The Queen of Isles: The Bait

"It is with great pleasure, that I, Theodon Matilda welcome you all to the coronation ceremony of the heir to the Matilda family, the next Queen of Isles, the sole woman who will now rule the country of Westerhall, Rincy Stephen Matilda, ladies and gentleman, please rise", announced Theodon.

All eyes were on her. Some whispering about how lucky she was, many praising her innate beauty, others marveling at her outwear.

Rincy walked down the hall, her pathway set on a mauve carpet, leading to the Diaz. The room was huge and completely packed. From ministers, to journalists, to photographers, to leading celebrities. Rincy gave her hand into Theodon's as he pulled her up onto the stage. The royal priest, with the lawyer in charge, sat on one side of the Diaz, as the other was occupied by Raymond and an empty seat, where Theodon would sit. The royal throne, adorned with diamonds, rubies and sapphires glistened brightly, even at day time.

Theodon led Rincy to her throne, and she sat on it, with great poise, enhancing the beauty of the throne.

The Royal priest took over the proceedings and the lawyer read out the clauses. Rincy signed at numerous places on the Royal Hierarchy book, and then, the Royal crown was placed on her head. She stood up, and gently bowed before the crowd, as it burst into claps and hoots.

"Presenting, The Queen of Isles, Rincy Stephen Matilda!", declared Theodon. 
The photographers were all ecstatic clicking away to glory.

Rincy took to stage, and raised her hand to calm down the crowd. The audience instantly fell silent.

"Thank you, citizens of Westerhall, for all your love and the trust you'll have in my family." she said, looking around the crowd and glancing at the video cameras occasionally. "It is with immense pleasure, that I accept the throne, and hope to live up to your expectations, and enhance the living conditions in Westerhall."

She bowed again, and walked down the Diaz, with Portria following her.

The crowd burst into applauses.

Rincy and Portria left the hall.

"What's next on the agenda Portria?" asked Rincy.

"Your Grace, we need you at the meeting arranged for the core committee this afternoon." said Portria.

Rincy turned around angrily, just to scold Portria, for the additional, unnecessary respect she was getting, when she noticed Theodon, behind Portria.

She looked at Portria, who smiled and winked.

"Portria knew Theodon was following us! She is indeed very smart!", thought Rincy.

"Yes, Coz Theodon, need something?" asked Rincy, authoritatively.

"Rincy dear, don't get so busy already! Can we speak, for a minute?" he asked. "In private?" he requested, glancing at Portria.

"Portria is family, you can speak..." began Rincy, when Portria offered to wait outside the banquet.

"Thank you Portria", smiled Theodon.

Portria ignored him, and nodded at Rincy, and left.

"What is it Coz? " asked Rincy.

"Look Rin, till now, there was only fear of you being hurt. But now that you have been crowned Queen, we know, many will try to get rid of you at all cost. You need to be careful, and get some bodyguards. And firstly, get rid of Portria,she is a ...."

"I will hear nothing against Portria, Theodon Matilda! I am pleased to see your concern for my life. But I can help myself. And as far as bodyguards are concerned, I don't need any."

"Shut up Rin. Don't make the same mistake, your mother made..."

"Dismissed, Theodon!!! "  Rincy raised her voice.

Theodon fell shut, turned around and left.

Rincy didn't miss the small smile that curved up his face.

Rincy breathed heavily, as memories of her mother and her death flooded her mind.

Portira rushed in, only to see Rincy's eyes blood shot, and flooded with tears.

She hugged Rincy tightly, and Rincy hugged her back.

Rincy walked past a board that read Lionel Matilda, next to which was a board named Raechel Matilda.

Raechel Matilda.

Rincy had very pleasant memories of her maternal grandmother, The Queen of Isles, who preceded her mother. 

"Rincy dear, see what I've brought you?" said Raechel.

Little Rincy, ran up to her grandmother, and jumped into her arms.

Raechel whirled the tiny tot in the air, and hugged her.

Opening the bag she brought, Raechel pulled out a box and handed it over to Rincy.

Rincy opened the box, as it flashed with light, illuminating her face.

A closer look, revealed a well made, polished and designed thin platinum chain, with the letter M on the locket.

Rincy's eyes gleamed with joy and excitement.

"For me?Gran? Really?" she asked.

"Yes little princess! Just for you."

"My name's Rincy, beginning with the letter R!", said Rincy surprised. "Why is there an M?", she asked inquisitively.

Raechel choked on her words. Tears welled up, and she tried to control them. She pulled Rincy closer and whispered "Rincy Matilda. M for Matilda."

Rincy seemed convinced and hugged Raechel again, thanking her.

Rincy's hands rose towards her neck, where the thin chain still found its place.

Overwhelmed , Rincy walked ahead, reaching her mother's grave.

The bed next to it, empty.

Rincy stared at her mother's grave. 

Nostalgia.

Rincy ran her hands on the cold cemented grave and sat down at its head.

Just as cold as her mother's soul would be.

"Mumma..." she whispered.

"Why did you leave me alone Mumma? No you, no grandma, no papa, just no one. Theodon say's you made mistakes... What does he mean? Who will explain all this to me? Who should I trust and who not to, Mumma?" Rincy let her tears fall. For here, she could be free. Here, she needn't put up a strong face, that of a queen. Here, she could be a child. She could be herself.

Having spent some time, at her mother's grave, Rincy head back to the palace.

Portria keenly waited at the entrance for her.

"Met your mother?" she asked, as she smiled at Rincy warmly.

Rincy nodded, and tried to smile back.

"Agenda, Portria?" she asked, in a dull voice.

"For now, you need to attend a meeting with your room, and then by six in the eve, get ready for the Grand Ball party, organized in your Honour.", she smiled.

Rincy smiled back surprised, and head to her room for some rest.

"Portria can read me pretty well!" she thought.

Rincy Matilda. The Bait. The bait, in the middle of a hugely spun web. A web, spun by not one giant spider, but several small ones! The more she will try to wriggle out, the more she will get trapped.

Escape? You bet not.


© Srinidhi Iyengar