Three Kings: Part Three

Chapter 2

Princess Eschina stepped up to the podium. She was wearing a violet dress with intricate stitchings etched all across it and she wore gloves that went to her sleeves so that the only part of her pale skin one could see was that of her face for even her neck was enwrapped by the violet cloth that wrapped itself across her body so tightly she could hardly breathe. Her hair was bound tight and her eyes never seemed to move, always fixated on one thing, as if she were making some great decision at every moment. With her chin raised and her eyes ever fixated, there was no denying the royal blood that ran through her veins.

Queen Azalea approached Eschina and put her hands on the princess' shoulders. The queen wore her characteristic black garb. Her hair was interwoven with ornaments and when the light from the oil lamps cast upon her the ornaments lit up like so many fireflies, making her seem angelic in the dark. She looked down at Eschina but betrayed no emotion. She was like some terrible statue, carved out of the black marble which surrounded them.

"You look beautiful," Azalea said, her red lips curving. "He will not be able to deny you now. You are too strong, and now that the picture is finished he will be unable to ignore you. Are you ready?"

Eschina hesitated. "What will he ask of me?"

"He will ask you many things. He will ask you what your interests are, what you want to do as a queen, what you hate and what you love. He will ask you about your bloodline, which you know how to answer. Do not be afraid."

"But he hates me."

"King David is a child, like you. You are both children. You see the world as you want to see it and then act accordingly. But you, princess, have a good excuse. It is my fault really. I never let him be on his own. I coddled him, and now he has transpired against me, but it will be all for nothing. I promise you. I will not die in this cell. He thinks he can lock me up and rule? He is a child, my dear, and children need discipline, not power."

On the other side of the wall, King David of the Cellaphis nation sat, his hands tucked underneath his armpits as he clenched his teeth. Sweat trickled down his forehead.

"I see," Princess Eschina said from behind the wall. "But then why is he king? What must I do to get my rightful spot on the throne?"

"A very good question, princess," Queen Azalea replied.

David's eyes darted to the wall.

"David might be a king, but even king's have weaknesses," the queen said. "His pride will set him apart from his people. His greed will open the eyes of the commanders who serve him. His stupidity will set his council to conspire against him. His gluttony will destroy him in both mind and soul. Listen to me well in the days ahead, child, for I will show you how to bring down a monster."

"I understand. Thank you, mistress. For everything."

Queen Azalea hugged Eschina. "You are going to be wonderful tonight."

A knock came from the door.

"Enter," Azalea said.

"King David has requested for your presence at the Moonlight Gathering," a soldier said. "Are you ready?"

"We are. Let us go, Princess Eschina. We should not keep our king waiting.

Then came the shuffling of feet, followed by a door closing. David winced. He stared at the floor for a while longer, and then reared up, emitting a low, painful groan as he did so.

***

It was the first day of the harvest. As per tradition, a great party was initiated which would last until the moon was at its highest peak in the sky. In the main hall of Castle Gaillard was a gathering of the elite of the Cellaphis. Three great chandeliers hung from the ceiling, a hundred glittering diamonds reflecting the torches and lanterns that littered the room, although the extra light was hardly necessary for the sky was clear tonight and the moon was a full moon. The moonlight shined down brightly, washing everything in a white haze.