She was furiously pulling her body out of the ropes, reaching for the dagger on the ground. The numbness had already faded away and all she felt now was pure anger.
"Oh, I'm going to snatch those beautiful eyes of hers!" She screamed. Rea pulled again and managed to grab the dagger. "Finally."
She cut the ropes and fell to the ground. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulder. The blood started circulating back through her limbs. At least she could tie the ropes a little less tight. She was shaking with anger. She took the dagger and fastened it to her belt.
I should've never trusted her. Why did I trust her? Was it just because she is beautiful? Rea screamed and slammed a fist into the ground. You idiot!
She stood up and kicked a rock on the sand. "You stupid idiot! Why did you trust a pirate?!"
Rea looked at the sea, to see if she could spot any ship. Neirin's ship was far gone, so Rea moved to the other side of the island, but there were no ships in sight.
Her anger turned into panic. The ball was tomorrow night, and the sun was already setting. If a ship didn't come now there was no chance Rea would come back in time. Her plans of saving the kingdom would be crushed. She crumpled to the ground. I really am a bad Queen. She laughed as tears started falling down her cheeks.
"Was I really that stupid to think I could make it? Did I really think I could ever be a Queen?"
She just continued to laugh hysterically. No one could help her now. The kingdom would probably just corrugate to the ground.
She remembered the eyes of the hungry children on the street. Those people would die. Her people would die if she accepted her faith and gave up.
No.
Rea stood up. She wouldn't let that happen. Her people will not die. She turned towards the trees. There weren't enough to make a raft and the rope she was tied with wasn't long enough. But there was enough wood to make a fire. She could set them on fire.
She grabbed the embers from the fire and distributed them around the island. The trees caught fire in mare seconds. Rea moved backwards to the shore where the fire couldn't reach her and watched the black smoke rose high into the night sky. Someone will definitely see that.
And if nobody came, there really was no chance of her survival. If she wouldn't die because of the thick smoke, she would starve to death.
Rea set down in the water a good distance away from the fire and waited.
Despite the cold night, the fire made it unbearably hot. The smoke had gotten thicker, making breathing harder for Rea. She was gasping for fresh air. She was already neck in deep into the water and all she could do now was swim and wait for the smoke to clear.
She was getting tired and trying to keep herself focused was even harder. Her eyes were beginning to close, and she forced herself to stay awake. Just a little longer Rea. She looked around to see if any ship spotted her. Her eyes widened. The smoke must've gotten into her, she was just seeing things. A black ship was approaching her.
"It can't be." She managed. "The Rose Sparrow."
Rea should be relieved. A ship has spotted her! But it was The Rose Sparrow. They attacked her village. They kidnapped-
No way.
Tivon was at the front of the ship waving at her. A big rock fell down Rea's heart. Tivon. He turned around and shouted something to Nick. He wasn't tied and he didn't look hurt. Tivon was okay. Rea smiled.
She reached her hand out of the water, waving it and shouting. She gathered all her strength and swam towards the ship. She was so happy, so relieved she could cry. Rea grabbed the rope and they pulled her up. The first thing she did was run into Tivon's arms, pushing both of them on the ground.
"Oh, you're okay Tivon. Thank the Gods and Saints."
Tivon grabbed her shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "What the hell were you doing on a burning island?!"
Rea just smiled through her tears. "I was on vacation."
"It's not funny Rea."
"I know." She laughed. God, she was so happy she was with Tivon on The Rose Sparrow.
On The Rose Sparrow.
She looked behind Tivon to Elias approaching them. Rea was up in a second, stepping between Elias and Tivon, a dagger in her hand.
"Don't touch him."
Tivon shot up and stepping in front of Rea. "Rea, it's okay."
"Tivon, he attacked you. He hurt you."
"I know, I know. We are well aware of that. We both are." He held Rea's hand, and she lowered it. "He remembers everything."
It was only then that Rea took her eyes of Elias and looked at Tivon. Tivon looked unhurt. He wouldn't be lying to her.
"Rea, I know how it looks, but trust me. I remember everything now. I know what I did, what we did." Rea returned the dagger to her belt when Elias said. "I will explain everything to you."
This asshole. She took a step towards him and slapped him. Everyone fell silent. "This is for everything you've done." She could feel her voice shaking.
Elias reached his hand to his cheek and smiled. "I deserved that."
Rea swallowed her tears. "For the love of God Elias why did you disappear?! Why did you attack the village?! My people, Elias! You've hurt Cornelis! AND you kidnapped Tivon!?" She was breathing heavily, her throat still sore from the smoke. "What the fuck were you thinking!?"
Everyone was staring at her with wide eyes.
"I wanted to apologize." Sighed Elias. "I know that a sorry won't be enough. I know what I did, and I could never take it back. I wasn't myself." He gestured around the crew. "None of us were." He looked up at Rea. She saw genuine sorrow in his eyes. "I know that no matter how many times I apologize, it won't change the past. I get if you'll never accept that, but please just understand."
He was right. He did so many things that couldn't be undone. Maybe Rea couldn't forgive him, despite that she was a forgiving person. But she understood. She walked to Elias and hugged him.
"I'm just glad you're back and safe."
She was telling the truth. Rea was just glad both Elias and Tivon were alive and safe. She could deal with other things later. She looked up at him. "Now move this ship to Naydawin. And get me a blanket, I am freezing."
"Yes, Your Majesty." He winked.
Rea rolled her eyes. Elias moved to Nick as Tivon wrapped a blanket around Rea's shoulders. "Let's get your wounds cleaned up."
Elias allowed them to use his cabin. It was light up by a dim lantern light, barely bright enough for Rea and Tivon to see each other. Tivon was closing the wound on her arm.
"So, what were you doing on that island? What were you even doing out here on the sea? You should be at the castle preparing for the ball."
Rea sighed. "It was a birthday gift from Ivan. He let me go sailing for five days. As you can see," She gestured at her arm and cheek. "It didn't go as planned. We got captured by some pirates. They had no flag or banners. I still don't know who they were. But I am sure their Captain is a Goddess."
Tivon looked up confused. "Goddess?"
"Well, obviously she wasn't a Saint. She just looked like it. Anyway, we've got stuck on that little island and then she left me." Frowned Rea and leaned on her other hand. "And then in my fury I burned the island." She said with a laugh.
"That was a short love story."
"Yeah." Sighed Rea. She looked down at his calm fingers stitching the wound. "Tivon?"
"Yes?"
Suddenly she felt embarrassed and flushed. "When did you know, I like… you know, w-women?"
"Rea, I always knew." He smiled.
"You did?!"
Tivon looked up. "You were constantly talking about The Duchess Bernice." Rea's face heated up at the mention of her name. "Seriously, you would never stop talking about her."
"That's not true." Tivon looked up. "Oh, shut up." Rea looked away and sighed. "She's so out of my reach."
"Excuse me?! Rea you're a Queen."
She gave him a look. "A Queen to be Tivon and besides, I could never. My mother expects me to find a husband at the ball."
"You know you don't need to."
"I know, I know."
Tivon focused on the final stitch. Rea looked at him. The dark bags under his eyes were still as defined since she last saw him. He still looks tired. She noticed his ear, remains of dried blood still on it. "What happened to your ear?"
"Elias shot a pistol right beside it."
Rea looked away and cursed under her breath. "I should've slapped him harder."
Tivon cut the thread and started cleaning the wound. "You don't need to. He is back now."
"Yeah, I know. I'm just glad both of you are alive and okay."
Tivon smiled as he bandaged up her arm. "You should get some sleep, I don't want you dozing off at your dance." Rea laughed and nodded. "You can take Elias' bed."
"Wouldn't he mind?"
"Take it as his apology."
Rea smirked. "Fair."
They were actually going to make it. Rea could already see the kingdom and the sun hasn't even set yet. There was still enough time. Almost all the ships were already there. That was a good sign for Rea. They at least showed up.
They've decided it would be better if they anchor the ship further from the harbour to avoid any distress and unpleasantries. Yet again Tivon, Elias and Rea entered the castle through the secret passageways. Rea told Elias and Tivon to get changed as she ran towards her quarters. She was trying to avoid any servants, guards, and maids. Rea saw Ivan, nervously stepping and circling in front of her doors.
"Ivan!"
He looked up, looking even more distressed and confused as before. He looked over his shoulder towards the door, trying to make sense of something. Rea ran into him and hugged him.
"I made it back in time!"
"Amelia, weren't you in the room just a moment ago?"
Rea looked at him. "Amelia?"
At the same moment as she saw realization hit Ivan, the door to her bedroom opened. Rea stared at her own face, dressed in her gown.
"Your Majesty!?" Rea opened her mouth to speak, but Amelia took her hands and smiled. "Thank the Gods and the Saints you're back."
Rea tried to form words, looking at herself, her face, her eyes but she couldn't manage to say anything.
"Amelia offered herself to be you for this night." Ivan jumped in. "We couldn't afford to cancel the ball."
Rea looked at Ivan and then at Amelia. She put on a gentle smile. "Thank you so much Amelia. I'll make sure I'll give back to you, but now we need to hurry." She turned to Ivan. "Will you do my hair?"
"I-I… yes?"
Rea smiled. "First, I'll dress up and then you can do it."
"I can help you." Rea turned to Amelia's blushed face. "I-I can help you into the dress and try to hide the scar o-on your cheek." She quickly bowed. "If Your Majesty wishes so."
"Rea, call me Rea."
Ivan turned to leave when Rea stopped him. "Ivan, can you bring me something to eat." Ivan's eyes widened. "I'm ravenous."
Ivan went to get food as Amelia helped Rea into her gown. It was a light blue gown with a v shaped front, with long trumpet sleeves and white lace sewed on it. Mother had sent it to her to wear it on this night. She could feel the shaking of Amelia's hands, as she was trying to hide the scar on Rea's cheek. Rea never asked or even allowed for any maid to dress her up, but she could allow it now. It was something she could do for Amelia.
"I apologize for wearing the dress. And being you." She said quietly.
"Don't be. It was quite a good plan." She looked up at her, but Amelia was avoiding her eyes. "Was it Ivan's idea?"
She shook her head. "No Margey's."
"Smart woman."
"You are a smart woman too." Rea could see the faintest blush on her face. "And brave. I always admired that about you."
Rea laughed. "I am far away from being smart or brave."
"You may think that Your Majesty, but I don't see you like that. To me, you are courageous, wise, and beautiful. You are the best thing that could happen to this kingdom."
"I wish others would see me like you see me, Amelia."
"A lot of them do." She finally looked at her, same shades of green looking back at her. "And those who don't – show them." She moved backwards. "I'm done."
Rea looked in the mirror. Amelia really managed to hide the scar well. She stood up and turned to Amelia. "Thank you, for everything. How can I repay you?"
"Oh, no, Your Majesty. I cannot accept anything from you."
"What about your family?" Rea immediately regretted asking it.
"Oh, I don't have any anymore. My mother died five years ago, and I don't know where or who my father is."
Rea knew her mother had died because she was serving here as a maid. She bit her tongue. "I'm sorry, I should have known. Still, I need to repay you somehow."
"You just did Your Majesty. Spending time here with you, for just these few minutes. It was enough for me."
Rea smiled. "You are always welcomed to talk and spent time with me Amelia."
She bowed her head. "Thank you, Rea."
A knock on the door disturbed them. "Rea? I brought food."
"I'll leave you two alone." Amelia turned to leave.
"Thank you again." Said Rea.
Amelia smiled and left the room. As soon as Ivan stepped in with a plate of freshly baked bread and a plate with cooked quail and potatoes, the odour filled the room. Rea hadn't been this hungry in years.
"Gosh, this smells amazing."
Ivan didn't even have a chance to put down the plate. Rea took it from his hands and started eating.
"Glad your appetite is back."
Rea said something inaudible and sat down on the chair. Ivan picked up a brush and started untangling her hair. When Rea finished her food, Ivan spoke.
"I'm sorry I let you go. It was a stupid idea."
"Oh, don't be." She looked at him through the mirror. "I had the time of my life. I might've just seen a Goddess."
Ivan paused and looked at her. I might have come on too strong. "Rea, if you're not feeling well, I can still cancel the banquet."
"Cancel the banquet?! We were basically running to get here in time."
"We?"
"Oh yeah, I brought Tivon and Elias back. Well, they picked me up from a burning island. Which I set fire to."
Rea could see in Ivan's eyes that he couldn't comprehend everything he had just heard. "Elias and Tivon are here? You were burning an island?!"
"Yes, they are here, and yes, they are okay and back to normal. Thanks for asking. We'll need to tell the guards and the royal army The Rose Sparrow isn't a threat anymore and yes, I burned an island. I wouldn't be here if I didn't."
Ivan continued putting little blue butterflies into her hair. "Are you sure we can trust them?"
"They would probably murder me already if they weren't back as they used to be. I'll explain everything after the ball."
Ivan sighed. "I'm glad you're safe. All three of you."
Rea smiled as Ivan put in the last butterfly. He then picked up a tiara from the vanity table.
"Oh, no. I can't, I'm not a Queen yet."
"But you are a princess."
Rea rolled her eyes. "Fine."
Ivan put the tiara on her head, and Rea had to admit that it completed the whole look. She did look like a princess. Rea took in a big breath and stood up.
Let's do this.