One In The Same Flame. ~Red Queen~ 《Cal x Reader 》

Chapter 10 Shutting doors

Elara leaves us standing in the hallway, mulling over her words.

I used to think there was only divide, Silver and Red, rich and poor, kings and slaves. But there's much more in between, things I don't understand, and I'm right in the middle of it. I grew up wondering if I'd have food for supper; now I'm standing in a palace about to be eaten alive.

Red in the head, Silver in the heart sticks with me, guiding my motions. My eyes stay wide, taking in the grand palace both Olivia and OliviaVinna had never dreamed of, but my mouth presses into a firm line. OliviaVinna is impressed, but she keeps her emotions in check. She is cold and unfeeling.

The doors at the end of the hall open, revealing the biggest room I've ever seen, bigger even than the throne room. I don't think I'll ever get used to the sheer size of this place. Mare and I step through the doors onto a landing. Stairs lead down to the floor, where every house sits in cool execution, their eyes forward. Again, they keep to their colors. A few mutters among themselves, probably talking about Mare's and mine little light show. King Tiberias and Elara stand on a raised surface a few feet higher than the floor, facing the crowd of their subjects. They never miss an opportunity to lord over the others. Either they're very vain or very aware. To look powerful is to be powerful.

The princes match their parents in different outfits of red and black, both decorated with military medals. Cal stands to his father's right, his face still impassive. If he knows who he's going to marry, he doesn't look happy about it. Maven's there too, on his mother's left, his face a stormcloud of emotions. The younger brother is not as good as Cal at hiding his feelings.

At least I won't have to deal with a good liar.

"The right of Queenstrial is always a joyous event, representing the future of our great kingdom and the bonds that keep us strongly united in the face of our enemies," the kings says, addressing the crowd. They don't see Mare and I yet, standing on the edge of the room, looking down on them all. "But as you saw today, Queenstrial has brought forth more than just the future queen."

He turns to Elara, who claps the king's hand in her own with a dutiful smile. Her shift from devilish villain to blushing queen is astounding. "We all remember our bright hope against the darkness of war, our friend, the general Eathan Titanos," Elara says.

People murmur over the room, in fondness or sadness. Even the Samos patriarch , Evangeline's cruel father, bows his head. "He led the Iron legion to victory, pushing back the lines of war that had stood for nearly a hundred years. The Lakelanders feared him; our soldiers loved him." I strongly doubt a single Red soldier loved their Silver general.

"Lakelander spies killed our beloved friend Ethan, sneaking across the lines to destroy our one hope for peace. His wife, the lady Nora, a good just woman, died with him. On that fateful day sixteen years ago, House Titanos was lost. Friends were taken from us. Our blood was spilled."

Silence settles on the room as the queen pauses to dab at her eyes, wiping away what I know are fake, forced tears. A few of the girls, participants in Queenstrail, fidget in their seats. They don't care about me, about somehow slipping a Red girl into a crown without anyone noticing. It's a magic trick, and the queen is a skilled magician.

Her eyes find us, blazing up to my spot at the top of the stairs, and everyone follows her gaze. Some look confused, while others recognized the colors of House Titanos better than I do and understand who we are.

Or at least who were pretending to be.

"This morning we saw a miracle. We watched a Red girl fall into the arena, and a red girl jumped willingly to protect her, wielding powers that they should not have." More murmurs rise, and a few Silvers even stand. The Samos girl looks furious, her black eyes fixed on me.