Queen of darkness

A field. White flowers. A white dress. A woman. Long hair, light brown tresses.

“This field again?” the woman thought to herself.

One step forward and the scene flipped. She was now in a long hallway. The walls were gold, covered in various portraits of people she did not recognize.

An older man standing next to and older woman. Both wearing crowns covered in jewels she had never seen before. When she walked further into the hall, she saw more men and women, except they were younger than the first.

They too were sporting crowns, but small and with less jewels. LeiLani couldn’t help but feel like an intruder. Walking through what so obviously had to be a home. Costly as it may look.

Something was wrong. At the end of the hall, voices could be heard speaking in not so hushed tones. Despite he better judgement that should have dictated she run the other direction and take her chances in the dark, her feet moved her closer towards the voices.

When Lei’Lani got close to the door, she pressed an ear on it and listened.

“IT’S AN ABOMINATION! How can you allow it to stay within these walls? Who knows what else it’s capable of!”

“Mind your tone.”

This voice was so commanding and authoritative, Lei’Lani had to supress the urge to apologise.

“Remember who you’re speaking to...”

~~~~~~~~

“...ani...Lani...Lei’Lani!” Lei’Lani and her bestriend-well only friend-Bronnette their way to apprenticship when she suddenly stopped and stared off into the distance. These episodes had been increasing more and more lately.

Bronnette could not hide her look of concern. "Hey Lei, you know you can tell me anything. I'm your best friend."

"You're my only friend."

"That's what makes me the best. I am the only one smart enough to see all of your charming qualities."

Bronnette was right, as always. She had stuck by Lei'Lani's side through everything, especially when those people were openly bullying her. It was time for Bronnette to know everything.

"The thing is...I've been having these weird dreams"

"Weird how? What are you dreaming about?"

"It varies. Sometimes I'm in a field full of flowers, other times I'm in a house I don't recognize, other times there's people arguing but I can't fully make out what's being said."

"Are you ever scared?" Bronnette asked.

Lei'Lani had to take a second to think. It was interesting, when she was dreaming, at first she was happy and joyful. Lately, she was feeling more angry and frustrated. It really depended on what was happening at the time.

"I've never been scared," Lei'Lani started "But there are other emotions I've felt. The weird part is, none of them have ever felt like mine."

Bronnette paused a moment. Lei'Lani could recognize the look on her face. It was the same one she always made when she was faced with a problem and it took her more than 2 minutes to find a solution.

Before Bronnette could open her mouth to give a possible solution, one of the mentors called out for them.

"Girls! It's time for lessons, you should be inside. Come now, in you go."

"We'll talk more later ok?" Bronnette whispered to Lei'Lani as they headed inside.

~~~~

The man stood in front of the fire deep in thought. He did not even turn to the click clack of the shoes approaching.

"Tea, Sire?"

"Not today Morros."

Morros simply nodded and exited the room. Something was off with his majesty. He had been more absent minded as of late. Not fully himself.

Maybe he was reading too much into it. Surely even ruling monarchs had off days. Yes, that must be it....

Right?