Where It Went Wrong, A Red Queen Fanfiction: Completed

Chapter 19

"I would like to summon her," says the boy King. He's seated upon the throne that has been built for his family, and has been sat upon by many generations.

We all sit at a rounded table in the conference room, Maven seated at what could be described as the head of the circle. On either side of him sits the most important Silver nobles. Unsurprisingly, Lady Evangeline has weaselled her way three seats away from the Royal, and she cannot help herself from sending me a triumphant smirk every once and a while.

"I think that it would be prudent to hear what Queen Lilith has to say about the Lakelander's politics," suggests a Silver, who appears to be one of the oldest men in the room. Cameron and Kilorn, the leaders of the Scarlet Guard, sit opposite of the King with me.

Although King Maven opened up to me about Atessa last night, any onlookers wouldn't be able to tell. He behaves just as he normally does, though I have caught him glancing my way more than once. "Exactly. Lerolan, Samos - please go and fetch Queen Lilith of the Lakelanders. Lerolan, you know where to go."

Evangeline and Marcus stand up eagerly, almost in sync. Their chairs clash together with a bang after screeching across the floor. The pair glare at each other, and walk out of the room quickly as if they are trying to outpace each other. Come to think of it, they're both quite similar. Always seeking approval from the King for their own well being and contentment.

The table still remains hushed as the pair go off to fetch the Queen. This meeting has been regarded with seriousness and urgency, considering it's purpose. Even Kilorn hasn't been throwing around jokes at just the wrong time. We're all just so relieved that the ones who are here are safe. But Cal is not.

I shake my head. Whenever I think of Cal, it distracts me. Yet it also drives me forward, reminding me of what I am truly fighting for. Also, I must think positively. Xena has been healed, after she was sent directly to a Skin Healer. Bronx held onto her life the whole way.

Xena has been subdued after almost losing her life, but still had the nerve to shout at a guard when he told her that she couldn't go and sleep in her brother's room. It was simply because they had never been separated for long, and she wanted to be with him after what had happened. For thanks, she had said.

She sits with her brother, Kilorn and Cameron, the only other four Reds that are permitted to come and participate in the Silver meeting. Compared to a year ago, that's a large jump. There wasn't much of a disagreement from the Reds when the others were told that only us five would be able to enter the room. In fact, none of them seemed to eager to be in a room with Silvers. Maven made sure that none of his blood type would be mad about the whole inclusion.

"Has everyone been accounted for?" King Maven asks, breaking the silence of the nobility. They all exchange a look, one or two of the men who appear to be Generals glancing down at some paperwork in front of them.

"All apart from the Prince, I believe that we do have everybody. I will confirm with the section leaders, and someone can cover for Tiberias."

I wish they would stop calling him Tiberias. He always wanted everyone to call him Cal. Cal. Cal. Cal. His name makes my heart jump with mixed emotions. I was probably one of the only ones who followed through with that request. It's our special thing.

Just with that thought, I manage to keep my mouth shut.

The entrance door to the meeting room slams open as Evangeline and Marcus enter with the Lakelander Queen between them. Somehow, I manage to catch them sneaking a grin at each other.

She looks around, and I immediately scowl. Lilith looks down at us like we're all peasants summoned to see her, not the other way around. "I see that you've accepted some of the Reds, including those creepy ones," Queen Lilith says, and I glare. Just because you're jealous that you don't have a power like mine, doesn't mean that you can say things like that.

"They are called newbloods, Queen Lilith. I'm sure that your husband didn't bother telling you about that." Maven says bitterly, yet he seems content that he knows something she doesn't. "My condolences that you are in this situation, but I am afraid that it certainly was called for after what happened with your husband."

"It is fine, I suppose. He will be needing me soon, though. Terrell will be needing me so that he can sway the audience. He will be coming for me, and you will be in trouble," threatens the Queen. She examines her nails quickly, but then looks up. "And as for Reds and Silvers, we've been discussing on working to solve that problem. Somehow, we could return is all to one blood type. If that was achievable and the citizens wanted us to. Terrell and I just want them to be happy."

"Had the Lakelanders actually have an active relationship with the Nortans, they would know that we recently attempted this around six months ago," retorts Maven. As he speaks, his gaze settles on me.

She wrinkles her nose in response. "That's not my fault though, is it? It isn't fair that you took me, Your Highness." Queen Lilith says, brows drawn together angrily. I almost cannot believe that a Royal is behaving this childlike. She must have always been quite spoiled if she seems to think everything will go her way.

"It isn't acceptable that you take Prince Tiberias! Surely you know that this could spark a larger war like what happened decades ago." The King of Norta says, going purely into his business mode. I am pleasantly surprised that he can deal with situations much better than I would have guessed - had someone asked me before I knew. "Now we must figure out how to get him back."

"Who is in favour of retrieving the Prince?" The elderly Silver demands, following up with his King's question. Is that even a question? He's the prince!

My hand shoots up in an instant, and I glance around expectantly. There's no way that I'm losing this debate. After all, this is the Prince of Norta that we're talking about. Had it been me, I think that the situation may have been quite different to this one. Maven was also one of the first to vote for the Prince, and I can spot Darcy affirming his vote. Even Evangeline and Marcus Lerolan raise their hands. I watch as she whispers something into the guard's ear, and he appears to snort in response.

To my surprise, Xena and Bronx have yet to raise their hands. "Will we have to fight, your Highness?" Xena demands, face pale at the thought. That attack didn't leave her truly unscathed, as she pretends.

As Maven looks over to see who has asked the question, his eyes narrow in response. Yet, as he sees that it is Xena who has spoken, he relaxes. She actually has a decent reason to doubt her going back into the combat zone.

"Unfortunately, it may mean coming across some of the enemy soldiers, yes. You may leave now, Queen Lilith. Lady Samos and Sir Lerolan, you know what to do and where to take her by now."

The aforementioned Silvers stand and take their places behind the queen. I sit, frozen in my chair. Whatever Maven wants to talk about now, he doesn't want the other Queen listening in. Surely that can't be good.

A/N: Thanks for reading!