14: Sweet Revenge

"Where are you, Pam?" Zairo asked the moment I woke up the next day

'Zairo, I found out everything about me.' I told him

"You know about your Ice ability then."

'You know?'

'I guessed.'

'How?'

'The intricate designs in your room, their like mine only they resemble Ice and mine resemble lightning.'

'You also have a gift?'

That thought alone, the fact that Zairo also has a gift made me feel really happy, it made me feel at ease because once again, I found an ally in Zairo, a companion who could understand what I feel.

'Yeah. At first I can't believe but now I do.'

'Did you train?'

'Yeah, there are books here. There?'

'There are. Anyways, I'll meet you later.'

'See you then.'

After my conversation with Zairo, I decided to return to my room and I heard the lock clicking. Just in time. I hid the gloves and ring then I sat near the door and acted excited.

"Apologies, Princess Patrice but the Queen told us to tell you to join them for breakfast." Knight Stephen said and I closed my doors once again and took a bath then I wore a dark blue dress with light blue intricate designs.

I joined Queen Katrina and Ezra for breakfast and I ignored their presence. I won't let them notice that I already know their ace.

Starting today, I will act like my elemental gift. Cold and diamond like. I will make them treat me as I am supposed to be treated like, a Queen.

"Avery, there is a council meeting – I will attend." I said cutting what she was saying

"I'm done eating. Excuse me." I said and stood up then went to the council meeting

"What seems to be the matter and you've been calling for a meeting for a whole week straight?" I asked after they greeted

"Your Highness, we consider your preposition but would you mind if we ask something?" council secretary said

"What?" I asked coldly

"Why do you keep on insisting this?" he asked

"For peace. I don't want to pretend in front of you and honestly, this action should've been done even in my father's reign. It was proposed, isn't it?" I asked them

"It was but – The queen opposed." I said cutting the representative from the Horai Family.

"In my reign it shall be done. I am crowned, aren't I?" I said

"But you are far too young to be Queen." Mr. Marco, one of the councils said

"And yet I am crowned. It is my birth right." I said coldly

"Don't think too high of yourself, Princess Avery – I am the sole heiress. In this Palace, I am the only one who has the royal Astraeian blood." I said coldly cutting what the Highest council, Mr. Della Vega is saying.

"You're forgetting – Who? Lady Trinity Ezra? She's my mother's illegitimate child, have you forgotten?" I asked coldly and they all silenced

I guess they didn't think I would know it.

"Avery!" Katrina said and entered the room

"Remember this, council the day you crowned me in front of Astrae. I am already the Queen." I said and started walking down

"You can't rule." One of them shouted

"Watch me." I said and walked away passing the woman I've once considered as my mother.

After that, I went back to my room and locked it then I changed into my sneaking clothes. I slowly crept down the tower, dashed to the forest, and went to our home.

For some unknown reason, I suddenly have a feeling this could be the last time I'd be able to do this.

"Pam." Zairo said and hugged me

"I heard everything." He said and I heard Katrina and the council's voices.

"What's that?" I asked

"Microchip camera and microchip bug that records everything." he said

"When did you place that?" I asked amused

"One time while I was wandering the palace and made an excuse that I am looking for you." He said

"We could use this, Pam." he said

"How?" I asked

"We will play this and make this evidence to the highest court." He said

"Zairo you're a genius!" I exclaimed and hugged him

He started typing then he showed me a video of Ezra with her boyfriend, David.

"We can use this to ruin Ezra." He said

"But how?" I asked

"We can make the village people and the influential families of your kingdom turn their backs to your mother and turn to you." he said

"Why should that happen?" I asked. It seemed unconnected.

"You are the heiress yet there is a conspiracy formed inside the palace to dethrone you and enthrone Ezra, they make people believe that Ezra is more suitable to rule than you and that Ezra have the right since she is Queen Katrina's first daughter." He explained

"But her father is not King Aristotle." I said

"Exactly. You have to prove that you are King Aristotle's only daughter and she isn't." he said

"How? How will I prove it?" I asked

"Every kingdom's scepter has life. It knows when the holder is the real heir or descendant of their founder. In your case, since you are the direct descendant it will glow once you master your gift." he said

"Thank you, Zairo." I said and hugged him

"Anything for you, anyways, let's eat, I prepared food for you." he said and we went to the dining room.

We ate in silence then we spent time.

"I'll miss you." I told him

"Me too, Pam. Me too." he said and kissed my head

I returned to the palace. He is the one who helps me regain my strength and he is the one who gives me hope.

I entered the Council room and I saw the council arguing.

"What are you arguing about?" I asked and they all stood up and gave respect to me

"Half of the council and the head council decided to side with me, the representatives too. What causes this commotion?" I asked and they all became silent

"Is it that you really want to dethrone me that much?" I mocked them

"How dare you accuse us of such conspiracy?!" one of the opposing council asked

"Isn't it true? There are rumors spreading and I heard it myself. One of your children who work here in the palace told me the rumors without knowing that it is me." I said mockingly

They all fell silent.

How funny if I could remember that while Zairo and I were playing chess I heard that since he placed microchips in every hole in the palace. I almost lost control and that was the first time I saw my gift work outside of that room.

"Your highness," they said and bowed

"I am your Queen so treat me like one. Queen Katrina's reign is over so I am the only one who you should tell the problems to. I am not blind for me not to see how you do things to make it look like I am callous of my own kingdom. Remember, I have eyes and ears everywhere so watch your backs." I said warningly and sat on the Queen's throne.

It seems that my threat worked on them and they all started to recognize my authority. This is why I don't want to be crowned queen before, it's amusing me how months ago, I was denying that I'm rightful to the throne and now I'm fighting my right for it.

We started the meeting and I gave the right and fair judgment.

"Your Highness our workers are increasing in numbers." One of the representatives said

"Then increase the number of works. Build facilities and infrastructures that they can work on or work in. Give them money to start business, land to farm in, ponds to fish in, and orchards to cultivate." I said and he noted them

"Any problems?" I asked

"The education you proposed for the commoners. We lack places for them to study in." one of them said

"Then build schools, can't you see? If we build schools for the commoner, the workers will have work. The children will have the education they deserve. Don't you think it's like hitting two birds with one stone and think of the things the children can do in the future? They will help our kingdom grow, be better." I said

"The technology department needs electric assistance." One of them said

"You're rushing technology too much. Try starting from small innovations and invention then when we have succeeded move, that's when you move to big ones." I suggested

"I have an announcement to make tomorrow." I said

"What announcement, Your Majesty?" they asked

"These flat forms must be known by the entire kingdom." I said

I went out and I saw Katrina fuming mad.

"What is the matter here?" I asked the guard

"Your highness, the former Queen requested to come in but since you said that she can no longer enter, we blocked her." The knight said

"What are you supposed to do in the council meeting? As far as I know the day you passed the crown to me you lost your power over the kingdom and this palace, Katrina." I said

"I am your mother." She said and I almost laughed sarcastically

I almost forgot that she's pretending to be my mother.

"Yes, but still you must live outside the palace now, in the place where former rulers and heirs stay." I said calmly

"I must live here. You will need my guidance." she said

"Isn't that the purpose of the advisers and the council?" I asked

"Avery, what are you doing to your mother?" Ezra asked and I almost raised my brow at her

Your mother, huh? I chuckled mentally when I recalled how she asked her mother what would happen if I find out that she's not my real mother.

"You see, Ezra, Mother want to go to a place she must not be in." I said calmly and in a caring voice

"Let's go." I said walked alongside them

Taste my sweet revenge.