I sat there, on the couch, my mind racing, as Queen Aliana ruminated on her thoughts, and probably her next words.
It would be foolish of me to believe she had come to commend me sincerely, that suddenly she had sidelined my lies and deception which she knew of.
No. I knew better.
After all, I had the tape in my bag, the one with the incriminating evidence against her. The Queen was evil, and I had proof of her dark deeds, at least against Zande.
I watched her closely, trying to keep my expression neutral. No matter what she said or did, I couldn’t let her see my true feelings.
The tape in my bag might feel too heavy to carry as a secret, but keeping it was necessary. I had to keep it safe. It was my only weapon against her. I wasn’t sure when I would be using it, but I won’t be taking chances. Not at all.
The Queen smiled at me, whilst I made my decisions, but it didn’t reach her eyes. I shut down the animosity that rose up my chest as a bile would and forced a bland, polite look onto my face.
I couldn’t afford to show any emotion. She couldn’t know that I was onto her, that I had evidence of her corruption, that I was suspicious of her in the very least. It will cause her to get her guards up. I didn’t want that.
I had never seen her magic in action, except for that one time she had scanned me in the hall, and the time when she had walked into the wall, but I knew that she was too dangerous an opponent, too deceitful.
I had to play along for now, pretend to be loyal and in the dark, until I could expose her for what she truly was, until I could expose the truth.
“Maya,” The Queen began again, then paused. “Forgive my rudeness. I never asked you which name you preferred to be called in the closet. Maya or Dora?”
I held back a scoff. “Dora.”
A lie, and from the no-change in her facial expression, I knew that she had taken my answer at face value.
Dora.
It wasn’t a bad name though. As a matter of fact, I was already getting used to it.
“Very well then. Dora…” Her voice was measured and calm, “I’d like to know more about your class schedule. Your training in magic, to be specific.”
I hesitated.
Why was she interested in my magic classes? Did she want to tutor me?
“I have magic training only on Fridays, Your Majesty.”
The Queen nodded thoughtfully, a small frown creasing her brow.
My heart beat spiked. What now?
“That won’t do,” She said decisively. “Given your abilities, you need more rigorous training. Starting next week, you will have magic training three times a week. I will place you in a beginner’s class initially, just for a week. After that, we’ll assess your progress and determine the next steps.”
Three times a week? The thought was daunting, yet thrilling. I had to admit. Did it mean I could skip this Friday’s class? No. I will attend that too. I needed to know the feel of magic training.
A chance to learn more, to understand my powers better. But what if I failed? What if I couldn’t keep up? I swallowed my doubts and then sighed, determined to give it my all, with or without the Queen’s interference.
The Queen’s expression softened slightly. “This isn’t a punishment, Dora. It’s an opportunity. Your powers are extraordinary, and with proper guidance, you can achieve great things. The beginner’s class will help you get a taste of different magical disciplines, and we’ll see where your strengths lie.”
She must have misunderstood my sign to be that of sorrow.
Not at all, woman. If anything, I was excited, so long as she wouldn’t be the one doing the teaching.
“And as for the bullies,” Queen Aliana continued, a steely edge to her voice now, “They will be punished. No one should be tormented for their lack of abilities or their uniqueness.”
I saw Peter and Laura nod. The first sign of life I have seen from them since the Queen started talking.
Could Chyra be wrong when she had spoken of her belief in Laura withdrawing Diana from school when she discovered the secret? Could Laura actually do it? Seeing her deep humility before the Queen, I was beginning to doubt that notion.
“You also seem to be gathering fans all around, Dora. Most of my council, not minding that your roots are unknown, are quite fond of you. Be rest assured though, that you wouldn’t be disturbed again.”
I didn’t know how to feel about that.
However, there was the relief that washed over me at the annulment of harassment that had been a burden, or rather would have been a burden in the long run, should Rachel’s minions make good of their promises. I needed to sort out this power on my own. I didn’t need them to keep drawing it out.
I watched now as the Queen rose, her presence filling the room with a sense of finality. “I will see you tomorrow, Dora. We have much to discuss and plan. Rest well, and prepare yourself for school tomorrow.”
With that, she turned and left, the door closing softly behind her. The room seemed to exhale, the tension dissipating in her absence.
I sat there, processing the last statement she had said, without elaboration. I was to see her tomorrow? Where? When? For what? What were we discussing? What plans was she talking about?
“Are you okay, Dora?
Laura asked me this, before standing up from her seat, and coming to sit beside me.
I nodded, my eyes finding Diana who was just looking at me without any emotion showing in her eyes. Was she really unhappy that I caught the Queen’s attention or was it something else?
“I might not be a fan of the Queen, but she is right. Your training classes need to be upped. Also, about the meeting tomorrow, don’t go alone. You can go with Levina.”