Poison Rose(Roses & Kings #1)
Chapter 3

Reyna

Cassandra had decided instead of an intimate dinner with just the two of them , since Reyna knows the thoughts of eating together with her Nana is beneath Cassandra. She would never allow Reyna to bring her, and share her birthday with someone who had been there for her all her life. And the only time Reyna thinks Cassandra acts remotely like her mother,the only time she's nice to her and she decides to invite the whole castle.

"Lisa is such a strong girl, and she's a good Rose with great potential. She would make a great leader, don't you think Reyna?" Her mother said, her perfect brow arched. They were standing close to the armory watching the rest of the girls train.

Her mother, Queen Cassandra is truly gorgeous, she's the picture of elegance and poise, tall and slender with perfect skin, she doesn't look a day older than forty. Which is half a decade lower than her actual age her body is toned and in perfect shape. She's a former champion. She knows how to fight and even now you can see it from the way she stood erect, back straight, eyes alert, she's still a Rose in every way. Her voice pulled Reyna away from her inner monologue.

"A shame really, she could never be our Queen." Reyna almost asked her why not? She definitely doesn't want to be, if Lisa got potential, then it's only right she should be the future Queen not she. But she bites down her tongue, no need to poke the bear, when she's already this angry.

“How is your maid? Maria, right?” As if she didn't know, she probably doesn't. Reyna won't be surprised if that's the case. Cassandra is self absorbed and she doesn't think anyone as insignificant as a maid deserves to be in her presence.

Except if they have something she wants or needs, or there's a way she can use them. Then she'd be nice to them. She continued before Reyna could answer. Truthfully Reyna didn't think she wanted her to.

“She's the affectionate type,those old fools still think with their heart instead of their brains. Old people like her don't know what's at stake when you let your guards down, they don't know the threats awaiting you outside our walls, and you Reyna. I have made it clear to you, that feelings in this life got you killed. I think her living with you has made you feel, you've become soft, Reyna.” She spat the word soft,in disgust as if it were contagious or rather the blue mist itself. Reyna knew what she was getting at,this wasn't the first time after all. Whenever Cassandra wanted something from her she always threatened her with Nana Maria.

She wanted to take Nana away, and send her to the village,or the kitchen in the servant quarters. Reyna wanted to rant and rave, cry and begged her, but she didn't. She knew her mother, if Cassandra knows how much Nana means to her, which she's suspecting she does. Then she really would do it, she would send her away from her.

Even if it would hurt her,especially if it would hurt her, because she believes loving someone is a weakness. Which is why she never let Reyna get close to her even as a child, Reyna's under no illusion, she more than anyone knows that wearing your emotions on your sleeve is considered weakness and would only make you a target of bullies. Just like it had made her a target in her class when they were children, even with her status as a princess Reyna has suffered from girls much bigger and older than her. Lisa had been the one to teach her how to stand for herself.

Reyna was taught to hide what she feels deep inside. It was literally beaten into her, until it stuck Cassandra had seen to that. Until Reyna had perfected it. She's the heir to the throne,she has to be able to control her emotions more than anyone. And she did. She had to if she wanted to survive, as Princess Reyna was expected to be better at everything. And if she fails,Cassandra takes it as a personal insult to her.

She would whip Reyna until she could no longer stand on her feet. Reyna had learned the hard way to hide her feelings so deep, no one could know what she's feeling or if she is feeling anything at all. She's only ever herself when she's with her Nana. Deep down Reyna had a soft heart, no amount of beating from Cassandra would ever change that.

But she had learned to hide it better, especially from Cassandra. So she kept silent, keeping her emotions to herself. Her face blank, they were still at the training grounds at the time, Reyna was bruised, dirty and sweating in her training pants and vest all brown, the same color as everyone else. After Mary was done sweeping the grounds with her, because Cassandra had demanded she wants to see her trained with Mary. They both knew what it was, Mary didn't hold back.

That was Reyna's punishment for not winning against Lisa. Her majesty the Queen was dressed as only a queen should, with a long gray dress pants, silky milk shirt and an equally gray coat, she wore high heels. She always wore high heels, her shoulder length blonde hair frame her long face. She looks beautiful, elegant and graceful and totally Reyna's opposite. With her light brown hair and darker tone except for the blue gray eyes, she had inherited from her,they looked nothing alike.

She stares at Reyna hard,with her piercing gaze so sharp, Reyna imagine it could cut through her heart and see what she's really feeling. She didn't say anything, just stared at her some more, when Reyna had refused to say anything on the matter. It took every strength and self control Reyna had not to fidget and crumble like she really want to. But she held on to her intimidating stare. Reyna had seen formidable women crumble and blabber with just one stare from her mother, even her trainer Mary was no exception. Finally Cassandra started walking and as expected Reyna followed, Cassandra's guards behind them, fully armed and ready to end the next person who so much as sneezed in her direction.

"I'm really disappointed in you, Reyna, I expected much from you. I fear for Marlenia. Our Queendom needs someone strong and ruthless, and right now Reyna you are nowhere near ready to be our Princess muchless our Queen. I think you need more time." She pauses then adds.

"Maybe you should repeat the year or something. You are my daughter, and Marl Princess, although you don't always act like it. The people need to believe in you, they need to trust that you are strong and ruthless enough to protect them. We survived all these years not because we were lucky,we survived because we worked for it,we became stronger in order to better protect ourselves." Cassandra didn't add that they survived all these years with the help of the witches. But both she and Reyna know the truth.

"I'm trying my best mother,and I'm not going to repeat the year after everything I've gone through. I've worked hard to reach where I am, harder than any of the other girls."

"Try harder, you can keep the maid until the final test. If you lose the fight with Lisa, she goes,and you will never see her again. If you win she stays, that's non negotiable. It me being merciful as your mother."

Her words were cruel, her voice hard, cutting and emotionless. Reyna was hurt,angry and sweating profusely by the time they came back to the castle. But she didn't let it show. Her heart is filled with so much dread she feel nauseated. Cassandra wants to take the only person that truly loves her. Reyna's Nana is the only true friend she has.

She can't lose Nana Maria, she won't. Her mind is made, she decided she has no choice. But to mercilessly beat a girl she was once friends with to within an inch of her life in other to keep Nana with her. And also to not disappoint her mother and the Queendom. After all it's nothing new, it's the tradition the final test. After which Reyna will be inducted into the sisterhood, it's either she do the beating or get beaten either way you look at it, it really wasn't a choice at all.

That happened last week, in three days it will be Reyna's birthday. She guess it was an early birthday present from Cassandra. To get beaten on her own birthday. They'll have their real match, Lisa and her and the winner will be given a reward of ten tokens from the Queen. Which is a huge reward. The token is the currency in Marlenia, people would do anything to get a token from the queen.

The final test that will conclude the end of five long years of brutal training. Will take place at the training grounds, where thousands of women and children will be watching. Reyna felt sick at the thought of people coming to watch two women fight bloody, it's barbaric. But this is the way it has always been. Maybe she really is flawed like her mother said. Now! Today is the third day just like Nana Maria had said, and she has to perform her duties as the Princess.

"You know I love you, right Nana?" Reyna whispered, Nana Maria hugs her mistress back smiling, her eyes shining with love.

"I know Rey, and I love you even if you are a stubborn brat who almost gave me a heart attack every day. Now stop wasting time, finish eating quickly so I can help you get ready." She pushed Reyna lightly back onto her seat. Reyna sat down smiling.

Immediately after she finished with her breakfast, she stripped the drap peach night dress she had on. And got dressed with the green dress her mother's maid had delivered last night. Every other girl her age is going to be wearing her uniform for the ceremony that's going to take place in just a few minutes. Reyna wish she could just wear hers as well, even though she hates the uniform with every fiber of her being, she hated being noticed even more.

Reyna prefers the uniform than the fancy dresses she's forced to wear occasionally. The uniform doesn't make her stand out, but with the dress all eyes would be on her. She should be happy that she's wearing something different. but she's not, because the events of the day are ones she's not looking forward to.

Being used as someone who distracts the children, just to poke them with injections. Instead of giving them enough food to last them through the winter, is not Reyna's idea of fun. Even if the shots were to help protect them. How altruistic of her majesty,Reyna wonder who her mother would rule over when the people all died of hunger. It was a sad thing to think, really. But her mother seemed to be blind to the people's plight.

The dress is a short flowy green gown that Reyna was sure came from their family vault. The hem brushes her knees, the fabric is so soft,it feels nice on her skin, and she feels even guilty for that. The dress was especially made so that the wearer looks innocently seductive. Reyna hated it. But there's nothing she could do about it.

Nana brushed her hair, until it shone, then she braid the thick mass of hair, weaving a long green ribbon through the braid. Leaving Reyna's long neck open. When she was done, she helps Reyna apply powder on her face. Then Reyna wear the black boots that Nana has set aside and wear the long coat that will protect her against the cold. They were set to leave in no time.

Together Reyna and her Nana left the south wing where the Queen quarters is located and where Reyna's room is situated. On the way they met others, who also stayed in the castle, they are also going to the mandatory ceremony. They greeted Reyna with awe and respect, all of them wearing the brown pants and long sleeve shirts uniform and waterproof boots, except for the older women who all wore either black or brown dresses. Reyna's Nana also wore a black dress.