What if Queen Channary recovered from regolith poisoning? What if the fire happened but they arrested Levana and found Selene still alive? She was kept in a tank for several years until she was strong enough to have the surgery. Channary teaches her how to use her powers and starts hiding her cyborg parts. She learns of all Channary wants her to learn for when she is queen.
I'm back! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
There is a time skip. So eight years into the future when it's time to wake up Selene for the cyborg surgery.
-Kath
Chapter Five: Many Years Later
Time seems to go by slowly after tragedy. At least that's how it felt over the next few months after my cousin, sweet Selene, was hurt by my evil stepmother. Oh, how I wish I could go back in time to that day and disobey my stepmother. Maybe it would have saved Selene from years of suffering and no childhood.
Every night, I dreamt of the burned nursery, unrecognizable, and my stuffed animal, sitting up against the wall where it was tossed after Selene handed it to me. Not only that, but the image of my father, killed by his friend, stays seared into my brain. I can't unsee it. It haunts me, he haunts me. Lurking in every corner as I walk down the halls, in the shadows of the trees when I'm outside, taking full view of my vision at night after I'm done thinking of the nursery and poor, helpless Selene.
Most of the time, I try not to think about either, but when I really do let myself think, I think about why my father died. I know it wasn't his fault, Channary just found an excuse to kill him off, too. Why, exactly, I don't know. My Queen is a cruel person just like my stepmother.
"Winter?" I shake out of my stupor and look up, seeing Jacin's handsome face leaning in close to me. "Winter? Are you all right?" His hand reaches up and I still, my breath halting. His thumb finds tears on my cheeks that I hadn't noticed. His smile turns concerned.
I sniff, leaning back even though I only want to lean closer. I know it may seem absurd, being in love with your childhood best friend. I may have only been four when my father died, but I remember he and his friend, Jacin's father, would talk while the two of us would run around with little Selene, who was clumsy on her toddler feet. They would say we were meant to be soulmates. I smile everytime I think back to that moment, hoping beyond hope that it's true.
"Yeah. I'm fine. What are you doing here?" I ask, confused. He is now sitting next to me, looking out at the lake. Now that Jacin is a teenager, he should be taking up an apprenticeship.
"I just got back from an interview." He fiddles with his hands.
I perk up, glad for something to talk about. Moments like this with Jacin are rare. Not only because I'm a princess and he's a guard, but we are also at an age where My Queen says I shouldn't be seen with someone of Jacin's position. Of course, we both don't listen. We are all we have left since Jacin's parents were moved to the outer sector -Jacin's father was demoted after three years as my personal guard- and Selene was still peacefully sleeping her childhood away.
"Oh? How'd it go?"
His smile turns happier, and it makes my nerves sing with excitement. "Great. I'm starting at the medical clinic here in the palace in three days. I'll be on my way to becoming a doctor."
I beam. I'm so happy Jacin is finally happy. His family was never the same after his father was forced to kill my father. The bonds are fractured even though we all know he didn't willingly do it. We are all a little scarred from the events of the trial.
"That's amazing!" I leap forward without thinking, hugging him. He lets out a surprised squeak that I find absolutely adorable and hugs me back, squeezing just a bit.
We both stay like that until we hear someone clear their throat. We freeze for a second before looking up. It's a guard, a friend of our parents. He gives us a knowing look with a nervous gesture. We jump apart, awkwardly standing up. Both of our cheeks are a little red, and I have to calm myself before I blush even harder.
"Your Highness," Sir Johnson says, nodding in my direction before looking between the two of us. "Jacin." We both nod in response.
"I have been sent to retrieve you both. Well, more like just you, Princess Winter, but I'd thought you'd both be delighted to come."
Jacin and I glance at each other, confused before looking at Sir Johnson again. He smiles, seeing our expressions.
"Her Royal Highness, Selene, is finally awake."
Ever since the "accident" in the nursery, I have been counting down the days until my precious Selene will wake up. It's been eight years. Is my daughter, a Blackburn, really that weak?
If so, it'll be that much easier to use her when she finally does wake. I just hope it's soon. If, and when, she wakes up, my plan will be in motion. Her doing all of my duties while I take all the credit. It'll be bliss.
I smile, staring out over the garden. It's a gloomy day that doesn't fit with my happy mood but oh well. It seems that it's always gloomy around here anyway.
I hear a knock at the door, and I turn just as one of my nameless guards walks in. I raise my eyebrow. "Yes?" I ask, folding my hands neatly in front of me.
He nervously shifts on his feet. I try not to sigh in frustration. I can never get a respectful guard around here, can I? Oh, the amount of guards I have gone through. I guess I need to start the next round of drafting. There has to be the perfect, obedient, emotionless guard around here somewhere on this rock.
"I just received a word from Doctor Darnel, Your Majesty." He pauses. I freeze. It can't be. Is it time?
"Yes and what does he wish to say? More useless updates about my daughter?"
He cringes a bit before clearing his throat and continuing. "No, of course not, Your Majesty. I just received word that Princess Selene is, in fact, awake."
And there it is. Finally. I smile, letting it show and walking forward. The guard moves out of the way as I exit my room. I walk down the hall towards the medical hall for the first time since Selene was first placed inside.
I haven't had much time to visit the sleeping princess. Correction, I just haven't felt like seeing that disappointment while I waste away, making all the hard decisions that I shouldn't be making. That, and the smell that fills the halls.
I approach the door that Selene resides behind and stop when it opens, revealing a dark room and Doctor Darnel with a clipboard. He smiles when he sees me, his excitement showing clear.
"Doctor, I heard the fantastic news." He nods, opening the door wider for me to enter. My guards stay outside as Doctor Darnel walks in behind me. The lights turn on as the door closes behind me. I look on as the doctor's partner is shuffling around.
Selene is still in the tank, peacefully sleeping. I turn on Doctor Darnel. Awake? She doesn't seem awake to me.
"What is this?"
Both doctor's freeze. "What do you mean, Your Majesty?" Doctor Darnel says, nervously looking between me, his partner, and the tank.
I gesture towards the tank. "She doesn't seem awake to me, doctor." He walks towards the tank before answering me.
I turn my attention to the tank as well. My anger is rising. Who does he think he is making me walk all the way here and not even responding when asked a question? I really need to have him fired. Or better yet, punished.
Before I can say anything though, Selene's eyes open and she stares directly at me. I freeze, seeing her gorgeous, wide, brown eyes. I walk forward, placing a hand on the cold glass. She blinks before closing her eyes again.
She's alive. My smile turns darker. And my plan begins.
I turn towards Doctor Darnel who is staring at me from his position at the monitor controlling the settings of the tank.
"Start the procedures. Everything that needs to be done." I look at Selene one last time before walking out, my dark smile staying plastered on my face as I head to the throne room to make an announcement.
All of Luna and Earth, I am pleased to say that after eight long and agonizing years, your future queen, Princess Selene Channary Jannali Blackburn, has awakened. It's a time of great celebration!
And there you have it, chapter five! Things are going to start getting more interesting which is quite exciting.
Until next time,
-Kath