( Astheria, Somewhere In Australia. )
The princess ungraciously jumped out of the limo before the royal guards could get to it and rushed into the palace. Nothing of her etiquette spoke of royalty.
Ignoring the countless bowing maids and the army of guards, she dashed into the elevator. Security instantly made way as she flew out. Every inch of the Queen’s wing was crawling with them. She barged into the ruling Queen’s room and looked over at the number of doctors crowded around the sick old woman.
“Grandma!” Natalia choked out uncontrollable tears and ran to her side. She looked extremely pale and lifeless lying on her death bed.
Drips and an oxygen mask was connected to her. In total, the entire room looked like a hospital ward. The doors subserviently closed signifying the doctors’ departure.
“My precious pearl, is that you?” Queen Fiona was barely audible as her weak eyes slightly opened and squinted around for her grand daughter. Natalia knelt by her side and took her cold hands in hers.
“Grandma, I’m sorry.” She cried hurtfully, feeling her entire face hot and red from too much tears. “I’m sorry for not being here for you. I’m sorry for selfishly leaving.”
“Shuush. You didn’t leave me. I sent you away so you’ld avoid seeing me die slowly.” She forced out through the oxygen mask. Her glorious white hair which used to glow in Natalia’s eyes, looked as pale as death!
Natalia wheezed out painfully and tried to stay sane as she watched her grandmother groan in pain.
“Alexis, listen to me closely. Be careful and stay safe. You’re the only surviving heir of this family and all eyes are on you, both good and bad. Be strong and brave just like your parents were. Don’t give in to your enemies.
“You might be young but never let anyone rule over you or boss you around. Instead, speak and make them obey. Trust your incredible instincts and decisions. Do not trust everyone you meet or be fooled by their appearances and sincerity. And never give up easily without a fierce fight.”
“But grandma, I can’t do anything without you. I… I need you by my side. I can’t rule an entire Empire on my own. I… I don’t even know what or…” She hiccupped as her desperate tears ran without ceasing.
A lonely tear slid down Queen Fiona’s eye as she reached out an old, frail hand to touch the princess’s wet cheek. Natalia shakily took it and placed a warm, loving kiss there.
“Oh, my grand daughter. I wish I could stay more with you but I’m sorry I can’t. You’ll find help when you need it. From what I’ve seen so far?… You are more than ready to be a great leader. And remember, yo… your parents a… and I wi… will always l… love you. M.. my An… angel, my pre… precious pearl, m… m… my lit… little A… Alexis…” She wheezed out her final breath and her hand slipped from Natalia’s cheek.
The doctors ran back in as the monitors started beeping out of control. They touched and examined as the princess took a few shaky, disbelieving steps back with an agonizing heart. Her eyes refused to blink, refused to believe the Chief physician’s words.
“I’m sorry, Princess Alexis… But the Queen is no more.”
As soon as they sadly bowed and left, Natalia moved her feeble legs and frantically hugged the lifeless body on the bed, letting out an agonizing scream…
***
Dripping wet with water, Arian De’ Argent strode into his bedroom looking cold and lifeless. He sat dejectedly on his bed and stared into empty space, looking defeated. His mother came in to console him after Ricky had briefed her of the latest happenings.
Since he didn’t spare her a single look or word, she pulled him into a warm, motherly hug despite his drenched clothes and kissed his wet hair. This somewhat reignited his tears again which had been sealed behind his tired, swollen eyes.
“Sh… she’s gone, mom.” His voice shook as he whispered tearily. “She’s really gone…”
***
Becky helped her mom pack the last of their luggage into the car. She looked back at the little house in the neighbourhood she grew up in and felt nostalgic.
“Honey, are you sure you want to do this?” Her mom held her. She forced a smile and nodded.
“Mom, you don’t have to come with me if you don’t want to. I know you’re risking everything for your disappointment of a daughter…. but I’ll be fine.”
“That’s nonsense!” She scolded making Becky helplessly smile. She hugged her mother tightly.
“Are you sure you don’t wanna tell him?”
“I’m sure.” She smiled sadly. “We’re gonna be fine.”
“You know I’ll always love you, right?”
“I know mom. And I love you too.” She smiled out tears.
Becky’s dog poked its head out of the back seat’s window and barked at them repeatedly. They pulled apart and laughed.
“Seems Janet’s more excited to leave the city than we are.” Her mom joked as they entered into the car.
Becky looked back at the house and smiled, knowing they were gonna be alright…
***
In the middle of the night, Ricky dragged himself back home and crashed on the nearest couch. He stared up at the white ceiling in silence and sighed.
His heart was exhausted… more exhausted than his body.
He tiredly reached out and brought out his phone, going through the last chat on the message app again.
~ … Ricky, I’m so sorry but we have to leave. Something critical came up. I’ld have told you in person but I can’t. I’ll call if I can. Remember, I love you… ~
“Shouldn’t you be in bed? It’s past midnight.” He muttered as Nicky walked down the stairs. She sat beside his silhouette in the semi-dark living room and sighed.
“I can’t sleep. I miss them so much already.” She pouted. Ricky pulled his twin and cuddled her.
“They’re fine. I know they’re fine. And we’re gonna be alright, okay?” She nodded and he kissed her hair.
“I’m gonna have to change pajamas again.” She whined making him arch a brow. Nicky rolled her eyes and snickered.
“You’re soaking wet, silly!” Ricky looked down at himself and giggled in realisation despite his exhaustion…
***
Elva walked into the princess’s room to find her crouched on the floor by her bed, crying like she’d been doing since the past few days.
Her pet tigress, Arla, sat by her feet watching her tear up helplessly. Today was the late Queen’s funeral, judging from the black dress everyone in the Empire wore.
Royalties and the press from around the world graced the occasion but Natalia kept herself hidden. She preferred to cry herself insane alone, than pretend to be fine among conceited, selfish and ulteriorly motivated sympathisers.
She refused to eat and still wore the same clothes from days ago. Her usually beautiful hair was a mess and her big brown eyes were red and swollen. Her seductive buttery-whipped-cream skin was a shadow of its former glory.
In total, she looked skinny, sick and unhealthy.
Elva tried to stop her tears from falling, but they fell looking at the pitiable version of her best friend before her. Natalia had refused pity from anyone and had shut her self off to grieve for her grandmother.
“Princess Alexis, the grand royal funeral is over and the prime minister says your coronation as Empress will take place tomorrow at dawn. Do you have any objections?” She asked with hesitation.
Elva was expecting her to go berserk and yell to be left alone as usual. But she didn’t speak a word. Suddenly, she stood up which startled both Arla and Elva, and moved sluggishly towards the large windows which were draped with silky curtains.
“What are they doing down there?” She weakly but softly asked, pulling a part of the blind away.
Thousands of Astheria citizens had gathered outside the palace walls, holding large white candles. The evening darkness made the golden glow magical. The energetic press clustered around, trying to capture each and every moment. They all wore black and stood quietly in solemnity and reverence.
“They’ve come to hold a vigil and pay their last respect to the late Queen.”
Silence followed.
“Tell the prime minister I’ll be there.”
“Yes Princess….”
“And also to keep the ceremony a private affair. I want all the ministers and cabinet members of the Empire present. No other soul is to be granted entry.” She gravely stated. Elva could feel a slight chill in her tone but she nodded anyway.
“As you wish, your highness. Also, the autopsy reports came in this evening. No physician in the palace knows about it as you’d instructed.” Elva walked over and placed the sealed envelope in her weak hand.
She could hear Natalia take a deep breath as she slowly but firmly opened it.
Two minutes later, the document shook in her hands. She let out a sharp, muffled sob!
“I… I knew I.. it. My guts d… didn’t f… fail me. They… they killed her. They m… murdered the Queen just as they killed my parents. T… they slowly p.. poisoned her till her dying breath. El… Elva, they killed my entire family!” She screamed and hit the table as hot tears burned down her cheeks again.
Elva didn’t know what to do. She felt her tears coming but she fought it, knowing it wasn’t her duty as a royal assistant to show unethical emotions.
Logic and practicality were her watch words and she had to abide. She gave the seemingly defeated princess enough time to cry as much as she wanted. If tears were venom, they’ld have blinded and scaled her by now.
“What are your orders, your highness?” She asked subserviently in a professional voice.
Natalia’s tears froze as she slowly stood up straight. Her fists clenched the papers tightly till her knuckles turned white. Elva unconsciously flinched from the dark aura seeping into the person at the other side of the table.
“They will pay.” Was what she breathed. “Every last one of them will pay for what they did! I’ll ruin their lives so much they’ll grovel for mercy! I’ll make them beg for death but won’t find it! I’ll show them the torture of being alone!”
Suddenly, she turned and Elva almost screamed from the amount of hate, rage and darkness in her eyes. She unconsciously took a few steps away as Natalia moved a step closer.
“They succeeded with my parents and now grandma. But they won’t count on their victory with me! I’ll stab them so hard where it hurts the most! They’ll curse the day they ever heard the Santiana’s name! I’ll make them hate the second they desired the throne, MY THRONE!
“I’ll bring the fury of hell into their worlds! Even if I die on the way, they’ll pay for everything they took from me!!” She yelled and wiped her streaming tears aggressively.
Elva let hers fall freely staring in horror at the stranger before her. She stifled a scream and dashed out of the room when the princess began smashing everything she laid eyes on, blinded by murderous vengeance and fury…
***
To Be Continued…