Chapter 3 Edith

I'm scared." Sali said as she stopped walking. Her hands were clasped together and we're trembling.

I smiled at her and gave her a tight hug. I didn't let go until I felt her body relax. I used my fingers to raise her chin until her on the same level as mine.

"Listen to me Sali. You are beautiful, smart and a totally bombshell."

At that her cheeks became red and she started laughing. " Where do you get your words from, there are not lady like."

"Their are a lot of things I do that can be considered unladylike." I pointed out.

"True." She said with a smile on her face and all traces of worry vanished.

"Look they will talk I assure you that all they know how to do nothing else, but it's your choice to choose the voices that you think you need to hear." I told her.

She looked at me strangely with an emotion in her eyes that I couldn't understand. But what she said got to me.

"I don't understand why you can't be queen."

I looked away from her.

"Let's go." I told her and forced a smile.

As we walked through the hallways I need myself thinking about what Sali had said.

I don't understand why you can't be queen.

Such a simple sentence that could cause havoc if anyone else heard it. Sali was young that's all . She has no idea why I can't ever be queen.

But she makes a good point.

My concise said but I shook my head.

My sister is going to be queen and that's it.

When we got to the garden gates , the royal herald had just announced a Royal that just enter and Sali was nervous about being announced.

"Why can't I just go through the back." Immediately she said that I shook my head vigorously.

"No way. You have no reason to doubt your self. You are amazing and you'll do just fine." I assured her

She sighed in defeat knowing that I would never allow her so it was a better option to just do exactly what I wanted. "Fine."

I gave her a big peck on her cheeks and sent her to the gate.

"Are you ready Milady?" The herald asked her. Her face turned white with fear and she glanced at me.

"You'll do great." I mouthed and gave her a thumbs up. Along with my charming smile of course.

She smiled and turned to the herald." I'm ready."

The herald nodded and opened up the gate. " Duchess Sali of Genova."

Sali took a deep breath and entered into the garden and a roaring applause was heard.

I turned away and went down the stairs. I passed some royals on the way and as always I heard snickers and rude comments as I walked by.

I rolled my eyes at their childishness and continued my walk. I entered the kitchen greeting the frantically working staff. They ignored my greetings, and I was actually grateful for that. The less people that see me the better.

Using the backdoor of the kitchen,I entered the garden where the picnic is being hosted. I can't remember the last time I was announced or entered through the front door.

I guess I lost interest in the glamour and bling, subjecting myself to the shadows. I remember the time my mother caught me using the back entrance. I thought she would scold me till my ears bleed. But she didn't. She told me it was much better that way. She ensured the door was always open during occasions like this.

She had five specific rules for me anytime we were outside the palace or hosting a party.

1. Never be announced.

2. Never partake in and performance.

3. Never dance.

4. Never draw attention to yourself.

And the most important one of all.

5. Never take the spotlight from Edith.

My mother took those rules seriously especially the last one. My twin sister Edith was her life and everything, absolutely everything revolved around her. I had no place in her heart. It was like if she had the chance she would go back in time and kill me before I was born.

To her I was a pest, a disgrace, and a mistake. You must be wondering why my own mother and kingdom hates me so much. Well I wonder too at times but it gave me headaches a number of times so I ceased thinking about it.

I still remember the story that mother usually told I and Edith when we were little. It was her own fairy tale story, although her role was boring and so unexciting. It started with the death of her mother and my grandfather's marriage to the evil queen Ravenna.. Once her evil stepmom, Queen Ravenna was vanquished, my mother and father - King Eric -rose and began to rule Asoria . Soon after, myself and my sister Edith were conceived.

The people were worried when the news of the queen being pregnant with two came out.

They didn't want an issue where the struggle of power would arise and cause chaos.

While the debate on which way would be fair and safe enough to determine who would be the next successor and heir to the throne, a powerful witch came into the court room. Let's say it was a bit of a mess

******************

"Your highness..." Governor Shaliv addressed the king."..may I voice out my opinion on the matter?" He asked.

"Yes you may." King Eric practically groaned out the permission . But no one could blame for he was the twenty seventh person who had an idea and the remaining where absolutely hogwash.

"On the issue of choosing the heir to the throne...."

"Yes we all know that. It's the reason you all were called here." The king muttered out a bit too loudly and he's words found their way into the governor's ears.

He glared at the king but couldn't do anything other than that unless he was going on a date with death and the king's men would gladly show him the quickest route, with their swords that is.

"Before I was interrupted by our dear king's kind words."

Translation:" Before the pee-brained trolls behind with a crown on his head shut me up."

"I believe a trial by combat should be held."

Positive mummers rose in the course and the huge weight that was on the king's shoulders were slowly reducing . Maybe this could finally be the answer.

"And at what level should the trial be set ." The king asked.

"Well that's easy..... combat till death."

And at that statement the load of worry that had been lifted from the king's shoulders came down with a tremendous force.

"Till death you say."

The stupid governor nodded his head vigorously.

"So you suggest that my children should fight and kill each other for the throne. Then why did we hold this meeting to find ways to avert this same situation."

The king leaned back into his throne, covering his face with his hands and let out a fustruated groan.

"Is there anyone who can give me a good suggestion.." The King asked.

Several hand where raised once again.

".. That doesn't involve death, banishment,troll or any other nonsense that you people have been sprouting from your mouths "

All the hands that had been raised suddenly disappeared in a flash.

"We're doomed." The king gave up.

"May I be of assistance my king

For it hurts me deeply to see you worrying." A female voice came from the entrance of the court room.

All eyes were directed to that point.

"Who speaks" The King asked sitting straight up at the foreign person in their midst.

"I am Mayfay." She said with a smirk

"State your business." The king demanded.

"To show you the way."

"The way to what exactly." Sir Aldrich, a member of the round table asked.

"To the problem you ponder upon.." she looked round and saw the disapproving looks she was getting from every corner of the room.".. but why is it that you all look upon me with scorn."

The king frowned." You interuptted the council meeting which is only meant for council members and other trusted personals. How did you even mange to get in here without the guards seizing you."

A mischievous smirk drew on her face." Let's say your guards are currently occupied."

It was at that minute that the head guard decided to show up.

"Your highness.." he cried out as he ran to the middle of the room."all the guards they are sleeping."

"On the job?" Sir Aldrich boomed cause the guard to turn pale." Isn't it your responsibility as the head guard to ensure the effectiveness of the palace guards."

"The fear that runs through his blood is cold

Leave the man for the fault is mine alone.

I Come with news that cannot wait

Should I speak or should hesitate."

She looked so sincere and serious. Like she really had something urgent to say. The king was confused.he wanted to grant her audience but the kingdom was still raw of the mistreatment of magic by the wicked nine bearers. Any magic bearer was scorned upon.

But he needed to know and she couldn't possibly risk her life and come here for nothing , besides dark magic isn't able to walk into the palace grounds. The barriers would stop them.

"Fine you may speak."

Marafay looked relived but governor Shaliv's face was horrified. "But your highness she is a dark magic bearer. How else would she be able to cast the guards to sleep."

"It seems like you have forgotten that light magic bearers can also cast the same spell. Wasn't it the Three fairies that casted the sleeping spell on queen Aurora. You are way behind on your history lessons Shaliv you need to get updated."

The king turned his attention from the fuming governor who probably had smoke coming from his ear and faced a smirking Marafay.

"You may deliver your message."

"Of course your majesty.

On the eighth day

When the moon shall awake

A queen shall be born into the world.

With her brown hair

And beauty so fair

She shall rule over us all "