“A Queen is supposed to be merciful.” She sat tall in her throne, poised and regal. A smile spread across her lips but in this world it means blood. “But in this world, being queen means blood.”

My face drains of color

“ What did you do?” I whisper, my voice choking.

“ This world isn’t a fairytale, we can’t shield our young form the preying reality” she says, still smiling.

“What did you you do” I say my voice rising

My vision darts around the room, hoping to see them safe and alive.

“ I introduced them to the world”

I stare at her aghast .

She didn’t…

She wouldn’t…

She would.

Her smirk drips with fake sincerity,

“ I really am sorry, but they didn’t make it. It was just to much for them.”

My eyes prick with tears, with anger or grief I don’t know.

“ I had to weed out the weak ones, you understand, it was my duty, as your Queen.