Chapter Text
The creaking of the metal hinges on my lantern served as my only company as I trudged through the desolate town square. Black, furlined fabric from my cloak bellowed behind me as I weaved between the storefronts. It was a sea of stone and thatch awashed in darkness. All lights were extinguished, casting the once lively marketplace in a cold, unwelcoming aura. Ever since father decreed the curfew, the citizens have been stuck in a constant state of fear and paranoia, turning on each other over the slightest suspicions. News of murders and hoards of missing people traveled quickly from the West to Veskonsa, and rumors festered forth. Comrades and neighbors, now spies and servants of the night.
It’s not the Veskonsa I’ve come to love, but then again… I suppose it truly died years ago.
Following the curve of the cobblestone path, I cut into a grove enshrouded by hazel trees. A cold breeze tore through the branches, causing me to pull on my hood and draw the edges of the cloak closer to my form. I glanced upward towards the vast sky. Remnants of Orion still managed to peak out amongst the countless stars, however, Eridanus was now out of sight. My legs itched to carry me back to the riverbanks, where the glowing asters are the most clear, but I’d already overstayed my welcome. The beginnings of grey cirrus clouds were approaching from the east. If the stirring of the wind is any confirmation, a snow storm may arrive tomorrow. Hopefully, my hypomnemas will stay safe out there.
Warm hues of light began to come into view as I encountered a bushel of snowdrops. Lifting the heavy fabrics of my skirt, I stepped through the interlocking vines. I surveyed my surroundings to make sure there weren’t any onlookers as I crossed the rear bridge into the postern. I crouched low and crept towards a small wooden door, leading to the servant’s corridors. Stepping through the threshold, I slipped my cloak off and progressed down the hallway. As I exited into the southern stairwell, I felt a pair of hands latch onto my arm.
“Soveriegn, where have you been?” She bit out in a hushed tone.
“Dear, Colette.” I blew out a breath. “You gave me such a fright.”
Her eyebrows scrunched together as she glared daggers at me.
“My, you would do best not to work yourself up so much. You’re going to give yourself worry lines.” I frowned, reaching up and smoothing down her forehead.
“If I have worry lines, it is because of your blatant disregard and rascality, my lady.”
“So you’d say my thirst for knowledge is foolery? I am risking my life in the pursuit of beconing a well rounded queen for all Veskonsans alike—”
“Princess, please pardon my brashness, but we must hurry.” Her eyes hardened over with something I couldn’t quite make out. Her hand found placement back on my forearm as she began tugging me up the northern staircase.
“What is the meaning of this, Colette?”
“His royal highness has summoned you.”
I stiffened. “What ever for?”
“Please, my lady, we must make haste. He’s already been waiting long enough.” She continued up the stairs until we arrived at a wide hallway leading to the throne room. She took the cloak from my hands and frantically patted away wrinkles I’d incurred from my journey before she continued. “A few townspeople have come together demanding an audience with his highness.”
My eyes widened. “Don’t they know that father could try them for treason over such a thing?”
“They know but his highness has heard them out… They came here because of you, my lady.” Her eyes bore into mine. “On a few occasions they noticed you sneaking out of the rear for your twilight excursions and… They think you a witch.”
A witch?
I blinked at her. “That’s nonsense.”
“You know I know this to be true, but the king is only going to question you for the sake of giving the people a proper investigation. Think nothing of this, sweet one. You’ll be just fine.” She brushed a stray hair from my face.
I didn’t even realize my hands were shaking until she took them into her hands. It’s as my Colette said. This is merely a silly, preposterous misunderstanding. As I glanced into her ivory eyes, I was only met with a fierce resolve and strength. I tried to draw on that as much as I could, willing my hands to syphon the energy from her to me.
“We must part now, but know that I’m right beyond these doors.” She tilted my chin upwards. “Hold your head up high.”
I took a deep breath and nodded. I released her hands, already missing their warmth, and folded them in front of me as I processed down the corridor. As I reached the tall oak carved entrance, two men in iron clad armor greeted me and opened the doors.
A gust of cool air danced over my skin as the doors gave way to the radiant throne room. The ceiling was painted with various depictions of our country’s history, and from the structure hung chandeliers encrusted with gold and our country’s prized jewel, sapphire. Marble sculptures flocked the perimeter of the room with two marvelous thrones seated against the far wall. My gaze hung over the leftmost throne, the queen’s throne, for a moment before they locked with steel green eyes. Polar opposites of the ones I’d inherited from mother.
I came to a halt a few paces from the throne when I curtsied. “Greetings and many blessings to His Royal Highness, Reigning Regent of the Three Tides.”
“Enough with the theatrics, Daphne.” He bellowed. “Rise.”
Releasing the hem of the heavy fabric, I rose and was met with the gazes of four townspeople gathered to the right of my father's throne. I nearly forgot my manners as I stared at them. I’ve definitely seen their faces before but I can’t quite place where.
Glancing back over to him, I started, “What is the meaning of this?”
“These Veskonsans have reason to believe you are in communion with the devil.” He folded his hands in his lap. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
I nearly burst into laughter. “Why would I be in communion with the devil? I celebrate and cherish our deity just as everyone else, and I’ve been raised on the very values we aim to instill in our people.” What is father playing at?
“While that may be true, what evidence can you put forth that your faith hasn’t slipped into the hands of the dark one?”
His words shocked me. I know that father and I don’t always agree but I’d at least thought he’d know I wouldn’t do something as depraved as this. I searched his eyes, and yet I was only met with a cold, calculating exterior. Oh. I know what this is about. This is a trap. Witchcraft was never the point of contention, it’s all about my study of the asters. I scrunched my eyebrows. All I can hear is my father's voice in my head, This is your final warning. If I find out that you’re still chasing these infantile motivations, then you’ll be under a strict curfew and watched by our guards, forbidden from leaving the castle at dusk.
He cleared his throat. “Well, Daphne.”
“I've been studying the stars, father.”
His face reddened at my admission. I suppose I’ll be facing his wrath after this summoning concludes.
“That’s no proof! That could be an excuse for scrying demons.” The older woman exclaimed. “And if you’re truly looking at the stars, why would you venture out past our curfew alone?”
“How dare you speak so out of turn? You have no right to question me, peasant.” I whipped around to face her. That’s where I’ve seen her… She owns the weavers in the square. I’ve seen her scowl like that at patrons that tried to haggle her. Honestly, I’ve had enough of this charade. “Might I ask what proof you have of me doing these promiscuous activities? You do realize that you’re accusing the crown princess of devil worshipping. Your tongue could get cut off for much less, I assure you.”
She sputtered as she tried to find her words. She turned her attention to the little girl cowering behind who I presume to be her father. “Alba! Didn’t you say you saw her sneaking off into the woods—”
“That’s been settled. If you’d like to keep restating things, you can do so in the comfort of your home.” I raised my hand, summoning the guards. “Please oust these townspeople from the castle.”
“Wait!” The woman shouted. “Alba, show them what you showed me.”
The sheepish girl stepped forward, hesitantly.
I frowned as I leaned forward, trying to get a better look at what she began pulling from her knapsack.
“I found this in the bushes by a brook.” The little girl mumbled, her words mushing together.
My face paled.
In her mangy hands sat the familiar leather bindings of my hypomnema. No one knew of this, not even father. Judging by the wearing on the cover, she must’ve followed me and snatched an older copy.
I could feel his eyes burning holes into my head, urging me to come up with yet another quip, any consolation that I was unfamiliar with that object but I could only stand there silenced, drowning in my stupidity.
The woman snatched the journal from Alba’s grasp and began flipping the pages, pointing at different symbols. “Your highness, you can’t tell me this isn’t a sign of her practicing the craft of demons.”
“Lies,” I exclaimed, turning to my father. “I have never and would never do such a thing.”
“This summoning will conclude.” He slammed his staff against the marble floor.
The woman looked as though she wanted to continue further, but instead halted as my father raised his hand.
“Guards, please confiscate that hypomnema and remove these people from the castle.” He flung his hand towards the doors as he dismissed them.
I couldn’t help the glare that formed across my face as I watched them exit the throne room. After the doors swung shut behind them, I turned back towards my father. He had an unreadable expression on his face. It looked as though confusion and anger were at war against his features.
I hesitantly stepped forward, unsure of what I even was going to say. My weight shifted between each foot as I tried to find some excuse for that hypomnema. “It’s really not what you think, father.”
“Not another word.” He bit out.
“But, father–”
“No, Daphne!” He interjected, scrubbing his forehead. “Didn’t I warn you about this? I ask you for one thing and you can’t even deliver on something so simple. Now, you’ve given our people notions of you participating in the craft, and… I can’t even wholeheartedly denounce these claims after what I’ve just witnessed.” His words sank into my chest like knives. “Just go to your chambers. Your insolence truly knows no bounds.”
Before I could move, he swiftly rose from his throne and excused himself.
The oak doors slammed behind him, the sound personifying the depths of my own deafening despondency.