Page 39 of The Heartless Archer

“I think I just did,” she said as she took what looked like a servant entrance into the castle.

“Hey!” she protested as the royal guard wound his hand around her arm and dragged her in the opposite direction she wanted to go.

Despite the palace being called the ice palace, the inside was warmer than the late autumn weather raving in the streets of the village.

In spite of her efforts to get her arm out of the guard’s hold, she failed. She conceded to his fast pace, not knowing where he was taking her, walking past alcoves buried deep into the castle walls, gilded candle holders leading their way.

“The contestants will meet in the throne room where the queen will present you with your first task and a personal servant will be provided, according to your needs.”

“I do not need a servant because I will not partake in this tournament,” she said and the guard threw her an unimpressed look.

They dove around the corner, passing gilded doors that were as high as the ceiling, carved in arches. The guard shoved her forward and she almost stumbled to her knees and into the throne room.

“Unbelievable,” a voice screeched and Noora looked up to see the gathered party.

The queen was pacing, still in her red gown, as the three other contestants stood a bit out of place in the room.

Straightening up, a small surprised breath left Noora’s lips.

The throne room was indeed a throne room and yet so much more. A vast space stretched before her, a pedestal at the end of the room portraying two throne chairs, one silver and one gold. They looked nothing like the ones they transported into the village, the design was so intricately woven around each other that Noora did not know exactly what it was portraying.

The ground was made out of marble, she guessed, at the sound it made when she stumbled, but it looked nothing like it.

It was not in the typical grayish colour with darker veins running across. Instead, the marble looked almost transparent with small cracks running inside. It looked like it was made out ofice.

Which was impossible or else it would be melting by the big chandeliers hanging from the white-coloured ceiling.

Small diamonds hung at them, and every time a breeze surpassed the highly arched windows on one side they clinked against each other.

A snowy landscape was visible through the six windows, the village just a small speck in the distance.

“You ungrateful, impish brat!”

Before Noora could marble anymore about the detailed design of the throne room the queen was onto her. With deliberate steps, she closed in on her and it took Noora every ounce of self-control not to shift into a defensive stance.

Queen Euphemia’s eyes were blazing green fire as she yelled at her. “Do you even know what consequences your outburst will carry?”

Her voice was so shrill that Noora grimaced.

She guessed the queen was talking of her trying to scratch and hit the guards.

Taking a deep breath she tried to control her emotions, this was the queen she was talking to after all.

“I cannot explain how deeply sorry I am, Your Majesty, there has been a mistake. I cannot participate in the tournament.”

A cruel laugh left the queen’s lips. “So you did not throw your name into the vessel?”

Noora hesitated, throwing a concerned look at the other contestants.

Kekoa looked more than satisfied with a grin sitting on his lips, making the scar stretch horrifically.

“I did—”

“So then you will participate in the tournament,” the queen bit back.

“I am afraid that is not possible. My sister—“The queen did not let her breathe as she scoffed. “That girl was not your sister. Only a girl with no last name can be of the orphanage and I know what you are. Everyone knows what you are.” Hervoice got so low that Noora had to strain her ears to hear it. Her hands clenched into fists as the woman went on.

“Judging by the reaction of the crowd they are not satisfied with you as a contestant, which will only make it worse if we will withdraw you from the tournament,” the queen continued. “With yourheritage, people could think we don’t accept someone like you.”

---