The Last Light In Vaelric's Heart
The Three Queens Part —4
The midday sun filtered through the high windows of the Queen’s solar, casting warm, golden light on the polished floors and velvet-lined chairs.
It was a rare moment when all three queens sat together without courtly duties or the presence of Vaelric. A quiet tension clung to the air like a veil.
Alira sat by the window, her hands resting gently on a teacup she hadn’t touched. Serilda lounged elegantly on a chaise, fingers trailing over the embroidery of her silk sleeves. Lysandra entered last, her steps hesitant, but composed.
Queen Alira
Tea? (offering to Lysandra)
Queen Lysandra
Thank you (sitting across from her)
Queen Serilda
How was your walk in the garden last night?
Lysandra froze slightly. Alira didn’t look up from her cup
Queen Lysandra
It was pleasant
Queen Serilda
That's one word for it
Queen Alira
You sound angry (to Serilda)
Queen Serilda
I merely wonder what it must feel like… to have a man fall for you so quickly
Queen Lysandra
It wasn’t meant to happen. None of this was planned.
Queen Alira
No love ever is (murmured)
Queen Serilda
Do you love him, Lysandra?
Lysandra hesitated. Her eyes flicked toward Alira, then back to Serilda
Queen Lysandra
I don’t know. I think… I might.
Queen Serilda
And what about you? (to Alira)
Queen Serilda
You've been quiet
Queen Alira
I've always been quiet
Queen Serilda
But not indifferent
Queen Serilda
You were his first wife. You stood by him when he was still crown prince. You knew him before all this
Queen Alira
And I accepted from the start that duty came before love. I was never promised his heart. Only the crown.
Queen Lysandra
That’s not fair to you.
Queen Alira
It’s not about fairness
Queen Alira
It’s about choice. He’s made his.
Queen Serilda
And you? What will you choose?
Queen Alira
I will choose peace—whatever that looks like in the end.
Serilda’s expression hardened, but only for a moment
Queen Serilda
You were always the calm one
Queen Serilda
And maybe that’s why he overlooked you.
Alira said nothing. Because deep down, she already knew—being overlooked wasn’t the worst fate. Loving quietly, while being forgotten, was.
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