"Instead, how about I go call my dad here while you finish the task in hand, your Majesty?" Collins asked with a calm face.

Clare's eyebrows furrowed at his statement, her mind exploring every possible work he could be mentioning. With a small smile tugging along his lips, Collins nodded his head at Clare's hand. Following his glance, she found the piece of chocolate, patiently waiting for her attention. "This is nothing," she said, astonished by his description of work. "I'll eat later. Lead me to him."

Collins fell in deep thought, shifting his gaze from her face and her hands. "I'll take you to him once you finish that chocolate," he said sternly. "I don't think you will find it classy talking to my father with a chocolate in hand."

Clare's eyebrows raised at his statement. He might be right, but she was the queen now, and that is no way to talk to a queen. An intense staring competition broke out between them, her eyes glowing by the second. Finally, Collins shrugged, "Eat whatever you want, my Queen. It is said that a mind doesn't function at its fullest while hungry."

With a long sigh, Clare popped the chocolate in her mouth. With no time to relish the taste, she swallowed it and gestured to him to lead the way. Walking ahead, Collins followed close behind, leading with his hands every once in a while. Dreading the conversation that lay ahead, Clare put on a brave face, a mask she always wore in public.

Soon, she was face to face with the king of Corolia. Collins took his place near a young man who was already beside the king. Another prince of Corolia, Clare assumed. "My queen," King Christopher greeted with a bow. Classandra nodded to convey her respects. "My hearty congratulations on the coronation."

Clare had her mouth sealed, nodding a thank you at his statement. "The conversation we had last time was filled with energy, don't you think?" Christopher continued.

"Indeed," she said bitterly.

"The glowing eyes were a fantastic touch too," he continued with a grin. Classandra's head remained high, unwilling to reveal any further details. "Did you know," his voice dropped to a whisper. "The legend states that whoever is born with those powers are highly unstable."

Her eyebrows lifted at his statement, a mock concern evident in her eyes.

"And an unstable queen on the throne of Utopia," he shook his head with puckered lips. "Not so glamorous."

Classandra nodded thoughtfully.

"I still have the scroll to prove it," he said proudly, patting slightly on his coat pockets. 

"Do you really think I paved the way for your rise to power just because I supported you," he chuckled, amusing Classandra. "It is only a matter of time people are going to revolt against you and throw you off the power. Then, the games would be the only way to determine the ruler."

Classandra nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. With a tsk of her tongue, she asked, "Is that all?"

The rulers had a silent moment, staring into each other's soul, a playful smile never leaving. 

"The praises of you are endless, your Majesty!" He beamed real loud. Classandra was taken aback by the sudden loudness. "Speaking about your praises, I almost forgot."

"This is my second born, Prince Christoph." 

Prince Christoph took a bow. Classandra nodded, acknowledging his respect. "And I would like to put forth a proposal. One that would tie our kingdoms closer together."

"And what would that proposal be," she asked, genuinely curious. 

"A marriage proposal, my queen!" He beamed. The ballroom fell into deafening silence. "Marriage?" Classandra echoed. She was met with a silent smile. A glance at prince Christoph told that he wasn't here for the marriage but was completely in on whatever his father planned. Collins' face was nothing but blank. 

"Thank you," Classandra started. "But I'll have to politely decline. I have no intention of marriage at this moment. I'm sorry."

"Of course, your majesty. I understand. It is too soon. Perhaps, if not now, then later?" King Christopher persisted.

"I'm sorry," Clare repeated. "I'm not interested in this proposal."

"I understand," the king said with a grim expression. "Perhaps my younger son then? Prince Collins?"

Collins' head bolted towards his father at the sound of the proposal. His face was consumed with anger, a fury boiling deep within. But Clare was only amazed, because the hatred he showed was against his father- someone he had always known to follow orders without another word. 

"No," Clare stated firmly, eliciting a glance from Collins. "I don't wish to marry him either."

"Why?!" The king exclaimed. "Did we do something wrong? Can we do something to change your mind, your majesty?"

"No," Clare stated again. 

"What if—"

"A NO—" Classandra fumed, her eyes starting to glow. "IS A NO!"

Not another word escaped his sealed lips. A moment of silence lasted, her sizing them up with just mere glances. She wanted to scream more, telling him that it was insane to threaten her just a minute ago and immediately put forth a marriage proposal, but she remained silent in that regard. The memories from Alexander's coronation only fueled her anger. She might have not wanted to become a queen, but no one– NO ONE– is allowed to undermine her powers. 

"Steward!" Classandra bellowed. The Steward came scuttling to her side and stood with a bow. "I would like to issue my first order as queen!" she said. Helpers arrived with a scroll and a quill. The Steward waited patiently for the queen to speak. The entire ballroom was charged with electricity. 

"From this day forth," she started. The guests held their breath. "any trade or interaction with the kingdom of Corolia is strictly prohibited. The royal family is henceforth banned from entering the borders of Utopia under any circumstances, unless otherwise stated."

Prince Christoph's face scrunched up in hatred. King Christopher fumed with fury. There was nothing more humiliating to a king than being restricted access. He never once considered a situation like this, for his kingdom was the largest trader of Utopia.

"This law is in effect immediately," Classandra stated, fueling the already burning fury.

"King Christopher," she called. "Thank you for your visit. You may now leave."

The entire ballroom came to a stand still, too stunned to comprehend what just happened. The ministers exchanged worrying glances, for a law had been passed without their consultancy.

"You can't just punish us for proposing marriage!" Christopher scoffed. 

"This punishment is not for that, king Christopher," Classandra said calmly. "It is for stealing the royal treasury, which, apparently, you still possess in your coat pocket."

A frenzy of thoughts clouded Christopher's mind. All this time, he schemed and worked to make sure there were no loopholes that could expose him, but now? Accusation for theft of royal treasury? That was completely out of the blue.

Classandra studied his face thoroughly, jotting down a mental list of all the emotions that were flashing. Confusion was clear on his face. To ease his tension, she called one of the helpers and told them to take out the scroll that was neatly tucked in his coat pocket. 

"A scroll!?" King Christopher laughed. "How is that royal treasury!?"

"In Utopia, knowledge is considered to be one of the greatest treasures, and you stole it." Christopher's face scrunched in protest. His lips parted to allow words to flow but Clare stopped him by continuing. "Let's not forget that you also trespassed to acquire this... scroll."

Christoph marched forward with angry eyes but Classandra intervened by continuing the law, stating, "if this law is broken, the consequences lead to treason." Her words were stern and rigid as that of a mountain with the voice of a roaring river.

The distant sound of glass shattering was the only sound audible. The surrounding seemed like it had been affected by an earthquake as the legs of the guests shook violently. If people weren't scared of Clare then, they were definitely scared of her now. 

Collins held tight an enraged Christoph and pulled him back from pouncing. "We'll leave, my queen," he said. "Thank you for your time."

The royal family of Corolia backed out gradually with a silent vow speaking volumes in king Christopher's face. A sideways glance showed that Lia, the girl who just warmed up to Clare, was now hiding behind her mother's legs, shaking with fear. Turning back, Clare found her mother and brother, completely dumbstruck by everything.

"Steward," Clare called in a low voice, yet, the loyal Steward came running. "Thank everyone for coming and announce the end of the party."

With those words, Clare walked out and headed straight to her room, exhausted by all the drama that took place.

If this was just after a few hours after becoming the queen, Clare wasn't sure how an entire lifetime was going to go.