Chapter Seven- That of Poison and Roses

Seven 

Everything 

Everything

Everything

is a blur.

I feel as though I exist outside of this world, this moment. These eyes aren’t mine. I’m simply watching the scenes play out through blurry lenses. Moments flash in and out of my mind, which refuses to comprehend what’s going on.

The Kings are rushed out of the room on stretchers.

The Queens run out behind them.

The royal scribes and the royal guard come to investigate.

The ceremonial gold chalice is taken away, followed by the pens. What were once symbols of peace are now proof of a murder.

The eldest Aldridge children try to calm the youngest, but they can't even seem to keep themselves composed. I shouldn't be judging them, because I too have streaks of tears down my cheeks, even though I feel nothing, nothing, nothing.  

We're all told to go to the nurse's quarters to say “goodbye” to our fathers despite the fact that they’ve been dead for almost ten minutes now.

I say goodbye to my father, my king.

But he’s barely my father anymore. His silver eyes are unblinking, and his sunken face carries a tint of green. 

I used to believe the small gray hairs on his head were a symbol of wisdom.

Now, I see them as the gray of his tombstone, which I assume will be engraved with praises of his kingship, and not the truth about royalty. 

Is this real? 

Is any of it real?

I feel as though I’m not fully here for these moments, yet, I also know that no matter how hard I try, I’ll never be able to forget them.

They’re permanent, a scalding hot piece of metal touching my brain, branding me for life.

Forever.

This is who I am now.

Hello.

My name is Aily Thorne.

My father, King Emil Thorne, is dead.

My name is Aily Thorne.

I seek revenge.