Bella Forrest - The Gender Secret

I knelt in front of the throne as the crown was lowered onto my head. The crowd that filled the royal courtyard gave a half-hearted cheer. I could sense their pain and confusion. They had not been given enough time to mournnone of us had. My mothers death had come too soon, and nobody had been prepared.

The official who had presided over my coronation placed a hand on my shoulder, squeezing softly. I looked up, and could see the unshed tears forming at the corners of her eyes, her mask crumbling. Gathering the skirts of my blood red dress, I stood. This was not a time for tears.

It was a time for war.

Women of Matrus, I spoke, my voice ringing out across the crowd, thanks to the microphone attached to my ceremonial gown. The crowd started to hush as all eyes fixed on me. I placed my right hand on my chest and took a step forward. My sisters. We have been robbed. A few shouted out in agreement, but the rest of the assembly remained silent.

I took another step forward, my skirts brushing against the banister of the balcony. We have been robbed, I repeated, nodding. It should not be me standing before you today. It should be my mother. It should be Queen Rina. I could see the crowd agreeing in whispers that swept through the crowd like wildfire. None of us expected that this day would come. But how could we have known? How could we have ever expected this? I shook my head, letting my new crown glint in the sun.

Taking a deep breath, I looked out, setting my face into a mask of immutable sadness. My mother was the truest queen Matrus has ever known. She knew when to be strong and she knew when to show mercy. It is what I admired most in her. And I swear to you now that I will do everything in my power to be every bit the queen my mother was. I swear to you; I will be fair. I will be merciful. But most importantly, I will be strong. I let the word roll out over the crowd like thunder, watching the people shift under the might of my voice.

I will search out my mothers killers, and show them what Matrian justice is. And if there is, indeed, a Patrian element behind this dastardly plot of murder we must take our battle to their doorstep.

The crowd stirred with tense murmurings.

I raised both hands. I know, sisters. I know. Sparking a war is against every principle our motherland was founded on. My mother strived to maintain peace throughout her leadership, at all costs. But we all need to accept that if indeed Patrus is responsible for my mothers death, we are not the ones causing the spark Also remember: King Maxen is different than his father King Patrick was, and thus we cannot deal with him in the same way. Maxen is a man we cannot respond to with silence!

I pressed my fist over my heart, and then thrust my hand forward, out toward the assembly. The crowd warmed at the gesture, and soon the courtyard was awash with applause.

I was pleased by the effect my speech had on them. Gone were the mourning faces, replaced by a righteous wrath that I had fueled. It was a better response than I had hoped for. And it had set the stage for future speeches. With timing and patience, I would fuel the spark into a flame, and that flame into a fire.

I basked in their cheers for a few more moments, and then turned on my heel and left, entering the palace.

That was your speech? a familiar voice called to me.

I turned to find my sister, Tabitha, leaning against the door of my mothers library. She seemed pleased, which wasnt very surprisingTabitha was always itching for a good fight.

Tabitha was the second sister, next in line for succession, and she stood out like a sore thumb compared to the other members of our family. We were all tall, but she was heavyset too, her body roped with muscles that had always set us apart in our defense classes. She was wearing black now, like she always did, but had managed to dress it up in a way that clung to her muscular figure, in a manner that was both flattering and impressive. She had a semi-sardonic look on her faceone that she always seemed to have when I was around. She also had her dagger out and was using it to clean her nails. I lifted an eyebrow at her, letting my expression do the talking.

She slid the dagger into the hidden sheath at her belt before lifting her hand, twirling her fingers around in a circle. With a sigh, I turned around slowly, allowing her to inspect my new queenly appearance. After making the circle, I folded my hands in front of me and furrowed my brows.

So, they went with the red, Tabitha remarked. Its a good color, considering the theme of revenge and war. She grinned, her wide mouth revealing a pair of wicked canines.

I knew youd be pleased, I said, pulling my skirts open to reveal my black pants and knee-high boots underneath. I unbuttoned the clasp on the inside, and the skirt fell into a puddle on the floor. I exhaled in reliefI hated wearing skirts. Mother was always too soft when she dealt with the Patrians. I plan to take a different course of actionone that I think your skills are perfectly suited for.

Tabitha grinned again, the predatory glint in her dark eyes intensifying. Oh?

I blinked at her. Of course, sister mine. I am appointing you as the new Chief of Wardens. I allowed a smile to cross my lips as Tabithas face contorted with anger and she spat a curse at me. We had never really gotten along. In fact, one time she hit me so hard, she fractured my jawboneI had to have my jaw wired closed for six weeks as a result. But I returned the favor not long after by pushing her down the stairs that led to the roof. She had six broken ribs and a broken arm.

As royals, abstinence from violence wasnt enforced on us within the palace walls at least not when there were no visitors around.

You selfish bitch, Tabitha hissed.

I suppressed a smile. Tabitha had been petitioning me since mothers death to give her a position over the war council, except there was no war council. She wanted me to create the position just for her.

I raised a hand. Instantly, six wardens materializedroyal wardens were good at lurking in shadows.

Careful, sister, I practically sang. You wouldnt want to be confused with a violent Patrian sympathizer, now would you?

I watched as Tabitha tamped down her ragea control that I knew would cost some man terrible pain later and kept the smile off my lips. After she calmed down, I gave her a nod. I have a meeting with Ms. Dale in a few minutes. Please remain here until after she leaves, and I will speak to you further about the details of your position.

My sister bowed, stiffly, before I turned and swept through the library door.

I allowed myself a smile before taking my seat behind the large round desk. It felt wrong sitting here, but it also felt right. I looked over to where the wood had been sanded down and re-stained, obscuring the words that had been carved there in blood. Yet I would never forget them. They rattled around in my head like a mantra, fueling and sustaining my rage. For the boys of Matrus, indeed.

My mouth flattened to a hard line as I recalled the double murder of my mother, Queen Rina, and her advisor, Mr. Jenks. Clearly, someone had found out what Mother and Mr. Jenks were doing with the boys, and they had taken exception to it.