5 The Ghost Queens

  At a glance, the Ghost Queens vanished from her sight, leaving only the remaining dread to haunt Alexa's memories. The 'Black Queen', to the right of the king, is a dark figure in dark garments and arrogant regal posture. The 'White Queen', to the left of the Sovereign Prince, in white drapes, mysterious and appalling with a penetrating and defiant gaze.

Alexa named them in her head as Queens because the figures seemed to display royalty symbols. But what if not? It was only a glance, in a speck of time, but enough for Alexa to assess their grotesque power as Shades. Their power was as real as the columns that held the high ceiling of that Hall. At least this much, Alexa could know of her fleeting vision.

Cordelia squeezed her arm, bringing the maiden back to reality, and whispered in her ear,

"You're cold…"

'If you had just seen what I saw…' But Alexa wouldn't tell Cordelia anything, she'd already passed for much. Diverting for a more suitable conversation, she said, "Just impressed with this place. And how sad. You lost your future brother-in-law… "

"I heard that Prince Alexander was the son of the second Queen, Gisela…" Cordelia whispered.

The maidens heard a harsh 'shhh!' next to them. Alexa glanced and saw it was Cordelia's mother, whom she had met that afternoon. The maiden just nodded, accepting the reprimand.

The information Cordelia gave her matched the glimpse of Shades she had seen beside the throne. The Greek maiden shrugged, trying to get the terrifying image of the infernal duo out of her mind.

"So was the 'King' widowed twice?" she asked quietly, just to be sure.

"Oh, no. The Sovereign Prince married five times and has been widowed five times. Prince Klaus is the son of the first wife, Letitia. And Alexander was the son of his second wife, Gisela. All the five Princesses died almost soon after… "

Alexa gaped in surprise. But before she said anything, Cordelia's mother crept behind them, clearly angry at their chit-chat.

"Stop now! People are watching!"

"But, I was just…"

"Shhh! Show your respect! Go to your groom and father-in-law to offer your condolences!" With that, the matron pushed Cordelia forward, propelling her into action. However, since Cordelia was holding Alexa's arm, both were pushed forward, and almost tripped on their skirts. The movement caught the attention of everyone, including the people on the royal dais.

Cordelia pulled Alexa with her, crossing the ample space between them and where Prince Gutard and the royal family stood on the stage.

  Alexa agreed to play the role of lady-in-wait for Cordelia, slowing her pace slightly so that only Cordelia stood out. Both bowed a few steps from the royal dais. Alexa kept her gaze down, now more or less aiming at the Sovereign Prince's hand and chest from where she stood.

The moment before, when she had first glanced at the throne, the maiden had seen an imposing yet grieving figure. The ruler of these lands was a large, tall man with a well-trimmed beard and blond hair, touching his shoulders. He looked more like a military chief than a politician, judging by his imposing and stern appearance.

Right now, the maiden just watched his hands move in a cadenced swing as if his thoughts were absent and, more than it, as if he were planning something.

Cordelia hesitated and shuffled, but when she began to speak, she no longer seemed so pathetic,

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, on behalf of my family, I would like to express our sincere condolences. May our close relationship help comfort the family of which I will soon be a part. And may our prayers help you in the days to come, both to bring strength to those who have remained; to hasten Prince Alexander's soul's journey to paradise."

Alexa kept her head cast down, a step behind Cordelia but realized that the waving hand stopped, which meant the Sovereign Prince had heard Cordelia's considerate words.

His voice, powerful but hoarse, sounded too loud as he addressed his future daughter-in-law,

"Lady, your virtues are just as told. Sadly, your arrival found this family so desolate. The Wuttenfall accept and thank the sincere wishes of your family. Your future husband will make good use of your comfort, maiden. Be by his side from now on." The Sovereign's hand moved to show his son, implying that she should approach Klaus.

Cordelia hesitated, unsure of what to do. But Alexa quietly led her to her groom's side, also placing herself beside her. The court's mean gossip mavens had their eyes fixed on Cordelia's every move. And Alexa knew it was already tricky without any social slippage.

Without saying a word, the First Prince stood up, offering his arm to the stunned bride who accepted.

Alexa was just going to slip sideways and into oblivion, leaving the scene. But in her first step to the side, she felt a sharp tug on her sleeve. Astonished, the maiden looked at the fabric of her dress, only to discover the prince's firm hand grabbing the cloth. He started down the dais, leading one and almost dragging the other. Alexa had no choice but to discreetly join the couple or fall to the ground in the middle of a Prince's wake.

"What a moron?! What does he think he is doing? '

Soon the maiden realized they were going to the center of the Hall, to the hearse of Prince Klaus's dead brother.

They entered the area that looked both like an altar and a garden. The massive amount of flowers exuded an intense, and to Alexa, slightly nauseating scent.

In respect, she tried to stop before she got too close to the body, but Klaus kept pulling, this time almost with a jerk, and she had no alternative.

"Despicable prince," the damsel muttered angrily, knowing Klaus could hear her. In response, the Prince put his hand on the maiden's shoulder, forcing her toward the bier.

Without understanding, Alexa took two steps forward, finally looking at the poor Dead Prince, lying as if resting in his splendid cradle of flowers.

Alexa put her hand to her heart, gasping slightly.

The Prince was dressed in a deep purple and blue elaborate shroud, embroidered with gold thread and adorned with topaz, amethysts, and pearls. But the splendid luxury of his final garment did not live up to the placid, breathtaking beauty of his face. Alexa had never seen a creature, man or woman, so beautiful in her brief existence.

His skin was like the perfect alabaster, where the most accomplished sculptor masterfully carved an angel off. His delicate face had the most innocent and voluptuous mouth if such a paradox were possible, and still held a slight blush stored in the recesses of his lips. His features only resembled all that men believed heavenly. His head nestled in a satin pillow was covered with strands of platinum hair, like silken threads, where a light band rimmed with amethysts rested.

Admiring him was like falling into a spell. Alexa put her hand to her chest, rapt, touched by a feeling of awkwardness and confused familiarity. Intrigued, she moved closer, followed by the couple.

Cordelia uttered a shocked 'Oh!', briefly captured by Alexa's ears. But the maiden simply could not take her eyes from the mouth of the creature lying in front of her.

Close to her ear, the Prince spoke in his usual dubious tone,

"Don't you recognize this face? From the mirror, perhaps?"

In shocking realization, Alexa nodded, holding her breath at the unusual fact. Klaus then pulled her veil from her hair with a right-handed motion, as if to confirm once again his own words.

And the court people simply gaped in astonished awe.

Taking her eyes off the bier and Prince Alexander, Alexa looked at the couple next to her. And at all the people staring at her and exclaiming in shock. She caught a glimpse of the Sovereign Prince raising to his feet and striding toward them like a tiger ready to pounce.

Nothing else mattered, though.

She just pointed again at the bier, and exclaimed loudly,

"The Prince is not dead!"