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The sunlight filter in through the trees and right through her eyelids was what woke Jeanine up. Squeezing her eyes against the brightness, the young girl stretched and yawned, before sitting up on her rather unusually comfortable bed. Opening her eyes, Jeanine froze. She saw beautiful emerald green leaves and brown branches, along with ferns and other plant-life she was not familiar with. Immediately, Jeanine panicked. Where was she? Did her sister know she was here? Then the memories came flooding back. Her sister had blamed her for their parents death and locked in her a prison tower by lies and accusations. Not to mention guilt. Deadora had made her feel guilty over what wasn't really so! And now after a night's rest, Jeanine was now left with one question which led to many. Why? Why did her sister do that? Why the lies and why the theft? Why the murder? Was she that selfish?...
"
Selfish...heh...I thought that was supposed to be me..." Jeanine said to herself. Images of what the mirror had shown her caused the bitter and sad smile fade into a grim line of solemn sorrow. The wealthy were fooled, heavily fooled, Deadora gave them such wonderful gifts and they would send her their money and trade. As for the middle class, depending on their standing, were either given bribes or were taken into slavery, depending on if they were beautiful men. The same was said for the poor except of course if they had their uses such as labor or spying. Women of both the middle and lower classes were taken as punishment (whether their families did not pay the Queen's taxes or the women themselves accidentally crossed her path) and were severely tortured. They suffered because of Deadora, not Jeanine. Everything was Deadora's fault and the rule wasn't even her's to abuse, it was suppose to be Jeanine who was to be queen.
"
But I don't even want to be queen!" Jeanine spoke out loud to herself. "
I-I don't know things like a queen should and I'm clumsy!" She remembered that the mirror had shown her why she was to be queen, because of her powers. Deadora had her practice her powers to perform nightly rituals. At the time, she didn't even know why she had to do these things and hated/loved doing them because that meant she had to get out of her tower where the danger lied. That 'ritual' was to power the city and keep it's machinery working, so that they could keep providing for the people. That is what the queen had to do and Deadora made it all that more believable that she alone can provide the city what they need. It provided less rebellions (although they still appeared from time to time). If they knew that Jeanine still lived, the whole place would be in an uproar and Deadora might lose her crown...if not her head.
The people were suffering...and it's all Deadora's fault...that was the important thing. Her sister had lied to her and made her scared every day for the past six years of her life, wondering if she should just die and get it over with. Jeanine's hands tighten into balled fists. Her sister didn't love her, she didn't love anyone but herself and now Jeanine began feeling anger...even hatred. The young girl's body began to shake. She had to take her sister down from the throne if it was the last thing she do.
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