CHAPTER TWENTY TWO 'Defeated'

As Violet looked around the big manor that the old queen had once promised her, she sighed.

Thea and Dinah indeed had similar taste for Dinah to give her this manor. It was very big and it contained all of the basic amenities like food, well tailored clothing, herbs, water, snacks, cosmetics etc.

All of these done in just a few hours. 

Violet immediately felt pressure. She couldn't just free load after Dinah had done all of these things so she made up her mind.

She went back to the palace and immediately went to the point. 

“I need every information on Lagsu. As much as I can gather.” 

She was provided information immediately. And as she sat on her office in the manor, taking in information about Lagsu,” She remembered some of her pasts.

She remembered that she had met the Saintess of Lagsu before and her name was Musa.

It was not that Violet was absolutely clueless it was just that the recent trauma she went through clouded her mind and placed her past experiences in the back burner but now.. It was different.

She no longer had anything to fear or lose. Also.. It would be fun taking over other people's territories. 

She couldn't wait to see the look on Lilly's face when she turned into the monster her mother detested the most.

After so many thoughts, Violet decided it was best to go on a short sight-seeing. Overly excited, she trained at the back of the yard throughout the entire night.

It had been a long time since she had a real fight and she was anticipating a lot from this one. 

Although she lacked a sword in her training, a kitchen knife was enough to do the job well. Fortunately, she did not feel as though she'd rust. Instead, she felt the opposite. She really was ready for a fight and the destroyed garden was proof.

The next morning, Violet freshened up and got dressed in a simple velvet pants and a black top. Then she packaged some of the precious herbs in the manor and sent someone to deliver it to Lady Demi. Afterwards, she went to the palace to see the Queen.

Today, Dinah was dressed in a yellow dress with a green necklace around her neck and yellow beads around her ankles. 

Violet swallowed as she started at Dinah long legs. She indeed was beautiful.

“Violet, why did you want to see me? Yesterday, you requested for a map containing all of the core areas in Lagsu and I had it delivered to you. Is it still not enough?”

“No.”

Anya eyes widened and Dinah's lips thinned.

It was rare for anyone to speak so simply to the queen and Violet did it so simply without regards to punishment nor fear.

“What else do you want?” Dinah asked curiously.

“I want to go to Lagsu for myself. A map is not enough to overthrow such a rigid state.”

“Okay. How long are you going to be there?”

“Three months. I'll need someone trustworthy to go with me so information can easily be sent back here.”

Dinah nodded, “Fine then.” Then she turned to Anya, “You go arrange that quickly!”

***

The night before___

“Your Majesty, the seventh keeper is here to see you.”

Dinah emerged out of the tub and exhaled. “It seems like confrontation can't be avoided.” 

Anya nodded, “Your majesty, do you really want to see her? I can't send her back if is not a good time.”

“No. I've sent her away with an excuse twice already. If I do this time her patience may wear thin and she'll take her anger out on Violet. We can't let Violet be hurt at this moment. Didn't you find out yourself that she started training through the night and ruined her garden?”

Anya bowed her head, “She might look rough but she looks like someone that would fulfill their promise. It's been just a few hours and she already started practising her moves. It's quite charming.”

Dinah smiled, “You too? Now you know why I choosed her for this task. She already named her price. As long as I pay it, She'll help me achieve what I've always wanted so Anya, you must not be rude to Violet in the future.”

Anya gently nodded.

Dinah stepped out of the bath and into the robe Anya had picked out for her.

“But your highness, what about the last one Violet requested? It's too audacious of her.”

Dinah smiled, “I don't think she really meant that. She just wants to know how much I'm willing to bet on her. All she really wants is my trust because deep down, I think she trusts me and supports my vision to expand Thestryn.”

Anya was in awe, “That simple?”

Dinah raised an eyebrow, “What do you mean by that simple? It's not easy to gain my trust.”

Anya bowed her head quickly, “I didn't mean it like that your Majesty, I just thought Violet has gone through many problems, I expected her to wander to another route such as revenge. Why does she need your trust?”

Dinah smiled, “Don't bother. You won't understand this.”

Anya immediately wanted to hear more. “Please enlighten me, your majesty.”

Dinah hummed, “Right now Violet is a living thing but nothing excites her.. How do I put this? She's looking for something to light up a spark inside of her. She probably decide to live and while at it, she wants to pursue what she likes.”

Anya hummed, “Thank you for the enlightenment, your Majesty. By the way, should we go and see the seventh keeper now?”

Dinah smiled, “That is correct.”

Together, they headed out the door and to the throne room where Lilly was patiently waiting.

“Finally,” Lilly walked towards Dinah, staring at her in the face. “Finally I see you, queen.”

“Call me your majesty if it's not too stressful for you, your grace.”

Lilly huffed.

“Do you have any idea what you're doing, Your Majesty?”

Dinah chuckled lightly, “Of course I do, how else could I be queen? Did you come here to mock my abilities, Lilly? If not, hurry and explain why you're here.” With that, Dinah walked past Lilly and sat exquisitely on her throne.

Lilly sighed and looked up to face Lilly.

“How could you disappoint Thea like this?”

Dinah face dropped.

“How could you give a murderer and home next to yours for charity! There are many in Thestryn who are worthy of that opportunity. Anyone but Violet! That girl is a demon and it won't be long before she consumes you too.”

Anya glared down at Lilly, “How dare you lie to her majesty's face!”

“A low rank have no business butting into a conversation between her herself and I.”

“Actually,” Dinah said, “It is her business. Because I was the one who sent Anya to investigate the case.”

Lilly looked at Dinah and felt goosebumps cover her whole skin. “Fine. I'll tell you the whole truth. It all started with a dream I had. When Thea and I were still young and childless, I had a dream that she was killed and I was the one behind the sword. I got scared and prayed to the goddesses about it especially goddess Xenia. Then I had another dream that If I bumped into an abandoned child and raise him or her as my own my luck would change. Indeed I bumped into a peculiar child on my usual morning stroll with Thea and she advised me to raise the child and she'd helped.”

“At this point, you're just showing off what good relationship you had with my mother. Correct?”

“No. Of course not—”

“—Then cut the long story short.” Dinah interrupted.  She was beginning to lose her patience especially after knowing what Lilly did and how wrong it was. 

“So I decided to raise the child and name her Yak Ann Sinora..”

Dinah held the hand of her throne tightly. She knew about that long before it just felt weird hearing the name because she'd been used to calling her Violet.

It turned out that Violet was only recognised because of the colour of her hair.

If you were asked the most memorable thing about Violet. Most would probably say her hair and eyes colour. It reality, most people didn't know Violet above the surface level. No one cared to know her likes or dislikes.. They all judged her based on what they saw and Dinah became angry when she realized she was no exemption. 

She'd contributed to Violet's punishment. The second one that made her heart-less. It pissed her off.

She too had judged Violet based on her potential not her heart.

She too was guilty and it let a burden in her chest.

“Things went well after raising her for a while but I had another dream to go to Keitan to find my old lover, Francis. On my way there, a witch told me to be weary of a person around me that they'd kill someone close to me and cause a bloodbath that will annihilate many. I didn't pay much attention to it until when Violet came to save me with a weird friend of hard. When the told me she joined a killer association, I knew she would be trouble. Then my intuition begged me to go to Thea and when I came back.. Thea was gone.”

Dinah shook her head, “I don't really see Violet's fault in what you've just said.”

“B-but Thea's death was linked to Violet!”

“No.” Dinah gritted her teeth, “My mother's death is due to those cowards that take orders from Keitan. Lagsu.”

“But that wouldn't happen if Violet just went to Thestryn to save Thea inside of saving me.”

“With all due respect Lilly, you're insane. You've lost all sense of reasoning. ”

“What?!”

“Riddle me this.”

“Will a fisherman feed his favorite fish to his wife or will he feed his wife to the fish?”

Lilly could not answer.

“Starting tonight, you are meditating in seclusion until further notice. Take time to reflect on your actions and learn from your mistakes.”

Lilly could only bow her head.

She had been defeated. All because of Violet.

She might not have the power now but she would ensure that no bloodshed would occur in Thestryn. 

Thea was gone now.. Only Dinah was left. And they both seemed to have some sort of entanglement with her.

Whatever it was binding them, she would stop at nothing to break it off.

Now that she was temporarily out of power, she would plan really well. Violet would not ruin the kingdom Thea suffered hard to build.