Chapter Two

Clementia's Fall

The blood drains from my face. Out of all possible scenarios, I did not expect this. I grab on to my brother's, Teldric and Isaac's, shoulders and feel my knees start to buckle underneath me. My eyes snap shut.
It's not meant to be this way! Teldric is the eldest! He's meant to be king!
I think I can vaguely hear my name being shouted but my mind is racing with the worst.
This is all Nicola's fault. The witch got into our mother's mind because she knew that she would never stand a chance being the youngest, however, if she was given more time whilst the next heir was the only thing is our mother's mind, then she might become queen and screw us all over, like always.
"-tia, please, are you okay?"
My mother's face is the first thing I see when I manage to regain control of my senses. She seems full of so much concern and worry for the person that has just caused the fall of Eaqitus.
"Are you okay, my dear?" She kisses my forehead and holds me close. "What's wrong?"
I pull out and look her dead in her eyes and speak in a hushed and bitter tone, "Teldric's meant to be on the throne, no one else. It is his destiny, and you are only getting in the way of that."
"Your majesty," one of the statesmen had rushed over, "is everything alright?"
"Yes, everything is fine. The princess is just having a difficult time coming to terms with the passing of her father. Today has just made her fully realise it and grasp the fact that our king is no longer with us," my mother lies and stands up to address everyone, "I have said what I need to say. You are all dismissed and free to leave."
Teldric and Isaac help me back to my feet. Isaac, giving me a comforting smile, but Teldric looks at me with an expression that only I know full well to be disappointment. I give him a poisonous look back and pull away from both of their grasps and walk out of the throne room, head held high. I'm an heir to a throne in one of the most dangerous times to be, I have no time for rest or pity.

---

"Clementia, what was that back there? Did you intend on making us all look like fools?" Now hidden away in the private suites area of the palace, Regina insists on annoying me with the incidents in the throne room.
"You heard what mother said. I'm having difficulty dealing with our father's death, may he rest in peace."
Regina steps up to me, so close that our noses are almost touching, "Fool whomever you want, Clementia. I am more than what I seem like. I'm not like the other princesses that have graced these halls before."
I scoff. Who does she think she is? All she ever wanted is attention. She's wedged in the middle of us all and no one ever gives her a second thought, if they are so gracious to give her a first one.
"Neither am I. So, watch yourself, Regine; I have more power than you know."
Regina takes her turn to scoff, "Your vanity will be the end of you, Clementia."