Chapter 5: Two Years

It had been almost two years since the king departed from the kingdom to complete an expedition with his men. 

               Asteria became the royal symbol for the citizens while the king was absent. She was always organizing gatherings to acknowledge the people’s concerns. 

               While the aristocrats weren’t happy about her being the Queen, the commoners didn’t share the sentiments. They were thrilled that Asteria became Queen.

               “We couldn’t thank you enough, your majesty. Our children, despite being commoners, can also become scholars who could attend the academy because of your perseverance as the queen,” an older man told Asteria.

A gathering of commoners was happening in the auditorium of the palace at that time. They were sincerely showing their gratitude to the queen.

               “It’s only natural to give chances to people to follow their dreams, regardless of their status or rank,” Asteria answered.

               For the past two years, Asteria established some laws that would create equal chances for the commoners to stand on the same stage as the nobles. She made the academy accessible for the commoners who had difficulty attaining education. And now, she’s pushing to make trustworthy commoners be qualified to hold a position in the provincial council.

               She attracted the irate of the nobility, but she couldn’t care less about their feelings. Asteria thought the deprivation of opportunities to commoners was long overdue and should be improved.

               The people inside the hall kneeled in front of Asteria to show their gratitude. “Our Queen, you are sent by the heavens to fix this discriminatory system.”

               Asteria smiled. “Being sent by heaven is an overstatement. I am sure if the king were present, he would do the same,” she said to the commoners to further boost their confidence in the royalty.

The people cheered joyfully. They couldn’t believe that a person who didn’t care about status became a royal ruler.

The gathering ended, and the people had already taken their leave.

*******

               Asteria was resting in her chamber while drinking tea. She remembered all the things that had happened in the past two years. 

               She recalled that the people almost lost hope in the royal family because of the king’s long absence. She took over and served as their light while the rightful ruler was not around.

Her father, Reginald Eliphas, who was supposed to govern temporarily as the regent, didn’t care about the kingdom’s welfare. He was just there to expand his wealth. 

               It was a stroke of luck that the regent didn’t interfere with her laws concerning the commoners and servants working for nobles.

               Asteria rested her back on the cushion of her armchair. She put her chin on her hand, thinking of the things she faced within two years of being the queen.

               “The chief minister has arrived.” 

               Hearing the announcement of the messenger outside, Asteria stood up out of her shock. The Chief Minister was not the type of person to visit her randomly.

“There must be a problem,” she thought.

               Her father entered her chamber.

“The king is coming back,” he said without blinking his eyes. “In two days.”

               Asteria’s heart skipped a beat.

“He’s coming back,” she repeated inside her head as if the father’s words weren’t enough. 

               The chief minister snatched her shoulders forcefully. “Make sure to produce an heir when he comes back,” he whispered to her. “A Queen without an heir is useless and powerless. They will surely move to dethrone you.” 

               Her eyes widened with bewilderment, yet she still countered her father. “I do not care if they depose me. It is not my dream to be the queen in the first place,” she said calmly.

               Her father’s grip against her shoulders tightened, “As if you do not know what could happen to the dethroned queens. And what about your absurd laws for commoners? Once you stoop down from the throne, the nobles will make your life miserable.” 

               Asteria swallowed her breath.

Her father was right.

It would be hell once she stepped down from being the queen, and it was evident that some ministers didn’t like her because of her principles.

               The chief minister was about to go away when he glanced at her again. “Do everything you can.”

               Once her father disappeared, Asteria’s legs trembled.

She clung to the chair so she would not fall.

She recalled what had happened two years ago.

The hatred in the King’s eyes was still lingering on her mind. 

               I hate you with all of my existence.

               Those words rang in her mind for two years.

She reminisced about the morning she left the king in his chamber.

Only the heavens knew how she felt heavy inside her heart for leaving the king, but she knew he would hate to see her first thing when he opened his eyes. 

But before she left him, she gazed at his face once more. 

               His black, clean-cut hair perfectly complemented his pointed nose, thick eyelashes, and beautiful lips.

“I could kiss those lips all day.” she thought at the time. “The creator must have used plenty of time creating him.”

               “It must be good to see your ice-blue eyes when you wake up, but I need to go,” she whispered while looking at him sleeping. She was about to stand up when the king’s hand moved and landed on her lap as if stopping her from going away. 

               Asteria ended her reminiscing when her servant approached her. “Your majesty, what happened to you?”

               “I’m fine. Leilana. Could you please inform the knights to accompany us?” She kindly requested her servant while fixing her composure.

               Confused, the servant asked, “To where? Your majesty?” 

               “To the crystal palace,” she quickly answered.

********

               The crystal palace was twenty minutes away from the central court.

The place was quiet and peaceful, with various flowers encircling the area. The former rulers of Grellis were confined there if they were sick or unstable because of its serene nature. 

               At that time, the former queen was currently confined there. 

               Ever since Asteria learned of the former Queen’s condition two years ago, she religiously visited her to talk and spend time with her even if the former queen couldn’t speak and move.

               And this time, she would revisit her to pass on the news of her son’s homecoming.