Chapter 65: THE QUEEN’s PLOT
The class was finally over after several hours of practical work and endless stress.
Lady Freya kept making things hard for Lumina all through the session, always throwing small insults and trying to ruin her work.
But Lumina would just stay calm, and that calmness only made Freya angrier.
Rhynera had been quiet the whole time too. She wasn’t in the mood to argue with her sister today. Not after hearing everything Ashen did in front of the king how he had stood up for Lumina.
Worse, how Lumina had begged the king on Ashen’s behalf and the king listened.
Rhynera’s heart burned with anger during the whole lesson..
Lumina always knows how to get people to do what she wants, she keeps thinking. The moment class ended as she walked quickly through the hallway finding her way back to her chambers.
She reached her chambers and slammed the door behind her, breathing hard leaving Mia outside.
She pulled the veil from her head not minding the number of maids staring at her.
She scratched her scalp frustrated as her shoes clicked on the floor as she made her way into her inner chambers, still boiling inside.
But she stopped instantly when she felt a presence in her inner chamber.
She glanced that way and there, seated like she owned the entire place, was Queen Sephora.
Her long dark hair was pinned up in a crown of gold. Rhynera’s heart jumped to her throat. She dropped to her knees in surprise.
"Your Highness!" she gasped. "I wasn’t expecting you... I am so sorry I didn’t know you were coming."
She lowered her head, trying to control her voice and hide the way her hands trembled.
Queen Sephora didn’t say anything at first. She just rubbed her fingers around the rim of her cup, her face unreadable.
Then she glanced at Rhynera and gave a small smirk.
"Stand up."
Rhynera stood carefully, trying not to show how nervous she was. Queen Sephora nodded toward the seat beside her.
"You may sit."
Rhynera bowed again and moved to sit, making sure her posture was perfect. Her hands rested on her lap, her back straight, her eyes lowered. This was the time she needed to put the lessons she was taught to use.
Queen Sephora gestured with one hand, and the maids and guards around the room slowly bowed and left, closing the door behind them.
The room was now silent except for the quiet clinking of her ring tapping the teacup.
"You seemed troubled when I saw you returning from class," She finally spoke, her voice calm but sharp. "Is something bothering you?"
Rhynera blinked. That question was unexpected. She quickly shook her head and tried to smile.
"Your Highness, I am very sorry if I appeared troubled. I didn’t mean to look that way in your presence."
Queen Sephora raised a brow.
"I don’t misunderstand things, dear. I observe them."
Rhynera swallowed, forcing a laugh. "Of course, Your Highness. I was only tired, I suppose."
There was silence again and Sephora sipped her tea, her lips brushing the rim.
"Is it about your sister?" she asked.
Rhynera looked up in surprise, her heart pounding again. She opened her mouth to deny it, but nothing came out at first. She forced herself to speak carefully.
"No, Your Highness... My sister has been acting strange lately, yes. But she is still my sister. I only want the best for her."
Queen Sephora leaned back in her chair. "Really? That’s interesting. Because the people from your realm spoke of her quite poorly."
"She’s misunderstood," Rhynera said quickly. "She has... her ways, but she’s not wicked. I don’t think we should keep giving bad reports about her."
Queen Sephora let out a quiet laugh and placed her cup on the table beside her.
"You are careful with your words. That is good." She stood up slowly and walked toward the window. Her gown dragged softly across the marble floor.
Rhynera’s hands clenched in her lap with a deep thought. What is she planning?
Queen Sephora stood by the window, her arms crossed behind her.
"Tell me," she said after a pause. "Do you think your sister is suitable to be a princess of Drakonia?" Rhynera blinked, unsure of how to answer.
"Your Highness... She is engaged to Prince Ashen. That’s already been decided."
"But that can still be changed," She said sharply. "Nothing is final until it is sealed." Rhynera froze.
"She’s blind," the Queen continued, her voice colder. "And yet she walks around as if she sees everything. She speaks as if she knows better and even makes the High King listen."
The Queen turned to face Rhynera whose lips parted, but no words came.
"I can give you what you want," She said softly. "But only if you help me." Rhynera’s heart began to beat faster.
"What... what do you mean, Your Highness?"
The Queen walked slowly back toward her, "I want you to ruin her reputation," she whispered. "With some sly tricks." Rhynera’s breath caught in her throat.
"Tricks?"
"Yes. She is trusted now by Ashen, by the king. Even the people are beginning to talk about her like she is a gift. I want you to poison that trust."
"How... how can I do that?" Rhynera stuttered.
Queen Sephora leaned closer, "You’re going to expose her for what she is."
Rhynera’s brows furrowed. "What... what do you mean?"
"Freya told me, she has the power to control people’s actions." She revealed.
"That’s not possible," Rhynera murmured. "Lumina doesn’t have powers." Rhynera objected.
"But she does," the queen said flatly. "And it’s dangerous so you must help me reveal it."
Rhynera was quiet for a long moment, trying to keep the confusion off her face. Lumina has always been bullied and she has never once used her powers, though she has good fighting skills she hardly uses them.
The queen rose from her seat and walked slowly to the window, staring out toward the palace courtyard once more.
"I have a plan," she said quietly. "But I need you to be convincing."
Rhynera followed her with her eyes, her heart racing now.
"Tell me," she said finally. "What must I do?" The queen turned around, the glint in her eyes sly.
"You will convince your sister to attend the Moonlight Ball alone. Ashen will not be there, so you leave the rest to me." Rhynera paused for a while, they had always been at each other’s throats, how would she convince Lumina?
"Most importantly you will make sure she wears the gown I give you."