Two Queens (2)

«I don't kill,» the Queen Dowager says.

Something in her gaze makes it believable. She doesn't kill for her own purposes. She has a line she will never cross.

Which would also mean she's not the one attempting with poison, arrows, and poison again. She might be involved with the pranks during the coronation, but she didn't go any further.

«When I was waiting for the coronation, a maid walked in my room,» I say.

She doesn't react, for I haven't said anything weird yet. Maids walk in and out of rooms; that's why we keep them around.

«She reached the mantle, one of the Royal Symbols, and tried to pour blood all over it. Goat blood, I guess.»

«Oh, how unfortunate,» she sighs.

«She didn't succeed, luckily.»

«Of course, she didn't. We wouldn't be talking this leisurely if she did. Someone incapable of keeping the Symbols safe isn't fit to be Queen.»

«I see. So, if the mantle was soaked, then my coronation was at risk.»