with a gulp. "He is the deserving King," she replies. The councilman nods.

"It would seem that you are the only princess who will make an appropriate queen," he sighs, looking at her. "Perhaps, we could help each other," he smiles.

"I do not want to go against my father," she tells him. He laughs.

"No no, it won't be anything like that," he replies. "Your father isn't Kristoff's biggest fan at the moment. Or mine. Perhaps, with your help, we can get back into his good books again," he shrugs. She nods her head.

"I will see what I can do, Councilman," she replies. He nods his head and stands, leaving the room. Kristoff groans beneath her.

"Kristoff," she whispers, stroking his hair away.

"Why didn't you stop it," he growls at her. Her eyes sting with tears.

"I couldn't," she tells him. "You know my father doesn't listen to me. He doesn't respect me," she gulps. He tilts his head to look at her, still frowning. Though the lashing had been satisfying to watch, it has undone some of her work. Not to worry, she has a plan for that.

"Kristoff," she says her voice soft and musical. "I have to show you something, but you have to keep it a secret," she gulps. He twists his brows into a look of confusion. She closes her eyes and presses her fingers to one of her tears. Gently, she brings her wet finger to his mouth. He wraps his lips around her finger, licking away the wet tear. Her other hand hovers over his back. She heals it, pretending that it is her tear doing it instead of her. His eyes widen and he sits up quickly.

"You have the Siren Gift?" he asks. She nods her head.

"Does that include..."

"No," she chuckles. "I am a terrible singer," she tells him. "I am not manipulating you in any way," she tells him softly. He nods his head and scoops her closer as he stands. Looking in the mirror, he checks his back. Only faint white lines remain, barely visible. He grins.

"You can't tell anyone. Not my sisters. Not my father or yours," she gulps. "I don't know what they'll do to me if they find out," she gulps. He pulls her into a hug and kisses the top of her head.