Fairest

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying.



When Ivi doesn’t return with help, Aza manages to extricate herself from the window. A man hears her struggling and offers to come to her aid, but the mortified young woman uses illusing to send him away. She hurries to the arena, where the royal family and their guests have gathered to watch centaurs perform. Aza notices Ivi in the stands looking as though she completely forgot about her lady-in-waiting’s predicament. The queen looks furious when the king looks at Lady Arona. During the performance, a centaur slips and accidentally tosses a heavy iron ring into the audience. The king and the prince leap to protect Ivi, and the ring strikes the king’s head.

The king is alive but seriously injured, and the prince weeps as he helps to carry his uncle to Sir Enole, the physician. The queen throws herself into Aza’s arms and wails, “Don’t leave me alone, Oscaro. Who will love me now?” (85). Sir Enole tells the gathered crowd that the king will live but may never awaken. The Ayorthians kneel and profess their loyalty to the new queen, who is now their ruler.