Chapter 2
She Who Sits on the Throne: Rin
Welcome to my kingdom. I rule this country. The proud land of Loewyl. None dare to face us. Have you heard of my tale? This life is my playground, mine to do with as I wish. I have claimed all the riches of the world, and more besides.
When I grew up, I always got what I wanted. The best toys were all mine. Now, I have no use for toys. Fine furniture, a strong horse, and a servant in my likeness. But most of all, I want money. And that is so very easy to acquire. I merely take from those I dangle on a string. The peasants those who work in the fields. I can take their crops and food so easily. And to those who have outlived their purpose or those who want to bring me down, why, all their treasures shall tidy up my gown! All shall bow to me!
Have you seen my garden? I have such a lovely collection of roses. They bloom in such a colorful array. I have the gardeners constantly prune my garden, rid it of weeds. But those more stubborn weeds, well, they will just die and feed the roses all the same.
I do love to get what I want. There was a handsome man I saw today, the prince of Ulbe. He is the perfect man for me. However, he does not feel the same way about me. Somehow, this does not annoy me; it only makes me want him to care for me even more. My servant Len calls this 'love'. I will have them send an invitation to him. A request. A marriage proposal.
But, I waited for him to respond. He didn't. After three days of no reply, I smashed a vase. That shocked me, never before had I lashed out like that.
I had Len spy on the prince. I waited and waited for Len to return. I smashed two dishes while waiting. I yelled at the servants. I wandered around the palace, and I heard a rumor. While roaming, I happened to listen to two maids discussing me. Shall I tell you what they said?
They said that the travelers had heard tales of me. 'There is a country of evils,' they say, 'a kingdom of inhumanity. And at the top, there rules a little princess of only age fourteen. A ruler so mean and cruel that one would never guess that she was only a little girl.' After I heard that rumor, there was no choice but to execute the two maids. Ah, well. Can't be helped.
Len returned today. He said he saw the prince with someone else. I pestered him to tell me. Who? Who was he with? Len was reluctant, but he told me. A girl from the neighboring country of Nreeg. I smashed the glass I had been holding. I stormed around my abode for many days, fuming. How dare that woman steal him from me? The nerve! She must pay the price.
I called my minister and Len. They bowed when they entered my chambers.
I picked a rose and said in a quiet voice, "Make sure the country of Nreeg is very badly stirred."
The minister nodded and left. I turned to Len, "You are the only one I can trust with this task," I held out the rose and crushed it, sending the petals tumbling to the ground, along with the rest of the flower, "Scatter the petals of the woman who was with him. Make sure that she is dead."
Len's eyes widened, but he left my room. For many days I stormed around the palace, awaiting Len's return. The minister returned before he did.
"Houses of the people were burned to the ground. So many lives went out. The country is very badly stirred indeed." He reported. Excellent. I smirked, "Good."
Now, to find out whether she was dead or not. I eagerly awaited Len's return. When he showed up, he was covered in blood. I could see that there were tears on his cheeks. But all he said to me was, "It is done." Then he smiled. Something tugged at my heart. I felt as though I had done something wrong. I shrugged off this feeling. Nothing was wrong. My stomach must just be slightly upset from seeing Len covered in so much blood.
I picked a splendid red rose today in the garden, the perfect flower sits in a vase by my throne. The flower is very refined, but something is wrong with the garden. There has been a lack of gardeners lately. The thorns and weeds are driving my beautiful garden to decline.
The church bells chimed three times, I looked up, "Oh, it's tea time."
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