by N M Zoltack
Noll liked her very much. The two continued to talk about this and that while Noll ate, and he even drank every drop of the bitter tea too. By the time he left the tea room, Noll was in much better spirits.
59
Princess Vivian Rivera
Vivian was furious. Simply furious. The riot had happened three weeks ago, and she had only just heard about it.
Sabine was hardly ever in the castle, and the few times when she was, she would be off talking to this man or that man, all either advisors to their father or even to the Lis. Vivian was watching her. She didn’t approve of Sabine at all. Where was she going? What was she doing?
Rosalynne, however, hardly left the castle. She had the people come to her. Perhaps that was for the best, but Vivian had seen the crowds each week. Fewer and fewer people were coming as of late. Did they not think the queen capable of helping them? Did they not trust her?
It took Vivian some time to hunt down her sister. She had tried Rosalynne’s room first, but only when Vivian returned later after making the rounds did she find Rosalynne within her chambers.
Vivian marched in and jerked her head toward the door. The maid left without a word.
After closing the door behind her, Vivian moved to stand beside her sister. The two stared out the window.
“What is it?” Rosalynne asked wearily.
Vivian stared at her sister. The hue of Rosalynne’s gown was most becoming on her, but it hung rather loosely. Her sister was losing weight.
“Tell me what happened at the riot.”
“Oh, that.” Rosalynne rolled her eyes and walked away from the window to sit on her chair beside the small table that held a mirror and small jars of lip stain and perfume. “I do not wish to discuss the matter.”
“Oh, no? Then what of the rumors that have been circulating as of late?” Vivian demanded.
“What rumors?”
“The people are talking. They are not happy. They think that they do not have a strong ruler, a capable one.”
Rosalynne had the nerve to smile, although it was a ghost of a grin. “Their ruler is Sabine,” she said.
“They are speaking of you both,” Vivian pointed out. “Most see you two as joint rulers, and how could they not? You both are trying to rule at the same time.”
“Of course I am trying to rule,” Rosalynne said. “What else would you have me do?”
“I would care to know what you did at the riot.”
Rosalynne glanced away.
“From what I gather, the people said you did not even try to stop it.”
“That is not true,” Rosalynne protested. “I did try.”
“You sent guards.”
“I did. And while I was there, I tried to get the people to stop. I asked them to.”
“Asked. Asked? Because when did Father ever ask us to do anything? He ordered us.”
“He did, and did we love him for it?” Rosalynne asked bitterly.
Vivian hesitated. That was not a subject she wished to address. Perhaps she should not have mentioned him.
“Father was not a good king at the end,” Vivian said slowly. “When he first wore the crown, he was, though. Emulate him from then.”
“From when I did not yet know him? From when I was only three years of age? How can I imitate a man that I did not know? Because our father was not that same king.”
“No, indeed, he was not, but there are those who still live from when he was that great king. Talk to them.”
Rosalynne said nothing.
Vivian threw up her hands. “Do you want to know what I would do if I were you?” she demanded.
“Not particularly,” Rosalynne muttered, “but I know you will tell me just the same.”
“Indeed, I shall. I would do as Sabine is doing. Do you even know what she is up to? She is trying to form alliances with powerful men. She is seeking out advisors of her own. She is not just blindly accepting who father had used. She is paving the road to cementing her power, power that she will not wish to relinquish. She is trying to endear the people to her and against you, and that stint in the marketplace with the riot only served to help her cause greatly!”
“You think I am that incapable,” Rosalynne said slowly.
“I think that whether or not you are capable is irrelevant. You can be reforged. Father was. He had been a great man, and he reforged himself into a miserable bastard. You can do the reverse.”
“Are you calling me a miserable bastard?” Rosalynne demanded.
Vivian hesitated and smiled innocently. “No. Not quite. Maybe. That doesn’t matter. I think you can be both a great woman and a great queen. You can be strong. You can be your mother’s daughter. Ignore Father. Be like Mother, and you will have everything.”
“Mother died.”
Vivian winced. “For love. Because of love.”
“To be a great ruler, one cannot be blinded by love,” Rosalynne protested.
“I believe that is pompous. It matters whose love you are allowing to dictate your actions. Love of a single man? No. That is not merely enough, and that was why Father failed. But if you love and embrace the people, they will love and worship you in return.”
“Worship?” Rosalynne cried. “I do not want to be one of the Fates!”
“Do you wish to be the ruler or not?” Vivian demanded.
“How is it that you think you can come here, in my room, and dictate what I should or should not do?”
“Since you are the queen, and I am not, and I should be queen over you because I know what must be done!” Vivian shouted. “Why are you in here? What are you doing? Pouting? Hiding? You’re acting every bit the child, just like Noll.”
“Don’t you dare—”
“I do dare. I love you, sister, and you know that, but I do wish I had been first. I can be the queen Tenoch Proper needs. I think you can be too, but you must accept who you are if that is to ever happen.”
“I have accepted it,” Rosalynne said softly.
“I don’t believe you. Know this, Rosalynne. You are the queen now. Act like it.”
“I’m trying,” Rosalynne murmured.
“Try harder.”
60
Queen Rosalynne Rivera
The day Rosalynne had dreaded and pushed off for as long as possible had finally arrived. She had been crowned for quite some time now, but she had not formally address the kingdom as of yet. This was not a proceeding that she was looking forward to. Not in the slightest.
The maids had refused to allow her to shrug them off that day. Once more, she was dressed all in blue, although this time, her bodice was a swirling might of various light shades of blue whereas the skirt was the same but in much darker hues. Sapphire encrusted the low neckline, and she looked far older than her eighteen years. Her slippers had diamonds on them, not that anyone would see them. Her hair was mostly piled on her head, with still more jewels tucked within her dark locks.
The trio of maids working on her all giggled and exclaimed over her appearance. All Rosalynne saw in the mirror was the darkness beneath her eyes that no amount of powder could hide. Her lips did not need stain to be red as she kept biting them. Her anxiety levels were so high that she thought her head might explode.
This was absurd. Utterly ridiculous. She was their queen, yes, but she was not even their ruler. Not yet. There was no need for her to be so frantic with worry.
But it wasn’t only worry that she felt. Oh, no. It was her fear that had her so very nervous.
Although her sister had brought up some very fine points about Rosalynne needing advisors, she hadn’t been able to even think about who to consider. She did not wish to speak with any of the men Sabine had. It was not a good thing at all, but already, Rosalynne felt as if she were at odds with the other queen. There almost was already a war.
No. That was ridiculous. Surely that was only her nerves speaking.
But the whispers in the back of her head could not be ignored. Not forever. Rosalynne kn
ew that she would have to address the queen at one point. Later. Not that day. Or the next for that matter. Relatively speaking, soon enough.
The only advisors who would stand with Rosalynne today were Aldus Perez and Vicar Albert Leeson. Rosalynne knew that Sabine also spoke with Aldus, but Rosalynne felt comfortable with the man. He was not overly ambitious, and he had proven himself loyal to her in the past. His advice so far had been sound. It was her own stupidity in going to the market that had colored some of the people red against her.
Rosalynne made her way to the third-floor balcony that overlooked the courtyard. From here, she would make her address. The people had all gathered below, and Albert and Aldus were already there as well. Vivian and Noll were not, and they arrived a few moments later, both breathless. Vivian was scowling at Noll. Rosalynne noticed that Tabes was not with them. Regardless of their delay, Rosalynne was grateful for their presence.
Vivian suddenly snatched Rosalynne’s hand and squeezed. Rosalynne gasped for it almost felt as if her sister squeezed Rosalynne’s heart and not her hand. A notion came over her then, and she smiled. Once this terrible occasion was over, she would ask Vivian to be one of her advisors. Yes, she was younger than Rosalynne, but Vivian had always longed to be queen. She had as much experience as Rosalynne, which was not to say much on either’s account, but perhaps Vivian had read more. Either way, she certainly seemed knowledgeable enough, and Rosalynne knew her sister would never steer her wrong. Vivian might desire the crown, but she would never ever be ambitious enough to fight her own sister for it.
Rosalynne nodded to each of the four in turn and stepped out into the sunlight that beamed down on her. She glanced down at the people gathered below and held out her hands.
“Good people of Tenoch Proper,” she called. Perhaps some had ventured from Vincana and the other islands. Perhaps not. “I bid you all welcome and my gratitude for your coming here on this wondrous day.”
“Wondrous for you!” someone called.
Rosalynne frowned slightly as a few people in the crowd tittered at the extraneous comment.
“I am Queen Rosalynne. One day, I will be your ruler, the ruler of all of Tenoch Proper.”
Sabine. Where was she? Rosalynne had not invited her to the balcony, but she had been certain the ruling queen would make her presence felt. Perhaps this was good as all eyes would be on Rosalynne.
Or perhaps that would prove to be a terrible notion.
“Ruler of no one!” someone shouted.
Rosalynne gaped in shock and in vain tried to locate the person who had said such a vile thing. So flustered was she that she could not recall the next line of her speech.
Not that she would have been heard anyhow as the crowd began to grumble and yell. Only a few phrases were able to be distinguished above the din, including several chants of people calling for Rosalynne to be killed.
Killed!
Rosalynne was appalled and aghast. A glance at her sister’s face had Rosalynne scrambling to remember her prepared speech.
“Good citizens, I promise you—”
But none could hear her. Rosalynne tried for a few minutes before she stepped back a space and shoved Aldus forward.
“Speak on my behalf,” she shouted into his ear that he might hear her.
The advisor nodded and lifted his arms. It took him several minutes to settle the crowd, but he did manage to.
“All those who have ears, listen,” Aldus said. “Queen Rosalynne will be your ruler once she is wed and has a child. Let us all cheer her name and pray that Life will touch her and soon.”
Perhaps a few cheered, but most of the crowd were either silent or jeering once more.
Rosalynne blinked back tears. That could not have gone worse. She could not bring herself to look at the others and fled the balcony.
Sometime later that afternoon, the vicar sought Rosalynne out. She was in the library, not reading, hardly even thinking. Vivian would be cross at her for hiding, but Rosalynne could not face anyone, and she groaned inwardly when the vicar’s dragging feet brought him over to her.
“Queen Rosalynne,” he said heavily.
“Yes, Albert?” She did not look over at him, not wishing to see the expression on his face.
“Forgive me, My Queen, but you must not show signs of weakness before the people.” He hesitated and then added, “It is a shame that you already have.”
Now, she glanced over, but the vicar was already turning aside and leaving.
That night, Rosalynne cried herself to sleep. She wished with her entire heart that her father had never taken the throne from the Lis. It might have meant war, but then maybe someone capable would be ruling Tenoch Proper or at least Tenoch itself.
Or someone even worse than me.
61
Prince Noll Rivera
Noll could hardly believe what the people had been saying. When Rosalynne turned around, she looked as if she might be sick. Noll had bolted then. He couldn’t stand to hear this, and he wished Rosalynne didn’t need to either.
He had noticed that Sabine was not there or Greta. Maybe one or both of them would be willing to help with the crowd. Greta had been so nice to him, believing the Riveras to be strong. Noll wasn’t sure what he thought of Sabine, but she was the ruling queen, which made her higher than Rosalynne, or so Noll thought. He wasn’t quite certain. That there were two queens was rather confusing.
Noll rushed through the castle toward Greta’s quarters. He thought about stopping by his to fetch Tabes but decided not to. Time was of the essence.
When Noll approached the queen’s mother’s room, he could hear voices inside. They were muffled, whispers really, and he could not make out the words. Try as he might, he could not overhear them.
Just then the door opened. Noll stood there, blinking, staring into the shocked face of Greta.
She smiled at him, but this was not a smile like the ones she had given him before. This one made Noll shiver, and he backed away.
“Why, hello, Prince Noll.” Greta’s voice was harder than Noll had ever heard it before.
She grabbed his wrist. Noll thought about crying out, but he didn’t. He didn’t want to seem weak.
The queen’s mother did not pull him into the room. Instead, she pushed him aside and yanked on his wrist. Her grip was so tight. Swiftly, she brought him down the hall. No one else was around. No one except for Sabine, who was following them.
Greta yanked harder on Noll’s wrist. He did whimper then, but she was already opening a door and shoving him inside. Noll stumbled and tumbled into the room. Sabine closed the door as Greta stood over the prince.
He scrambled back, still on his rump. The prince was terrified and confused. What was going on? Why had they brought him into this unused room? Piles of material yet to be sown into clothes, extra linens and the like were in neat little rows.
Noll hadn’t been in this room before, and he didn’t want to be in it ever.
“Why did you bring me here?” Noll tried to ask, but he couldn’t get the words out. He was breathing too heavily. Why did he feel as if he had been playing chase with Tabes?
“Now, now, whatever are we to do?” Greta glowered at her daughter. “I told you what you must do, but you failed.”
“I was going to,” Sabine protested.
Going to what? Noll wanted to ask, but he wasn’t about to. He started to scramble to his feet, but Greta stepped on his fingers. Purposely? Maybe.
“You’re hurting me,” he said, but Greta ignored him.
“Sometimes, you have to do what you must, and nothing can be done otherwise. Nothing can be done for it. Do you understand?”
“I do,” Sabine said solemnly. The queen nodded.
Noll had no idea what they were talking about. He would have been confused if he weren’t so very frightened. Why had they brought him here? If they had wanted to talk to him, why couldn’t they have done it in Greta’s room?
“I didn’t hear anything,” Noll said,
his tongue finally working. “I swear I didn’t.”
But the queen’s mother appeared to have not heard him, or maybe she just didn’t care. “Do get up,” she snapped at Noll.
He tried to, but she remained standing on his fingers. She smirked when she realized and moved her foot ever so slightly, only enough to free him.
Greta appeared to be waiting for Sabine to do something, but the queen merely stood there. Eventually, the queen’s mother sighed.
“I shall have to do it myself.”
Greta laced her arm through Noll’s and walked him over to the window in the back wall of the small room. “It is such a beautiful day today, isn’t it? So quiet and peaceful. No one in sight.”
Noll glanced around. The crowded room was empty except for the three of them. No one was on this side of the castle. Everyone was still in the courtyard for that terrible proceedings. Oh! Noll remembered why he had come here!
He turned to Greta, disentangling his arm from hers. “I need—”
“I don’t care what you need,” Greta said sweetly. “I only care about what I need.”
Noll swallowed hard and tried to pull away from her, but her fingers squeezed around his arm, digging into him.
“Tell me, Prince Noll, is it true that you were dropped on your head when you were a baby?”
He blinked at her and yanked free. “I-I don’t—”
“You will be now.” Greta’s smile was positively wicked as she turned Noll away from the window.
He breathed easier, his fears slightly lessened, but then, the queen’s mother grabbed a shelf off the wall. Blankets and cloths fell to the ground, and she smacked Noll in the back of the head with the shelf.
The blow knocked Noll to his knees. He brought up his arm to block a second blow, but the shelf connected with the top of his head anyhow. Noll’s stomach churned, and he could hardly see. He felt detached, as if the beating was happening to someone other than himself. His vision slowly darkened.
Gradually, he felt hands underneath his arm. His head dangled. He couldn’t hold it up, and he couldn’t open his eyes either. The prince could hardly breathe. Noll couldn’t do much of anything at all. His lips parted, but no sound came out. He never felt more worthless or weaker than he did in this moment. He hardly was even awake at this point, and he knew he should be afraid of dying, but honestly, he was beyond fear at this point.