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C H A P T E R   T H I R T E E N

"A Queen knows how to build her empire with the same stones that were thrown at her."

-Surbhi Mittal

Dinner wasn't grand like usual, it was quite unsettling to be a part of. Every council member kept their mouth shut, as if a dark presence were looming around the table, its hands around their necks, choking their words.

I sat at the head of the table, and Patrik on the other head. Delicious grilled chicken and herbs were served fresh on my plate, along with some fresh wine.

I didn't bother making eye-contact with anyone, I didn't curtsy when everyone greeted me and I didnt even touch my food yet. I needed to look broken, and it wasn't hard.

"Your Majesty." Katricia called, hesitantly. "We're here to discuss the happenings of today."

I looked up at her and slowly nodded. The sight was still plastered in my mind, blood, corpses, coffins. It was not how I expected this day to go. My crown hung to the side of my head and I lazily pushed it up.

Katricia shared a look with Patrik, he took over. "As Queen, you will need to announce the tragedy that took place today." He glanced up at me, to see if I would object, which I didn't. If Lady Sienna taught me anything, it was that a Queen never fails her duties. "The announcement will not be broadcasted, but written, Padgette will be writing the article and sending it to the press, it will be published by tomorrow morning. All we need now is your approval, and sign, so it will seem as if it was a message from you."

"Why does it have to be by me?" I asked stupidly.

"You're the Queen, your people will be more comforted if it was from you."

"Then why can't I write it?" I asked. "If it should be from me, then it should be from me. I'm tired of the lies, Patrik, I want to rule with honesty, not deceit. My entire life story was fabricated, I don't want anymore lies."

Patrik kept quiet, but another member from the council spoke up. "I agree. The child has just turned Queen, and has seen one of the most menacing threats of the rebellion group, who has more right than her to draft an article for her people?"

Murmurs of agreement arose. Patrik raised his hand and the table fell into its preceding silence. "It is consented, Her Majesty, Willow, will draft the article for the press and send it in by midnight." He looked at me for confirmation and I nodded. "Now for the next part of this meeting, The coronation ball."

I couldn't fathom how someone could think about celebrations when seventy people died in one day and one of the Royal Castle staff was kidnapped. But I kept mum, knowing that it was a part a Queen had to play.

"It will be included, in the article, that all further celebrations will be postponed until after the three day mourning period, which will be given as a kingdom-wide holiday."

I nodded, not knowing how anyone would possibly want to come to the castle after hearing about this, but the answer to my question soon followed.

"But the Ball will not be hosted in this castle." Padgette remarked. "The visiting royals were sent to stay in the castles of the south. It is no longer safe for them or you to stay here anymore, this will be your last night here at the castle, tomorrow morning you will be moved to the castles at the south, and so will the staff and council."

We had more castles?

"This Castle will be under lock-down until we find a way to get rid of those maddening rebels." Patrik added onto his sister's earlier statement. "Security will be tripled, and Officer Richett has enlisted a few guards for recruitment, but the soldiers training in the coasts will be our first shield of defence."

I choked on the wine I sipped. "You're recruiting Amber soldiers?"

"Of course." Patrik answered, like it wasn't supposed to be questioned at all.

"That's psychotic! Look at what happened today, Ivory guards weren't able to defend themselves, even though they had their abilities and powers to stop those rebels, and what makes you think, simple Amber soldiers, with absolutely no supernatural resistance, will make the situation better?"

"They are at our disposal, those Ambers clearly committed a felony, and it is their obligation to serve the Kingdom."

Disposal? Is that all they were to Ivories? Ambers had no powers, they weren't special, so they can be used at their disposal?

"Considering your history with Ambers, we understand this may sound vexing at the moment, but we are doing this for your protection. Clearly the rebels do not know their limit, nor when to stop, so it is our responsibility, as the council, to end this villainy."

I was enraged. The other council members were still silent, and Patrik waited for my reaction, but before I could burst, I regained composure.

"We will try and see if the circumstances you have suggested improve by this proposal. If not, we shall have to form an alliance with the Savarian government, and pray that this ongoing feud with the rebels will come to a stop."

Savaria was known for its brutality and tight security, what better way to fight savagery with savagery?

Clearly, Ptrik was impressed by my suggestion. "Very well, till we find a way to unite our defences with the Kingdom of Savaria, we will be using the Amber soldiers."

I slumped back on my seat, I never thought how much Ivories considered the Ambers their slaves.

The rest of the dinner went by without any conversation. Henri stood beside the door taking notes, he was no longer allowed to stay behind me for dinner, but instead, was replaced by two guards.

Conroy was demoted to a post near the grain-rooms. I was disheartened when Henri informed me before dinner. Officer Richett re-organized the posts of every guard, making him and the Second-Head Hydro officer my new personal bodyguards, but that didn't stop him from visiting during his breaks.

●・○・●・○・●

"How was dinner with the council?" Conroy asked, as politely as possible, knowing his father was standing right outside the door.

I giggled. "Nice, except when they started talking."

I hid the box under my bed. The words still haunted me. But I knew this was a clue for another day, right now. I had my Queenly duties in front of me. If the rebels attacked today, there would still be enough time until their next attack.

"Did the guards ever catch one of the rebels?"

"Not once." He stated. "They're like sneaky rats, always finding holes and nooks to hide from us."

"And this has been going on for months?"

"A year almost, it's been doing my dad insane! Whenever they attack, he's always shouting orders, and trying to fight them, but they're as good with a sword as he is, which makes it impossible!"

I nodded, letting all this soak in. The rebels were trained, professionally, and clearly good at Hide and Seek.

"We don't know where they're from either. They could be from any of the kingdoms. But we have a high suspicion that it's probably from Ketra, since we raided their food stock two years ago."

"Your Majesty!" Henri ran through the door and then bowed. "I'm afraid you have an article to be drafted and things to be packed!"

He pulled Conroy by the shoulder and took him out of the room. "Lots of things to do, I'm afraid. Come back on your next break." And without so much of a goodbye, Henri slammed the door shut.

Clearly the attack had some effect on him too.

"You'll need to send the article before midnight, which roughly gives you six hours. A few guards will be coming in about two hours to pack your things, so I suggest you ask your maids to help you segregate them."

"Am I the only one leaving?"

"Oh of course not," Henri waved his hand absentmindedly. "The castle isn't safe for anyone, the rebels keep sneaking in, even though we doubled the security for the coronation today."

"So does that mean, my mother and father will be able to come too?"

Henri slightly frowned. "The paperwork for your father's release has been filed, though, we can't allow him or your mother to stay while the foreign royals stay at the castles."

"So Bree can't come either?"

"Unless she is a maid or a part of the Castle staff... No." He looked left and right to see if we're being overheard. "I really wanted to applaud you for your quick thinking earlier, creating ties with the Savarian government was an excellent idea."

I blushed. "Well it's all thanks to you, after all, you were always the one who answered my doubts before my history tests."

Henri smiled, but wasn't a regular one, it was, as if, he was almost proud of me. "Now, you better get to writing that article. Tia and your maids will be arriving soon."

I nodded my head and took out a spare paper and quill. Henri gave a few instructions to Officer Richett and the other Guard, and then left.

I quickly began to get to work. The aquamarine around my neck swayed as I bent my head and scribbled on the paper.

Seventy killed, and thirty injured, as the Castel records its biggest attack this month.

The morning before the coronation of Her Majesty, Queen Willow, another rebellion ambush was documented and said to be the deadliest one yet. The council has announced this to be a state of distress and proper action has been taken.

"Do not fret." Her Majesty reassures. "It is my prime duty, as Queen, to ensure safety and protection of my people, and so we have all the plans of security and defence laid out and ready to be executed. On behalf of the council, we are very sorry for the loss of the staff and condolences to the families of the lost."

A three day mourning period is declared. The three days, of which, will be marked as a Kingdom-wide holiday for businesses and families alike.

I mentally patted my back. I didn't do so bad, but what I didn't realise was how long it actually took me to write this short article.

"Your Majesty." Tia curtsied, and the other maids did so too. "We are here to help you pack for tomorrow."

I quickly folded my article and placed it in an envelope, requesting one of the maids to send it to Henri.

"Start with my dresses and accessories please." I pointed to my wardrobe and closet. The maids quickly nodded and did as I commanded.

When all their backs were turned, I quickly grabbed the book-sack Ryke left with Atrope, and dumped the box and magnifying glass in one swift movement. Looking back to see if any of my maids had seen.

As Tia folded the heap of dresses from my closet, I slyly sneaked in the book-sack between the clothes, hoping that it would reach safely to the south Castles.

Soon, just like how Henri had mentioned, two guards appeared carrying the several boxes filled with my belongings, which were not much, considering the only things I had with me were my clothes and some reference books.

"Well done, Your Majesty. Patrik approved of your article and so did Padgette, its undergoing editing and will be published in the press by seven A.M. tomorrow." Henri announced, walking in and checking how the guards were transporting my boxes.

I nodded my head. "Thank you."

I looked around my chamber. I hadn't been here long but it already felt like a safe haven, compared to the other rooms in the castle.

Among the things that were being carried away, I discovered the first book I borrowed from this castle's library, Folklore and Ivory Folk. I picked up and briefly flipped through the pages, the last pages I read before coming here. The last pages I read under my favourite Willow tree. The last few pages I read as an Amber.

The last few pages I read before I became Queen.

"I think I'm going to need to sleep if I want to wake up for the shift tomorrow." I yawned. It was a long day. I may have been crowned Queen a few hours ago, but it felt like I had been doing it for a week now. "Good Night, Henri."

I tucked myself inside my blankets, not bothering to take off my itching dress and change into a nightgown.

"Good Night, Willow."

●・○・●・○・●

When I closed my eyes, everything about yesterday had disappeared. It was like I was free again, let loose from all my responsibilities tying me down. The troubles of my past, the uncertainty of my future and the aching reality of the present. But that blissful feeling didn't last for very long.

"Your Majesty. We leave in an hour." The Colonel marched grandly in my chamber and drew the curtains. It was usually Henri who woke me up. I lifted the blanket to cover my eyes. "Five more minutes." I complained, over the last few days, our relationship had slightly improved. I didn't have it in me yet to forgive him for how he humiliated me, but I could tolerate his presence, in fact, I felt quite comfortable with it.

"We leave in an hour." He repeated and left the room. I huffed and reluctantly got out of my bed. I hated waking up. I hated waking up as Queen even more.

All my dresses were packed, leaving a simple frock quickly sewn for me by Tia. I put it on, and it felt much lighter and more comfortable than the heavy gowns I was made to wear all day.

"The carriages are waiting. Henri told me to inform you." Tia whispered, reminding me of how Olive used to do that. Poor Olive, but at least she didn't have to endure last evening's tragic attack. I wonder how much she has experienced before I arrived.

"Thank you." I said. "I'll make sure you get a promotion." Thinking back to Olive's situation, one which I couldn't help save, I was glad I could do something for her.

Tia's eyes sparkled with gratitude. But not just gratitude- Hope. "Thank you, Your Majesty." She curtsied. "Olive was a close friend of mine, and I hope you know that she was happy to be serving you while she was."

I took a step back, stunned. "How did you know?"

"The other maids told me about how you raged with Patrik." She said softly and shrugged. "Olive was a nice lady, and I know you can see that too."

I bit my lip, smiling. "Thank you, and if you're still in touch with her, tell Olive that I'll get her another job somewhere-else if I can."

Tia nodded. "I think you've done plenty for her already, even if you dont know of it." and she left the room.

I picked up the crown from my bed stand, watching the jewels glint in the light. Standing in front of my mirror, I placed it on my head and adjusted my posture.

First day of being Queen. I thought. It can't get worse than yesterday.

And with that, I marched confidently down the stairs, watching all the staff shift the vases, portraits and tables, moving them into boxes.

"Your Majesty." Maids greeted. A pair of guards nodded their heads towards me as they carried the heavy boxes down the stairs.

I hummed. Today was getting off to a good start. It was going to be a good day. I was certain of it.

●・○・●・○・●

"Your Majesty, Officer Richett is waiting in the carriage, your things have reached your new chamber, last night." Henri, as usual, walked beside me on my way downstairs. "Oh, and Patrik told me to give you this." He reached for his pocket and brought out today's newspaper.

I eagerly snatched it from his hands and read the headlines.

"A message from Her Majesty, Willow Vaclare..." I read out loud. "Her Majesty, Willow Vaclare, has aided the loss of the many during another rebel attack yesterday. The young Queen was crowned hours ago and has already jumped to hearten the families who had experienced a loss of members by writing a hand-crafted message just for the press..." I jumped up and down in excitement.

"This is really improving your public image, keep this up and we have our jobs cut out for us!" Henri beamed. "We'll do things like this weekly, attending festivals, hosting events, and attending auctions. It'll boost Kingdom morale, especially after this tragedy. Everyone would love to see more of their Queen." He scribbled down everything on his notepad, muttering incoherent words and blindly walking towards the other direction,not lifting his eyes once.

I rolled my eyes and walked down the rest of the stairs. I passed through the Castle kitchens and tried to soak in every detail of this castle, God knows when I'll be back.

I frowned. I wondered if I could sneak into the Ex-Queen chamber? Maybe I could find something there. Then I remembered something Henri said days ago.

"...the council has decided to destroy the room completely, god knows what things are hiding there..."

I bit my lip, an opportunity lost. One that I won't get again.

●・○・●・○・●

"I'm looking for my carriage?" I asked a guard, his back faced away from me as I approached him. "Excuse me?"

"Do you mind?" He snapped back, still not turning to face me. "I'm in the middle of something!" His voice sounded strangely familiar. The guard beside him, a Pyro, glanced at me and shot a warning look to the other guard.

Scoffing, he turned around, only to turn ghost white. "Er- Your Majesty! I was just-"

I blocked out anything he was about to say. I recognized him, and it didn't take long.

"Don't you remember me?" I asked innocently.

He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "The Queen?"

I smiled sickly. "Oh, I was a friend of that Amber girl you suspended two months ago. Remember? Burned her ID to shreds because she bumped into an Ivory."

He turned around to the Hydro guard, and then back to me. "I suspend a lot of Amber girls." He shrugged.

"Well I don't think you will be able to anymore." My eyes twitched in fury. All emotions flooding back to me, and none of them good.

Just like that, I felt the same calming surge rush to my head. The friendly breeze once again greeted me, but I was far from feeling friendly. And, as though the wind was reading my mind it blew hard and snatched the Terra Badge off of the guard and threw it into the fiery furnace. All that was left of it was ashes and fumes. I felt the wind, I felt my power, and I felt the connection.

"Enjoy unemployment." I walked past him, feeling my authority grow stronger. I looked at my fingers, from where I felt the surge first form. Smiling, I walked without turning back. Power corrupts. I reminded myself. And absolute power, corrupts absolutely.

●・○・●・○・●

"Looks like I wasn't meant to be staying here after all." Bree wrapped one arm around my shoulder and used the other to open the castle doors for me.

"Once the Foreign Royals are gone, you can move in. And so can mother and father. It's only a matter of a few days."

Bree huffed. "Do you know how much turture it was when you left? You dad went berserk, always interrogating me, and your mum wouldn't stop crying. Worst of all, I didn't have anyone to walk me to the marketplace anymore. Pickpocketing is not fun alone."

"First of all Bree, it's one week. Seven days. And second. Pickpocketing is supposed to be a one-man's job."

Bree rolled her eyes. "How many more ways can I explain that I'll miss you?"

"When your ego learns not to get in the way of our friendship." I hugged her and she hugged back, being athletic and a good half foot taller than me, my head rested on her shoulder.

"You can't get rid of me yet." she murmured and let go. "I wonder if the kitchens in the new castle are bigger than the ones here..."

I glared at her. "Don't even think about it. Do you know how many stories I had to make up everytime the chefs and maids kept asking where all the cream buns went?"

At this we both erupted in a fit of giggles.

"Your Majesty." Conroy swiftly walks towards the both of us, lifting my hand and kisses the back of my palm. Reminding me of how Lucas first greeted me this way. "My lady." He winked at Bree, causing her to go beet red. "Your Carriage awaits."

I shook my head at his antics. "Trying to live up to your title? You're two months too late."

Conroy rolled his eyes. "My dad's been testing my every move. After the attack he's been quiet on edge." Conroy turned around to take a quick glance at him. "If I mess up, this will probably be the last time I'll see you again." He wiped a fake tear.

"Good riddance." Bree muttered sarcastically, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I can finally have Willow all to myself, just like how it was before." She grabbed my arms and winked back at Conroy, leading me to the carriage where Colonel was holding the door for me.

"See you after a week?" she asked.

"See you after a week." I confirmed, as Colonel sat inside the carriage with me, while the coachmen started the carriage.

●・○・●・○・●

The scenic beauty of Mithalore never ceases to amaze me. The views outside my chamber used to be magnificent, especially at night. If it wasn't for all the tight security, yesterday, I would have sneaked up to the Castle terrace to peek at the stars.

"The views are very lovely at the new castles." Colonel stated, and turned around to find him staring at me, before he looked at me with regret, now he looks at me as a friend, an ally. "It's very isolated, only forests, mills and farms surrounding it."

"Villages?" I asked. I had never been to the south side, nothing usually happened there, except that it's coast was where Ambers were forced to labour as punishment.

"None for two hours. Very Isolated."

"Which makes it safe." I agreed. "Everyone and everything will be plain in sight, nothing to hide."

Colonel looked impressed. "Yes. You catch on very Quickly."

I grinned. "I try." Looking out the window again, We were passing through a town. Ivory officers swarmed the marketplace, checking boxes, giving out fines and warnings, and shutting down shops. I sighed, remembering how I felt being an Amber, scared, vulnerable and unstable. You never know when a guard could knock at your door, making up an excuse to get you homeless, or walk inside your house, demanding more men for the northern wars, which thankfully are over. Ivory guards were every Amber's nightmare.

A question popped up in my head.

"You don't have a badge." I pointed out, towards the pocket of Officer Richett's uniform, where his Ivory badge should be hanging. I didn't remember him wearing any badge the day he suspended me either.

He looked down to where I was pointing and shrugged. "Don't have any powers." he said it as if it didn't bother him, but you could see the way his left eye twitched slightly. He was hiding something under that mask of his.

"How?" I prodded further. "I didn't think it was possible to lose your powers." Henri popped into my mind, and how he had mentioned he lost his Terra powers.

"Everything is impossible, until you find out it's possible." He sighed, taking a long breath in and then finally facing me. "It was a long time ago, no need to fret Your Majesty, I may be powerless but I have my tactful sword skills."

"Henri lost his powers too." I said reluctantly, wondering if this was anything related to Officer Richett. "He said he did some bad things and it got taken away?"

"I doubt gambling is considered a 'Bad Thing'." He muttered, though I couldn't make out what he had said at first.

"You gambled your powers?" I shrieked.

Acting on reflexes, he took out his hand gun and covered my mouth tightly. "Say that any louder, could you?" He growled. "We're taking a risk transporting you here alone, with just one guard. You're lucky you even made it inside the carriage."

"And I'd be lucky if I'd ever make it out." I muttered under his palm. "How can you even gamble your powers? It's like gambling your sense of humour or your sight!"

"Well those Ketra folks are cheats so I wouldn't expect anything less." He grumbled, releasing his grip on me. "Henri and I, we were a duo, back in the days, we won and we lost. There's nothing more to say."

I shook my head and leaned back into my seat, knowing that that would be all the information I'd be able to pry off of him, until Conroy gives me more. "How long till we reach?" I changed the topic.

"Two hours."

"And how did I not know that we had Castles in the south?" I asked, raising my eyebrows slightly.

"Probably because they belong to the Ex-Queen." He replied nonchalantly.

What's your favorite type of coffee?

Mine would be an Iced Latte.