Rifiuto: Non Miriena

A/N: Written: 2005, Found: 2018.- Licia

Trism pressed a soft kiss to Locasta's cheek, before stepping aside and allowing Elphaba to do the same. The Dowager Queen then took the baby into her arms. Both Trism and Elphaba noticed that since Faola's birth, Locasta had seemed to come out of mourning little by little. Though she would never fully recover from Traper's premature death at forty, becoming a grandmother had helped the once former Evian princess to realize that she could not bury herself completely in mourning for her lost love; that her son and daughter-in-law were now ruling the Vinkus, and they had a beautiful little princess to raise, as well as another baby on the way.

"How was the trip?"

"How it always is." Trism replied, as Elphaba slipped her arm through his. Locasta nodded, pressing a kiss to her granddaughter's head.

"Yes, well, I'd tell you that there is time for you both to rest up, but unfortunately that's not the case. The Governor insists on meeting you in two hours." The young king sighed, closing his eyes briefly.

"Does he not realize that we just came from Fliaan, we have a six-month-old baby girl and my wife is expecting our second?" He asked, as Elphaba gently squeezed his arm. "Would he rather meet with me, so at least my wife and unborn child can get some rest? He has already met Fabala-"

"He wants to meet you both. He said that... he was quite surprised that the Fliaanian empress was also the Vinkun Queen, but once he realized your marriage, then he understood. Since Fabala is your consort, he believes it would be best to meet with you both in order to discuss possible trade treaties between our two countries."

Trism sighed, reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nose in annoyance. "This man is going to drive me to drink." He muttered, lifting his head after a moment's pause.

"When that happens, have a drink for me as well, my love." She whispered, squeezing his hand, and he met her gaze.

They awaited the Governor in the throne room; the rest of the court waited anxiously, all eyes on their monarchs. Both were dressed in their finest. Elphaba shifted slightly; though only four months along, she was still able to wear her regular clothing, however slightly uncomfortable she might be. Trism glanced at her, reaching over and holding out a hand, which she took with a gentle squeeze. It was custom, when receiving the leaders from other houses or countries, that the Vinkun royals appear in full regalia; for this reason, Elphaba wore a court dress and a crown specifically made for the young queen, with Vinkun sapphires and pearls.

The double doors opened, and a page entered, leading a young man dressed in a nice suit. The couple shared a glance, both sitting up a little straighter. They watched in silence as the man looked around at the grand court; seemingly in awe of everything. "May I present, before His Imperial Majesty, King Trism IV and Her Imperial Majesty, Queen Elphaba of the Vinkus, the Eminence of the East, His Governorship, Oscar Zoroaster Diggs II." Elphaba sat up straighter, upon hearing his name.

This was not the man she had met weeks ago; he was younger, probably around her and Trism's ages or so, but those features, those eyes- she could never forget those eyes.

"For crimes against the state of Fliaan, it is decided, Frexpar Thropp, that you and your family... will die."

The young man bowed before them, before slowly lifting his head and studying the royals before him. He remembered the aide making some mention of an empress that was also a queen through marriage; this must have been who the aide had been talking about.

"You have come to the Vinkus to speak of possible trade treaties between our two countries."

"Y... yes, Your Majesty." The young man whispered, lowering his head, though he chanced a glance at the young queen before doing so. Was that really the famous princess who had gone missing from Fliaan during the massacre of her family?

"As I understand it, your father started possible negotiations with Fliaan, but that was all."

"There were talks of trade with Fliaan, but my father passed away before anything could be set into motion, Your Majesty. I inherited his position."

"And your father," Elphaba started, voice steady. "was the leader of the revolutionary party in Fliaan, correct?"

Slowly, the young man lifted his head. "Ye.. yes, Your Majesty."

Releasing her husband's hand, she stood, moving slowly down the dais, keeping her gaze locked steadily on him. "Your father, was the man who set into motion and helped to carry out the massacre of the last Fliaanian royal family, correct?"

Cautiously, he lifted his gaze to meet hers. She stood before him on the last step of the dais, gaze narrowed, one hand resting gently against her growing abdomen. It was then that he saw the diamonds on either side of her eyes-

"I am the only survivor of the family your father slaughtered in that basement back in nineteen-eighteen."

Frexpar turned to his wife, confusion in his gaze. "What? What did-"

"I was fourteen, and I watched my family die on your father's orders."

"I... I'm sorry, Your-"

"And now you come here, after your father has passed away, after taking over the role of Governor after he destroyed my family... and you ask to talk trade with me and my husband." He slowly lowered his gaze. "I did not realize that the older man I had spoken with earlier was one in the same, but I do now. If you wish to talk of any form of alliance or treaty, you will do so with my husband, but I shall not be a part of it; not as Queen of the Vinkus, and certainly not as the Empress of Fliaan." She turned to her husband, who had come down the steps to regain some semblance of control. "Speak with him if you feel you must, my king, but know that I will not take part. I will not sit and break bread or sign treaties with the son of the very man who stole my family from me."

And without another word, she stormed from the throne room, leaving stunned silence in her wake.