Rianna struggled to stay calm. Around her, her ladies clustered nervously, frightened of the explosion that was most definitely about to emerge from their Queen.
"HOW DARE SHE!" It came, "WHAT HAVE I – HAS SHE DONE!". The ladies cowered, some whimpered. Throaty sobs came from Rianna. More quietly now "She will wish she is dead."
"Your majesty?" One of the ladies began nervously. "Neva is missing. She never returned."
"Let us keep it such" Was the sullen reply. "Neva Toulouse is not welcome in France from this day forth. Bring me Monsieur Cartier, and put out an alert: If the Princess is spotted she should be killed on the spot." The ladies scurried out, only somewhat relieved. Everyone liked the princess. Neva was easy-going and kind, and had a smile and a friendly hello for anyone who wasn't loyal to Rianna, which, recently, had been everyone but Monsieur Penn. If you had asked any citizen which sister would make a better Queen, Neva would be out of their mouth before you finished your query. She was tall and thin, with beautiful blonde hair, which had one black streak. Among the peasants it was said that the streak represented her strength and determination, while her golden locks showed her kind and fair nature. She was everything the French wanted in a queen. While Rianna Toulouse's dark hair and permanent frown scared the people as much as her decisive and merciless actions did.
Rianna was pacing in front of her window when Monsieur Cartier arrived.
"Your majesty?" he said, his calm exterior hiding his internal nervousness. Rianna turned around abruptly with a false smile.
"Monsieur, how lovely to see you. Please, sit." She cheerily exclaimed while signaling a maid to get tea. "You see, I have a, shall we say, interesting conundrum. My sister killed my one true love, and though I ache in my heart to forgive her, my advisors tell me I must make an example of her for the good of the country.
Cartier was not fooled. "I understand. Is there any service I can provide for you?" He knew in his heart what she was going to ask but he could not believe it, even after witnessing the Queen try to kill Neva two times and hearing of the many others.
Rianna's almost maniacal grin widened, "I do have a service I'd like you to perform. Neva is now, unfortunately, an enemy of France and a danger to our people. She needs to be killed. I need you to take care of her for me."
The Monsieur struggled to keep his face still and his eyes dry. "Yes, your Majesty,"
"This will have to be handled with the utmost delicacy, you understand," she continued. "And I think it would be wise if you did not let this subject loose among the court. She has certain –friends that might be, shall we say, disgruntled, at the fact that she is destined for the earth." Her smile had all but disappeared but the malicious twinkle in her eye still remained.
Monsieur Cartier gulped nervously. "Yes, your Majesty".
"good, you may go." Rianna dismissed him and he all but fled out of the chamber.