"And, a proposal for curfew, from Señor Santiago?"

"Yes, yes, that's alright. Tell him to come in for my afternoon tea. We'll talk then."

Cierra waved her hand airily at the advisor as he bowed and scuttled away. A week had passed since her statement in the square, and Cierra had made sure the whole kingdom knew of her words. A new kingdom came with a new queen, and, of course, new laws.

The throne in the main hall had become uncomfortable after Cierra's many hours spent sitting on it signing off orders. Her hands itched for her bow, but she knew she wouldn't be able to go to the woods until her kingdom was restored. Well, maybe the situation was not that dreary. But Cierra felt like she was looking at another hundred years of signing parchment.

"Your majesty..."

Cierra looked up and rolled her eyes. Gilberto had sunken into a deep bow, his gaze mocking as he stood up and straightened his shirt. "What is it you want?"

"I was just thinking that you look tired. Let's go for a walk."

Sighing, Cierra shrugged. The material of her dress felt heavy against her shoulders. "You know me too well, Gilberto."

A strange look passed over Gilberto's features. Cierra didn't pause to question it as she grabbed her cloak from beside her throne, throwing it over her gown. She was wearing a morbid navy dress with black roses weaved at every hemline. Her red cloak was worn at the edges from her days spent in the woods.

In one swift movement, Cierra pulled her heels off, letting them clatter to the floor. Gilberto watched on, an amused smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth. "Always the queen, I see."

Cierra didn't say anything as she strode past Gilberto and into the narrow hallway that led down to the gardens. Gilberto clambered after her, his footsteps echoing as they made their way down the thin stairs. Cierra made no noise, her bare feet soft on the ground.

When they reached the Monada Gardens, named after the first queen of Escozor, Cierra slowed down enough for Gilberto to reach her side. His hand brushed the material of her dress as they walked through the plant-enclosed path that led to the stone pavilion in the center of the garden. Gilberto shivered. Summer was ending fast, and August was not even here yet.

Cierra gave Gilberto a strange look, before hugging her cloak tighter around herself and saying, "Well, I'm not giving you my cloak, if that's what you want."

Gilberto chuckled. Dios mío, he loved her. Gilberto's breath caught at his confession to himself. He exhaled slowly, not wanting Cierra to notice his sudden shortage of breath. He opened his mouth, shakily changing the subject, "Tell me, how are things going with the, ah, advisors?"

"Lo juro, Gilberto, if we came out here to talk about them, we can start walking right back."

Gilberto held his hands up in mock apology, "Lo siento! Sorry. How are things? That is to say, how are you?" Gilberto's voice took on a softer tone.

Cierra looked at Gilberto from under her long lashes, a layer of ice thawing to reveal an intimate yet cautious tenderness in her eyes. In her beautiful eyes. "I miss her," Cierra finally replied, her fists curling at her sides, "I know I-I shouldn't, after all she's done, but I do."

Gilberto didn't know what to say. This was not the direction he had foreseen for the conversation. Before he could say anything else though, Cierra interrupted.

"And I know that I should hate her but all I can think is that I'm like her. Am I? Tell me, Gilberto. She was a horrid person, a despicable woman, and above all a terrible queen who cared for nothing about her kingdom. Tell me the truth, for it is all I want to hear. Am I like my mother?"

They had reached the pavilion, where they both halted. In the silence, Gilberto gently sat Cierra down, and seated himself beside her. She started talking again, in a calm yet urgent way.

"You say nothing, Gilberto. Does this mean I am correct in saying I am like her? I trust your opinion and your opinion only. So tell me, please. I—"

"Stop, Cierra!" Gilberto's eyes were wide and mildly shocked. Cierra exhaled heavily, before closing her mouth.

"Listen. Okay? Listen to me. You are nothing— nothing, like her. Santo Cielos, how could you ever think that? I've seen how much you care for your people. You do everything for them. Everything. What more could a kingdom ask of its queen? Your mother, she was not fit for the title of queen— you saw where power led her. You would never become a queen to do such a thing. I would not allow it."

Gilberto almost confessed to Cierra about how he felt, before she interrupted him. His heart was beating in slow motion, yet it was the fastest pulse he had ever felt come alive within him. His revelation was dripping viscously from lips, yet every single drop missed the target and hit empty air in quick evaporation.

"Your word is all I needed," Cierra's voice had taken on a cold tone, as she continued, "Can I count on you to let me do what is necessary for my kingdom?"

Slightly shell-shocked, Gilberto replied, "Well, I suppose it depends—"

"I said," Cierra's voice was rough with urgency and violent determination, "Can I count on your support?"

Gilberto didn't skip a beat. Anything for his queen.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Good."

Cierra stood up, brushing down her skirt. Pivoting on her heel, she started walking back through the garden, before hesitating. Without turning around, she said, "Don't disappoint me, o te arrepentirás."

Gilberto inhaled slowly. It felt like poisoned smoke full of fear had entered his lungs at an alarming rate. He knew the meaning of those last three words, better than he wished. Or you'll regret it. Vivid images of days spent on the execution square balcony looking down upon the criminals of Escozor flashed behind his eyelids when he blinked.

He thought of the way she mercilessly destroyed her opponents and anyone who showed defiance. Of the way she obliterated anything in her path of power embellished with the finest jewels without a second glance.

He thought of the way he loved and obeyed her without question. How he would do anything for her. How he was never certain of how she was feeling and sometimes felt like she was opening up to him and then suddenly he was nothing but a game to her.

Would that one day be his fate? Would his soul ever belong to the cells locked tight in the hidden depths of the queen's dungeons? Would he become but a pawn in the queen's chess match of royal murder?

No. He would stand by his queen. Whenever and wherever she needed him.

The only thing more dangerous than loving his queen was betraying her trust.

When he caught up to Cierra, who was walking at a brisk pace, she immediately started talking. "I have a scheduled talk about a curfew proposal in a few moments. Will you attend with me? I will need your support."

It didn't sound like a question to Gilberto, so he just nodded. "Would you like me to tell Sofía to prepare some tea?"

"Oh, I assume she's already on it. But yes, if you'd prefer to."

As Gilberto sped away to the castle kitchen to talk to the maids, Cierra slowed down, clearing her thoughts. It hadn't felt particularly good to manipulate Gilberto like she did everyone else. In fact, for some reason, it had pained her. Maybe it was the expression he had held when she spoke. It was familiar to Cierra in a way she wished it wasn't. Flexing her jaw, Cierra closed her eyes. She didn't want to think of her past. It had to stay in the past, buried, where no one could dig it up. She would not let Gilberto destroy her future like her past had destroyed her present. No one was worth her kingdom.

Cierra inhaled deeply, before opening her eyes and bending down to snap a rose from a nearby bush. It was white, the very opposite of Cierra's heart and soul, but it was her mother's least favourite colour, so Cierra had ordered for them to be planted everywhere the moment she had become queen. What a way to honour her mother.

She tucked the rose in her belt, right beside her sheathed dagger. The cool metal brushed her fingertips as Cierra clambered up the stairs that led into the throne room. She was silent as she walked barefoot across the pristine floors and gathered her heels. No one stopped to stare. Who would dare?

Sitting down in the centre of the throne room, Cierra slowly slipped on her black heels. Blue glass intertwined around the heel, leading to a golden stone at the top of her heel. The Slaying Star— an untouchable myth that the crown had represented for centuries.

Cierra stood up, brushing off her now crumpled dress. Dust had gathered in the folds, the specks a stunning bronze against the dark fabric. The rose fell out, landing on the ground silently. Cierra stared at it for a split second, before deciding to leave it where it was. No memory of her mother, good or bad, was worth carrying around with her now and forever.

Gilberto greeted her with an impassive nod when she reached the Sala de Cristal. Cierra grimaced inside, knowing it was no less than she deserved. But his feelings were not her concern. Not at this moment.

She opened the doors dramatically, Gilberto on her tail. Inside stood a short, bald man, his tunic a blinding white. Even from afar, Cierra could tell it was of the most expensive linen; the cut was royal and sharp. The sleeves came down to his elbows and at his waist was a leather belt. He bowed. Cierra straightened. This was no ordinary lawmaker. He could help Cierra. He could help her make Escozor an envied kingdom.

In utter silence, all three moved towards the circular table stationed in the center of the room. Sunlight poured in from the crystal windows on the outer wall of the room. Folding her hands in front of her, Cierra stared at the man. He stared back, unfazed.

Abruptly, Cierra stood up, her mahogany chair squeaking on the floor. Her statement of power began from above, not at level with everyone else.

"Before we begin, I would like to address certain points. I am the Queen. This means you will address me as such. My word is final, and I will have no arguing in this room, or outside of it. Should you have any concerns about the way I govern my country, I will see to it you take a nice trip to the dungeons. Is that clear?"

"As crystal, Your Majesty."

Cierra nodded approvingly, before sitting down gracefully. Gilberto noticed her slight change in posture— she looked much more regal and much more like her mother. After not much thought, Gilberto decided against telling her this.

Cierra held her chin up high. Maybe she feared that if she lowered it her crown would topple from her head. Nonetheless, Cierra made her position as queen very clear as she smiled blandly and said to the lawmaker, "Let's begin."

♕♛♕

Some backstory was revealedddd!! And way more to come ;)

What are you guys' theories about her mom?

Anyways, hope you guys are beginning to like Cierra. I know I love her...

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! If you did, please consider leaving a vote or comment!

Love, Tori ❤️