The Queen They Buried

Carmen’s expression twitched as she shot back, “It’s a bit early to be saying all that. Aubree, you might be born with real talent, but you’d better watch out–don’t end up capsizing in the gutter and losing more than you gain. It’s not worth the risk.”

With that, she led her people toward the village, determined to get in before Aubree.

Just as she took a couple of steps, a big yellow dog that had been lying by the roadside suddenly arched its back, hackles raised, and started barking furiously at her.

Ah! Carmen cried out as she saw the dog lunge at her right before her eyes, stumbling backward in panic.

The village roads were nothing but muddy tracks. They were narrow, slippery, and treacherous. What looked like a patch of grass could easily be hiding a nasty pit underneath, and right next to it ran a little ditch full of filthy, stinking water that reeked to high heaven.

Stepping right into a pit of foul, sludgy mud was already enough to make Carmen scream in frustration. But, when luck’s not on one’s side, even the smallest thing turns into a disaster. What followed was a chain of disasters that left her completely overwhelmed.

Carmen lost her balance and tumbled backward, and instinctively reached out to grab onto something.

To make matters even worse, the only thing within reach was a locust tree that was jutting out by the embankment, its branches bristling with sharp thorns.

Carmen’s hand landed right on those thorns, the pain so sharp she almost let out a curse. But that wasn’t even the worst of it. Her grip slipped, and she went falling backward.

As expected, she landed smack dab in the stinking ditch by the side of the road.

Aubree couldn’t help but laugh as she thought, ‘Are those who have lousy character always get this unlucky?”

“Careful, don’t end up capsizing in the gutter. I’m just returning your words to you,” she shot back with a grin.

B barely holding back his laughter, Vincent chuckled, “Ms. Miller,

“Yeah, looks like a total wipeout to me,” Bowen quietly chimed

in.

qk G V W Y Z W

15

think you

gol

it wrong.

Wilson

in

enough to make a fool of herself, but for it to happen

to me. If she’d just reached out,

from

falling,”

a look like she was out

u oke

Carmen

thought bitterly.

wrong

with you,

go

get

checked out.

don’t owe you

Carmen brought along looked a little embarrassed. After all, they’re rivals, kicking you

hadn’t, that’s

and who’s

ever

seen

2

is buzzing today!” A burly guy in a tank top came

accent.

did a double take and inwardly gasped,

a wink, and Aubree instantly knew

a