Chapter One-Twenty-Five: Flower

The speeches went on as protocol dictated, and despite the sombre nature of the events, I could still see a sea of people curiously awaiting my turn as if they could ask questions like in a conference.

This is not my first time speaking publicly, but perhaps due to my inability to answer the question of what keeps me in Ketria, they are more than curious about my speech now that people have actually died in my name.

Or perhaps I am over-reading this.

Either way, I hate this.

I…do not think I am worth thirty-six or thirty-eight lives; I do not think anyone is. To add to that, I have no formal plans to be their queen, but this is hardly the time or place to confirm or deny that.

But honestly, I must hint; otherwise, it will feel like a betrayal when I finally find a decent excuse to leave Ketria.

“I welcome Alba Crane as the representative of the temple of Ketria to offer some words of comfort.”

I almost wink at Mother Magdalene for her smooth introduction of me as ‘High Priestes