The darkness of the night engulfed the valley like a shroud. Stars
twinkling faintly on a new moon night. A cold wave of breeze blew past her
face,as her silky long hair swayed with the wind. She stood at the edge of the
cliff, looking into the emptiness that the valley had, to offer.
"Mumma...", she whispered.
The leaves on the trees rustled, as she walked along the dead
end.
"I am lonely here,wish you could come back...", warm
tears wet her dry pale cheeks.
Clouds began to form, the air around blowing hard.
A storm.
Rincy looked left and right in shock."Anybody there? Someone?",
she cried, as fear overtook her emotions.
She moved backwards, just to notice the cracks developing on the
ground before her.
The cracks grew fast and deep, Rincy missing them, by just an
inch.
She ran backwards and stumbled, as the ground beneath her broke
down into pieces, and fell into the gaping valley. Rincy slipped, and fell off,
just to get hold of the edge, dangling off the cliff.
She looked down, to see the dark valley. It was just emptiness.
Nothing could be made out of it. How deep, what it houses. Just nothing.
Rincy held onto the last bit of rock, with all her strength. Tears
moistened her eyes, as her throat choked on them. Her vision turned blurred,
hands bruised. Then, she let go. Off she fell down into the valley of darkness,
yelling for help, and crying for her mother.
Rincy woke up with a startle. Her eyes moist, her throat dry,
beads of sweat glistening on her forehead. Another nightmare.
She looked around her room. Dark and Empty. Just like the valley.
Rincy wiped away the sweat from her forehead, and got out of bed. She can't go
back to sleep. She can't face those nightmares, again. It was enough for the
night.
She opened her door and walked down the stairs, and out of the
palace, just escaping the sight of the guards.
The air was cold. The sky lit up by a beautiful crescent moon. She
walked through the garden, to her tree.
Her own tree. This was the same tree, that she, and her mother had
planted 15 years ago. Rincy often spent long hours beneath the tree's shade,
ever since her mother passed away. She was left all alone, in this evil world
of falsehood and betrayal. This was the tree, that stood with her, through all
thick and thin.
Rincy walked up to the tree, and brushed her hands against the
trunk.
She sat down, at its base, and leaned onto the trunk. The leaves
rustled, the birds moaned, the wind whistled, as she shut her eyes.
The first thing that came up, was James Hemsworth's wry smile.
"Why did he behave like that? His smile felt to unnatural and
deceiving!", she thought.
"I am going to be crowned, the Queen of Isles, the next heir
to the Matilda family. A young girl who will rule Westerhall. Of course, there
will be many who are jealous of me, but I didn't ask for this...", she
sighed.
"After mother, it had to be me. There was no alternative,
right? I can't back out now, right?", she asked, as if there was someone
to answer her doubts.
Her words just faded away along with the breeze.
She slowly shut her eyes, lying beneath her tree, and fell asleep.
"Rincy Matilda!" , yelled Portria.
Rincy woke up with a start. She found herself lying comfortably on
her bed, tucked under the bed sheet.
Portria was one person, she felt wasn't fake. Portria Jaccob was
her mother's personal beautician from Rhue, a fashion and beauty company. She
had served her mother for over a decade, and was no less than family. Her
mother trusted Portria.
"How many times, have I warned you, not to leave your room at
night? Do you know how dangerous it could be?" , she questioned, worriedly.
"Don't tell me Portria, that now, my own home is going to
turn out to be dangerous for me...", she giggled.
"It is!!!", she yelled. Rincy took note of the
seriousness in her voice and tried to keep a straight face.
"Rincy, sweetheart, you are going to be crowned the Queen of
Isles, today.", she reminded.
"I remember Portria, and how is that related to me going to
my garden at night?", asked Rincy, stretching her arms out, and yawning
straight into Portria's face.
"Manners, young lady, come first for a queen.Cover your mouth
when you yawn."
"Don't take this lightly, little girl. The Queen of Isles, is
a woman of power. She can turn tables just as she likes. She is envied, by all.
And it could take anything for them, to get rid of you. Anything!",
Portria's eyes flashed with terror.
"I'm sorry Portria, I won't repeat it. The yawning thing, and
the garden thing.", promised Rincy, holding out the skin of her throat.
Portria lightened up, and helped Rincy out of bed, and get ready
for breakfast.
At breakfast, Rincy sat at the head of the long table, where her
mother used to sit. She was accompanied by her uncle, Raymond , aunt Effie, and
cousin Theodon, who all occupied the seats to her left.
The table was layed with a variety of foods. From seven types of
bread, to five types of cereals, and fruits. Name it and it was there. Raymond
hogged onto the food, as if he hadn't seen any for over a month. Effie took
slice by slice and spread cheese on multi grain bread, conscious of how many
calories she was taking. Theodon calmly sipped his juice and ate his fruits.
Portria was helping the servants, serve food for Rincy.
Rincy caught hold of Portria's hand, startling her.
"Sit", she said, eyeing the empty chair on her right.
Raymond choked onto his food , and Effie dropped her slice of
bread. Theodon continued sipping his juice, as though nothing had happened.
Portria looked from Rincy to the seat, and back to Rincy.
"Sit Portria, and have breakfast with me.", she said.
"What nonsense is this Rincy?Portria is no more than a
servant. She doesn't deserve to sit with us for breakfast!", said a
baffled Raymond.
Effie nodded in agreement.
"It's okay Rincy...", began Portria, when Raymond
corrected her,"Your Grace!".
Portria was alarmed, and apologized to Raymond and Rincy.
"Portria can call me Rincy,she is no less than family. I want
her to have breakfast, lunch and dinner, with us every day, right from today,
do you get that Portria?", she commanded, as she glared past the trio.
Portria had never felt so warm. Never had anyone treated her with
so much love. Her eyes gleamed,and said thank you to Rincy. Rincy smiled and
got back to her food.
"Schedule for the day?", she asked, as Portria began to
recite an entire plan for the day from the coronation in the morning, to the
party in the evening.
"I have got the best fashion designer to make clothes for
today's events.You have to look the best even at the party, cause it's
obviously in your honour!!!", gleamed Portria with excitement.
Rincy gave a faint smile and got back to eating.
Theodon grinned, and smiled at Portria.
Portria ignored him and looked away.
She got back to her food, and softly smiled, at the turn of
events.
© Srinidhi Iyengar
© Srinidhi Iyengar
