AHEM AHEM-
ONE NIGHT AND ONE LAST TIMEEEEEEEEEEEE
THANKS FOR THE MEMERIESS EVEN THOUGH THEY WEREN'T SO DANKKK~
(I'm so sorry.)
(Memes this is my way of calling you-)
Ok-ahem ahem ahem COUGH CoUGh-
A young queen stands barefoot on a wooden block with only her arms outstretched. She has only her scant underclothes and the long, black hair that hangs down her back to fend off the drafts. Every ounce of strength in her slight frame is needed to keep her chin high and her shoulders square. Two tall women circle the block.
"She is thin, and far too small. Small queens do not inspire much confidence. The others on the council will not stop whispering about it."
Genevieve looks at the queen with disgust, taking in her hallow cheeks, her pale skin, the scabs from a rubbing of poison oak that still cover her right hand. But no scars. They are always careful never to leave any scars.
(The lad is not there yet-he shalt arrive shortlyyyy-I would suggest you do Natalia.)
"Put your arms down."
Genevieve turns on her heel and walks away. Queen Katharine glances at Natalia, the taller and older of the two Arron sisters, before she does. Natalia nods.
"She will have to wear gloves tonight..."
Genevieve lifts a lock of Katharine's hair, then yanks at it. Katharine winces slightly, but does not cry out. She never cries out-it seems like Genevieve wants her to, just so she can scold her. Genevieve pulls her hair again.
"At least it is not falling out, but how can black hair be so dull...."
Genevieve
When Natalia steps forward, it is difficult for Katherine to keep her eyes from following her. Natalia Arron is as close to a mother as Katherine will ever know, it is her skirts that Katherine burrowed into at the age of six, all the way from the Black Cottage to her new home at Greavesdrake Manor, sobbing after being parted from her sisters. There was nothing queenly about her that day. But Natalia indulged her. She let Katherine weep and ruin her dress. She stroked her hair. It is Katherine's earliest memory-the one and only time Natalia ever allowed her to act like a child. In the light of the parlor, Natalia's hair appears almost silver. But she is not old-she will never be old. She has far too much work and far too many responsibilities to ever allow it. She is the head of the Arron family and the poisoners, and the strongest member of the Black Council. She is raising their new queen.
Genevieve grabs Katherine's poisoned hand. She traces the pattern of scabs until she finds a large one and picks it until it bleeds.