Liliana took a deep breath, trying to settle her nerves. She resisted the urge to pick at her dress. It was perhaps the most ornate garment she’d ever worn, only rivaled by the jewels that dripped from her. It was full of draping dark blue silk patterned with lace and small sparkling crystals that depicted a fox, tiger and serpent like constellations in the night sky. Her jewelry was all sapphires and silver, matching her dress and dark blue and silver furred cloak perfectly.
Her father was as close to panicking as she’d ever seen him since Imogen’s arrest. She knew the Rosengarde family status was dropping socially and politically, but hers had not. While the servants in their manor still did not look at her kindly, nobles were far more quick to shift their allegiances. It was necessary for their survival, as the political playing field could shift drastically overnight. Liliana also thought they did not want to give the Queen reason to send her Inquisitors after them.
Liliana, even being tied to the house Rosengarde, got more kind attention as the victim. Building ties with her would not implicate others in Imogen’s mess. Liliana had a feeling other also assumed she was soon to be named as heir of the duchy, and were looking to build ties because of it. Alistair, though he had nothing to do with his mother’s schemes, was guilty to many by the simple fact of his heritage. Before, he’d been the perfect heir because of his pedigree, but now his very pedigree was what made others think him unsuitable.
Word had also gotten around that Liliana had a third tame, a Rank 4 tame at Rank 7. That on its own would’ve been enough to garner attention but combined with current events she’d quickly become someone the nobles had great interest in. Her meeting with Queen Gwendolyn today would only drive further interest in her, not that Liliana minded. The interest gave her power, made her more valuable to her father.
Her perceived value to him was already being shown in more material aspects. He’d tried to have her room moved, but at Liliana’s refusal he’d instead had the area she was in remodeled, adding three more rooms to it with the frightening speed and efficiency that was thanks to both magic and the power of money. It had taken a week for the three rooms to be remodeled and added to her own. Even her courtyard had been extended.
Her closet had also been expanded, physically and with the amount of garments held in it. Liliana could no longer easily recall every item of clothing she owned. There were far too many of them. Jewels had been showered on her, and she had more cosmetics than she could ever use. None of that concerned her much. She had grown up without such pretty trinkets for both of her lives so now they held little draw to her, not unless they had traits she’d find useful in battle.
Her father hadn’t ignored that part of her, showing he paid some type of attention to her. She had several new battle outfits delivered, all with specialty skills and stats that would make them useful for different scenarios. She had several new naginatas to play with and an assortment of daggers. Liliana would admit she was happy with those presents, no matter who was behind them. Alistair’s words still rung in her head. She could use her father, even if she hated him. She wouldn’t cut her nose off to spite her face.
“Are you ready, Lady Liliana?” a voice woke Liliana from her mental musings. She turned to look at the guard standing before two large, ornate doors coated in gold that showed off a scene of Queen Gwendolyn standing victorious on a battlefield, both resplendent in her crafter armor, but also terrifying. Respect, admiration and fear. It was clear what the queen wanted to inspire in her vassals. Liliana nodded, not speaking as she took another deep breath, straightening her spine and raising her head.
The guard knocked once on the doors and they opened, revealing a throne room as ornate as the door. A thick red carpet marked the path from the doors to the bottom of the dais that held a large throne upon which the queen sat. Pillars carved with various mythical beasts and gods sat on either side of the carpet, further marking the path forward. Liliana could see guards and Knights scattered through the room, no other nobles though. This was an official meeting, but it was private, too.
“Lady Liliana Loretta Verity Rosengarde,” a voice announced her and with that, Liliana moved forward. Her heart was beating a frantic tempo in her chest as she walked beneath the watching eyes of the queen and her knights, knowing that it would be so easy for the woman to end her life. Liliana didn’t bother to [Identify] anyone here, knowing at best it was futile. At worst, it would be seen as an insult.
The quiet swish of Liliana’s silken heels and dress on the rug was the only noise in the room as she walked ever closer to the queen. It felt like she was walking for ages before she came to the bottom of the dais, where she immediately dropped into a low curtsy, her head bowed. Though she didn’t miss the three knights standing behind the queen’s throne before her head was lowered.
“Greetings to Queen Gwendolyn Genevieve Summerwarden, the Sun of our queendom,” Liliana greeted the queen from where she held herself.
“Liliana Rosengarde, you may rise.” The queen greeted after a few seconds, and Liliana rose slowly, keeping her head slightly bowed to avoid eye contact.
“You have recently been the victim of numerous crimes, perpetrated by the woman known as Imogen Thornebell-Rosengarde,” the queen began and Liliana nodded unnecessarily, as they both knew it to be the truth. Liliana had ensured that.
“The perpetrator has already confessed her guilt before three Inquisitors, which is enough for a conviction. However, further investigation has also revealed evidence that proves her crimes. In instances like this, where the victim and the perpetrator are both nobles, we allow for the victim to have a say in the punishment of the guilty. Barring full pardons for their crimes,” the queen continued, her voice kept emotionless as she went over the facts and her offer to Liliana.
Liliana sucked in a quiet breath. She’d heard of such things happening, but she’d assumed she would not be granted such a thing. It didn’t mean she had no idea of what she wanted, what punishments she felt Imogen deserved for her crimes.
“I want her to be kept imprisoned for the rest of her life, and I want her status as a noble revoked,” Liliana spoke up when she’d overcome her shock, finally raising her head enough to meet the queen’s eyes.
Sapphire met ruby and Liliana thought she saw a measure of understanding lurking in the crimson depths. Liliana didn’t say it, but she wanted Imogen to live out her days in suffering, alone, the way she’d forced Liliana to live for so long. Make her slowly realize no one loved her, or would come to save her. The only difference would be that Imogen would never get the chance to save herself. She’d forfeited that right the second she slipped that first poison into Liliana’s tea.
Revoking her status as a noble was small in comparison. Imogen’s status wouldn’t mean anything in prison, but it would mean something to the woman who had spent most of her life scheming for power. Her noble status would’ve been one of the few bits of power she could cling to, even in a cell, but now that too would be ripped from her.
“Then so it shall be. Imogen Thornebell-Rosengarde will be imprisoned for life, her noble status revoked. Her holdings will also be transferred to you as compensation for her crimes,” the queen declared, and before Liliana could think, her mouth moved.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“Half to Alistair,” Liliana spoke up, and the queen paused, glancing at Liliana with something suspiciously close to amusement on her face.
“You would give half of your due to the son of the woman who tried to kill you?” the queen asked and Liliana nodded, her eyes sure.
“I don’t blame my brother for his mother’s crimes. He had no part in them, and by rights his mother’s holdings are his.” Liliana informed the queen.
She was selfless enough to make sure her brother got something, with his future so uncertain now. But still selfish enough to want something for herself as well. She knew if Alistair was here, he’d demand she take it all, but she wouldn’t leave her brother penniless if her father decided to forsake the boy.
“I believe we can accommodate that request. Then half of her holdings shall be yours, half his.” The queen waved a hand, and Liliana noticed the sound of quill on parchment. A man standing to the side was writing down what the queen was saying. Likely by the end of the month, Liliana would get deeds sent to her, and an account of her own at the bank for the money she’d be transferred.
“Now that we have concluded the official portion of this meeting, I wish to thank you,” the queen spoke up and Liliana watched as the woman seemed to shift.
The mask of a queen was removed and Liliana knew she was looking at the woman she’d met in the courtyard, Gwendolyn, her friend’s mother, and her tentative ally. Liliana felt herself relax marginally, the nerves fluttering in her stomach still twisted and rebelled, but they were more calm. It was easier to talk to a friend’s mother, no matter how formidable, than the queen of her country.
“The thanks should be mine to give, your majesty. You and your Inquisitors have ensured my attempted murderess can no longer do me and mine harm,” Liliana was quick to thank the queen, not wanting the woman to assume she was ungrateful. Without the queen and her Inquisitors, Liliana knew what her only option would’ve been, and it would be a far less clean one than this.
“Yes, but you requested aid before, and we could not lend it to you. You lost someone before justice could be seen to.” The queen didn’t say the apology that hung in the air, she couldn’t.
A queen could never apologize, could never admit to fault. Liliana understood it. She understood the way things had to be done because of the delicate balance of power that the queen had to maintain. One shove too hard and everything could tumble down, embroiling their country in a civil war it didn’t need, wouldn’t survive. So she didn’t blame the queen for not sending her Inquisitors sooner, not until her father had called them or until Liliana would’ve found enough evidence to warrant it.
Liliana blamed herself, more than anyone else, barring Imogen for Astrid’s death. Had Liliana found evidence the day she’d snuck into Imogen’s room, it could’ve been avoided. Had she taken her lunch that day, she’d have found the poison, or been the one to die. So many things could’ve been done to prevent the worst outcome, but Liliana had failed at those paths. Could’ve, should’ve, would’ve. All things that meant nothing now, because they couldn't change the reality or the past. She could only remember it for the future, hold on to her guilt, and use it as a lesson. The last lesson Astrid would ever teach her.
“Still, this has been an opportunity for us all. One I have you to thank for. Your part in all of this will not be soon forgotten,” the queen leaned forward, and a bit of mischief stained her smile and eyes, “a truth potion? I’d love to know how you got it, but I’ll let you keep that secret to yourself.” The queen whispered conspiratorially, though Liliana was not fooled. Any Knight in this room would hear the words clearly. But they were tied to the queen in a way that would guarantee undying loyalty. Nothing would escape this room except what the queen wanted.
The queen also confirmed something Liliana had suspected when she was given this order, masquerading as an invitation. The queen had found something to hold over her father, something big enough to leash him to her side for however long the queen wanted. That was more than thanks enough, in Liliana’s mind.
“Will your majesty allow me access to my storage for a moment?” Liliana asked in lieu of an answer.
The queen was interested, or trusted her enough, to nod. Liliana summoned a small glass vial and held it out to the queen. One of the Knights behind her stepped forward and took it, examining it for a moment before handing it to the queen. Liliana might be trusted, but not to the point that she could hand something to the queen without it being checked for traps. Liliana did not mind, she expected nothing less.
“Oh, you had another? What do you ask for this?” the queen inquired as she tilted the vial to look at the contents. Liliana would not correct the woman to inform her that she still had three more vials left. That would be an ace she’d keep to herself.
“Nothing more than your favor, your majesty. And permission to continue being Marianne’s friend,” Liliana said easily.
She could ask for many things as payment for such a rare potion, but she wouldn’t. Having the favor of the crown was more valuable than gold or jewels. From her more spiteful side, also came that Liliana wanted to be on the crown’s side. The queen might be looking at her for ways to use her, but Marianne had been kind to her, a good friend. The nobles had looked down on her from the moment she was born. Even when she gained power, there were still those that thought less of her. But the queen and Marianne had never shown her the same discrimination she’d suffered under the nobles. So it was a simple thing for her to want to spite the nobles by throwing her lot in with the royal faction rather than the nobles.
“That’s your wish? I can grant that. Consider yourself favoured by the crown, Liliana Rosengarde. And I was never planning on coming between you and my daughter. She is far too taken with you,” the queen smiled, but there was a small flash of fear in her eyes and Liliana had to wonder what Marianne had done, or said, to make the queen fear trying to sever their friendship. Liliana hoped she never had to have to see the side of her friend that could even make her mother fearful.
“Thank you, your majesty. If there’s ever anything I can do to aid the crown, you must only ask.” Liliana curtsied deeply again. She was glad this meeting had gone so well, and she’d be walking out considerably richer in both money and political power than she’d walked in.
“I only ask for your loyalty, for now,” the queen told her as Liliana rose. Liliana raised an eyebrow.
“Do you require an oath?” Liliana had seen those in the game, but they seemed fairly restrictive in real life. She didn’t want to tie herself down with an oath of loyalty, but she had no plans to oppose the crown, so it wouldn’t be a completely terrible thing. However, her suggestion seemed to amuse the queen, based on the laugh that burst out of the woman.
“Oh, you are far too young to make such oaths. The System doesn’t permit oaths of loyalty or any other kind before you turn 18. Barring soul contracts, as you know. Though if you tried a soul contract on another humanoid race, you would encounter problems,” the queen explained, and Liliana’s eyes widened with this new knowledge.
Perhaps that’s why she had found so little about oaths. Then again, she hadn’t really researched them either. She hadn’t known the part about her not being able to enter a soul contract with another human, or one of the other humanoid races. However, she had never been interested in that part of the Soul affinity, so she had never looked into the age restrictions. Perhaps this was why they couldn’t arrange marriages before someone came of age, because those usually involved oaths of some type, as did marriage?
“Sometimes I forget you are a child, and not as knowledgeable about the world as those older.“ The queen said as she wiped a small tear of mirth from her eye. Liliana bristled slightly at the slightly patronizing tone of the queen, but she didn’t let it show. It was true, she was still a child and there was far too much about this world she simply didn’t know.
“So no, I require no oath from you. If you still wish to make one when you come of age, we can discuss it then. But for now, I just want your loyalty to me and Marianne, though I doubt I have to ask for that,” the queen had composed herself once more. Liliana nodded to her. Her loyalty to Marianne should never be questioned. The girl was one of her closest friends, despite how rarely they could see each other. Something that may be remedied now with Imogen out of the picture.
“Then we have concluded our business for the day. I believe there is someone who wishes to see you.” The queen motioned her head and Liliana noticed for the first time a small door behind the throne that had opened, revealing a familiar head of white hair and wide, excited ruby eyes.
“Go.” It was as much permission as a command, and with a final curtsy to the queen, Liliana hurried to her friend’s side. As Marianne wrapped her in a tight hug, Liliana let herself smile. A small thing, but a real one.
She still wasn’t alright, but she knew as she listened to Marianne gushing about a new book, carefully avoiding painful topics, she would be.