Responsibility

Responsibility. That one word she despised down to the very core of her being. Because of that word, she had given up experiencing what it was like to be normal. She wished desperately that she could be with the one she loved. However, she was stuck here, in this castle, playing role of Queen.

Her husband was not unkind, to the people. To her however, he was a monster, brutal and cruel. All because she was not pure elven, only half. Slowly, she traced the scar on her hand with pale, delicate fingers. That scar would forever remind her that she would not gain the happiness she felt everyone deserved.

Memories of exactly what her husband thought of her riddled her mind. Brutal beatings and slow torture taking her to the brink of death but never quite all the way haunted her at night. Her back was still recovering from the most recent session of pain. She winced as the maid tightened the laces on her corset. She inhaled and then exhaled as the maid tightened the laces even more. She tied them off then put on the multiple petticoats and finally the over-skirt that was displayed to the world. It was decorated richly, with silver thread embroidered into little detailed rosettes against the deep purple velvet fabric.

Before she exited her room, she glanced at her floor-length mirror and nearly cried at what she saw. No longer was she the healthy and beautiful young woman she had once been. She was now decrepit, sickly pale and so unbelievably sad. She looked ten years older than she was in actuality, which was nearing forty. Her husband had never guessed that she would last this long, she didn't even dream that she would last this long.

As she walked out to the people who adored her, people who respected her, people who loved her, all that was running through her head was that she was weary. She was so terribly weary of her life and the hardships she had been dealt. In some of her more selfish moments, the only thing she would ponder is how unfair it was that she had to deal with her husband. Then she slapped herself awake and scolded herself. This was her destiny, her fate, to lead the people she had come to call her own.

When she was younger, she would never have guessed that her life would be like his. She knew she would be Queen, that was granted, but would she marry the kind Prince or the cruel Prince? She was never very lucky; she should have seen this coming. However, she was blinded by love. She didn't fall in love with either Prince, no, she fell in love with Gabriel. He would always have her heart. Gabriel wasn't nearly as important as the two Princes were but he was the best Dragon Rider of the century, perhaps the millennia. Sadly, not even being the best prevented him from dying in battle, along with his dragon

She focused on her reality as a crowd greeted her with a roar. She put on her face, the face that only the public saw.

She walked up to Ruben, and stood calmly, devoid of emotion. She didn't even flinch when he took her hand in a mockery of the tender gesture. She remembered when Gabriel would take her hand. He would always hold it so tenderly, so gently as if she were made of porcelain. Whenever they were permitted, he would hold her hand. When they were talking, strolling in the garden, or making love. Oh, how she missed him.

Ruben was making a speech about the upcoming war. She knew that was when Ruben would kill her. Her death would be the breaking point, the reason to go full-heartedly into battle. It was her destiny and she hated it. She deserved to live. The only good side is she would get to see her beloved Gabriel, after more that 10 years, she would see her beloved again.

"My people, in a fortnight, we head into battle. I beg of you to be strong, for yourself, for your family, for me, but most importantly, for your country!" At this, the crowd roared in approval. Ruben turned to her and glared. She stepped forward and smiled demurely while the crowd cheered even louder.

"I shall hope and pray for our victory." And she stepped back and she and Ruben left the balcony. She headed to her apartments, and he to his.

Knowing her death was soon, she addressed a letter to the Prince of the country they were going to invade, Prince Tristan, the kind Prince.

Dear Tristan,

I hope I do not offend you by addressing you so informally, but I beg of you to be warned. My husband, as you know, is planning to invade your country. In order to do so however, the people need a good reason to risk their lives for him. That reason is my death. He plans to kill me and make it look like an assassin from your country was sent to kill me. When you get this, I hope it will be in time. If not, do everything in your power to stop the war that will kill too many innocents needlessly. I am also sending some of my most precious items so that you have proof to show my people.

Ever so grateful,

Queen Kassandera

She only hoped this would be enough. She then folded the letter up and placed a few of her family heirlooms into a satchel that she bound tightly. She then snuck down to the stables and attached the satchel to her horse, Myst, a beautiful grey stallion. She petted his muzzle and touched her forehead to his, sending him pictures of exactly where he needed to go. With tears in her eyes, she opened his stall door and he cantered off, making no sound on the lush grass.

She then snuck back into her apartments and changed into her dressing gown, and she brushed her dark chestnut hair until it gleamed. After that, she sat on her sofa, waiting for someone to come kill her.

She had dozed off and when she woke up, Ruben was sitting across from her.

"You are looking lovely tonight. However, this will be your last night you filthy half-breed bitch." He spat into her face. She did not even blink, merely wiped the saliva dripping sown her cheek.

"Then go ahead and do so." She challenged quietly. He walked behind her and yanked her hair back, exposing her throat. She had only a second or two after he sliced her throat to think and the only thing that ran through her mind was finally seeing Gabriel.

Exactly two weeks after her death, her country went to war.