On November the third, the wind changed overnight, and it was winter. Before then, the autumn had been mellow, soft. The Kingdom of Ziadne prepared for its festivities earlier than others.
Inside the palace, in a secluded hall where only a few trusted walked in. A young girl of seventeen practised dancing. Clad in a white satin dress that flowed like milk on a brown polished, her hands moved with the grace of a peacock in mating season and her legs like a dancing swan.
When the princess swayed her waist, she flipped her hair to the side, her curly tresses with streaks of red bounced on her hips like the golden red leaves of autumn lingering on trees.
"Graceful," she mouthed, out of breath. "Wise." She tipped her toes and swayed to the window, then turned around. The sun kissed her face revealing the tiny freckles below her eyes and she beamed.
"Cora,"
The young man who had been watching from a corner bowed, "Yes, Princess."
"Winter is coming." She said with glee.
Cora heard the excitement in her voice. If anyone loves the snow more than life, it is the princess of Ziadne. The kingdom that rests on the side that barely sees sun. Everyone except the princess wish only for the sun to stay an entire season to aid harvest.
Everyone except Izrina. If the Princess could, she'd make a rule for it to snow all season nonstop. It was in the favor of the people, that the princess had no such power.
A shuffling movement. Cora moved his eyes to side.
From the hole in her door, an eye watched.
"She is growing into a very fine woman."
Queen Karissa gasped when she got caught peeking through the pigeonhole of her daughter's room. She turned, crashing into the arms of her beloved.
"Darling...." The Queen blushed, melting in the embrace.
Only love can cross this line for Karissa. Love of her family, same reason she ruled the way she did. Never showing the officials the weakness they wished to see.
The King, a man in his early sixties, held his wife's waist, pecking her tiny nose.
"Maybe it is finally right for us to show her to the kingdom." He took his queen's wrist, caressing it gently. The only way he knows how to. "We can't keep her locked up forever...also she is a grown woman now."
Karissa squeezed her husband's hand. She wished for nothing but to walk around proudly with her little girl too. To watch her make mistakes during breakfast and maybe they all laugh about it, but...
"Not yet...Your majesty," Karissa refused.
Sensing his wife's withdrawal, King Guildford held her steady, stopping her movement. "Why won't you tell me what that sham diviner said to you? It's been over seventeen years, and look....our little girl is still alive, and so are we."
"But..."
Guildford shook his head. "Enough. Darling, most times fear kills us first before the ailment." Bringing his wife's hands close to his chest.
"Our little pea's birthday is tomorrow, so we are going to celebrate it....Present her to the people as my heiress and teach her everything she needs to know. In the near years she can take over the throne." Kissing the back of his wife's hand,
"We can take our time doing nothing but loving each other while our daughter makes her own family. What do you say?"
Karissa glanced at the door once more, then at her husband's face. He was right. She had trusted a prophecy for so long, even though the person who foretold it was found involved in theft and bribery.
"Then we have to invite the Duke of the North Gate. His son should meet his betrothed now that they are both of age. It's better they get familiar before their wedding."
Guildford gave his wife a reassuring hug. "I'm sure our princess will be a perfect queen.... she has the grit of her mother. Don't you think?
Karissa only nodded. When she closed her eyes, all she could hear was the first part of the prophecy.
'This little one....her future burns bright. A Queen, she shall become.
Fierce and Eminent.
Equaled to none.
The Tyrant of the Sea and sovereign across lands
But....'
Karissa shook her head, she didn't want to hear the rest of it. She wanted to trust her husband. "Our daughter will be great....we will watch her grow her own family, while she rules as a Queen."
"Now that is my queen," Guildford kissed her cheeks.
Karissa forced a smile. She wished she could believe the words she had said. There was an unease in her heart that made her restless.
It didn't feel right....
. . . . . . .
And so, by the order from the King and Queen, the entire kingdom prepared for a big feast to see for the first time since the day she was born, the heir to the throne.
The best of the elite arrived earlier for the coronation. Decorations and food had already been put in place. Dancers from other kingdoms stood at the entrance, entertaining and welcoming guests.
Before noon, Karissa had forgotten she had been against the plan. At the moment, she was excited. She couldn't wait to show her daughter how far their authority went and the army she could command.
"Place the cosmos to the side and the lilies here." The queen gave the orders herself. She had turned to leave when she noticed a banquet of chrysanthemums arranged neatly at the aisle.
"Who put that there?" Karissa asked calmly. "Those flowers are meant only for funerals and not festivals. Take them out- wait!"
"What happened here?" Karissa asked wide-eyed, her crown tilting to the side. It was only then she noticed that the flowers had been placed around their thrones too. And not just that...
"Why is the- Get rid of everything now! Remove that throne." Karissa pushed tables down, scattering the arrangements that had been made.
The servants recoiled, music stopped. Dancers halted, and the noise of entertainment came to an abrupt stop. All attention was now on the queen.
King Guildford, who had been greeting friends from other kingdoms left their side. He tried to stop her wife. "Talk to me...love. What is it?"
"The prophecy...this is what it meant...this...."
The King couldn't control his annoyance. To think that his wife was embarrassing him in front of people because of some useless prophecy.
"My Queen, people are here to witness our daughter's coronation. Don't make mess of it by bringing up old news." The man hated to raise his voice at his wife but he had to.
"....But darkness clings to her crown. When her throne shifts from its place, a blade will pierce her heart." Karissa replied, her lips trembling. "That is the other part of it...."
Guildford tried to keep a smile handy to show people that all was well. He turned to his wife. "Of what? The prophecy? That again?" the king blew a tired air.
"Relax darling, maybe a little party is all you-"
Karissa held her husband tightly, "You don't understand Guildford....something isn't right. The throne shouldn't be outside here!"
"Where else should it be, Karissa?" Guildford's voice rose; "The throne room won't be enough for our guests. And..." he rubbed the line that now formed on his forehead.
"Go inside and rest, maybe. Come and join us a little later. I will send a physician to your room." The King hated to do this to his wife, but he knew he had to.
"I am not mad....Guildford...do you think I have lost my senses?" Karissa asked, her shaky hands holding her jade-stoned bodice.
"Stop!!"
Everyone turned at the sound of the voice. Karissa was the first to notice the general and his army. And she knew immediately her fear was not because she was losing her mind.
Something was not right.
"Queen Karissa Kensleigh, you have been accused of high treason and usurpation. By the order of the privy council. You are to be arrested and punished."
King Guildfrod frowned. "What rubbish?! General, you are meant to be guarding the fortress, what-"
"Seize the Kensleigh!"