The Mad Queen

Chapter Fifty-Seven

It seems that with every Queen's Trial there is some sort of dramatic event or outcome. One of the most memorable Queens Trials happened during the reign of King Balor and Queen Skylar. Originally, there was to be no Queen's Trial. The King and Queen had four children. Three daughters and one son. However, their son, prince Andren was mysteriously murdered when he was a boy. Though it was never proven, it was often thought that the Princesses themselves killed the boy. It wasn't any secret in the castle that the princesses were angry that their youngest brother was to be king and seen as above them. The eldest princess was particularly vicious toward the young prince. When he died, the Queen's trial was quickly put into motion. On the night it began, the two youngest princesses fled to attempt the True Trial. Princess Cathryn and Princess Victoria. After three nights, the cannon sounded. The sky lit up green, telling the world that a princess had died of natural causes or an accident. The following explosion was the colours of Princess Cathryn. This left only princess Victoria. There was no word of her during the year and when the time came for her to return with the united races in tow, she never did.

It wasn't until sixty years later, when her cannon went off, telling the world of her death. By then, people had mostly forgotten about her. It is theorised that the two princesses had no intention of participating in the True Trial. That they were running away and making new lives for themselves.

So, by default and without even having to do the Trial, the eldest daughter Princess Riya became the Queen Victorious. The man who their father had chosen her to wed was kind and soft. It is often said that even though he was the King, the one who was really ruling was Queen Riya.

It is believed that this was one big scheme from Queen Riya. A way of getting her on the throne without her sisters having to die in the Trials. It was because of that, she and her husband were one of the least popular rulers in Vivelle's history. Though the Queen had four sons, which meant in the eyes of the people she fulfilled her purpose and the throne could pass down to someone who actually deserved it.

~History of the Queen's Trial.

I look at my reflection with wide eyes.

"Where did you manage to get a dress like this?" I ask Odelia. We are no longer in the cave but in one of their safe houses.

"We are a group of thieves and murderers. Remember," she says. I just chuckle and spin around again. It is nice to be wearing a dress again and not dirty travel clothes. It isn't too extravagant. The silky green material fits closely to my figure and flows to the floor in layers of soft silks.

Over the top, I wear a thick cloak in a similar shade of green. I also have my blonde form back. Zoran walks into the room and stands next to me. He also wears fine clothes and a cloak as well as his human disguise.

"I do not see why these silly clothes are necessary," he grumbles.

"Mmm," Wyatt nods in agreement. "I much prefer you without," he smirks. Zoran raises an eyebrow and I roll my eyes.

"Shut up, Wyatt," I tell him. Wyatt laughs and Zoran just smiles.

"The people who go to this establishment have a lot of money," Odelia sighs, trying to speak over our banter as she explains it to him again. "Being serviced by a Mer or Siren doesn't come cheap. If you even want to get in the doors, you have actually look like customers," she snaps.

"How many Water folk are in there?" I ask with a frown. She shrugs. "We only have enough tears for ten," I sigh, looking at Zoran's small glass vile with the tiny amount of liquid in it.

"We just heal the sirens first," he tells us. "Once they have their voices back, they will cry and we use their tears to help heal the others." I nod my head.