The Bridge Between Worlds
Chapter Twenty-Three

Listening to Eadward publicly announce the premise of the ceremony sent Regina’s body in a spiral of jitters. The rise and fall of applause alone made her want to vomit. Her face must have been changing colors. Kalib snickered softly as he placed his hands on her shoulders.

“You are not announcing a life threatening event,” he said, shaking his head with a smile. “You are not entering a deep, political discussion. You are simply accepting your duties as Xiphis royalty in front of a group of witnesses. You are promising to take serious responsibility to complete your vow. And you are going to do fine.”

“How do you always know what to say to me?” she whispered, biting her lip.

“I don’t always know what to say. I just say what I feel.”

“That answer will suffice. Thank you.”

The guards on duty suddenly took their position around her. They formed a square, each standing at an invisible corner. Kalib then took his place to Regina’s right, extending his left arm in parallel to the floor.

“Are you ready?” he asked as she placed her arm directly on top of his.

“As ready as I shall ever be,” Regina replied with an exhale.

The doors opened. Regina could not contain her smile. Seated in the very front row, she spotted her father and his wife. And beside them was Victoria. Regina had to force her expression into a poker-face. She had not been expecting her sister to be here. But she was so glad to have her come.

Despite the several practice walks, Regina focused her gaze on the front of the room. One the throne. On Eadward and the rest of the Council. More on Eadward than the Council. She focused her mind on walking. She was not planning to trip in front of a hundred people. But then, having Kalib walking beside her made all the difference. And as they came to a stop in front of throne, Eadward and the Council, she was ready.

“Princess Regina,” said Lord Eadward with a booming voice. “Daughter of Bortælus and heiress of the Heartsword throne. You are hereby placed with the charge and responsibility to uphold the Xiphis law. Maintaining justice among the people and showing mercy to those who are deserving. Do you-”

“Stop!”

Everyone, including the guards turned to the door. Regina froze when she saw the middle-aged woman walking, very quickly, to where she stood.

“Who are you?” asked Eadward as he stepped around Regina. “State your business.”

“My name is Elisabeth Heartsword,” she said, glaring at Regina. “And as the surviving daughter of Derek and Bethany, king and queen of Xiphis, I am the rightful heir to this throne.”

Gasps and murmurings filled the room. Beth’s blare became a smirk. Such a beautiful woman became so ugly with only the change of expression. And Regina felt sorry for her.

* * *

Regina had no words. She could not believe this woman had found her way here. Beth didn’t like her. This woman had been polite when she was asking her questions. She thought they had left things in a good place. Hadn’t they?

Kalib and Edyth stood protectively as Regina’s sides. Orpah stood at the ready, in the event she needed something. Across the room was Beth Heartsword. The only separation between the two women was Regina’s father and Lord Eadward. Lady Kinasha stood on the other side of Kalib, who stood to the right of Regina’s chair.

“Do you need more proof?” asked Beth with a bored sigh. “I believe my evidence is quite substantial.”

Regina frowned, watching the chief councilor. Beth’s evidence included a signed piece of paper from when she attended school. From when Derek and Bethany had first enrolled her and Bridgette. The handwriting matched an old parchment and several notes within the Xiphis chronicles.

“You have, indeed, provided evidence,” replied Eadward, glancing over his shoulder at Regina. “However, you are not a candidate. You were the younger of the king’s daughter. Bridgette Heartsword bore a child, which puts you second to Princess Regina. And I should point out that the princess gave up her life to be where she is today.”

“Oh, I’m sure she has given up a lot.”

Regina stood, stepping forward. Fed up.

“I propose a challenge,” she said, squaring her shoulders and standing at her full height. She could not have been more grateful to Pritha and Galisa for their lessons.

“Challenge?”

Regina held back a smile as Beth’s face turned bright red.

“What kind of challenge, my lady?” asked Lord Eadward, facing her with his hands behind his back.

“Well,” she replied, smiling with purpose. “When I first arrived in Xiphis, the Council tested my strengths. It is my understanding that only the strongest succeed. For sure, a true ruler of Xiphis must be ready to handle all kinds of situations. I wish to know what Beth’s strengths and abilities are. I will not step down nor abdicate my position to anyone who cannot handle the responsibilities of the kingdom.”

Regina turned her gaze to Beth. Her so-called aunt. The stone-cold gaze bore into her. Regina was the one standing while the woman cowered in her chair.

“Please,” Regina went on, motioning to Beth with her hand. “Stand and follow me.”

“Did you really go through such testing?” the woman asked with a skeptic expression, slowly rising from her chair.

“Like you would never believe,” she replied, turning on her heel and marching for the doorway. “Orpah, my cloak.”

* * *

Regina ordered Eadward to bring the people out of the throne room to the main gardens. They came to bear witness and enjoy themselves. They would enjoy themselves with a little show. Victoria stood off to the side with Orpah, hidden from everyone else. Regina stood facing Beth. She was prepared to pull out all of her tricks. This woman was completely unaware of her capabilities and was in for quite the surprise.

“At the request of Princess Regina,” announced Eadward, raising his hands for the people to quiet down. “We gather here to hold a test in accordance to Xiphis law, and tradition. The law requires a monarch to know their strengths, their weaknesses, as well as every detail of the law itself. As you are aware, Princess Regina has been through many tests and training, and she passed beautifully. Her growing knowledge of the kingdom continues to astound me. We do know the Lady Beth is, indeed, the remaining daughter of our beloved king and queen.

“However, this is a test to prove which of the ladies has the strengths of a true Xiphis ruler.”

Regina smiled and glanced over the crowd. There were cheers and applause, beaming smiles. The people were as eager to see the outcome as she was. Beth fidgeted and shook her head. It was a head shake. Beth would fail.

“Princess Regina,” Eadward went on, turning to each of the women. “Lady Beth, for the test we would like for you to demonstrate a simple skill.”

As he spoke, a swirl of water appeared at his feet and floated in the form of a liquid serpent.

“Water?” Beth muttered with a deflating expression. “My parents never did anything like this.”

“Children learn this skill from within the cradle,” Regina explained, smiling as she glanced over the people. “Water is the first of the five Elements.”

She brought her right hand to shoulder level. Twisting her fingers as she summoned the water from a nearby fountain. Graceful was the stream that appeared at her hand. Delicate as it wrapped and knotted like strong rope. The white of Beth’s eyes grew with her shocked gaze.

“Take your time,” Eadward said, giving true impartiality to Regina’s challenger. Have you ever used this ability before, Lady Beth?”

She didn’t answer.

“Carry on, Lord Eadward,” came Kalib’s whisper from somewhere behind her.

“The next test is regarding knowledge,” the adviser explained, behaving as though he not just been spoken to. “Lady Beth, by whom was Xiphis founded?”

Regina glanced at Kalib, eyes wide. He narrowed his gaze with a knowing smirk.

“The Heartsword family,” Beth said outright, trying to appear taller as she straightened her shoulders. “My parents would not have been on the throne otherwise.”

The crowed started their murmurings again. Beth glanced around in puzzlement. Her gaze soon fell on Regina, who frowned slightly. She felt pity for the woman who knew nothing of what her parents truly were.

“Your highness,” Eadward went on, turning to Regina. “Xiphis was founded by whom?”

She took a small step forward.

“Xiphis was founded by Anerathian refugees of war,” she explained, forcing herself to not meet Beth’s eye. “Three families settled on the continent and it was many years before they named the newly inhabited land, Xiphis. And many years before news of their replaceings spread, allowing more families to settle with them. The three families were Frostdust, Axewolf, and Heartsword. Forming a government was a difficult feat. But the Heartsword family was voted as royalty.”

“He is being partial!”

Beth was in uproar. Her face was red. Her teeth bared like a dog as she came at Regina. Kalib was between them instantly. Hand on his sword with his body angled to Beth.

“I am direct blood!” she went on shouting. “I have direct relation! I should be allowed to rule!”

“There is one final test!”

Beth fell silent. Bystanders fell silent. The only sound to be heard was the gushing of water from the fountain.

Eadward cleared his throat. “According to the Xiphis anons, the Heartsword family did not have a particular feature until after King Derek married his queen, Bethany. It is said she was born a superior being and would, potentially, pass the gene to her children. Or it would skip them all together and pass to her grandchildren. What feature does this gene give to its host?”

Regina hadn’t felt this confused in weeks. Kalib whipped around so fast, she thought he might fall over.

“You know this,” he whispered without moving his lips. “You know this, Regina.”

She stared at him. Did she know the answer? She went over all the information she had crammed into her mind during all the hours of studying.

“Kalib, I don’t think I was given any health records to view,” she whispered, still racking her brain for the right answer.

“You know you were born with everything your grandmother had. Her beauty, her wisdom. Her strengths. You know this.”

Regina sighed, glancing at Beth. The woman was struck dumb as she fiddled with the drawstring on her green blouse. Her ginger hair was pulled back in a tight bun. She wore simple, flat shoes and a pencil skirt. Regina then noticed something she hadn’t before. A tattoo on the woman’s underarm. A tattoo of wings.

“Oh,” she said as she unfurled her wings and glanced at her friend. “Eadward, really? I thought King Derek had them too.”

“No, my lady,” he replied, shaking his head. “King Derek was a superior being, but your grandmother is the reason you have this gift. Elisabeth Heartsword, what can you offer as proof you are strong enough to face the grueling responsibilities of a Xiphis ruler? Because from the looks of it, you have been sorely neglected. You know nothing of this world and its people.”

Regina watched as Beth Heartsword was led away. The woman sent her a scowl, causing Regina to pity her further.

* * *

The applause was deafening. Regina could not contain her smile as Kalib led her, again, down the aisle to where Eadward was waiting. Musicians played a joyful melody she was not familiar with, but the vocals were lovely. People threw flower petals. Children danced and shouted with joy. Eadward explained the duties of a Xiphis ruler, again, with a massive grin on his face. Regina kept glancing to where her father and sister were seated.

“Princess Regina,” said Eadward as he lifted her grandmother’s crown from its satin cushion. “I am truly proud of how far you have come. I know this is not your true coronation, but you must behave like it is. You must put your whole heart into your duties. Do I have your solemn promise that you will face each day with determination and a willingness to learn?”

“I solemnly promise, with my whole heart,” she replied, surprising herself when she heard her voice bouncing from the walls.

Grandmother Bethany’s crown was placed on Regina’s head. It was felt heavier than when she tried it the first time. She turned and smiled at the witnessed. Her gaze fell on Victoria. She had to be cheering the loudest of everyone. Cupping her hands around her mouth and shouting at the top of her lungs.

“People of Xiphis,” Eadward moved to Regina’s left and held her hand. “It gives me great pleasure to present to you, your queen-in-waiting. Regina of the house of Heartsword! Long live Regina!”

“Long live Regina of Xiphis!”