One Year Later:
"May I come in Your Highness?"
"Come in." Came the very exhausted voice of Marona who had her head in her palms, eyes shut to calm her nerves. Diana walked in briskly, only to stop mid-way when she saw the situation Marona was in. "Are you alright, Your Highness?"
No. my head feels like it's about to burst.
"Yes Diana. I'm alright."
"Are you sure?"
Of course not. I feel like I could pass out.
It's been a year and the rebels are nowhere to be found. My mother's loyal ministers aren't so loyal anymore. Some of them are trying to covet the throne. My coronation is being delayed because the problem I thought I could solve in a month has now taken a year due to lack of supporters. And then there are my sisters.
My great, helpful, supportive sisters.
"Quite sure, Diana. Now, what is it that brings you here?" Marona replied with a tight smile, and like always, Diana didn't believe a word she said. Sometimes Diana wondered why Marona didn't trust her enough to share her problems with her. After all, Diana might just be the only person by her side through this tough ordeal, staying like the loyal advisor she had always been to Marona's mother.
But despite her disappointment of lack of trust from the Princess, Diana didn't push her buttons. She pretended believe whatever the Princess said, patiently waiting until she was brave enough to open up to her. After all, most of her ministers are trying to seize the throne.
Brushing her thoughts away, Diana got to the matter at hand. "We have lost House Middleton, Your Highness."
The papers Marona had been absent mindedly shuffling suddenly came to a halt as Diana's words sunk in. slowly she lifted her head up and stared at the woman. "What?"
"Lord Middleton has sided with House Combre. I'm sorry, Your Highness, I couldn't convince them." Diana bowed her head in shame, but all Marona did was chuckle bitterly.
At first House Mckenzie. Then Bradford. Now the Middleton's. There's literally no one in my side
Just what am I fighting for?
"If it is any consolation," Diana began again, lifting her head up. "House Reynold have pledge fealty to Your Highness."
"And how do you know that? Only yesterday Lady Reynold was making a mockery of the Royal family at a ball I hear." Marona replied with a blank face, but Diana had an answer prepared. "I believe that may just be a rumour. Lord Hadford informed me himself. Lord Reynold had asked him to ask for an audience with Your Highness."
Marona mused her words over. "I see."
"Your Highness," Diana called out, suddenly realizing there might be more to this. "Do you think, he wants to be a mole?"
The look two women shared said they agreed with each other.
"If what Lady Reynold said was true and not a rumour," Marona begin, getting to her feet and staring out of the large window down below, at the knights stationed outside. "Then her husband might have a motive for joining hands with us. He can't be trusted."
"We must not forget, House Reynold has always been loyal to the Royal family." Diana found it necessary to point this out, which only made Marona snicker. "So was House Mckenzie. And here we are."
"Indeed, Your Highness."
"Listen to me, Diana."
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"Have the members of House Reynold followed and watched at all times. Even the servants. Let me know who goes in and out of that Mansion. Understood?"
"As you order, Your Highness." Diana replied with a curt node.
The two women fell into a silence, one that would be soon disturbed. But Marona didn't know that. It was only when she turned away from the window did she notice Diana was still in the room, raising an eyebrow. "Is there something else, Diana?"
"As a matter of fact, there is, Your Highness." Diana replied, shifting from one foot to another. "It is about the Princesses. You asked me to have them followed as well."
Marona sucked in a deep breath, looking away from the woman before she replied. "So I did. What of them?"
"Princess Chiffery got wasted at yesterday's ball."
"Again?" Marona asked, not at all surprised. Diana nodded uncomfortably. "She returned back to the Palace at dawn I believe. Her lady in waiting couldn't convince her to come back."
Marona stared at her table, her teeth gritted as she asked. "What made her come this late this time? Who was she with?"
Diana didn't reply. As if whatever it was, it wasn't worth mentioning. However, she had to say it sooner than later. So, she answered. "My sources say she was with Edward Reynold. Lord Reynold's first son."
Diana watches discreetly as Marona's fists clenched, her knuckles turning white and her jaw ticking. The woman was furious, but like the well brought up Princess she was, she didn't show it.
"House Reynold could be the mole among us for all we know, and then she goes to spend the night with him? Has she lost her senses?" Marona deadpanned, glaring at no one in particular. Diana didn't reply to that of course, making Marona scoff and disgust and disbelief.
"And Zoronus? What of her?"
"Your Highness, she…"
The hesitancy in Diana's voice had Marona turning her head to her swiftly, wondering what it could be now. "What is it this time?"
"Well, the Princess hasn't returned to the castle in weeks."
"WHAT!?" Marona all but yelled, her voice echoing through the walls, but Diana stayed rooted to her spot. "Where is she for so long?"
"To the front lines."
"Again!?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"But she hasn't been away for this long!" Marona was bewildered. She couldn't believe her sister's audacity. Not only did they leave the Palace grounds without her authority, but now they were also staying out for weeks without any supervision.
They were crossing the line.
"At first the border, then the barracks. Now the front lines. Why is she always in places that are swarming with men?" Marona asked with her hands pressed against the table. As much as Diana wanted to give a reply, she was lost herself. She had no clue why the Princesses were acting so brash. "I assume she wants to train."
"She can do that in the Palace, Diana."
"Right."
So that's how it is. Marona thought to herself as a bitter chuckle left her mouth. She straightened herself before returning to the window and staring out of it, deep in thought. So that's how we are going to be.
While I stay here, never having a second to myself to mourn the death of our parents, always being in the company of people who secretly want me dead, the two of you are busy partying and having the best times of your life.
You expressed your pain through drinking and sparring. But what about me? How am I supposed to deal with this?
Have you really no care for me anymore? Did you really leave me when I needed you the most? When I'm at my worst?
"How…cruel." Marona whispered as bile rose in her throat, making her swallow back her tears.
If that is how it is going to be, then I shall not care anymore as well. I shall give up any hope I had left in the two of you.
"Diana?"
"Yes Your Highness?"
"From now on, stop following my sisters."
"Beg your pardon?" Diana asked with her eyes wide, unable to believe the girl. Marona's reply was firm. "I no longer wish to know what they are on about. You can stop having them followed."
If being free is what you want, then I shall set you free. Do whatever you want. You are on your own now.
"Your wish is my command, Your Highness." Diana replied with yet another curt nod before excusing herself and leaving Marona on her own.
But the young girl never turned around, staring out the window as the morning light reflected against the drop of tear slowly trickling down her pale white cheeks.
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Another year later:
As the clash between the three Princess of Hallowywoods continued with none being on the top, things in Hucklebee were rather a different story.
Prince Mimin and his brothers, Prince Minder and Austin stuck together like the strongest oak tree, never letting the other down. While Mimin handled the state affairs, trying to keep the court under control, Minder helped in making sure none of the Ministers had any fancy ideas in their heads. He would often have them followed, questioned and if some seemed suspicious to him, he got rid of them before they became a suspect. While he did that, he also made sure to find those that were whole heartedly loyal to the Royal family, gathering them to garner strength.
Austin, on the other hand, was given another task. To look for the rebels that killed their parents. Yes, just like Hallowywoods, the Princes of Hucklebee were just as lost in looking for the killers as the Princesses. Austin had joined the Royal Elite Knight just for this purpose, to be able to trace them down, however to no luck. Yet, whenever he thought there was a threat towards his brother, he would eliminate them, slowly garnering attention of not just the people of Hucklebee, but also the neighbouring Kingdoms, like Hallowywoods. News of Austin's success in finding rebels like drainage rats was a famous story told across sea, but the story that was most loved and frequented, was that of the three great brothers who held the Kingdom of Hucklebee on their shoulders, through thick and thin.
And of course, story also reached the ears of Princess Marona, who was sick to the stomach while dealing with all the problems in her own Queendom.
"So what's on today's agenda, Diana?" Marona asked confidently as she made her way towards the throne room for her cabinet meeting, her steps confident and elegant like that of a Queen. Her hairs had been left loose around her shoulders, creating a curtain of wavy curls that framed her slender shoulders perfectly.
Diana stared at the pile of papers in her hand before replying. "The Lords of the Houses await you in the throne room Your Highness. Today is the hearing of House Bradford."
"Ah, yes. That traitor." Marona exclaimed, a small smile playing in the corner of her lips. "Do we still do not know who sent those evidence to us?"
"I'm afraid not, Your Highness. We are still looking into it." Diana replied honestly, while Marona nodded her head.
A few months ago, the Royal administration had received a pile of documents that revealed all the nasty deeds of House McKenzie. Apparently, Lord McKenzie had been in deep work to try to overthrow Marona and make someone else sit on the throne, but who, no one knows yet. Not to forget, Lord McKenzie had been also securing funds that were meant to go to the peasants. Lady McKenzie had a stash of jewels that belonged to the Royal coffers, given her husband was in charge of the Royal treasury.
And now that all had of these had come to light, Marona could easily get rid of House Mckenzie, one of the Lords planning to covet the throne.
But the main issue was, no one, not even Marona, knew who had sent all these evidence. By the looks of it, she had a secret supporter, one that she didn't know about, who was helping her from the shadows. And she was adamant to find out who it is, no matter what it takes.
So engrossed in her thought's, it took Marona the awkward silence around her to realize what was going on. The corridor she and Diana were crossing was now crossed by someone else. Coming right her way was Zoronus.
She was dressed all in black, but mostly metal. Like she was wearing armour. Her raven black hairs were let down, but the right side was in little braids. Attached to the left side of her hip was her sword and her daggers were all hidden in secure places. She looked like a warrior.
And it seemed like Marona was the only one that had noticed, safe for Diana, while her younger sister was busy in a hushed conversation with her knight guard. Before she knew it, her feet had already stopped moving, her muscles going tense. She didn't know why her body was reacting that way towards a person that abandoned her, but it seemed like a part of her was still waiting for an explanation.
Glancing at Marona once, Diana came to a stop, getting prepared to greet the oncoming Princess.
"Your Highness." Diana saluted with a curtsy, making Zoronus attention finally turn to them, finally noticing her sister. "Diana. Your Highness."
That's all you have to say? After disappearing and showing up after four months?
"May I ask where you have been all this time, Your Highness?" Diana asked with all the formality, but the look in Zoronus's face said she was far from telling her. Tilting her to the side, she said, "I didn't know I was supposed to inform everything about myself to the Chief advisor. Am I wrong?"
Diana lowered her head in respect, but all Marona could do was scoff. "Not at all Your Hi-"
"Actually, yes, you do owe the Chief Advisor an explanation about your whereabouts, Princess."
Not in a million years did Diana imagine Marona would talk so aggressively. And it seemed like Zoronus wasn't expecting that either, for just a fraction of a second, her face showed surprise, before she masked it with a sinister smirk. "As long as there is no one higher up than me, I think I can do as I please."
What…did she just say?
Marona scoffed bitterly, never breaking eye contact with her sister whose smirk slowly disappeared, replaced with a blank canvas. "Ah, right. We have you. The Crown Princess. But a Princess like me nonetheless."
Zoronus said with a shrug, going so far as to release a chuckle at her own words. At this point, Marona was very much helpless. She could not comprehend where this hostility was coming from.
They never had an argument. The last time they disagreed about something was two years ago, at the throne room after their parents funeral when Zoronus found out the rebels were not captured. Ever since then, the sisters had barely spoken, but they never had an argument. To top it all off, Chiffery and Zoronus began disappearing more and more from the Palace, which resulted in them hardly ever meeting.
Why then, was she so mad at Marona? What had her so angry at her older sister?
"Like always, what was I expecting?" Marona said in a slow voice, but Zoronus heard her just fine. The sinister smile on her face was gone as she stared at Marona blankly, but the older only chuckled bitterly, running her fingers through her hair at her own foolishness. Her foolishness to hope anything from them. "It's my fault. It's my fault I even trusted you two."
So saying, she began walking away, moving away from her so called sister who stayed rooted to her spot. Tears threaten to leave her eyes, but she held them in. For her anger at herself was stronger than the disappointment she had for her sisters. She was mad at herself. She wouldn't shed a tear.
"Two months!"
Marona's feet came to a sudden halt at the voice that echoed across the empty corridor. With her heart hammering in her chest and confusion slowly spreading in her head, Marona slightly turned her head behind but kept her composure as she wondered what Zoronus had to say now.
Meanwhile the girl who just had an outburst had her hands in fists at her sides, swallowing the bile in her throat as she avoided eye contact, staring directly ahead of her. "Two months. Just wait…for two months."
Why? What happens after two months?
What are you getting at?
But Marona asked none of that, showing little to know interest at all. Meanwhile Zoronus was having a hard time keeping a straight face. "Two months will be enough."
Why she needed the two months, or what would happen after the said two months, the girl said nothing. She only stood there facing ahead, waiting for some response from her sister. But all Marona did was turn back to the front and continue walking towards the throne room, leaving Zoronus to her own devices.
Although she had proven she didn't care anymore by giving the cold shoulder to her sister, a part of her was still very much curious about what it was that would happen in two months. What was going on?
I knew Zoronus spends most of her time with the military of our nation, but to think she would become just like them… What is she planning?
What is she up to?
Just as the guards stationed outside the throne room were about to open the double doors to let her in, Diana spoke up, stopping her in her tracks. "Your Highness, if I may."
"What is it Diana?"
"I spoke with former General Langford yesterday. I may have found something." Marona turned around to look at Diana who was already staring at her. "What do you mean?"
Diana glanced at her surroundings, at the two guards completely out of ear shot before she finally spoke again. "Two years ago, Princess Zoronus visited him. She freed him of his duties as General, but strangely, hasn't appointed anyone yet."
"Perhaps she's waiting for my say." Marona muttered, but even she didn''t believe it after what Zoronus just said. And Diana didn't believe it either. "If so, what has her waiting for two years? Or even so, why hasn't she informed you that it was she who freed him from his duties? Unless she already has someone in mind."
Marona didn't reply, which made Diana realize she might have just said a bit too much. With a curt bow, she apologised. "Forgive me, Your Highness. I over stepped."
"Open the door." Was all Marona said, her words directed to the guards who nodded curtly before announcing her arrival.
"HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS MARONA HAS ARRIVED!"