"I...I...can explain " Gianna started but her throat burned and felt dry. She needed water. Fast.
As if understanding her need Gael was about to hand her a glass of water when Queen Mazarine kicked it out of his hand.
"What do you think you're doing?" She asked angrily.
Gael watched as the water splashed on the tiled floors and the glass shattered.
"Could have just said don't give her the water." He complained. He hated wastage.
"I own everything in this castle Gael. Must I remind you that everytime?"
"Of course not. I just thought we needed to treat her well for now until we figure out what to do with her."
"No need to pamper her anymore. She's of little use to us now if any." She clicked her tongue.
Gianna was scared. Could her situation get worse?
"I can explain..."
"Exactly what is there to explain?" Queen Mazarine crossed her arms over her chest. She was breathless with anger. She had exhumed her late son-in-law's remains all for nothing? Her thick eyebrows scrunched together as she paced back and forth in the room unsure of her next step. Once in a while she would cast Gianna an angry stare. The pair of bottle green eyes that looked at her pleadingly brought back painful memories. Memories of her adoptive sister. When they had grown up they rarely got along. Mazarine found Tiana to be a pain in the ass and now her daughter was just like her. Maybe even causing more pain. Like mother like daughter; how true.She nearly spat as she pressed her lips into a thin line.
Would Maxton's Spirit now haunt her too for exhuming his remains?
Good Lord have mercy!
Wasn't it enough that her daughter was suffering?
She turned to Gianna.
"Are you even a real witch?"
Queen Mazarine was unsure herself. She was sure Tiana wasn't but Hilton... she didn't know him too well.
"I...I am Your Majesty." Gianna stammered.
"Then why did you faint on receiving what you had asked for?"
What she had asked for?
She had asked for Lord Maxton's hair knowing it was impossible to find. According to Ailtonian traditions, after cremation the ashes of the late person were buried together with his/her personal belonging. She hadn't in her wildest dreams imagined Queen Mazarine would find Maxton's hair. Let alone his whole skull. This woman frightened her.
"I was scared. I have never seen a real skull in my life." She rubbed her fingers nervously. The very fingers that had held a skull. She suddenly felt nausetic. She hoped and prayed he wouldn't haunt her too.
Since there was nothing she could do she decided to have a change of tactics.
"After much contemplation Your Majesty, I don't find it fair to save your daughter from her torment. People pay for what they do and more for what they have allowed themselves to become. Let Her Highness pay for what she did." She said the words fast afraid of the Queen's reaction. She wasn't sure herself if Princess Fiona was responsible for her husband's death. But she had to find a reason good enough not to heal the princess.
The Queen stared at her for a brief moment before grabbing her jaw harshly making her gaze into her mazarine blue eyes.
"You're going to do it Gianna. It's not in your place to decide whether she needs to pay for her actions or not." She said before letting go of her jaw and headed for the door. But suddenly, she seemed to have a change of mind.
"In fact you're going to do it right now." She said firmly before grabbing her by the arm and started dragging her out. Gianna tried to break Queen Mazarine's grip but it was firm as if her hands were made of steel.
"Can I have a word you?" Gael suddenly asked.
Queen Mazarine stopped.
"About what?"
"I prefer talking in private." He said throwing Gianna a furtive glance.
"Lock her up first then." The Queen said with finality.
*****
"I am sorry Mazarine but she has no magic. I just found out that myself."
"What do you mean by that? You confirmed that she was partly a witch didn't you?"
"She is. Strange as it may be it's like she has never practiced magic before although it's inherent in her."
"I know exactly how to make her start practicing it." She smirked confidently.
"How so?"
"Listen to me very carefully..."