Queen of Ice

Julia opened her eyes and looked next to her. “You awake,” she approaches her. “How’s your feeling?”

Julia nodded her head and sighed. She doesn’t expect to see her when she wakes up. She grabbed her hand, then placed it on her head. Cecilia stroked her hair gently.

“I’m not expecting you’re waiting for me.” Julia’s tone dripping with sarcasm. She sat, then looked at her.

Flashback on

“So, Queen Duncan... I’m here because I watched you raid all the rebels in your country. It makes me inspired and... I want to ask for advice.”

Julia cut her steak, then scoffed. “It’s not only me, Mr. President. It’s also my wife’s idea.” Julia put on her silverware and leaned her back on the chair. The atmosphere became tense as Julia stared into him.

“Um....”

“You're not only came this far, not because you... wanted to seek advice, don’t you?” The President chuckled, put his lunch aside. “Let’s just say... if there’s a flaw in my raid last week... the World Council will notice, but you...”

Julia takes a sip of her mineral water. “You right, Your Majesty...” The President fixed his chair positions. “I need your...”

“No. If you need my favor to open the border for refugee camp in your country, the answer is no.” The President sighed.

He put a lot of documents and contracts, bonds, and banknotes on her table. “Named your price.”

Julia looked at the ‘gift’ in front of her and sighed. “Get out from our estate and country! And never come back.” Cecilia said with her menacing tone. “You...”

Julia holds her hand, sighing. “If you say so...” Cecilia furrowed her brow. The President chuckled.

“Your wife... stupid, did she? Choose those rat sewers over everything.” Julia gripped her fist and clenched her jaw, but she tried to humiliate him in front of the journalists, who watched them silently from the outside.

Julia took a deep breath. “I want... half of your nation become mine.” The President furrowed his brow. “Deal or no deal?”

The President silently answered her question, but after minutes passed, his wife looked at her. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty...”

Cecilia was still waiting for the old couple in front of them to speak. Julia’s heart beating fast, but she remains calm and full of calculations.

She continues her meal as if nothing happened. “Oh... I almost forgot to tell you, Mr. President.” Julia stood up, then poured wine into his and his wife’s glass. “One of my... intel inside your country told me, you are a corrupt leader, right?”

Cecilia’s expression was cold and calm. She’s not spoken or tried to intervene in the conversation. She sips her wine and remains calm. “Y-you...”

Julia raised her eyebrow, then put aside her plate. The butler with the blue badge in his uniform picked up her plate, then whispered something. “Okay, thank you.” She said to her butler.

Julia sighed and looked at the President. “Too bad, sir. I already know... who you are before you put all the ‘gift’ you placed here.” The President cold in sweat. “What if... I exposed you to the Leader World Council? We have the evidence here.”

Julia pointed at the spot where the CCTV camera was installed.

The President, who can’t take anymore the humiliation he received, grabbed the steak knife and stabbed her hand. “You... after this meeting. I’ll make sure your country will suffer!” He took back the documents, bonds, and banknotes.

They left their estate with stomping feet and sour face. Julia chuckled and pulled the knife with the napkin, and told the butler called Leader World Council.

Julia feels dizzy on her head and falls unconscious as she looks at the blood dripping like a waterfall.

Flashback off

A week after that incident, the President declared war to the Kingdom of Otheatro. She sighed as she looked at the live stream from the tablet. “So... What do you suggest, my best friend? Should we attack him first?”

Rose shook her head. “Don’t take it seriously. Our intel informed me. He did not find any military activity for now. So... we’re still safe, but we should protect our border.”

Julia nodded his head and looked at her bandaged hand. She scoffed. “He called my wife stupid, and now... looked at him! A dunce sewer rat!” She gripped her hand tight.

Julia took a deep breath and tried to control her emotions. The sound of knocking at the door heard. “Come in!” She commands.

The guard outside opened the door, and Cecilia came in with her gown. She’s wearing a veil and bringing a picnic basket. Rose bowed her head, withdrew herself from the room and closed the door behind her.

“Let’s we discuss this outside.” She spoke. Her voice is monotone, but warmth. Julia did not answer, but kept staring into the woman in front of her.

She stood up, then they walked outside. Julia keeps watching the live stream. They're at the Courtyard Garden. “So... how’s the dunce sewer rat going?”

Julia gave her the tablet, then picked a macaroon from the basket. “This is what you called lunch? It’s just a snack for me.” She did not respond to Julia. Her mind focused on the tablet in her hand.

She sighed and the live stream ended. “He’s bluffing.” Julia disagrees with her.

“If he does, we should be wise, my dear wife. He literally mad.” Cecilia nods slightly. “Are you...”

Cecilia nodded her head and sighed. “I just found out today.” Julia gasped. She hugged her own stomach and looked at Julia. “You will be responsible for what you did, right?”

Julia chuckled and sighed. “What kind of question was that!? Of course I will, duh!” Her heart beating fast, and she sighed in relief. The program was a success. Her heart beats faster and crinkles from her eyes appear.

Julia sits closer next to her. Cecilia leaned on her shoulder. Even though she could feel her movement still stiff, they closed their eyes and savored the moment.

“Let’s we discuss...”

“Just silent for a moment!” Julia chuckled and sighed. She put her hand around Cecilia’s waist, eating the macaroons as they casually chatted.