FREYA
The day of the council meeting came like every other day since Adrien's disappearance; dull and gloomy and unnecessary. We were approaching the end of autumn and the weather promised a bit of snow. Perfect! I would appreciate the extra chill for my meeting today.
They were renowned and powerful demons, major leaders of the underworld. They twisted the art of politics and made all the major decisions that shaped the underworld.
Ultimately, Adrien had the final say, but Adrien wasn't here. They were warlords and I was just a girl, but I was no ordinary girl. I made a resolution that today would only go the way I wanted it to go.
Ana and I quietly prepared for the council meeting, and we carefully selected the befitting dress for it, for I was going to show up like the queen I was.
The dress was inky black, with sleeves that extended past my wrists, there was no neckline and I was covered all the way to my neck, in front and behind. The waistline dipped, cinching me tightly before flaring widely at the hips and flowing to the floor in elegant layers of silk.
Ana was meticulous and we made sure that not one thread was out of place, today was an important day. She maneuvered my hair to sit in sophisticatedly pinned curls on my head, the white strands, a sharp contrast to the blackness covering other parts of my body and staining my heart. My silver crown added the final touch and I was ready.
I placed more trust in Cara today as I had no choice but to leave Killian with her. The throne room was not a place for a kid, especially not today.
I asked Ana to stay with them as well, I trusted her to do her best for the few hours until I came back. I had refused to be separated from Killian since Adrien's disappearance, so I had him moved back to my room, keeping him with me at all times but just for today. I kissed the little boy's head then I left the room.
As I stood waiting, the carriage rolled to the entrance of the palace. The throne room wasn't far away but I intended to pull that elegant and intimidating aura, and I had nailed it halfway already.
"Are you ready?" Ishmael who was standing beside me asked and stretched a palm out to me.
"Yes, yes I am." But my hand trembled as I placed it in his palm.
"Let's go and slay some demons." He said with a smile.
I appreciated all that Ishmael was doing. He was obviously cut open by everything that had happened but he kept it all under wraps, doing all he could to support and help me. He still went on searches to find Adrien, but nothing was working out. He looked tired and I really wondered how he was holding up. He was here for me, but who was there for him?
My hand in his, he led me down the front stairs, to the carriage. The carriage was an imposing black, to match my theme for the day. It was one of the royal carriages and muscular black demon horses were attached to the front of it. They whinnied and neighed restlessly, obviously annoyed about the lack of movement.
Ishmael carefully helped me in and I sat. The interior of the carriage smelled like sandalwood and the perfectly carved wood exuded dominance.
In all truth, I knew I could count on my Father no matter the outcome of the meeting today, but I would push for everything to go the way I wanted it to.
Minutes later, the carriage came to a stop in front of the throne room, it had never looked as imposing as it looked today. I braced myself for the challenges ahead.
The large doors were opened, and with a determined look, I marched into the room. The throne room exuded an air of grandeur, with towering columns and intricate carvings adorning the walls. The grand doors then closed behind me with a resounding thud, signaling the beginning of the council meeting.
All the warlords were present already, they seemed to have been in a conversation but turned their attention to the doors when they closed. As I entered, the room fell silent, save for the echo of my footsteps resonating in the hollow space. They watched as I advanced into the room, emotions carefully veiled.
The scent of sandalwood hung in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of incense, creating an atmosphere of solemnity and reverence. I felt like a lamb heading to be slaughtered. Father's eyes held a mixture of pity, sadness, and anger. I did not blame him.
I made a beeline for the throne, my jaw set in a firm line. Establishing dominance and control started from there. My heart pounded in my chest, my hands trembling ever so slightly as I took my seat on the throne. But I straightened my posture and a surge of adrenaline coursed through me, fueling my resolve to assert my authority in the face of their doubt and opposition. My chin lifted defiantly as I surveyed the assembled council members
Several emotions ranging from shock, to anger, to fury danced across different faces in the room. Only Lord Lucian's chiseled face was neutral, the only emotion being an eyebrow raised in question.
The coldness of the seat seeped into me through my dress, giving me the appropriate amount of chill I needed.
I regarded the occupants of the hall without emotion, and Ishmael came to stand beside me, a silent but reassuring presence as I faced their scrutiny.
"Are you trying to make a jest of us?" Lord Casimir asked angrily. He was the warlord of 2nd hell and was known to be a fierce demon.
"I would watch my tone, Lord Casimir." I uttered calmly and all their faces registered surprise. "The King is missing," I began. "Search for him is still ongoing as you all know. We do not know his present state or how long it will take, but King Adrien is alive." My voice was loud and clear and held no traces of the nervousness I was feeling earlier. Speaking here felt natural.
"How are you able to discern that he is alive, Your Grace?" Lord Dane's voice was calm but carried absolutely no respect.
I understood that this wasn't the norm, it had never happened before but soon, they would see things my way.
"Because the bond between Adrien and I remains alive, I still feel connected to my husband. I just cannot contact him or pinpoint his whereabouts." I replied, calmly as well.
"What if he is never found? Provisions have to be made to keep the peace and tranquillity, everyone is becoming restless. This could spur a crisis." Lord Kain, warlord of 4th hell spoke seriously, he seemed to be really concerned about that.
"The prince is but a kid, he cannot be enthroned!" Lord Ronan, warlord of 6th hell argued.
"The prince is of course too young to be enthroned and obviously Adrien is alive, why would there be an enthronement?" I cut in.
"So what then is the purpose of this meeting?" Lord Casimir spat.
"While the King is away, I will be taking over his place and his duties." I stated clearly, my voice unwavering.
Father's face exploded in surprise as did everyone else's. A queen's duties did not involve ruling as the head. It was preposterous, it was outrageous, it was unheard of. It was what I was going to do.
"Impossible!" Father's voice held disbelief. He had refrained from speaking until now.
Through all these, Lord Lucian had kept quiet, watching everyone with assessing green eyes.
"A Queen cannot rule, you will offset the political balance of the underworld." Lord Kain pointed out.
"I will rule, Lord Kain, but only until Adrien is found and he will be." I countered. "This is to establish balance, not ruin it."
"It all seems too convenient, does it not?" Lord Lucian said for the first time, unhurried. His voice carried a chilling tone, and they all focused on him. "The king disappears, seeming dead to everyone I'm sure, and just at a time when the heir is too young to rule."
We all listened, waiting for him to get to his point. He rested his head leisurely on one palm and maintained eye contact with me, green gaze clashing against my blue depths.
"Now, you claim that the King is alive but only in your head, not anyone else's and you proclaim yourself to be the only one suitable to hold the fort down while he is searched for?" A mocking laugh followed. "Forgive me, Queen Freya for finding this whole set-up awfully incriminating." He finished.
"Lord Lucian!!" My Father admonished after his monologue. "You are crossing the line." He ground out angrily.
"There is truth in his words, Lord Bale." Lord Casimir added hotly.
"This is preposterous! How could the Queen have murdered the King?" Lord Ronan defended.
The situation was spiraling out of control and I needed to curb it. Their voices overlapped as they argued about what was what. Lucian remained calm though.
Ishmael had said nothing but I could feel him vibrating with a barely contained fury beside me. I could feel that same fury rising to high peaks within me.
I rose to my feet and shouted in a threatening voice.
"I AM YOUR QUEEN!" The hall quieted down immediately, the stone walls of the structure echoing out my words. I made sure to maintain that eye contact with Lord Lucian as I continued. "And if you like where your head is sitting at the moment, I suggest you remember that." I spat angrily. My voice was filled with menace and I intended to carry out every word of my threat. The air vibrated with tension, I was fueling it.
Maybe it was the tone of my voice or my determined look, but I could feel them cower and the air shift slightly. I was gradually commanding the respect I wanted.
"How do we move forward from here." I continued in a much calmer voice. "If even the council doubts my innocence in this matter?" Looking at each of them individually, I cajoled them with my eyes. "We need to work together while the search for the King continues. Let us do our individual best please."
The feeling in the air was hard to read. I knew I had gotten to them, at least for now but resistance still remained.
"The Queen is right, let the search continue, and the enthronement; if there is any, will just be delayed as well. If there's a chance of finding the King, we have to explore it." Lord Ronan agreed.
Lord Ronan was old, one of the oldest members of the council. His voice held a high degree of sway amongst them. It was him and Lord Lucian up there. He was a useful ally to have so I would make him one.
"Thank you, Lord Ronan." One down, another to go.
"I'm glad that we can agree and move on from this." My father agreed too, and his face urged the others to agree as well.
"You would agree, she's your daughter!" Lord Casimir interjected.
"I see the errors of my words, and I am deeply sorry, Queen Freya." Lord Lucian spoke over them. "The King must be found, but until then, we will make do."
I couldn't decipher why he agreed; his words held no apology or commitment, but this was enough for now.
We spent the rest of the meeting discussing how to calm an uproar if there were, and any other methods to employ in finding Adrien. As we deliberated on the next courses of action, the tension gradually eased, and a sense of cooperation filled the room. After much discussion, we reached a consensus and the meeting came to an end.
Finally, it was over. My foot wasn't firmly in place yet, but there was time to work on it.
Ishmael sat opposite me in the carriage as we rode back, and a companionable silence hung in the air. I decided to ask something that had been on my mind since Lucian uttered it.
"Do you doubt my innocence, Ishmael?" I quietly asked.
Bewilderment and a little bit of annoyance clouded his face.
"You ask for trust, yet you cannot trust that I trust in you?" His hurt layered every syllable of his words and I regretted my question immediately. I could not help the paranoia that was creeping into my life.
"I'm sorry, Ishmael."
"I have been a constant witness to the love between you and Adrien, and I have seen your absolute devotion to each other. It is out of the question to doubt your innocence. If you also say that Adrien is alive, then it means that he is and we will find him." A huge part of me was calmed by his words.
Then his voice became playful. "Moreso, you're just a tiny slip of a woman. If you harmed Adrien, then he deserved it." He laughed half-heartedly before he took on a serious edge. "Please trust me, Freya." His brown eyes begged.
"I will, I do." I nodded. "And you, Ishmael, how are you? I have been blinded by my own grief that I did not care about yours."
He only smiled. It was a sad smile that did nothing to lighten the shadows in his eyes.
"Let's focus on finding our King first."
And we would. If my husband were dead, I would feel it. He was alive, right there at the back of my mind. I could feel it through the bond. He was just out of reach, out of my reach. But I would keep reaching until I could grasp him. And until then, I would keep things in order here.
I would handle this situation, I could do it and I would.