Speaker 1: Welcome to into the night. I'm Narri your guide on
today's excursion down a twisted path. Be careful not to
get lost. Be it dark or light, It's easy to
lose your way. Are you ready? Then let's begin. Queen
for a day. Through sleepy eyes, she watched as the
morning breeze blew, the lace curtains dappled, light streamed through
the window, and the sweet smell of honeysuckle followed the breeze.
She stretched and closed her eyes, in that state between
dreamland and reality. The sun brought a perfect morning to
an important day. The weight of her duties suddenly brought
lydia High Tower to nearly full awakening. She nervously looked
at the clock. Anxiety raced through her, and she pulled
the comforter over her head, and she slumped back on
to the bed. What I would give for one more
normal day. She closed her eyes and fell back to sleep.
Strange dreams came and went as she tossed from side
to side. Pulsating sounds accompanied the dreams, and Lydia struggled
to free herself from some unknown force. She jolted awake,
exhausted as a gentle rapping at her door, drew her
from her sleep. Miss Lydia, Miss Lydia, are you okay
open the door for me? Please? The girl dragged herself
out of bed and gingerly walked across the hardwood floor.
The cool boards creaked as she walked. I'm coming to uh.
She smoothed her hair when she caught sight of herself
in her vanity mirror, then realized not much would help
her appearance at this point. She reached the door and
opened it slowly. Oh, miss Lydia, you aren't anywhere near ready. Here,
hold these I'll be right back. The woman placed an
armload of clothes into Lydia's arms, then trotted down the hallway,
shutting the door behind her. Lydia spread the garments across
her bed. Soon Tula knocked on the door once again.
Lydia stared at her, not sure how Tula managed to
balance a tray of breakfast foods while holding on to
a rather large cloth case. Lydia, you need to eat something,
and I know you need this. Tula glanced down at
the bag hanging from her arm. I'll set the tray
on your vanity, but the two of us need to
get busy making you more presentable, Lydia sighed, I know,
I guess I just have to accept the inevitable, but
I don't want to now. Girl, don't think like that.
You have been given the highest honor by the village.
People look up to you, little girls see you as
everything they aspire to be. You have to look good
for the coronation. Tula patted the chair by the vanity
and Lydia walked slowly over and sat down, Feeling as
though she walked a mile through water. She felt exhaustion
even after sleeping late. Let's start with your hair. What
I would give to have gorgeous red locks like these.
Tula paused and looked at her own reflection in the mirror.
It's no wonder I was never considered for this honor.
This blonde mop of mine is unruly as the day
is long. I'd make a terrible queen. Tula set to
work brushing Lydia's flowing auburn hair. Now it's going to
take a while, and I may pull and tug a
little bit, but that's the only way to turn this
gorgeous hair into the traditional updoo. Lydia nodded and smiled
slightly at her companion, Tula, I couldn't do this without you.
I'd still be hiding under my blankets if you weren't
here to prod me along. I know I don't have
any choice in this, Tula stared at her in the mirror. No,
you don't, and there's no sense regretting what must be.
As awful as it seems, it only lasts for a day,
and then you'll be free of your terrible burden. I
do understand your feelings, but all that can be done
now is to show your strength of character. You're right, Tula,
this is my destiny. Patiently, Tula wound Lydia's hair into
a magnificent hairdew worthy of a queen. Patting it gently,
Tula said, I think it turned out lovely. Even Lydia
had to agree that her hair had never been so beautiful. Now,
let's spend the rest of our time together talking about
happy times we've had so many. Soon, the women talked
and laughed until tears formed on their lashes, sharing stories
of childhood adventures and teenage misshaps. It's all part of
growing up, my dear friend. Lydia squeezed Toola's hand. I'm
glad You've been with me every step of the way,
and I'm glad you're here with me now. Tears welled
in Toula's eyes. Me too, honey, me too. After a
moment of silence, the two took to compose themselves. Tula
tried to sound as chipper as possible while I start
at your make up. How about we share stories about
other coronations. I think the earliest one I can remember
is when we were three. My mother forced me to
wear those black shoes that were too big for my feet,
and I clip clopped everywhere like a horse. Laughter broke
out between them. I remember those shoes. Those awful boys
even whinnied at you. I'd forgotten all about that. They
sure made me mad that day. That was the same
year mother forced me to wear that hideous pink dress
with the rough material that poked me all day. He
ended up with a rash from it, didn't you? I did?
It was terrible. I wanted to strip naked and run home.
Wouldn't that have been a sight? Tula and Lydia doubled
over in laughter and couldn't catch their breaths. Oh girl,
we have been through sometimes that we have the clock chimed.
Tula took a deep breath. We'd better get your make
up finished than get you dressed. Nothing but the finest
silks for you to day. Lydia's face fell, but she
sat patiently while her friend applied the final touches to
her make up and then helped her slip into the
folds of silk. Jewels and pearls adorned the dress, and
when Tula made all the necessary adjustments, they stared into
the mirror. Lydia, you look like you stepped out of
a fairy tale. I guess I have in a way
you're studying. I'm in awe of how beautiful you are.
A finer queen has never lived. Lydia looked at her
reflection and smiled. The clock chimed again. The time had
come for Lydia to make her way to the courtyard
on the castle grounds. A carriage waited for her outside
her parents home. She wouldn't see her mother or father
before she left. They'd said their good byes the evening before,
but promised her they'd be in the crowd. Before stepping
into the carriage, Lydia turned to see the only home
she'd ever known. From now on, everything would be different.
She couldn't worry about that now, however, she needed to
fulfill her role and serve her people. Lydia High Tower
was the past to day she was Queen Lydia. The
carriage rattled down the cobblestone street and the horses hoofs
caused Lydia to laugh. Her memory went back to that
long ago coronation day, me in my hideous, scratchy dress,
Tula in those awful shoes. The laughter broke the tension
for her, and as they approached the courtyard, she smiled
and waved to the adoring people young and old alike
flocked to the castle for the ceremony. The future of
her people rested on her shoulders. The carriage slowed, then
stopped at the steps of the castle. Thousands of people cheered.
When Lydia was assisted from the coach, she smiled and waved,
and more cheers erupted. The excitement of the crowd could
be felt. The people, elated to have such a beautiful queen,
were a buzz across the courtyard and even beyond to
the streets of the village that criss crossed like a
giant labyrinth. The ceremony itself became a blur to Lydia.
She received the blessing from the priest and felt when
the massive crown was placed on her head as she
knelt before the altar. When she stood, she felt her transformation,
and the people gasped in awe at how beautiful their
new queen was. They knew she was theirs, They knew
their village would be strengthened by her, and that she
was one to be revered. Now unable to walk under
the weight of her dress and crown, a transformed Lydia
was carried by castle guards into the castle. The humming
from the crowd reverberated through the stones of the courtyard
and into the castle itself. Their voices rose until even
the air reverberated with the sound. Her sentries carried her
gently to the sacred chamber, reserved only for the queen
and her courtiers. Her bed filled the center of the room.
Lydia's body vibrated once placed on the silken sheets and
set to work Immediately. Her now bulbous body quivered, and
she no longer looked like a girl. Her growing girth
rolled and undulated as she squirmed to fulfill her duties.
In this one day, Queen Lydia of the hive would
produce thousands of eggs. She embodied the future generation to come,
and she fulfilled her responsibilities dutifully. One after another, she
laid her eggs, which were carefully tended to by her servants.
Lydia would never leave this chamber. She couldn't even if
she wanted to. The changes in her body now made
it impossible for her to walk again. Hours passed and
she tired. Through sleepy eyes, she stared out the window
that gave her a view of her village. She watched
as an evening breeze blew the lace curtains dappled, lights
streamed through the window, and the sweet smell of honeysuckle followed.
The breeze spent, her life faded away, and the sunset
brought a perfect ending to an important day. Thank you
for joining me for this episode of the Into the
Night Anthology podcast. Written by Caroline Giamanco, narrated by Nariquak,
Theme music by Nico Rodriguez. All other original music, sound
design and editing by Omenhawk Studios. You can find our
links in the show notes. Into the Night is on
your favorite podcatcher, so make sure to like, subscribe and
leave a five star review to help other excursionists to
join us. I'll see you next time, and remember, whether
in the shadows or in the daylight, all twisted paths
lead you into the night. Into the Night Anthology is
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