XV. The Monarch

For a coronation of mine, I envisaged the dissonant chords of whistles, and acclaims. Only then when I trod past the gates, I was deluged with a massive squirming ocean of nobles, and civillians.

I gawked at the surprise. It was bigger and better than I had anticipated, watching the joy leap over them in a ripple.

There was a larger-than-life parade float in the guise of a black jaguar with its paws rested forward. Before long, I mounted the ride along with Adrian, Rosalie, and my mother. We sailed through the kingdom, hearkening to the euphoric and homely solace of cheers.

"This feels nice..." Rosalie described it, but despite the bliss surrounding us, it was not enough to cure her scarred heart. I pulled her close to me, knowing that she was mourning quietly. She did not wish to display it to everyone because it would douse the bright mood, according to her.

"I'll be there with you as you heal. We'll heal together," I vowed to her, and that made her lips quirk to a small smile.

"You're always there for me, Ara. I'm grateful to have a cousin like you. Perhaps I shall begin calling you sister," she teased, bumping her shoulder against mine.

I tittered, my shoulders faintly bouncing. "We already are, even when we are cousins. I will always see you as a sister to me." My face eased, touched by the ember kiss of the sun. "Every moment in life, we'll have each other's backs."

"We will have each other," Rosalie replied firmly, resolution clutching her.

The parade float had cruised through Town Square, drifting past windows where children popped out to hurl harlequin petals that captured my gaze.

"We love you, your majesty!" Their songs of adoration sprang out from their higher leveled rooms.

I waved at them and flashed a bright grin.

Adrian draped an arm around my shoulder. Our close distance  made the contact unbearable, giving rise to flaming desires, and the searing warmth between us.

When he spoke, his voice was low, sending tingles racing through every part of my body. It was pleasant... but I was kept captivated with an anticipation that he'd say that name in a different occasion. "Ara, you've sparked quite the crowd."

"What can I say? I am overwhelmed by all of this," I told him, and swept my gaze around before returning it to him.

He had a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, his tone denotive. "How about I give you a personal massage later... in your brand new bedchamber? To ease you up from the adrenaline." He smirked, "I'd be happy to serve you, my queen." His warm breath glided across my exposed skin, and I restrained a sound of pleasure.

During the remainder of the parade, Adrian's muscular build guided me in place as I generously shredded my attention to every side where praises came forth.

Eventually, the parade descended to a festival among the civillians of Helmburn where they had prepared tables lined with enticing cuisines.

I had not succumbed to eating yet as I had to hand out meals to a waiting line.

Mother emerged, and gave an offer. "I'll take care of this. You go enjoy the food." She smiled warmly.

"Thank you, mother. I'll make sure to have a seat reserved for you," I said before she took over.

I watched as she provided the civillians with lunch. She diffused the energy that filled her body to the brim.

Minutes after a splendid repast, the children moved to the front to dance to music. People around them clapped, and swayed.

Lord Francis, and his wife emerged from them, bringing along their ecstatic little children. They were bouncing in place, looking onward with peaked interest.

"I haven't seen Helmburn glow with joy for so long..." A voice came from behind, and I swiveled around to see Lady Adelaide.

She took a vacant seat beside a stunned Rosalie. A stuttered greeting escaped her lips. "A-Adelaide... You're here."

Lady Adelaide curled her lips up. She stared at Rosalie in a platonic sense. "So what are your plans for the future?"

Rosalie skimmed the question, then looked down, brows furrowed in thought. A moment later, she lifted her head up with an answer. "I surmise I'd retire as Head of House, and open a restaurant." Her eyes lit up at the wonderful possibilities. "I'll start small, that's for certain."

With a satisfied sigh, Lady Adelaide leaned toward the table, her eyes fixed on my cousin. "When I have free time, I swear to pay your restaurant a visit." Then, she had an offer. "Why don't you hire me as one of your chefs? I have flexible hands, and I'll be able to whip up a meal with ease."

At her chaste and friendly offer, Rosalie responded, "I shall update you when the establishment has been set up. You and I could craft new recipes."

"Excellent! I have quite a list of ingredients I'd want to mix, and taste," Lady Adelaide clasped her hands together.

Rosalie's falcate smile implied that she was elated. The two of them engaged in further conversation that mostly consisted of Helmburn cuisines, and their evaluation on different herbal flavors.

* * *

It was customary in Helmburn that there would be theatrical performances for a selected monarch, in the day of their coronation.

We surged through a swanky opera house where audiences quickly filled up the velvet seats lined in several ascending rows.

A wave of recall crashed over. Madame Desiree had led the rehearsals with grace, but due to unfortunate circumstances... about her son's death, there may had been a part of her that loathed the new Queen. I had no malefic intention such as hustling Sir Quint to firing a bullet into his own head. I felt a sense of guilt from what had occurred. Perhaps I did push him.

But really, I did not mean to.

The staff at the opera house escorted us to a sumptuous box where we would be sitting to watch the play unfold.

Knowing that Salome had anticipated to feast her eyes on the play, I invited her over to the royal box with us. She parked herself in a cushioned seat. "Ah, this is quite exciting," said Salome in a distinct delirium. It had consumed her in many ways. Her lit up eyes, and her wide grin said it all.

Mother chuckled, crossing her arms. "I must return the jaguar costume I had stolen from here... I shall do that someday."

I set a hand on her shoulder. "I wonder how they'll react."

"Surely they wouldn't exactly be happy about it, but I'll make it up to them," Mother stated.

Adrian politely ushered me to my seat. His hands were on my body, and there I yearned intimacy. His gaze never left, until the draping red curtains swayed away the stage to reveal an artistically elaborate backdrop of stones that were contoured by lighting.

We were immediately drawn in by the captivating spectrum of emotions that the theatre actors had professionally captured, rendering an exquisite, and realistic play.

A sultry figure stepped out, shimmying her hips in sensually paced motions. Her goal was of allure. Her beauty seduced the soldier who fell into a sweet surrender. First, he dropped his sword, then next, he allowed himself to feel her.

The finger in her black glove met the underneath of the soldier's chin, and with a poisonous smile, she impaled his neck with a dagger of her own.

The soldier gasped. "Hrrrk..." And then tumbled to the floor as death collected him.

"Your army has taken a lot from me... Therefore, I'll take all of your empire. You will all fall. One by one." She delivered a line that struck a chord in me. Her vengeful arpeggio distilled the essence of pure hatred, and hunger for revenge.

Minutes later, the tale culminated in the discovery of the woman, who was later brought to Emperor Marlcaster for questioning.

She denied every accusations of murder, despite the evidences that led to her.

Emperor Marlcaster sneered, as if challenging the courage of the woman. "Iryel, you have a knack of attracting people to your trap. But I am different than them. Tonight, you meet your fate."

"And what would that be?" Iryel glared.

"You shall be sodomized. Feel every pain and pleasure," Marlcaster had declared his punishment, and to his surprise, Iryel merely smiled.

"I shall enjoy, then."

Adrian lowered his voice to a whisper. "Your majesty, I find this play entertaining, but I surmise you'll admire a change of scenery."

I turned to him, and asked, "And what might you be suggesting?"

He peered into my eyes. "Why don't we seek ourselves a private moment at the balcony?"

I threw scrutiny around us. Everyone's attention had gone to the stage. "It's quite impudent not to remain, and observe the efforts that these actors had poured into the performance."

Adrian lifted a hand that rested on my lap, and brushed his lips across my knuckles. "Perhaps a dance shall clear away that statement."

I had an aching crave for a time alone with him. Finally, I gave in.

"Steal me away from this box," I told him.

He beamed, and took me away. We strode to the balcony, hand-in-hand.

A hit of sunset breeze greeted us the moment we came out of the opera house. Adrian ambled forward, and slightly arched his back as he placed his folded elbows on the railing. I made out his features outlined in the forgiving cast of pale red, and lilac luster. His jaw had been highlighted by the streak of shadows.

The ambit of his raven black hair gleamed from the peaceful stare of the dipping sun over the horizon. He turned around, and slowly crossed the balcony. Then, he stopped, a few feet away from me, enough for him to extend a hand. "May I have this dance, your majesty?" His charming timbre came as usual, but this time, it was different. The scenery transformed it into something dreamy.

I grasped his hand, and smiled. "We may."

In a facile manner, he pulled me in, and we swayed along to the faint chime of violins emanating through the walls of the opera house. Our footwork was improvised, and neither one of us made a mistake.

His husky voice streamed through my ears, and I allowed myself to throw my head back from that heavenly music. "It all began when we collided. You were someone I had never seen. Someone who captured my interest."

"And you were someone who I'd never foresee a kiss with. I... never really thought much about romance in the court," I confessed.

He tilted his head to the side, as he guided me in an elegant twirl. When I pressed back to him, he answered. "What do you think about it now?"

I closed my eyes, breathing in deep, as we drifted around the balcony. I opened them again, feeling a renewed sense. "That first kiss with you, near the waterfall. It changed me." I chuckled, realizing my former repulsion for sex, a subject of ridicule. But I had not parted my lips for him to hearken that. "I begin to regret that I missed out a lot on life. I had always sheltered myself with books. But with the events in the past few weeks, I see now that I must venture the world more often."

Adrian had a proud look that did not require deciphering. "I'd love to be a part of your adventure. You build yourself in life, witnessing every wonder that lingers around these lands." He gestured at the mountains, and trees silhouetted against the skyline. "Broaden your zone past the horizon, and kiss a new day."

I attached those words in my head.

"Surely a Queen would travel across sea, and land for foreign affairs. Alliances. Forging peace relations. Trade." I slid my eyes up, imagining the future.

"I would walk by your side," said Adrian, and he suddenly pulled me closer until our lips were inches away. His warm breath explored my skin, sending tingles coursing through my body in a way that pleased me. He allowed his hand to skim my body, until it met my waist. He pressed himself against me, so I felt him harden.

A lock of hair descended over his forehead. His chest rose, and fell. I discerned the stifled sensation of his muscles hiding beneath the fabric. With a hand on his chest, I peered up at him, edging closer to a kiss.

He whispered. "I love you, Ara."

"I love you, Adrian," I said.

Our lips collided, amorous. We competed with our tongues which swirled against one another in a heated duel. Without warning, he turned me around, and pushed me against the railing, hard. We never stopped the kiss. His hand reached to clasp the back of my head, as his other roamed my arm, then later caressed my neck.

My heart pounded in my chest, as he positioned his stiff bulge against me which made my knees weak, and tremble. I shook under him, but somehow found the strength to keep up with his vigor.

I knew he was tempted to undress me, but we were in the sunset. People could see us.

He hauled himself away with excruciating effort, and bit his lower lip. "You are testing me, Ara. I want to feel you. Everything about you."

"We may do that later," I smirked at him.

He cocked his head to the side, amused. "Are you certain you're ready? I don't play gently." He warned.

"Didn't you announce your want to me, Adrian?" I asked.

"Then, it's settled." He held me close, and he whispered into my ear. "And if I break my promise at bed, I am willing to face your punishment."

I giggled. Then, I realized that Adrian and I may had taken the generous time with greed. "Let us go back to the opera house. The others might be looking for us."

"You're right. But before that..." He swooped in for another languid kiss, before we made our way back to the opera box.

* * *

Before the day bled to nightfall, and afterward the denouement of the play, I marched backstage to look for Madame Desiree to pay my condolences.

Among other reasons, I wanted to personally congratulate the theatre actors for their astounding production.

I spotted Madame Desiree who proudly chatted with her fellow stage actors. "All of you have done an exceptional job in executing the play. Our hardwork, and efforts are worth it."

The theatre actors gleamed with euphoria, lost in their own translation of the success. Eventually, they dispersed to different areas, which left Madame Desiree to face me. "Your majesty, I am graced by your presence." She bowed politely.

I smiled, although it didn't reach my eyes, because I was in a dismal mood about her, and Sir Henry losing their son. "I... I am sorry about Sir Quint." I was careful about how I articulated my statement. "It's not easy, especially for parents like you. You truly loved them." When I looked at Madame Desiree's face, I could not resist recalling the horrific trauma on her from witnessing the reckless display of splashing blood, and a fulminating skull, and it came from her own son.

She was tense, but abandoned all bad thought with a small, and sad curve of her lips. Her effort to smile pained me, knowing that the weight of death was heavy... very heavy. "His death is not on you. I may be upset, and mourning, but I blame myself as a parent. I should have reined him in, talked to him about how he coped with his brother. But what I did was that I was too busy coping with myself, and I channelled all that sad energy to rehearsing the opera plays." A shadow of a frown flickered across her face. "I could have done something in the past to keep him from doing what he did."

I sighed, to the extent that guilt still clamped my chest. The pursuit of undoing a mistake was impossible because we weren't deities who could steer the direction of time. What we could do though was to own up to it, and move on. "I am certain you have been a wonderful parent, you and Sir Henry. You sheltered them, gave them care." My gaze staggered to the theatre actors who were animatedly chatting with each other. And then my eyes flew back to return a stare at Madame Desiree. "You tried your best," I strung my lips up to a smile.

She was quiet, her lips tightly clamped. There was a cloud of contemplating that hung over her, making her eyebrows near one another while adorning her forehead with wrinkles. Eventually, she raised her head up to level my gaze, and returned the smile, albeit the dark sorrow dulling its shine.

"I'm thankful you've spent a generous amount of your time talking to me," Madame Desiree stated gratefully. At least a pinch of her desolation had been siphoned. I had to ensure that the evening ended with healing woven in between.

Thereupon, I had paced for the way out when a constable rushed in through the opera house, his eyes darting around until they met mine. He lunged forward, and skidded to a stop before an unfortunate collision with me. He took his time to gather wind in his lungs, knowing that he traded away his breaths for a quick race through the streets. When he was capable of uttering a few words without difficulty, he delivered news that made my heart crush.

"Your majesty," he addressed and continued, "Keith Philipps, and Jake Partridge had escaped their cell!" He exclaimed, accompanied by worry, and fear. But I remained calm, collecting my composure in a way that I prayed did not intimidate the poor fellow. I was the same person, but I had a title following my name now which meant that I was a symbol of authority wherever I went. Queen was something I had to tie with me.

"How long have they vanished?" I questioned. It was essential to know the time period to give an estimated guess.

"About two hours." Without another sliver of inquiry from my lips, he proceeded to hand out detailed information that gave me satisfaction upon hearing them. "Their cell door was not tampered with since they used a key, and nearby was an unconscious guard. We think that there was a third-party help." He was right about that thought. My mind wandered back to a hint of an image, of a woman whose face was wrenched to a grotesque hostility.

The character witness outside the courtroom who burned a withering scowl at me as I exited the courthouse at that time. She must had been the third-party help. Her furious passion to have her benefactors freed from behind bars, either to merely benefit, or she was presumably another courtesan of Keith, and Jake. It was the latter I believed to be a fact.

"Have they left any trail behind?" I lifted an eyebrow.

The constable shakily reached for something in his pocket. He pulled out a winking artifact. A compass? I stretched out a palm in order for him to place it there. When I had the compass in my possession, I flipped it over in my hands to study. I deduced that there was a thin sheet tucked within the slit of rim around the compass. I made a move to open up the back which obeyed the strict command of my nails. The lid popping open reminded me of compact powders, and how they were forced agape. A paper flew out, and I bent over to pick it up from the floor.

There were the tousled strokes of black ink etched to the surface of the paper which read Monaco. I knew where they were headed as I peered up at the constable with a grin. "Prepare me a boat at the first crack of dawn, I shall set sail toward Monaco."

* * *

The port had been under the spyglass of the rising sun in the skyline, bathed  in lulling colors of warm orange, and yellow. A familiar boat–no–ship, appeared floating in front of us. I recognized it.

It was the ship owned by Lord Erika Ivanov.

He materialized from the path that most likely stretched back toward the nearby fish market with an enthusiastic, and benign grin that emanated energy despite the early hours of morning. "The ship is for her majesty to use in honor," said Lord Erika.

"Thank you so much for lending over your ship. I shall ensure it returns to Helmburn without any damage," I assured him.

"It's no problem. I insisted that you borrow because I have full faith for you," he stated. It was clear ever since I won the battle against the former Lord of House Partridge, who had now fled across the seas to another place.

Figures closed in on us. They were my mother, Rosalie, and Adrian. Ever since I relayed what the constable had informed me back at the opera house, they had persisted in joining, but I told them to stay and keep watch of Helmburn. Although, I brought over my cousin because she desired to tie one more loose thread. Her father. He was involved in illegal activities in Monaco, and surely was the benefactor of Philipps, and Partridge.

"I am ready when you are," she greeted with a firm resolution fixed on her face. "I have to talk to my fa–" She choked before correcting herself, the name hitched in her throat. "Elton Somerset. I'll need to get a word with him."

There was that hum of determination in the air. I replied, "You will. I'll make sure that our time on sea will be less, so that we'll arrive in Monaco earlier."

She nodded at me, clenching her fists. "He has a lot of explaining to do."

The night that we sifted through the secret storage compartment of my late Aunt Genevieve, we discovered a letter that rattled Rosalie to the core. Now she was willing to traverse the endless churn of azure waves, to meet face-to-face with Elton.

Mother made her way over to me, and held my hands in hers. "Remember the address I gave to you. I hope it helps. It's something I prodded my brain to recall. Philipps always had spoken about this address. It's where they usually convene." She reminded, and I gave her a swift bob of my head. I felt for the feel of parchment pushing at the fabric of my gown. It was in my pocket, right where it had to be.

"I will. And," I looked down at my hands where she gripped them with tender affection. "While I'm gone, I need you to keep check of House Ausleya."

"It's a promise. Nothing shall go wrong." Mother vowed.

Rosalie was on the verge of retirement, and mother had contemplated on taking her place. The two of them had discussed about it and decided that House Ausleya would be under mother's care, while Rosalie collected resources to erect her dreamed restaurant.

She took note of Adrian, and stepped aside to give us space. He had a sheepish grin, but could not conceal his worry. I lifted a hand to his cheek to cup it. "I will be fine."

"Really? Last time you took a bullet to the abdomen. I wouldn't want a repeat of that situation," said Lord Adrian as he cocked his head to the side, leaning into my touch. He had this adorable twinkle on his eyes, some gaze that would stir pity in people.

"That would definitely be the last time." I smiled. "I'll let that bullet bounce elsewhere."

"Where else would that bullet go? Me?" He quirked an eyebrow, his amusement amplified.

"Maybe," I whispered, "But let's not hope that happens."

"I'd take a hit for you, but you'll have to repay me," His gaze became dark, and mischievous.

"And what would be the cost of saving my life?" I asked, peaked with curiosity. I anticipated a flux of words from his mouth, words that would enlighten the hunger in my mind, and ears.

"A time with you, alone."

"What else?" I couldn't help but smile.

"You already know." His sigh blended with a small groan that made me shiver. The heat of our close distance was unbearable.

"Argh, you shouldn't test me," I warned him, sensing a temptation sizzling in me.

"Ah, a time spent away from me. I'm certain you'll miss everything about me. My love for you, and... my bod." He mocked.

I submitted to a howl of laughter, hooking the attention of Lord Erika, Rosalie, and my mother to me who all had perplexed stares. What was there to laugh about when the Queen was headed to Monaco, where anything could happen?

"I'm your Queen and I could punish you for being too criminal with the way you handle me," I told him.

"So be it. I'm down to experience it, your majesty," He curled his lip up to a smirk.

There was a squeak that made my head turn to another direction. Salome. She arrived right on time. "You know I cannot pass up an adventure beyond the borders of this kingdom." She knew because she was updated by the constables about the fleeing of two traitors.

"Consider this a memorable occasion to pin in your journey journal," I grinned at her.

"Wonderful suggestion. A must-do."

Lord Erika cleared his throat to claim our attention. "Your majesty, your voyage trip is due to leave soon."

I absorbed those words from him, and faced my family, knowing that it would be my first time to truly be out of my comfort zone which broadened throughout Helmburn the day I decided to investigate upon the death of Queen Amice. "It's time for us to go." I spun to encounter the sweet gaze of my mother. "I'll miss you..."

"As do I. Safe travels, sweetheart," said Mother.

Then, I turned to Adrian who gave a meek nod. I could peer past him, and sensed that he would be solitary for the time being. "I'll be back for you, bringing along a reward."

He lit up. "I'll anticipate, my Queen."

I bit my lip to fight back a chuckle, and smiled warmly at him. "You better."

There was a non-existent chime that rang in my head. Time to go. Rosalie, Salome, and I boarded the ship of Lord Erika, where we were headed to Monaco to bring back refugees who may had already landed upon foreign territory.