As for the King, his situation required a more delicate hand. Treason was an exceptional offense, one that would ordinarily conclude with the perpetrator's life. Taking the King’s life was not an option she would consider lightly. His title and standing among the people of Terra meant his punishment would be met with ire, potentially complicating her own standing as Queen. The history of the Crown had once already been blemished with upheaval and she did not want history to repeat itself.
She rose from bed and quickly stripped out of her formal clothing. She bathed, washing away what remained of her sweat and fear. Before long she was clean and dressed in fresh clothing, her hair pulled back into a simple chignon at the nape of her neck. Outside the confines of her private room she found her lady-in-waiting setting a place at the dining table. Julia bowed her head gracefully as Kyra entered the room, her nose following the scent of freshly prepared food waiting for her on the table.
“Welcome, Your Highness. It is an honor to be back in your company.”
“Thank you, Julia. Is my mother up yet?”
“The Queen Mother awoke shortly after you, Your Highness. I’ve also prepared her a meal. Is there anything else I can get for you?”
“No, that will be all for now,” Kyra dismissed. Julia bowed her head again before disappearing from her sight. Soft wisps of steam rose up from the plate of food, the scent of seasoned eggs and ripe fruit filling her senses. It wasn’t long after sitting down that her mother appeared, also freshly groomed and neatly dressed. Julia bowed even deeper than she had for Kyra, and arranged a second plate of food opposite her at the table before being dismissed again.
“Sleep well, darling?” the Queen Mother greeted, a pert smile upon her face.
“Better than I have in a while. You?”
“I’ve long been accustomed to the comforts of my own bed, but it was not unsatisfactory.”
Kyra snapped a bite of green-fleshed fruit and managed not to roll her eyes. It would do her no good to mention the bed was the very one she slept in during her reign as Queen.
“Has there been any news about the escaped residents?” Korina asked.
“Julia,” Kyra called, looking up past her mother. “Has there been any word from the Crown Soldiers?”
“No, Your Highness,” she replied.
Kyra looked back to her mother and smiled emphatically. “No, there is no news. Thank you, Julia.” With another nod of her head Julia disappeared, leaving Kyra alone with her mother.
“Have you given any thought to how you’re going to proceed?” Korina asked before taking a tidy bite of food.
“Right now the only culprit we have in custody is the King, and obviously that isn’t a normal situation.”
“No, it isn’t. How can the people trust their King when he would conspire against them, against his own family?”
Kyra sighed. “That’s what I’d like to know.”
After a long moment Korina relaxed into the chair, the long back supporting her as she steepled her fingers in front of her chest. “You have a unique opportunity in front of you, darling. An opportunity to correct an obvious wrong and change the face of the crown forever.”
“How so?” Kyra asked between bites of fruit. She was intrigued by her mother’s solicitous tone, a sign that she had her own machination in mind.
“Owyn’s parents were never supportive of the Straton crown. It would not be difficult to argue that he shared their alliance and hid it to gain favor from me in an attempt to bring us down from the inside. Obviously his actions speak volumes about his true feelings towards his family.”
“What exactly are you saying, Mother?”
“I’m saying we can correct a wrong. I can denounce your marriage and strip him of his royal titles, effectively excommunicating him from the Crown.”
The shock of her words was like a slap to Kyra’s face. Excommunicating the King? Stripping him of all his titles? The notion was too much, too soon to properly consider. “I don’t want to make any decision without first speaking to him.”
“What makes you think he won’t try to manipulate or even harm you? Are you willing to take such a risk?”
“I have to, Mother,” Kyra signed, exasperated. “Regardless of what he’s done he is still technically my husband.”
“Not if you don’t want him to be,” Korina contested. Her expression was cold and unforgiving, not at Kyra but at the King. “Think about it, darling. You told me long ago it was another boy you’d set your heart on. With my help you can be rid of Owyn and marry the person of your choosing.”