I Can Not Stop Now

"I think I would have to declare Princess Karina as my heir. I don't see an option in the matter", King Tymon told the bishop of the kingdom.

"My King, that would be going against the tradition of many many years. I am of the opinion that you should be patient with your recent queen. There would be an uprising, my king". The bishop did his best to persuade the king.

Meanwhile, there was an ear glued to the door of the room that the king and bishop were having this discussion.

[I have to hurry up], Marlena was frantic. She had heard enough, so she dashed into her own room, shouting at everyone in her way. "WHERE IS ANNA?"

Anna was just outside and the queen had passed her before entering the room. She rushed inside, "My queen, may you live long"

"Shut up your round mouth, it is not your prayers that will award me longevity", she hissed at her maid.

Anna was used to Marlena already as she had followed the queen to this palace two years ago. She had served Marlena since she clocked 30, and that was five years ago.

"Do you need something, Your Majesty?"

"Yes, I do. Get me a dark cloak that has a hood. I am going out in disguise tonight"

"What f-"

The look that Anna got from Marlena would have killed her if the eyes were master archers.

"Yes, My Queen". She hurried out of the room still wondering why the queen needed to go out, even without maids or an escort. [Hmm... this woman always engages in suspicious activities. What is my concern in the matter?], Anna thought as she rolled her eyes, deep in thought.

* * *

[I am going to tell my father that I am in politics. I really think I can do it]

"With the way you are thinking, Princess, you would grow white hairs soon enough", Aneta told her.

I looked at Aneta, what did she know about dreaming big? "I am arranging my dreams"

"That is a good thing though. Let me be quiet then"

Thank goodness she had sense.

My mind then wandered to the letter I got from the queen. Queen Marlena trying to make peace?

Come to think of it, peace would be best for everyone, especially me. It would give me the chance to do what I want without insults or hindrances. I didn't trust the woman, but I will honor her invitation for a dinner tonight.

"Aneta, you are going to make me my own dinner, package it nicely. I will carry it to where I am going to tonight"

"Okay, My Princess"

I was going to carry my own food. If she likes, let her be offended by it but I doubt it would be wise of me to eat whatever she prepares. Poison is real.

I also thought about seeing the bishop tomorrow. I am going to ask him why a woman can't be the ruler of the Pridal Kingdom. It didn't make sense to me, to leave all the ruling and position of power to only men. Women are smart too... if not smarter than these men.

"Get our paintbrushes, Aneta"

I had my mind full of plans and painting calmed my raging nerves. My mother always said that I had an overly active spirit. It was just too hard for me to stay in one place.

I watched Aneta as she went to a chest by the window and brought out what we needed.

As I opened my door, I saw the new queen walking down the hallway.

"Had she been eavesdropping?", I whispered to Aneta.

Aneta shook her head, she didn't know what to think either.

This woman... so strange.

"Kariiiinaaaaa"

Eww! what was that sound? It sounded like she had her nose full of snort.

I didn't know that my face had formed a knot out of disgust because as she approached me, I heard her say, "Is something smelling?"

"Oh"

Aneta replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. We smelled a rat"

I looked at Aneta. I wanted to grab her and place a kiss on her cheek because she had hit the nail on the head. But Queen Marlena hadn't gotten it because she said, "I don't smell anything though"

"It's gone. Dont worry about it. I was going to the orangery", I said... in a hurry to leave her presence.

"Are you still coming to my chambers tonight? Let us squash the animosity between us", she smiled... a broad one.

Ouch! That must hurt. The fake smile. "Yes, My Queen. I will be there"

"Splendid!", she squealed, "See you there, then". She turned and went on her way.

"Rat? Aneta?"... I laughed as we took the turn on our right, using an alternate route out of the building.

* * *

A figure dressed in complete black became one with the darkness as it left the palace walls in search for a mercenary to carry out its bidding for a full bag of gold coins.

Getting to a bar in the slum of the Pridal Kingdom, the figure stepped in, found the man that an appointment had been arranged with. "Are you Frodo?"

"Who is asking?", Frodo, a man slender and of a tiny stature asked.

"TETIRUN", the figure said, fully covered that only eyes were visible.

That was the signal they had planned.

"When should the work be done?"

"Tonight". A paper and his payment was handed to him.

Frodo weighed the pouch and smiled, showing rotting, yellow, huge teeth.

"It will be done"

On the paper was an amateur blueprint of the palace, showing a secret passage into Queen Marlena's chambers. On the other side of the paper, specific instructions on the atrocity that was to go down that night.

* * *

"It is time. Where is my packaged meal, Aneta?"

She was taking her time as if I had seven stomachs. "Do not pack so much food, I doubt I will be there for long. Leave some here"

"Yes, Princess"

Aneta came out and I collected the package from her after many struggles. She wanted to go with me but I had refused.

"That is why I am taking my own meal! I will not taste anything that she prepared"

Aneta was still being stubborn about the matter?

"What harm could come to me in my own palace?"