Chapter Text
Orm stormed into her chambers, her hands curled into fists at her sides, the jewels on her rings glittering beneath the light. Her voice rang out, cold and commanding. "Do not ever speak to me as if I am not royal myself. Being your wife does not strip me of my noble blood."
Ling’s eyes flashed as she stepped forward, the heels of her shoes whispering against the stone floor.
"As if you ever saw me as anything but a crown. I am your wife!"
Orm’s lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile. She turned her head slightly, looking down at Ling as though the space between them were a battlefield.
"A wife I did not choose. A union crafted to shield my kingdoms, nothing more."
Ling’s laughter cracked, bitter and hollow, echoing in the chamber.
"And yet the people believe it’s me you chase, you I deny. They pity the princess, married to a cold-hearted queen who barely spares her a glance." She shook her head in disbelief. "If only they knew the truth, how I beg for scraps of your affection like a starving woman. How I lose every shred of pride behind closed doors, just to feel something from you."
Orm voice broke, but she forced it back into a steady rhythm, eyes narrowing on the queen.
"I was supposed to rule my kingdom, my people. Instead here I am in a kingdom that once threatened to take away ours."
Ling's jaw tightened, her gaze like a blade. She moved a step closer, lowering her tone into a frustrated growl.
"It was war! I had to do what was best for my people, even if it means taking yours."
Orm flinched, but her face hardened. She challenged the queen by walking closer, angling her face until they were breathing the same air her eyes burning, glistening with rage.
"The war that could have been prevented. The war that took my people." She breathed and pushed the queen away as her face calmed, but her voice was so cold it could have frozen the lake. "That I couldn’t forgive. This alliance doesn’t bring back what is lost, it only brings me disgust and shame to be breathing near you. Falling for you would be like stomping on their graves. So leave before I do something that both of us would regret."
Ling’s voice grew steady, her eyes glinting like ice under torchlight.
"And what if I don’t leave? What if I show you just how cruel I can be, to prove your claims true? That I am a monster. What could I possibly regret now?"
"I could kill you."
Ling’s answer was calm, almost defiant, her chin lifting in challenge. "Right."
Orm’s eyes narrowed. "Do not underestimate me. For you do not know what I’m capable of, my dear wife."
Ling only brushed it off with poised disdain, her smile more ice than warmth.
"I would never dream of it. Now let us go back to the banquet. Your sudden storm off will leave a bad taste to the court"
Orm turned her head away sharply, her crown gleaming in the firelight.
"I’m not in the mood for fake pleasantries with your people."
Ling’s reply came like a lash.
"Our people."
Orm’s laugh was harsh, joyless.
"They don’t see me as their own. They humiliated me with japes about my kingdom’s downfall, as if I wasn’t there. So tell me why I should claim them my own?"
Ling’s gaze darkened, her voice carrying the weight of command.
"They became your people the moment we were betrothed. They are your duty now as I am to them. You are their queen, whether they accept it or not. And anyone who defies that will face their doom. Give me their names, and they will never walk the same path as you."
Orm’s nose wrinkled, her disgust plain.
"Do not think your savagery pleases me. It’s pointless. Leave, I am tired now and I don't want any blood in my hands."
Ling turned toward the door, spine straight, her cloak sweeping behind her.
"I do as I please, but it vexes me you felt that way."
The doors closed as the queen stepped out of the room.
Orm let out a breath she didn’t even realize she’d been holding.
She moved slowly to the edge of her bed and lay on her back, staring up at the grand ceiling. The carved ornaments and gilded details weren’t hers, not truly. They belonged to a life she never asked for, a throne she never wanted and a home she despise.
A single tear escaped her eye.
She wiped it away quickly, harshly, as if she could scrub the ache from inside.
I will not weep, she promised herself. A lie she was desperate to believe.
The queen’s words still echoed in her mind like cold steel slicing through silk.
“They became your people the moment we were betrothed.”
Orm hated how those words stung. Hated that, deep down, she knew they were true.
Her eyes drifted to the goblet of wine sitting on the table nearby, untouched and mocking her.
With a sudden sharp motion, she swept it off the edge. The glass shattered, red wine spreading across the polished floor like spilled blood.
She didn’t flinch.
She loathed the queen. She hated how the queen thought she could deceive her with false affection as if she were stupid enough.
And most of all, she hate this place and its people.
Orm blinked back the sting in her eyes and stared back at the ceiling, motionless.
No one would hear her cry. She wouldn’t allow it.
Then a soft knock. Too soft to be formal. Followed by the quiet creak of a door, and footsteps crossing the silence.
Orm bolted upright, voice sharp
"How dare you enter without my permission!"
But the words died as soon as she saw who it was.
She let out a breath and softened.
"Apologies," she said more gently, folding her hands in her lap.
The girl bowed her head slightly, hesitant but familiar.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I saw the queen leave your chambers, and I thought you might be in need of comfort."
Orm smiled weakly, stretching her arms wide.
"You’re just what I need."
She pulled the girl into a hug, firm, close, like someone clinging to the last real thing in a world of performance.
"I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have you here with me."
Kate smiled as she sat beside her.
"I’m glad to be at your service. It’s why I’m here."
Orm looked down, guilt flickering in her expression.
"I’m sorry I brought you here. You could’ve stayed home. But instead, you’re stuck with me in this prison."
Kate shook her head softly.
"No need for apologies. Where you are is my home."
Then, after a pause, her voice gentled even more:
"Besides, who else would listen to your endless rants."
Orm blinked, her expression unreadable.
"You’re too good for me," she whispered.
Kate gently took her hand in hers, but her gaze caught on the broken goblet on the floor, the wine still bleeding into the rug.
"Did she hurt you?"
Orm followed her line of sight, then shook her head, a bitter breath leaving her lips.
"No. I did that."
Her voice was tired. Distant. "She’s never laid a finger on me."
Kate relaxed just slightly, her grip tightening around Orm’s hand.
"At least she’s not as cruel as they say"
"And that" Orm laughed, hollow and confused. "That’s what frustrates me."
She looked up at the ceiling again, as if the truth might be carved into it.
"I hate her. Truly. And yet she hasn’t done anything to me. We’ve been married for months now, and she’s done nothing but be good. She listens. She lets me do what I please. She gives me space. Everything except the freedom to leave."
Kate said nothing, sensing that Orm wasn’t done.
"I need to escape this place," Orm murmured desperately. "This glorified prison is eating at my mind. I have to go, Kate before she corrupts me into thinking she’s good."
Kate’s voice came gently:
"So what’s your plan?"
Orm’s answer was low, dangerous
"I’ll kill her."
A silence. Then Kate’s voice, firm. "And her people will kill you right after."
Orm looked away. Her breath shook.
"I’m trapped."
Kate’s thumb brushed the back of her hand. "You’re not. You said she listens to you. Use that. Don’t strike. Speak."
Orm’s eyes flicked toward her, uncertain.
Kate leaned in closer. "Convince her to let you go. Don’t fight her with blades, Orm. Fight her with the one thing she can’t control, your will."
Orm’s eyes glinted dangerously.
“Or I’ll destroy this kingdom from within and then I’ll pierce a blade in her heart.”