Resentment was the only thing she felt, and blindingly. She had manipulated Winter into putting the knife to her own face, yet all the people continued to blabber about was her beauty, and her kindness and whatever else they usually blabbered on about. She was the one who had endured their insults about her scarred and burned face, the little deformed princess. She didn't wear her scars and burns like a badge of honour, they were something to be hidden, forgotten.

However, she must endure, for the people if not for Luna, she was going to be remembered for her power and beauty, and most importantly, for being the greatest Queen Luna had ever seen, unlike her idle ignorant sister, who had done a poor if embarrassing job of queen.

"Leave me." She ordered Winter, the last time she had made her cut a scar into her own face, the third scar upon her pretty face. She looked at her whimpering, her shouldered hunched, and let out an inpatient sigh. "When I say something, I do not repeat myself." She said softly, dangerously. Winter left at a hurried pace, most likely gone to see the lowly guard's son. He would soon have to be dealt with or things would get out of hand.

The doors to the throne room opened, and behind Aimery stood Tressa Kinney, with a guard on either side handcuffing her. She had a look of utmost horror set into her face, 'Good,' thought the queen. 'Let her be terrified, of a foolish brother who doesn't know his boundaries.'

The guards set her before the throne. 'Tressa Kinney, sister to Royal Lunar Guard Liam Kinney, has been charged with treason, by undermining the authority of Her Royal Majesty the Queen, which is punishable by death," pronounced Aimery, a faint smile playing on his face. At this Miss Kinney let out a little scream of terror, and collapsed to her knees. "You are subject to any method of which the Queen should choose."

Levana raised an eyebrow. "I should think a self-inflicted death is appropriate, don't you?" All of the court answered with jeering a smattering of agreement and compliments, but one. Who came in the form of a blithering nuisance, namely, Winter. Levana mentally chided herself to be patient, but oh - what that was costing her.

"Yes?" said the queen tiredly.

"Stepmother - please. Punish her, but do not kill her. She could come in useful, I'm sure," pleaded the princess, evidently distressed.

"And what do you suppose we do? Let the wolves have her, or do you simply want another pet? Another of your useless ragdolls who seem to have no effect on your-" she gestured half-heartedly in Winter's direction, "- afflictions."

"She could become a maid, to one of the aristocracy, or myself, if no one else. Please?"

She barely restrained herself from rolling her eyes at the pathetic girl. "Fine," she growled. "However, she will not get off easily. She will have twenty self-inflicted lashings, to be demonstrated at first light. Now get out of my sight." She commanded the guard's sister. "Court is dismissed."

Winter made to follow the court, however, Levana quelled her with a dangerous glare. She waited until everyone but the guards had left, and beckoned Winter closer.

"Do not contradict me in front of the court. You are increasingly becoming an embarrassment."

"But, Stepmother, she was innocent," said Winter in a quiet voice. "She will make a very good maid, you won't regret it."

'No, but I regret having you as a worthless stepdaughter,' thought the queen. "She had better not," she said. "But if they are continually fed mercy, how will they learn?"

"They will respect you for it, My Queen," said Winter, bowing her head slightly.

"No, they will think me weak, my kingdom weak. Only fear will cause them to respect me."

Winter looked somehow pitiful of Levana, but she dismissed it as a figment of her imagination.

"You are not to make a fool of me in front of the court again, and next time I will not be so lenient. Is that understood?" Winter nodded meekly. Levana then dismissed the girl.

That girl was so weak, and the people of Luna loved her for it. Yet they were blind to all her faults; her weakness and madness. Levana would lead Luna to greatness, and they would love her for it.

Levana would be the last great Queen of Luna.

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