Chapters 1-12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Meloria
Chief Minister Graxoth is a lying sack of shit. Whatever the hell he did hurt like hell despite whatever anesthetic he claims to have provided. I don't believe there is a spot anywhere on my body larger than my thumbnail that doesn't ache!
But even I can admit, I look amazing in the aftermath.
My teeth are straight and white, my hair is soft and lustrous, my skin has not a single flaw, I swear my bosoms have doubled in size. I may be just another orphaned brat on the inside but on the outside, I now make a very convincing princess.
That does not mean I feel confident talking to the Emperor and Empress though. Graxoth has explained that the trauma of the attack will cause me to behave oddly for a while, maybe even forever but the two of them should know their own daughter!
And so I await the empress in her personal chamber for a conversation I hope will not reveal me. She enters with an unreadable expression on her face.
She sits as close to me as possible and speaks in a low whisper.
“Did you pick that dress?”
“Yes, mother. My closet is full of dresses like this so I suppose they're my favourite.”
She nods.
“A visiting dignitary presented one to you as a gift. The first time you wore it Graxoth was most impressed and kept complimenting you on your beauty. So you had me burn it.”
My throat is dry but I swallow past it.“It's really quite lovely though.”
I attempt to stand and show her the intricate pattern of gems more clearly but she grips my hand with surprising strength.
“We have to stay in this spot. Graxoth's little listening spiders are all over the room but this is the deaf spot in their range.”
Ah. I have long suspected the empress to be a lot sharper than she lets on.
“You're the girl my daughter saw that day on the parade.”
I gasp. This I did not expect.
“She…told you about me?”
The Empress nods sadly, “I tried to find you discretely but the closer my spies got the more danger I would have put you in. I’m sorry I couldn't have done more for you.”
“No, you were probably right. Graxoth would kill me in a heartbeat if my existence became a threat to his plans.”
“Did you have a good life in that place?”
I hesitate trying to find a way to lie convincingly so she won't feel too guilty but she reads the truth in my eyes and her face crumples.
“Oh, God. This is all my fault. I should have found a way. No matter what lies he has told you I had room in my heart for more than one daughter.” She weeps silently for a moment.
“My name is-”
“Don't! If I don't know I can never slip and call it by accident. For now you are Valoria. Until she returns.”
“Have you been in contact with her?”
“She has not sent word to me but she will. I know she's still safe and well. A mother knows.”
It's a miracle, I managed to get this installment out like a week after the last one! I cannot promise to keep up the momentum but there's more on the way. How much more? I can't say at this point but there's at least another chapter on the way, definitely eventually.
☮️