The water roared beneath the ship's sails, it’s red flag waving angrily against the wind. The waves' heights surpassed the top of the ship, dousing the deck with salty ocean water. Margot looked over the ledge of the boat, her long brown hair stuck to her wet cheeks. She smiled ever-so-faintly at the glimmering scales and intricate diamonds wrapped delicately around the creature's tails.
“Mermaids,” she announced to her brother Edward, who stood a few feet behind her as he shielded his red velvet suit from the attacking ocean. “They’ve been following us since we left the common port, reporting to their masters I’m sure.”
Margot’s eyes glistened as one of the mermaids lifted their face above the water, hissing at the sight of the crown she bore. Her red crown, enemy to all things blue. Margot fluttered her hand in the air, twisting her red painted fingernails and watched the sea creature scurry back beneath the waves, afraid of what might become of itself if Margot were only to… snap.
“Pesky vermin. Have I ever mentioned to you how much I loathe mermaids?”
Edward laughed in agreeance as he stepped towards his younger sister, he’d given up on keeping dry, finding it useless at that point. He admired his sister's strength ever since her rule began on her 14th birthday; two years early, but he supposed that’s what happened when your parents were assassinated and you were the one chosen to carry the magic bloodline. He envied her, too, for being chosen to possess the family powers, but he would never admit such a thing out loud.
“Do you suppose the waters are so angry on account of our visit to their kingdom?” Edward asked.
“Brother,” Margot laughed at the groaning sea beneath them, “the waters may hate us, but even they do as they are told. This storm is a warning from the Voda Royals, they’re telling us to behave.”
The Voda Kingdom was only doing their duty to protect their people, Margot knew, but she found it an insult just the same. It was always a strange occurrence if they heard from the Voda Kingdom outside of the yearly treaty event, let alone be requested to visit their castle.
Their sea lasted many miles and it was four days before their castle broke in the distance of the cloudy sky surfacing the water. Margot was exhausted by the boredom-- she grew bored easily if she was understimulated. She was so used to doing things, killing things, tormenting things. All part of being the Red Queen.
The waters of the ocean began to calm as their ship sailed closer to its destination, the end of the sea where a beautiful yet treacherous waterfall sat, anyone who crossed to be sent hundreds of feet below, plummeting to their death. At the bottom of the waterfall, the Kingdom’s village began, villagers surrounded by the sea they felt a heartening connection to. Margot could never understand that part of the Voda’s, what they thought was so special about the water.
Atop the waterfall, the Kingdom sat, afloat by thousands year old magic that it would never touch the ground. It was perhaps one of the strongest magic left on Anovia, but it had at one point the original palace. Back when Anovia was united as one. Now, it was divided, and it would remain that way forever.
“Have we finally arrived? I should expect a feast upon our arrival after that journey,” Edward groaned as he lifted himself from his bed. Margot had been up hours before him and woke him, annoyed that his slumber was intensified by the half empty bottle of expensive liquor. She had been saving that for a special occasion.
“Get up brother, you should be dressed and ready to present yourself as a Royal Advisor in ten minutes time. We are sailing up to their docking port now.”
“Ten minutes, that’s all you’re going to give me?”
Margot’s anger began to overpower her. Edward meant no harm and she loved him by blood, but he’d had issues ever since their parents were killed. It was always meant to be him to gain the magic bloodline and rule, but the ancestors saw the future that would become of him after their death. Margot was their second choice, she’d spent the past six years trying to prove to them they hadn’t made a mistake.
“I’ve had the stewardess lay out your outfit. Please remember to wear your crown today, Edward. You may not be ruling our Kingdom but you are a royal.” Margot took one more moment at her brother before turning to leave his sleeping quarters.
She couldn’t help but wonder if they looked the same as they once did when they were children. His dark hair had grown longer, down to his shoulders, but while Margot’s had darkened, Edwards lightened with his age. She could only describe it as becoming… slightly more dull. He’d grown paler, his lips a lighter shade of red than hers, his eyes had become sad. They both still had the dangerous red flakes in their gray cast eyes, that would never change as long as they were rulers of the Red Kingdom.
I am Queen Margot of the Red Kingdom.
I am Queen Margot of the Red Kingdom.
I am not afraid, you will cower beneath me.
Waiting for the arrival of Queen Margot and her Royal Advisor, Edward, the dock to the Voda Kingdom was heavily guarded.
Edward appeared behind his sister, pulling open the door to their below deck and tucking in the last piece of his black button down shirt. “They do understand that we have the greatest weapon in existence on this boat and that their guards won’t do anything?”
While Margot wanted to laugh at her brother's remarks, her face remained stoic. She shifted the crown on her forward to be certain it was centered-- gold with emeralds, a family heirloom. Her cape cooled her from the damaging winds, just something else the Voda’s thought should be added for special effect.
“Let them feel safe, brother. If it takes an army to make them feel that way, I’ll allow it.”
“You have far more patience than me, sister.”
Margot eyed Edward and nodded politely, “That’s why I am the Queen and you are only my Advisor.”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
“Don’t suppose, brother. Understand.”
The Voda’s guards roped their ship to their dock, tying her up too tightly for Margot’s liking. She became sour at the thought of her ship's delicate feelings being hurt, after she’d sailed their viscous waters, the nerve they had to violate her in such a way. Still, she stayed silent, careful not to overstep too quickly. After all, the meeting still had yet to begin, she wanted to know what it was about before she went off eradicating a Kingdom.
Margot stepped towards the ramp that had been put in place for her, shooing away the guard who tried to help her step down. As she stepped onto the dock, she felt the shift in the air immediately. The aura was very different from that of her Kingdom, much lighter, softer. She hated it.
“Queen Margot, Voda welcomes you,” one of the guards spoke, his face covered with armour. Margot lost her balance for a moment at the swaying dock, the water did not want her here and wanted her to know it.
“I believe there is nowhere in Anovia aside from my home that I am welcome, so please save your formalities for my brother. He will be much more pleased to receive them.”
“My apologies, your highness.”
“I don’t care for your apologies, people who apologise only make me angry enough to kill them. Instead of apologizing, stop doing it.” Margot seethed, the guard conceding immediately. Edward huffed out a laugh as he followed down the dock behind her.
She hadn’t been to the Voda Kingdom in nearly a year since the last treaty hearing. It was always held at Nova, heavens know the Fair Kingdom could never hold it. They were far too kind and Nova, while too kind for Margot’s liking, knew how to rough it if they needed to, so they became the mediators. They had just enough balance to control the chaos that could become the peace treaty annual hearing, which ended with the Fair ruler crying nearly every time.
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The other two Kingdoms always seemed to get along. They shared meaningless sincerity, and it wasn’t just because their Kingdoms were closer than Margot’s by three days' time. They considered Margot insufferable and quite frankly, evil.
“I’m surprised the King and Queen didn’t greet us ourselves. It would have been respectable considering they interrupted us from our daily duties.” Edward moaned as they readed the steps to the Kingdom. The steps, which were nearly a mile in length and surrounded by the waterfalls’ magnificent waters. The water sprayed onto them as they climbed, Margot annoyed that the bottom of her red embroidered dress would now be soaked by the time she entered the castle.
“Had there been any pressing matters we wouldn’t have made the journey at all, brother.”
“Next time,” he huffed, tired by the twentieth step, “they can come to us.”
“The day that happens I believe our fires would have turned to ice.” Margot still hadn’t cracked a smile. She was in Queen mode now, nobody but Edward could ever see her break character, she couldn’t allow it. Her father was known to be the cruelest of all the Red Kingdom rulers, she felt a responsibility to follow in his image and make him proud, something he did not often feel towards her when he was alive.
When her father was alive, he was a cold man, even to his children. Her mother, while also cold and cruel, had a warm spot somewhere inside of her for Margot and Edward. Her father always ensured Margot would experience first hand the pain she would one day inflict. He didn’t believe it was a woman’s job to be a ruler, he never thought the elders would one day disgrace their bloodline by giving the magic to his daughter. But there was no going against what the elders decided-- the elders, who were dead, but whose magic was so powerful even in death, that they were the ones who controlled it all.
“Margot-” Edward’s voice pulled Margot out of her daydreams of a time long ago. It wasn’t so long ago, but it felt like one thousand lifetimes had passed since she was just the daughter of a ruler rather than being one.
“Yes, brother?” Margot smiled, though strained. Edward caught this quickly but said nothing. They would speak about it later if she felt inclined.
“We’ve reached the top of the steps, the guards would like to know if you want to go to your quarters first or directly to meet with the King and Queen.”
“Quarters,” Margot milled, “I don’t plan on staying long enough to need quarters. We shall go straight to the King and Queen, the sooner we get this over with the better.”
“As you wish,” Edward mumbled.
The two followed behind the guards, arms entwined with one another to appear united, a force to be reckoned with. She wouldn’t let anyone know that Edward would be the first to betray her if the opportunity arose, she wouldn’t even let Edward know that she knew of his deepest secret. But as Queen, she had a responsibility to know who her enemies were.
Inside the castle, the walls were covered with gems of blue and turquoise. Waterfalls with no source streamed down the walls as a mural of the great war covered their ceiling. It showed a once united land become divided in three after three years and three days of genocide. It was a misconception that it was the Red King who began the war, a misconception that all of Anovia would believe, but the Red Kingdom would know the truth-- that it was the Voda King who became consumed with power, the Nova King who became the end of unity and magic.
“Your Kingdom is quite a fascinating beauty,” Edward said. Margot turned to look at her brother, surprised by his kind words. She saw the guard standing next to him had removed his face armour, he was a handsome young man with locks of gold. Suddenly she understood; her brother had always been a sucker for a pretty face. Just another secret she would take with her to her grave.
“Quit flirting with the enemy, brother,” she whispered at him. A pink flush fell onto Edwards face as he hung his head low, embarrassed that his sister caught on to his intentions.
“Thank you, your highness,” the guard smiled gently.
Margot knew where her brother would be spending the night if they were forced to stay. She hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
The guard led them down the corridor of the palace, their feet dancing over the blue velvet carpet softly. He brought them to a set of ocean blue wooden doors, their handles gold and lined delicately with crystals. As they entered the room, they were met with a large room with a long dining table covered with food. Margot wanted to throw up at the smell, she should have known they would serve seafood.
“Where are the King and Queen?” Margot asked the guard, noticing the velvet blue chairs at the table were empty.
The guard looked at Edward nervously before swallowing the lump in his throat. “The King and Queen and praying, it’s a full moon tonight.”
Margot suppressed her urge to roll her eyes.
The Voda Kingdom was influenced by the moon. Their pupils prayed to the moon often, though she would only speak to members of the Nova royal family. The royals would speak to her often, but it wasn’t often they would ask her for help. The moon, while beautiful and powerful, had a high price to pay for her help. A sacrifice. A human one. The Kingdom avoided it at all costs. Margot reckoned if the moon was at her side, she would be making sacrifices often. Perhaps that’s why the moon did not choose her Kingdom.
“I can let them know you’re eager to meet,” the guard began hesitantly, obviously hopeful the brother and sister pair wouldn’t ask him to interrupt his rulers.
“Don’t worry about it,” Edward said before Margot had the chance. “We respect their wishes to pray to their moon, they may take their time.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Guard, would you mind giving my brother and I some time to discuss important… topics of discussion for today's meeting?”
The guard looked at the door and then back to Margot, clearing his throat. “I’ve been instructed not to leave you two alone.”
“I’m sure you have been, but you will leave my brother and I to ourselves, or I will snap your neck. The choice is up to you.”
Edward kicked his sister's leg discreetly, warning her before she went too far. It was probably because he was interested in the young guard, but Margot wouldn’t think twice before killing him. It was what she was good at.
The guard nodded his head, his eyes fearful, Margot could read people’s fear very well. She’d learned that after spending time with her much admired Soul Readers. She loved them very much and missed them already.
“I will leave you to it.”
“Thank you,” Margot dulled as she watched the guard scurry away.
“Did you really have to be so harsh towards him?” Edward chastised his sister. He couldn’t be bothered with pretending to be sober without the guard in the room, so he walked to one of the chairs at the dining table and plopped down. He was still hungover from the bottle he’d drank on the boat. It was a miracle he hadn’t gotten himself sea sick.
“I’ve warned you before about growing too close to people who mean little. I don’t play nice, and you know I won’t hesitate just because you have a crush.” Margot followed Edward to the table, sitting down much more gracefully.
“No need to remind me, sister. I’m well aware of your personality, just like our fathers.”
Margot’s chest tightened for a moment. Nobody had ever compared her to her father before. She had big shoes to fill, Edwards' remark, most likely not complimentary, made her feel good. Like she was doing something right.
“I can’t believe they expect us to eat this stuff,” Margot changed the subject. “At least at the peace treaty hearing they serve food from all our Kingdom’s.”
“What’s your favorite, the grass they serve from the Fair Kingdom?” Edward laughed.
Margot picked up her napkin from the table and tossed it at her brother, muttering for him to shut up. As she did so, the door opened, Edward and her both sitting up straight and going back to their royal facades.
“Queen Margot, Advisor Edward, thank you so much for agreeing to meet with us on such short notice.” Queen Eleanora spoke as she walked through the door with her husband, King Ryder in towe. Queen Eleanora was nearing fifty, but her beauty was beyond comparison and she looked no older than 25. She had mermaid blood in her lineage, creatures of near eternal life surely played a part in her youthfulness. King Ryder was not blessed the same and looked quite older than his age.
“It’s our pleasure,” Margot lied.
The King and Queen carried themselves weightlessly to the table, seating themselves at each end as Margot and Edward sat opposite one another. Nobody dared touch any of the food, nobody knew the intentions of this meeting. They would not eat until it was evident they were here for reasons other than war.
“If you don’t mind me saying,” Margot toyed, “it was quite unusual that you called us here today. All formalities aside, why have you called us here today?”
“I appreciate your candor and bluntness,” King Ryder interrupted his wife before she could speak. Margot hated a man who thought he overpowered his wife, it was unbecoming and she instantly disliked him. She’d never spent much time speaking to him before, never alone at least. “Queen Eleanora and I called you here today to discuss our daughter, Claira.”
Margot smirked slightly, understanding now the reason for their journey was no serious matter, it was a plea. Their daughter, Claira, had just turned sixteen. She would be crowned tomorrow, becoming the ruling Queen of the Voda dynasty, the King and Queen would lose their magic and it would be given to her. The Red Kingdom had a habit of making their most malevolent moves when a new ruler was placed upon the throne. It made perfect sense to hit them when they are the weakest. Unfortunately, Margot had no such plans for Claira, but she was considering creating one just to piss off the Voda’s.
“You want to make an agreement I assume.”
Queen Eleanora nodded at Margot, her forehead forming an unbecoming wrinkle. “We want to know what it will take for you to guarantee my daughters safety, that your Kingdom will not make any moves against her once she is crowned.”
Margot loved negotiating when she knew she had the upper hand. “It seems to me that now would be the perfect time to make a move, but you already know that. That’s why you’ve brought me here the day before your daughter is handed the throne. This was a distraction, wasn’t it?”
“Please understand,” Queen Eleanora began, her face becoming that of pleading. The fear Margot knew she was responsible for enthralled her. She loved the feeling of control. “She is my daughter, I would do anything to protect her.”
“Where was your Kingdom when my family was slaughtered?” Margot startled the entire table, including Edward, at her question. She’d never brought up that night before, certainly not with another royal. “Your Kingdom was the first to storm your seas and sink our ships at the common port so we would be cut off from the other Kingdoms, so we couldn’t ask for help. So I, a fourteen year old child, could not ask for help.”
“That was years ago-”
“My first month as a ruling Queen was trying to keep my people from starving because we had no boats to get shipments from the Fair Kingdom, it was spent begging a moon who would not listen to bring me rain, because you cast my Kingdom out and caused a drought.”
Margot was getting angry, too angry to be reasonable, Edward recognized. She was on the verge of a meltdown and the last time that happened an entire wing of their palace had to be shut down when she lit it aflame. She would be snapping necks soon if he didn’t calm her down.
“Margot, I think we should let bygones be bygones and hear the King and Queen out.”
Margot didn’t want to listen to him, she wanted blood. Edward grabbed her hand in his, feeling the warmth that was a warning for flames. His touch calmed her enough so that she breathed steadily, calming herself.
“Please,” she nervously laughed as took a sip from the glass of water in front of her, “forgive me for my outburst. It was a very long journey, and I apologize if I don’t feel the cause justified the eight days that will have been spent away from my Kingdom.”
Unless… it hit her suddenly, the King and Queens worry for their daughter was genuine, but that wasn’t the reason they summoned her here. It couldn’t have been. A declaration of an agreement could have just as easily been sent by mail and arrived in the same amount of time it had taken for Margot to sail to Voda. They were hiding something, they had to have been. Why wouldn’t they tell her?
“You have something else to say to me…” Margot dared. The King and Queen of Nova eyed each-other crossedly, unsure whether to call her bluff or not.
“I assure you the only reason we called you here was to discuss our daughters safety.”
“Well I can assure you that your daughter's heart will be ripped out before she vows her undying oath to Voda if you don’t tell me the truth. All I ask for is the truth.”
“How dare you threaten-”
Snap.
The room went quiet, mouths snapped clothes, and everyone stared at Margot, frightened. The silence was deafening, all thoughts on what she had done and who she had done it to. Queen Eleanora almost cried, terrified that her daughter's lifeless body would be found in her room when she went to check on her.
Silence, and then a slump.
Eyes trailed to the doorway, the guard that Edward had been taken by laying on the ground, hunched over with open eyes and a snapped neck.
“That’s for lying to me,” Margot stared forward, avoiding the face of her presumably upset brother. “The next time I snap my fingers it will be your daughter. I don’t need to see her to end her life, all I need to do is be close enough. A few corridors down is surely within my range. You should be thankful I was kind to your guard, your daughter I will not spare.”
“Okay, we will talk.”
“Perhaps we do so somewhere that doesn’t reek of dead fish, perhaps the wine cellar, I could use a glass.” Margot winked at the Queen, who nodded her compliance.