The Queen Is Dead: Part 1

The Queen is dead and the whole kingdom died with her, Kira thought. She was running towards castle gardens, her dress went through every mud, but she didn't care. When her mother announced that she will marry King Scott, Kira knew what she is getting into. At least she thought. Memory of that flashed in her head.

"Mother, it's too soon."

"I know, but this alliance is necessary for all of us. King Scott has many enemies, his country is at war with the Fox, he has no children and if anything would happen to him..."

"He has no children, because his wife died before she could give them to him."

"Kira! We are leaving tomorrow morning, King Scott offered that we can spend some time in his castle, so you can get to know each other. I understand this isn't the marriage you've wanted, but think about it. "

When they were travelling through King Scott's land, she saw that it was once a beautiful country. There was lots of forests, small towns, kind-hearted people but now the land was devastated by war. Royal castle and people inside, was even more depressing sight.

Kira knew Scott from house of McCall, from her childhood, she remembered that he had smiling dark eyes, black hair and he was the happiest boy she has ever met. The man who stood in front of her right now was none of that. Even though he was trying to give her a warm welcome the spark he used to have wasn't there anymore. He looked older than his 20 years, tired and more importantly devastated. They all have.

Man with hazel eyes, not older then the King, was smiling at her but looked sickly. He was introduced as lord Stiles Stilinski. King's most trusted adviser, brother in everything but blood, Kira recalled. Next was, tall man with blond curls and blue eyes. Lord Lahey, hasn't smiled nor looked at her properly, just bowed, excused himself and almost run out of room. Beautiful woman with red locks was lady Lydia Martin-Whittemore, she used to be Queen's lady in waiting. She tried to cover it up but she looked tired and sad. Last one was slightly older man with sharp features, Derek Hale, King's cousin and general of his armies. Derek's face lacked any kind of emotion, he was completely stoic.

In the beginning Kira thought that they are like this because of the war and because they don't know her. Later she concluded that they don't want to get to know her. It was two weeks since she arrived to the court and none of them talked to her, some would say, they were avoiding her. Of course, they were all perfectly polite but besides that...there was nothing.

And now she was standing near the forest, looking at the perfect castle, with perfect gardens and perfect people she was supposed to be queen of and she wanted to cry.

"Are you alright, my lady?"

Kira startled by sudden voice almost jumped out. She turned at the newcomer and looked for familiar features. It was a man, around thirty years old, good looking (like everyone in this sad kingdom) and he was looking at her with just tiny bit of interest.

"Who are you?"

"My apologies, I am Peter Hale. You probably know my nephew, lord Derek Hale."

The general, of course, now she could see the family features. As for Peter she didn't know much about him, just that there were some family issues.

"I have to ask again. Are you alright? You don't look very well."

"No, I'm not alright. Everyone here obviously loved the late Queen and they hate me and the King doesn't want to marry me, and this place, it's like a kingdom of the... dead." Kira had no idea why she said that. It was very inappropriate and just wrong but Peter Hale was obviously amused.

"Not everyone loved Allison, in fact she hated me and I couldn't stand her. But you are right, this is kingdom of the dead."

His speech stunned Kira. None here ever said to her one bad thing about Allison Argent, well, none here was talking to her at all. Peter's next question confused her even more.

"You haven't heard about the curse, my lady?"

Kira had no idea what that men was talking about. She didn't believe in magic, curses, witchcraft and all that nonsense, and from what she remembered about these people, they didn't believe it either. So why did he bring this up?

"I don't believe in such a thing."

"No? That's a shame, lady Yukimura. It might have saved your life. Allison didn't believe either, look how she ended up."

Her confused and slightly scared look was obviously what he wanted, when he turned to leave and with pretended thoughtfulness almost sing-song: "Look around you when you will be at the court... How many of King's family and allies has a husband or wife? How many have both of their parents or siblings? Look at their family trees, I'm sure you will find interesting, what you may find."

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That evening Kira couldn't focus on anything. She barely ate, than she tried reading, playing Go, practise with her katana, but words of Peter Hale stuck in her head. It was nonsense. It had to be. Curses, oh please! Allison Argent was not victim of some curse, she died... Kira had no idea how previous Queen died, now that she thought about it, she had no idea why she never asked that.

After her maid helped her to prepare for bed, Kira sneaked out to her mother's chambers.

"Mother?"

Noshiko Yukimura was sitting near the fireplace going through some official letters. Some of them were probably from her father, Kira observed. He stayed at home, so he could protect their borders.

"Kira! What are you doing here? Why aren't you in the bed?"

"How Queen Allison died?"

Noshiko kept looking on the papers and Kira knew what she was doing. Her mother always tried to protect her, even when there was no need to and vice versa. She taught her daughter how to use katana, she send her marry a man, Kira haven't seen since they were eight years old, but told her about the cruel world outside was obviously too much to ask.

"Why are you doing this to yourself, Kira? It's not going to help..."

"Mother, please, I should know what happened. In fact, I should have asked sooner."

Noshiko took a deep breath and sipped from glass of wine.

"I don't know everything, I'm sure you have noticed by now, that it's not popular topic around here."

Kira did notice.

"Allison Argent was warrior. She was killed in the battle with the Fox, or I suppose I should say that his Oni killed her," Noshiko paused to look at her daughter and decided to tell, what she was sure Kira didn't want to hear. "Allison died in the arms of her husband, Kira. Scott was there with her."

Now, Kira knew why she has never asked about any of it. The truth was crushing. Firstly because even when she has never met this woman, just the simple fact, that she was a warrior, fighting along her husband side, made Kira admire her. And secondly, she can never compete with that. Allison Argent will be always the one.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I don't even know where to start... I guess we all have to deal with Allison's death and this is my way. Torture Kira :-D No, I'm joking! I actually quite like her, she will never be Allison but if she will get rid of that annoying sweetness, she will be fine...

Please, tell me what you think so far! Am I crazy? Is it any good? I would love to hear what you think, guys!