Everyone Watches Everything Explode

A sharp rapping at my door jolted me awake.

“Your Highness,” a muffled voice spoke, “His Majesty is prepared to meet with you in the throne room. Now. I think it would be in your best interest to prepare swiftly. That is all.”

Oh, buzz off, Margot.

I wanted to get back to sleep, but the adrenaline from being woken up and suddenly remembering the events of last night kept me awake. Shortly after the Margot-alarm, I dragged myself out of bed.

Lost in my own massive walk-in closet (of course, I’m a princess), I considered what to wear. I hadn’t had to do this before. I had always had… Marie.

My heart crumbled all over again, thinking of the situation I’d cluelessly jumped into. The danger I had put her in. Marie had only sought to learn combat from Diana because I impulsively ran in front of that monster at the festival. She was locked in the dungeon because of me.

Without Marie’s gentle helping hand, I struggled to get dressed normally. I chose an emerald green gown — a little fancier than what I would wear for a regular day, but less intricate than my super-fancy ones — and slipped it on.

My very own set of armor.

Centering myself, I grabbed the all-important history book, jammed some heels on, and left for the throne room.

I hadn’t actually been to the real throne room before, only seeing it in passing from trips to and from my bedroom. When the doors opened for me, I was immediately blown away by how big the place was. The ceiling had to have been at least fifty feet tall. Giant stained glass windows, somehow both wide and tall, lined the sides, depicting some random people who were probably my ancestors. Sunlight streamed in from behind the throne, at the far end of the hall, through a huge circular one fashioned to look like the midday sun high in the blue sky. Subtle.

My father sat impatiently on his throne, tapping his foot. Margot stood off to the side, just another maid in a line of fifteen or so palace servants and knights. About seventy other palace inhabitants stood watching from the back of the hall — a veritable audience. It was a long walk from the door to the throne. My heels clack-clacked on the polished marble tile floor, echoing through the hall as everyone stared at me.

Omigod. Look somewhere else, please, I can’t-

No. No, I must. I swallowed my fear. What’s a little crowd in the face of saving my best friend?

When I arrived at the man himself, I did not kneel. If I had, I might have fallen to the ground under my trembling legs. It’s not so easy to just get rid of a lifelong phobia, you know.

“Well, Elisabeth?” he bellowed.

“Well what, Father?” I tried to sass back. I was unsure if it actually sounded confident or just pathetic.

“Explain yourself. Now.”

I wasn’t going to just play his game. “Explain what?”

“You know very well what, girl,” he snarled.

“I don’t think you have proof of anything.”

He burst out laughing. “As if that would matter!”

My heart sank. What?

“I am the King, foolish girl. The law is made and unmade by my voice alone.”

“I-”

“Now, why don’t you tell the hard-working palace servants here about your cavorting with the heretics, hm? About learning magic,” he announced, eyes narrowing.

“You can’t command me around like th-”

King Lumineuse shouted, “Silence! Your time in Andraste seems to have softened what little brains you had to nothing. You are in my kingdom, daughter.”

I felt myself heating up. Calm down, Elisabeth. Not gonna make any points by breaking down in angry tears.

“In secret, you colluded with the crown prince of the Andraste Empire, our known adversary.” He sat up in his seat, waving his hands and royal scepter around, pompously emoting. “In a series of private meetings, you engaged in the utmost crime for the people of Lumineuse: yes, you learned, and even used, mauvais. Magic!” he boomed.

Our company muttered to one another. I looked at the stained glass vista behind the king. I’m not just some girl.

The king continued, “Were you not my daughter, my own flesh and blood, you would be executed before the day’s end.”

What!? The punishment is that severe? I gulped. Maybe I had gotten myself into more trouble than I thought.

“However, as I am a benevolent monarch, and because you are family… I see fit to sentence you to a mere stint in the dungeon. Perhaps you shall join that insolent maid of yours.”

Calm. Stay calm. Don’t break down. Deep breath.

I began to protest, “Father, it’s really not-”

Cutting me off, he snapped, “Be thankful I am not locking you in the oubliette, Elisabeth.” Then, King Lumineuse stood up, really playing it up for our audience. “You will spend a fortnight or two there, reflecting on your actions in the degenerate East.”

“When do-”

“After, of course, your espousal to the heir to the Duchy of Deighsel, who has magnanimously agreed to go through with the engagement.” He pointed his scepter grandiloquently at the door at the end of the hall, and a guardsman opened it.

Behind it was the man himself, accompanied by his smug father.

As Friedbert waltzed in, he proudly announced to the hall, “Good morning, my heretical bride!”

They really were just trying to make me look like a stupid, apostate girl. Why else would they put on such a show? I mean, come on, dude, who the hell stages an entrance for a simple meeting?

And I thought I was dramatic.

As Friedbert and Dadbert strode in, I felt my knees trembling. When I saw their faces, that fear I had tried to manage bubbled right back up. This was a way bigger deal than I had predicted. I didn’t think I’d have to deal with them face-to-face.

I clutched my book with both hands. My only saving grace, my only weapon, was this simple piece of history. It was going to be a tough battle.

As the Deighsel duo arrived at the foot of the throne, I stepped aside.

The King joyously welcomed the two. “A delight to see you two once more!”

Though his father didn’t kneel, Friedbert lowered himself down. “Your Majesty, the pleasure is gladly ours.” He stood up and leered at me. “Doubly so to once again see your… tragically beautiful daughter.”

Ain’t nothin’ tragic about this, honey-

Focus, me!

The King waved to the rest of the room. “Yes, I am happy to announce, to everyone present, the betrothal of this fine young man to my senseless daughter!”

He paused for applause. Only half the room politely clapped.

“Indeed,” he continued, “the wedding shall take place tomorrow! In this very room! What a wonderful day it shall be, to entwine the noble House Deighsel with our very own royal family of Kingdom Lumineuse!” He then laughed proudly.

Sitting back down, he continued, “Now, as a final courtesy, Elisabeth, are there any official words you should like to say on this final day as Princess, before your… promotion to Queen Consort Ascendant, Wife of Friedbert Deighsel, soon-to-be Lumineuse?” We’re jumping that far already!? He’s just giving it all up to this guy!?

I cleared my throat and stepped up onto the dais. I faced the crowd, made up of so many regular people: palace gardeners, chefs, guards, and maids. My stomach churned. I imagined vomiting in front of everyone wasn’t exactly going to help my case.

“People of Lumineuse Palace! Trusted subjects of the kingdom! I have profound news to share on this auspicious day.” Confusion rippled through the crowd. Next to me, my father hmphed. I ignored him. “These two proud men of the Deighsel Duchy who stand before you are noble indeed. But!” I raised my voice as loudly as possible, “They are not what they seem.”

Everyone muttered. I pressed on, “Noblemen they may be, but of this Kingdom, they are not! Behold!” I held the book high above my head, heavy and powerful. “In this very record have I found evidence which directly implicates the House of Deighsel as not only fraudulent,” I turned it up to an eleven, “but as foreign agents, as well!”

The room erupted. The audience all spoke at once while the knights clamored to calm them down. The Deighsels’ faces had flipped; no longer sporting smug smirks, they scowled directly at me. Margot narrowed her eyes and looked at the Duke.

“SILENCE!” The king pounded his scepter on the ground. The atmosphere settled, but tension still electrified the air. “Elisabeth! What has possessed you?”

“Confidence, Father. Take a look for-”

As I turned around to hand my father the book, I noticed a shadow appear in the stained glass scene above and behind him. I stopped.

What in the…!

It grew larger, quicker and quicker, until the circular yellow sun burst open with an unbearably loud CRASH.

The audience gasped as, through the blue and white stained glass around the sun shattering forth, I watched a figure sail through.

Finley.