Page 1 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens
Chapter 1
Nocturnal Animal
Crimson bouquets surrounded my presence, overwhelming my senses on this sorrowful day. Celebrating seemed foolish, if you would’ve asked me, but no one valued my judgment. Perhaps they didn’t lose as much as I did: didn't experience the suffering and grief.
Today was not a celebration day, it was a memorial. At least it was for me.
Seven years should have been enough time to overcome my distress—my disgust—for today’s festivity, yet I was still all the same. Disgusted. No matter my feelings, I must play by the rules of our twisted ways. Putting differences aside, I would be a good daughter, a good princess. That was what I’d promised.
“I suppose I needn't remind you to behave?” A familiar voice came from behind me, making the air in the room grow colder as though the winter herself walked through the front door and settled down near my heart.
Masking my discomfort, I slowly turned to face the woman standing in the threshold of my bedchamber. The woman looked like me, yet foreign all the same. Her long face, fair skin, and dark hair were all I saw when looking in the mirror; though her features felt sharper, as if even her appearance had to announce the importance of her presence. “Your Majesty,” I bowed.
“I expect your punctuality, Cordelia.” The Queen exclaimed, turning on one heel towards the door without sparing me a glance.
If it hadn’t been for the restless night I’d had, I would have laughed at the absurdity of this situation. My mother came here to remind me to behave as though I was a child that knew no manners. Ridiculous.
I shook my head in disbelief as I took my seat at the dressing table, preparing for the most uncomfortable evening awaiting.
Mories’ studying eyes bored into my skin, yet I ignored it altogether. I did not need her pity. Not today.
Her fingers brushed over the ends of my old braid. “Would you like your hair down for the celeb—”
“No.” My heart dropped just at the idea of it. Mories sent me a nod of understanding, reminding me of the horrors I had endured.
No matter Mories’ soft touches, the moment my hair fell down my shoulders my muscles tensed, as though my hair grew thorns that punctured my flesh. I fidgeted and shivered, though it did not seem to bother Mories: she kept quiet.
Her dull eyes were full of exhaustion, or maybe it was just her age that made everything about her look weary. Her wrinkled and scarred skin revealed a long life of battle and hard work.
“Thank you,” I mumbled, avoiding her gaze.
In complete silence Mories skillfully worked through my long raven hair while I stared at my reflection in the mirror: something I’d tried to avoid doing at all cost in the past month.
My red dress revealed my shoulders, stopping right above the scar that marked my heart. I stared and stared, not recognizing the person I saw: as though in a dream, when meeting a stranger you’d known your whole life.
“You look lovely, dear.” Mories tucked the stem of a bright red flower into my braid.
A small smile of reassurance tugged on my lips despite the anxiety and anger deep in my stomach that threatened to sabotage all the promises I’d made.
“It is time,” she whispered, squeezing my shoulders. “Everything will be well.”
I nodded, heading towards the door, leaving my last moment of peacefulness behind.
My heart banged against my rib cage with every step I took. My stomach turned upside down the closer I got to the reason for my restless sleep.
The ballroom doors at the end of the hall entered my vision moments later. Red flowers made the door look as though it was covered in blood. I supposed that was the intention.
The guards stood at their designated spots adjacent to the entrance, ignoring two small figures leaning on the wooden door.
“It is my turn, Frederick!” Eleanor tugged on her brother’s tunic when I reached the door. “Let me see!”
“You two should not be here and you know it.” My voice froze my young siblings in place.
“But we want to dance too!” my little sister whined. “Please convince Mother to let us attend.”
“Come now, we both know I cannot do that; besides, these balls look far more fun than they truly are.” A small smile spread across my face as my fingers brushed along Eleanor’s blonde hair. “I’d much rather stay out here with you.” I let out a small chuckle, acutely aware of the truth in my words.
“We just want to dance.” Frederick sighed.
