Chapter 19: Burden of the crown
(5,4k words, futa, character focus, dialogue, plot chapter, medieval politics, character motivation, family drama)
- - - - -
Margaret waited for minutes in silence, caught up by the emptiness of her mind as she looked down the final few stairs.
"It had to come to this, didn't it?" she thought and shook her head.
A king, dressed in her most glamorous attire, at the peak of her youth and strength, had to hand in her pride for a crown she didn't even long for. What a bizarre world she found herself in.
Her fingers shook slightly, as did the rest of her now 9'3" figure. This was a conversation she didn't intend on having, but one that was certainly needed at this point. Her first skirmish with the archduchess made this conversation inevitable and forced Margaret's hand. But would she be pulling out a trump card or be left hanging once again? In her hour of need? She would know for sure in a few minutes... if she dared to enter.
She calmed her breath and composed herself enough to waken herself from such an all-consuming, paralyzing numbness and started to descend the last stairs until the iron gate and its guardian came into view.
As usual Larissa stood watch at this time of day and immediately reached for her sheathed sword until she saw who came to visit the prisoner. Looked like she took her king's new order very seriously: Only members of the royal family are allowed to enter. No exceptions. Especially not Archduchess Theresa.
"It's fine Larissa. No need to draw swords yet," Margaret said with a soft grin.
"Apologies my king. I heard footsteps," the fully armoured guard said from behind her black helmet.
"No need to apologize. You are fulfilling your duty with great care. If anything, I have to thank you," Margaret mused and stopped right before Larissa.
The veteran by now had to look up to the king, even more so than at her last visit. A fact that seemed to have surprised Larissa quite a bit at first, but as usual she kept her lips shut for anything not regarding her duties.
"Did anyone try to visit the prisoner?" Margaret asked.
"Only your mother and your sister, your highness. Both are still with the prisoner," she said.
"I know."
Larissa paused and kept her eyes locked to the steps leading to the entrance, while the king stood next to her in total silence.
"My king, you don't have to wait for anybody. You can enter," she eventually said.
"I know. But I am not sure if I want to. Not yet," April sighed but smiled. "Do you know that feeling? Of things you know you should take care of and still dread doing with all your heart?"
The guard stood silent for another eternity before once again addressing the king.
"Your grace, please forgive me. But I am in no position to council a king on such things," Larissa said for the first time with doubt in her voice.
"Yet, I still ask you for your opinion. Besides, you must have picked up a lot by just standing here and seeing all the family drama unfold," Margaret said.
"My... my ears are sealed. Nothing escaped these doors, my king," Larissa assured without any of her naturally given authority.
"We both know that is not true. Please, drop the act. Just this time."
Margaret rested a hand on the shoulder of a woman she always remembered while growing up. Larissa might have always been taller and older than her, but once the king or queen were not looking, she was quite often willing to offer a chuckle or two to a young and often struggling princess. This woman seemed to have been replaced by her grim, and exclusively duty driven twin sister now that she was serving another king. Thankfully this woman from years ago didn't disappear fully.
"You... should speak to the kin-... to the prisoner, my liege," she eventually said and dared looking up to meet the king's blue eyes. "Your mothers are wise and strong. Use them to your advantage."
Margaret cheeks rose until she couldn't lift them any further.
"You have my gratitude, Larissa. Thank you for your guidance and your honesty," she said with a soft clap as she started to reach for the handle.
Just to have her fingers slip into the unknown by a handle that moved on its own.
Margaret and Larissa stepped aside and made room for the hulking figure leaving the prison. Of such haste were her steps that the king had to hurry to catch a glimpse on her sisters face as she rushed by.
In the furthest corner of her vision Margaret held on for the fracture of a second to notice the tears streaming down Sybilla's cheeks -- as well as her wide and overjoyed grin.
"Sybilla..." Margaret muttered and felt a soft hand on her shoulder moments later.
"You don't have to worry, Margaret. Those were not tears of sadness, but of happiness," Euridike said calmly.
"What could bring her so much joy that she of all people would want to cry so openly I wonder."
Euridike smiled as she looked after her younger daughter rushing up the stairs and hear her cheerful steps echo like she was dancing to the most uplifting of tunes.
"She just received a gift she craved for way too long and one she had earned for almost as long," Euridike said cryptically.
Margaret's eyebrows perched instinctively, before her brain could start deciphering her mother's message. Of course! This must be it!
The king's eyes widened with joy and made her gaze return to where Sybilla ascended up the stairs. Her hulking figure might be gone, but the echoes of her gleeful exit still poured into the walls.
"So, she had her moment with mother. One that was truly hers. What did she say?" Margaret said with a wide grin on her face.
"The most important thing: Convincing her that both her mothers love her and that their hearts are filled with pride upon marvelling at the woman their daughter grew into," Euridike said and also proudly followed the echoes emerging from above.
