The Great Queen

Illia looked at the black dress on the mannequin in front of her. The seamstress stood nervously behind her, waiting for her opinion. Illia sighed as her lips puckered. She brought her hand to her chin and rubbed it in thought. Her hand slid to her neck. It felt as though her skin was too tight.

"I don't know, Iris. It's beautiful, but it's too gloomy, too plain," Illia looked at Iris as they both watched the dress like it was going to run off.

Iris stepped up to the mannequin and placed her hand on the corset built into the dress. "I can add jewels here," she said, looking back to Illia.

She nodded but her face did not show approval. "It needs something else. Jewels would be nice but it needs more. Maybe a cape or something," Illia said as she fluffed out the skirt of the dress.

Iris nodded as she began taking the measurements of the gown. She began working on a cape on her table as Illia left the room.

She turned back around briefly and peeked through the door. "I'll get the jewels. Could you sew obsidian into the dress?"

Iris nodded without looking at Illia as she continued sewing.

Illia walked down the hall and into the room that held the castle safe. She did not need a key to get into the safe because she was the only one who could open it. She turned the wheel as it opened. The hinges groaned as the jewels were revealed. Mounds of gold and iron were sitting in the middle of the safe. Illia stepped through and found the pile of obsidian in the corner.

She picked up a handful of the gems and placed them in her pocket. Illia then exited the safe and grunted as she closed it.

She began walking down the hall again towards the seamstress's room. Illia noticed Malaki standing outside of the room looking like he was about to knock.

"Malaki?" Illia smiled as she ran up to him. He smiled back and hugged her when she ran into his arms. "What are you doing out here?" Illia asked, Malaki's arms still around her.

"I wanted to see you but I wasn't sure if you were in there or not," he smiled down at Illia as he held her face in his hands.

"Well, I'm here. With a handful of obsidian that I need to give to Iris," Illia pulled the obsidian out of her pocket and showed it to Malaki. His eyes widened as he smiled.

"That's a lot of rocks!"

"It's not rocks, it's crystals," Illia said playfully. Malaki wrapped his arms around her again and smiled.

"Well whatever it is, it will look beautiful on you."

Illia smiled as she turned her head to look at the door behind her. "I should go, Iris is expecting these. You can come in if you like,"

"That's alright, I have to go anyways. I must prepare the men for the ceremony," Malaki smiled softly.

The funeral. 'The ceremony' was a nicer way of saying funeral. Illia appreciated it a little. He was trying to make it easier, but Illia didn't want him to sugarcoat everything all day. She appreciated it when people were blunt. But she also appreciated how much Malaki seemed to care for her.

"I love you, Malaki. I'll see you at the…ceremony," Illia hesitated, having to swallow the word "funeral". Malaki kissed Illia on her cheek before walking away from her.

She watched him walk down the hall before opening the door to the seamstress's room. When she opened the door, Iris was almost done with the cape.

"How do you work so fast?" Illia said, astonished as she closed the door behind her.

Iris did not look up when she responded. "My mother taught me when I was a little girl. Learned all this from her." Illia could see the smile hiding on Iris's face.

She stepped farther into the room and placed the obsidian on the sewing table. Iris looked at them and nodded in thanks.

"I'm almost done with the cape and it will only take me a couple of minutes to sew on the gems. The funeral will begin shortly, would you like me to help you get this on?" Iris threw her head at the dress beside them.

"It's alright. I will fetch my sister and while I am, you can sew the jewels on. Send the gown to my room when it is done,"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Iris said as she finished the last stitch in the cape.

Illia nodded and turned around. She began walking down the hall again and up to her room. When Illia reached her room, Adeline was already waiting for her.

Adeline smiled at Illia as she walked through the door. Illia kept the door open so that the person bringing the dress up could get in.

"Do you want me to braid your hair?" Adeline offered as Illia stepped into the room.

"Sure," Illia smiled and Adeline grabbed a brush from the vanity.

Illia sat in front of Adeline as she began brushing. She ran her fingers through Illia's medium-length hair that was now down to the top of her chest.

Adeline began lacing three strands of hair together. She tied the end together with a rubber band and let it flop on Illia's back.

Illia looked at her jet-black hair in the mirror and smiled.

"Selene's hair was this color when she was younger," Adeline said as she pulled Illia's braid over her shoulder.

Illia wanted nothing more than to smile. Smile at Adeline, at their progress, at their success, but it felt wrong. It felt wrong to feel happy without Selene. Illia knew that Selene would want her to be happy. But, it bothered Illia that she was smiling as her mother was about to be six feet under.

Illia forced herself to grin, even if it was small. Adeline noticed the quiver of Illia's lips and had to keep herself from frowning.

Just as the silence consumed both of them, someone knocked on the door. Illia turned around and noticed a small man standing in the doorway with the mannequin.

"Bring it in," Illia said, turning her head back to the mirror. The man nodded and rolled the mannequin in on its wheels.

Adeline turned and looked at the dress. She tilted her head and smiled. It was beautiful. The man scurried off once the mannequin was stable.

Adeline left Illia's side and walked to the dress. She touched its fabric and held it in her hands, its softness comforting her.

Before Adeline gave the dress to Illia, she walked over to her bed. There was a small chest sitting on the edge. Illia watched Adeline in the mirror as she picked up the box. She didn't move, she simply stared at the box in her hands.

"I have something for you," Adeline said as she took a couple of steps toward Illia. "It was Selene's,"

Illia looked at the box in Adeline's hands. She held the box out to Illia, but she hesitated before taking it.

She wrapped her long fingers around the chest and gently pulled it from Adeline's grip. Illia wiped the dust off the top and traced her fingers over the engraving. Valethar.

"They're letters. Journals. Selene wrote them while she was Princess of Astrean. You can read them if you want. I just thought you deserved to have them,"

Illia quickly blinked away the tears in her eyes. She looked up at Adeline and smiled. This time it was genuine.

"Thank you, Adeline. I will read them later," Illia placed the box on her vanity. "For now, you can help me with this dress."

Adeline smiled and nodded understandingly. She knew it might take a while for Illia to read them. Or even to talk about Selene. But Adeline would be there when she was ready.

***

Illia peered around the heads of the people of Veraxin and Astrean, trying to find Malaki. Illia noticed something strange about some of the people. They didn't look like people of Veraxin. Some of them looked more royal, and graceful.

Illia then realized who these people were. These were people of Enchantra paying their respects. They were tall and clad in black, different from their usual deep green. They stood out by their hair, however. It was long, even the men's, but the colors varied. Most of them had strawberry blonde hair that barely conceal their long, pointy ears.

Illia's heart warmed at the sight of other kingdoms respecting her mother. The fallen queen. But, she didn't want to remember Selene as the fallen queen. She wanted to remember her as The Great Queen. Possibly even the greatest.

Illia continued moving her head when she felt a hand fall upon her shoulder. Her heart fluttered from the surprise, but it soon calmed when she turned around.

"Malaki," she sighed. "You scared me,"

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to see you before the passing ceremony," Malaki offered a comforting smile as his hand slid from Illia's shoulder to her arm, then to her hand. He held it tightly but said nothing. Illia took this moment to look into his deep brown eyes.

She had reminisced on the words Malaki had said. In Veraxin, it was customary to call the funeral of a passed queen a "passing ceremony". This included festivities ranging from feasts to dancing and singing to the final departure of the fallen queen. In this ceremony, the queen would be buried on castle grounds so she could continue her rule in the afterlife.

"You should go. Go greet other generals and make friends," Illia held Malaki's hands tighter as she smiled. "I'll be there in a moment, I just need some time."

Malaki blinked slowly and smiled sympathetically. "Of course, take as much time as you need, Illia."

Illia felt his grip loosen as he began walking away. "I love you, Malaki,"

"Forever and always, Illia." Malaki let go of her hand and left Illia's side.

She took a deep breath as the nerves began building. The nerves of speaking at her mother's funeral, the nerves of feeling unsafe, and the nerves of worrying about Malaki. She worried that there may be someone here that would try to hurt him. To get back at Illia for anything and everything she had done.

She shook the thought from her head and took a deep breath. She saw Adeline and Malaki speaking with guests at the end of the aisle. Illia laced her hands together in front of her and began walking.

She took small and slow steps, not sure if she was prepared to say goodbye. Malaki noticed that she had began walking and ended his conversation. He started herding guests into the seats so that Illia could begin talking.

Once Illia reached the podium people silenced. She cleared her throat and looked down at her hands. She hadn't prepared a speech so this would all be off the top of her head.

"Today we have gathered to mourn the loss of Queen Selene. Not only was she Queen of Veraxin, but she was the creator of it. She turned the Land of the Banished into a home for all, no matter their rank or their past. She built this kingdom off of her love for her people and the faith she had that it would cultivate. She knew the risks of building a new kingdom, but she took them anyway because that was how much she loved the people," Illia paused for a moment, trying to collect herself.

"My mother's dying wish was to bring light back to Veraxin. And I will make it my life's mission to do just that. And a succsessful kingdom is not just beautiful or filthy rich, but its people are happy. This kingdom can not be all I wish it to be without the happiness of it's people. Aesira is to be a home of many. A home for all. Anyone who wishes to live a happy life will be welcome here. That was Selene's mission, so now it is mine. Aesira will be the greatest kingdom in this realm's history. I cannot promise that Adeline and I can live up to Selene's rule, but we most certainly will try,"

Adeline smiled at Illia as her speech slowed to an end.

"The festivities will begin shortly, please stay and enjoy. Today, we are not here today to dwell on the passing of our queen, but celebrate her rule." Illia announced as she stepped down from the podium.

She walked toward Malaki and sighed as he embraced her. He said nothing, but simply held her in his arms. Illia could hear Adeline chatting with guests as they dispersed to the food table.

Malaki ran his hand over Illia's hair and smelled the sweet lavender scent that drifted from her.

"That was beautiful," Malaki said as Illia buried her face in his chest. He wore the traditional garb for a Veraxin general. His coat was dark blue with deep gold shoulder pads. The jacket was a soft velvet so Illia enjoyed the comfort of his embrace.

"Do you know what our next step is?" Illia asked, smiling as she pulled away from Malaki's chest but still holding his arms.

"No… do you?" Malaki looked at Illia, confused.

"Our wedding," Illia simpered as she scrunched her nose. Malaki clicked his tongue and lifted his head.

"Ah, that's it. Our wedding. How much more is there to plan?" he said as he smiled.

"Not much, I have the dress, I just need to finalize the decorations for the ballroom."

Malaki held Illia's hands as he smiled. "I am so honored to call you my wife tomorrow."

"And you will be a lord come tomorrow," Illia beamed at that word. "Well, I must be off. I must speak with the planner and finish some things up."

Malaki nodded and kissed Illia's forehead as he held her hand until she was out of arms reach.

Illia walked away from Malaki and out the door of the church. When she left the church, she noticed Valethar waiting just a few yards ahead. She began walking to him as he watched her.

"Hello Valethar," Illia said softly as she placed a gentle hand on his soft fur. He closed his eyes and purred as she stroked his back.

"I miss her too." Illia said as she looked into Valethar's blue eyes. Even though he might have looked like just an animal or a beast, Illia could tell what he was feeling. She could see his soul through his eyes. She felt a very deep connection with him because of Selene. Illia figured that if Isa hadn't taken Illia that she would have had a chance to love Valethar.

But she also knew that if Isa hadn't taken Illia that she never would have met Malaki. And he was the love of her life.

Valethar dipped his head and lowered himself to the ground. He nudged Illia's arm so that it lifted in the air. Illia smiled and mounted Valethar.

He lifted from the ground and began walking away from the church. Illia patted his side and he picked up his feet. Valethar ran through the woods, weaving in between trees and bushes as the sweet wind of the rising spring tickled Illia's nose.

She breathed deeply through her nose and welcomed the scent of the blooming flowers. Illia looked at the ground and brushed her hand across the tall grass and wispy trees. She noticed the color returning to the kingdom. The grass was greener and the flowers were blooming.

The passing colors of flowers blended together as Valethar continued sprinting through the woods. He turned corners around large oaks and ran underneath flowing willows. Illia accepted this blooming spring that began greeting the kingdom with its comforting warmness.

She could feel Valethar's quick breath beneath her and smoothed his white hair back.

"Alright Valethar, let's head back to the castle." Illia said as she leaned near Valethar's ear. He slowed until he came to a slight stop as he turned around and began his trek back to the castle.

***

As Illia arrived at the Castle of Veraxin, she thought about what it would feel like to leave. She would have to move into the Castle of Astrean before too long and she was almost sad about it. She had grown up in that castle, but over the past few years Illia had grown to love Veraxin. It was Selene's home. And it became Illia's.

As Illia continued up the stairs that led to the corridor, she looked at everything in the castle. She looked at all the small details she hadn't noticed before. She knew she must take in all of its beauty before it was torn down.

When Illia reached her room, she placed her shawl on her vanity and picked up the box with Selene's name on it. She carried it with her to the edge of her bed where she sat. Illia slowly opened the lid and noticed the papers inside.

She pulled one of the papers from the box and put the box beside her. She unfolded the paper labeled, Day one, and began reading.

Illia's eyes darted across the paper as she took in every single word written on it. Her mouth slowly fell open as she continued to read the small writing. She had made it through a few days of entries before coming across day three. Illia noticed a large blot of squid's ink on the paper and traced her fingers over it.

She flipped the page and noticed there was more, so she ignored the splatter of ink. Illia read and read, the words on the page swirling into blurs of ink.

The more Illia read, the more questions she had. The more questions that would remained unanswered. The only person who could answer Illia's questions was Selene. She quickly shut out the thought as she came across the last day.

The last thing Selene had ever written in this journal was about her castle. That was so long ago. So much time for Selene and Illia to live their lives together as mother and daughter.

Illia placed the papers down beside her and stared at the blank wall ahead of her. Tears blurred her vision but she did not blink. She did not move. A single tear slid down Illia's cheek but she simply let it. There was no point in trying to stop the inevitable.

As Illia began doubting everything in her life, a knock interrupted her running thoughts. She did not answer, simply letting the person decide if they wished to enter.

Illia continued to stare at the wall ahead when someone stepped into her room. She did not turn her head, she did not listen to their steps, she did not even watch them in her peripheral vision.

"Illia?"

Malaki. Illia blinked once, her only movement within the past few minutes. Malaki's eyes drifted to the tear on Illia's cheek then to the papers beside her. She read them, he thought.

He said nothing but sat beside her on her bed. He placed a comforting hand on her back, attempting to soothe her. Illia allowed him to brush her back but she sat stoic.

"War is over, Illia. We can be happy together." Malaki cut the silence with his deep voice, thinking Illia would snap out of this trance.

"How?" Illia's apathetic voice worried Malaki.

"The kingdoms have been united and they will flourish in Adeline's love."

Illia's eyes slowly drifted from her wall to Malaki, but she did not turn her head. "Adeline?" she said quietly, but accusingly enough to be threatening.

"I-I meant you and Adeline, Illia. I'm all out of sorts with everything, forgive me." Malaki chuckled dryly as he rubbed his forehead.

"Of course, my love. I understand it is difficult in times like this." Illia forced herself to crack a smile and offered a rather pathetic one to Malaki.

He brushed her hair back and rose from the bed. "I will see you tomorrow, for our wedding." he smiled and leaned down as he placed a gentle kiss upon Illia's lips.

As he pulled away, Illia watched as he left her room. She wondered how her own fiance could have made such a mistake calling her sister the one and only queen. But, Illia had enough of theories and betrayal for one lifetime, so she ignored it and began the final preparations for her wedding.