"Aaah! Sis! My head! My head! I'm getting dizzy! It's going to fall off!" Rellana screamed, her feet off the ground, spinning like a human top.
"That's enough, isn't it? She's already a simple soul. Keep spinning her and she really will become an idiot."
Horace, who had arrived just in time, spoke helplessly, putting a timely stop to Rennala's "atrocity."
He glanced at Rellana, who had been spun until she saw stars and now sat slumped on the floor, dry-heaving, then at Rennala, who was angry but clearly in extraordinarily good health. He already had a fair idea of what was going on.
Rennala snorted and let go. Looking at her limp younger sister, she actually agreed with Horace. "You're right. She's already stupid enough."
She bent down and hoisted the still-dizzy Rellana up as though picking up a disobedient kitten by the scruff, then leaned toward her ear.
"Listen carefully. I, Rennala, Queen of Caria, am of uncertain fate after a difficult childbirth. The announcement has already gone out."
Rellana was still dizzy. "B-but aren't you alive and well?"
She pointed at Rennala's face.
Rennala could not be bothered to explain the logic and went straight to the conclusion. "Ah, if my fate is uncertain, that means I'm dead. I'm dead. Dead means dead."
She briskly shoved Rellana into Horace's arms.
"Tomorrow, as the queen's younger sister, you'll succeed to the throne on an emergency basis. I've already written the announcement for you. Loretta will arrange the proceedings."
Rennala spoke rapidly. She was clearly in a hurry.
"All right, that's settled. I'm 'dead.' From now on, I can enjoy cool summer nights and carefree slumber."
With that, the "deceased" former queen gave Horace a knowing look.
She promptly slipped out of the mourning hall and disappeared into a