Part Eighteen: The Last Queen of the Highlands
Chapter Sixty-One
YAVARA
It took me months to fully heal from the wounds I suffered atop the tower. Even with the full expertise of the royal mages, my stomach and liver were permanently damaged, and my abdominal wall had to be held together with a stiff corset lest I develop a hernia. It made it damnably difficult to sleep, but at least my posture was always good. Headmaster Lucian assured me that it would only be a temporary measure, for he and his best mages were working diligently to create a brand-new set of muscles and organs to replace the damaged ones. Magical healing was easiest when the damaged parts could be reconnected, difficult when the parts had to be regrown, and nearly impossible when the parts had to be made anew. I would be patient. I had learned to be very patient. Elena was busy being queen of the Highlands, and with all the chaos proceeding the events at Alkandra and the horrors that had befallen Bentius, she couldn't make much time to visit me in my hospital bed. So, I spent most of my time lying around, reading books, and oh yeah, plotting her downfall.
"This... this is... this is some fucking bullshit." Elena muttered, staring around the room. She seemed more shocked than angry. Four people surrounded her in the royal office: me, Headmaster Lucian, Secretary Hannah Xantian, and of course, Lady Lydia Straltaira.
"No," I giggled, "it's a coup."
"
Coup
is too strong a term." Lydia said kindly, "No, Sweetie, this is a... a correction. You did an excellent job placeholding for Yavara, and now that she is well, she can take her rightful place as queen."
Elena blinked at her mother. "How in the fuck did she get to you?"
"I've always been a staunch supporter of the traditionalโ"
"How did she get to you?!"
"Your mother visited me in the hospital every day." I grinned, "She was always bringing me sweets and flowers, and since you were so busy being queen, she needed someone to talk to. Who knew she could be so talkative? Especially after a few glasses of merlot. Oh, she just talked, and talked, and talked..."
"She knows, Sweetie." Lydia swallowed, and smiled embarrassedly, "She uh... she knows everything."
"Elena, Elena, Elena..." I tittered, "I thought I was the queen of depravity, but you... oh,
you!
"
Elena turned a deep shade of red. "Ok, I'm fucking my mom! So what?! Leveria fucked her dadโit was an open secretโand she got to keep her crown!"
"Yes, but Leveria didn't have rebel leaders serving in her cabinet." I said, and patted 'Hannah' on the shoulder.
Elena blinked. "Yavara, that's Hannah Xantian. My mother rescued her from the noble wing after the attack on the castle."
"Hannah Xantian died two years ago," I chuckled, and held out Esmerelda Giana's hands, "do those look like the paws of a noblewoman?"
"She's the secretary of agriculture!"
"She's a farmer, Elena." I smiled.
Elena turned to her mother. "Mom, please tell me this isn't... holy shit, it's true, isn't it?"
Lydia shrugged, looking as guilty as could be. "I might've told a little fib."
"
Told a little fib?!
" Elena yelled, "You were harboring a fucking fugitive in my own court?!
"I was afraid you'd be mad at her!"
"SHE LAUNCHED AN ATTACK UPON THE GATES OF BENTIUS!"
"Well, she's my friend now." Lydia put a protective arm around Esmerelda, "She was the only one keeping me company while you all were out playing war. Besides, the rebel's sacrifices are the only reason Bentius stands at all today."
"They're also the only reason there was an attack in the first place!" Elena growled, "Lucian, arrest her!"
The headmaster let out a pitiable sigh. "I am sorry, my lady."
Elena looked back at him, aghast. "You too?!"
"I am a defender of traditionalism, my lady." He said, and gestured to me, "Yavara Tiadoa has a right you cannot revoke. Besides that," he released his perception spell, and Elena's veil of white skin faded to reveal her true bronze, "I am getting very tired of keeping up appearances all day."
Her jaw twitched. "Where is Field Marshal Krakis?"
"He left for the Rift yesterday." I said, "I don't know why you thought he'd stick around after you called off the engagement. Besides, ever since you defaulted on paying our soldiers, the army hasn't mattered for much. Thanks for falling on that sword, by the way; it'll make my reign much easier."
"You mean