Page 71 of The Curse of the Goddess

“Unsystematic? Is that how they call it?”

Arwin swallowed hard, his lips tight. “Are you saying they are wrong?”

“Of course they are! My mother did what she could. She married into royalty; she had no idea how to rule.”

“Do you think people care about that, Valda?” Arwin scoffed. “They don’t. They want someone that can rule, that helps them live their lives as carefree as they can. They are not blessed like the gods like you. That’s why when your mother died and you took the throne, the attacks settled down a bit, but with your… situation, it is getting out of hand.”

Valda rubbed her forehead. “What have you done to stop them while I was out? You said you were dealing with all of this.”

“I doubled the troops in Umbriel and its adjacent plains. We are trying to smoke them out, but they seem to be organized. They might even have a leader.”

Valda rubbed her scar-covered knuckles, lowering her head. “We cannot let this happen.”

“Valda. I cannot shake the feeling that these scoundrels could be tied somehow to your mother’s assassination.” Arwin licked his lower lip, took a quick glance at Maris, and spoke again. “They want this unrest; they want to destabilize, maybe take charge. What better way than to take out the queen.”

Maris scoffed and shook her head at Arwin, who looked upon her with anger. “If I may, my Queen.” Maris decided it was better to look at Valda than at the man before her.

“Proceed.”

“I don’t think this is right. If what the general is saying is true, then why not take you out as well? The real destabilization would’ve happened if they took both women of power out, the queen and the princess. No other ruler could take on the role. The kingdom would fall into chaos.” Maris couldn’t help but look at Arwin. “I don’t think they wanted your mother out of the picture.” Maris bit her lower lip before she continued talking. “I think they wanted you in power.”

“What would be the reason for that?” Valda asked.

To manipulate? Maris nibbled her lower lip, unable to voice her thoughts. “Maybe they want a blind leader? Maybe they know you are still naïve when it comes to ruling.” she said instead, trying to get Valda to understand what she really meant.

Arwin scoffed dramatically. “Oh, please. If you are trying to say that Valda is easy to manipulate you might be right, but in any case, if they wanted a coup, they should’ve done so when Brontes was alive.”

“I am easily manipulated? Says who? You?”

“I, well… What I mean is—”

"No. You will respect me and you will not speak ill of the late king,” Valda warned, her hand forming a tight fist.

Maris’s curiosity peaked. For Arwin to speak of King Brontes as he was, he must’ve not liked him.

“Did your father died mysteriously as well, Your Highness?” Maris asked, her attention on Valda.

“He died during the Sea Kingdom tragedy,” Valda answered, shifting in her chair, her leg bouncing underneath the table.

“How?”

“He suffered great injuries when the castle collapsed. We didn’t have a blessed Asclepius worshipper in the ship with us, he died on his way back home,” Arwin intervened, straightening his back.

“Is it normal for people in this kingdom to die mysteriously?” Maris asked.

Arwin’s façade darkened. “What do you mean?” He leaned over the table, getting dangerously close to Maris. “What do you know?”

“I know nothing. I am spewing theories and questions just as you are, General.”

“Oh really? It sounds more like you know things we do not know. Funny how since you made your presence known, a lot of bad things started happening.”

“What are you insinuating, Arwin?” Valda asked, her legs ceasing its bounce.

“I mean, this woman never went through one of my background checks.” He shrugged. “You tell me.”

“I would never harm the royal family,” Maris said, as a small ray of fear slithering down her back as she felt Valda turning to face her. “I was raised by a soldier who pledged his eternal loyalty to the crown.”

“A Skylian soldier raised you? Really? I wouldn’t be surprised if you were lying about this as well.”

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