"So how was it?" Ever since the Queen went home from her visit, everyone kept bugging her about what had happened.
"..."
"Come on Your Highness, say something is the trade successful? How did they treated you? Did te King made another move at--" before he could continue, Ariya glared daggers at him which made him took a big gulp and took a good two steps backward.
"Coffee Your Highness?"
Ariya went to her study. There she slumped on her seat and massage her temples. After a few minutes of contemplation, Clementus stride inside the room.
"Not now Clementus." Ariya said annoyed.
"So the trade isn't successful perhaps?" He inquired.
"It was." Clementus waited for the next thing his Queen would say but he heard silence.
"Then, why are you in a bad mood? Don't tell me the King did something to you?!" He exclaimed. The Queen heavily sighed. She closed her eyes thinking of what to say then opened her eyes again looking straight at Clementus.
"We decided to marry..." her fingers fidgetted at the thought. She looked at Clementus for a reaction and yes, he's shocked, face masked with horror as if it's the worst thing in the world, which is, true.
"....I thought we have to wait till the selection but to think that he decided not to hold it anymore. Not anymore wanting to find a wife."
"Then why are you going to get married?" That question lingers on her too. She can't read the King's thoughts and movements. It's as if she's walking right through the trap. And what does her witchery says? Nothing.
"Who knows?" Ariya massage her temples and took a deep breath.
"Do you think he knows about you being...?" Does he? Is he playing with me?
Lie. My witchery simply replied. Then why would he marry me? This is crazy.
"My Queen?" Ariya snapped at her thoughts. She needed a rest. She knows if this continues she'll definitely going to loose control. Ariya gestured Clementus to go outside and the other nodded. When Ariya heard the door closed, she let her tears ran through her cheeks. She's confused, baffled, and concerned. What if her decisions will cause havoc and led her Kingdom in demise? Or What if history will repeat itself? She needed to calm down, yes, but she can't. She's going through a lot of pressure.
"My Queen?" Raymond popped his head on the door waiting for confirmation if he could come in. The Queen nodded. But after a while another head popped in. Yes her servants are here. Worried. She smiled at them and call for them to come near.
"Are you alright?" Raymond inquired. Though he knows she's not. He just needed to tell something to break the silence.
"I'm fine. It's just that, I'm worried." I'm not alone. I needed to tell the truth. What I feel, perhaps it will ease the pain.
Fact. I smiled at what my witchery told me. Yes, I need not to be alone. I jus need to be myself, when I'm with them.
"It's alright Your Highness. Some things just need to be said to unload the pain." Clementus wife, Madam Verna said. She smiled warmly at me and hugged me tight. This is family, this what I needed to protect, this why I'm here, they are the reason. A small tear left my eye. We broke the hug and they all smiled at me.
"Are you all prepared?" Ariya stood up with determination in her eyes. All of them bowed down, their right fist on their hearts.
"Yes, Your Highness!" They all stood up. Determined.
"Clementus prepare the magic circle. Madam Verna, the magic stones put it in the chest and bring it here. Raymond, the staff that I kept bring it to me. All of you, my generals prepare a vessel, I will transfer some of my power to you. And be ready, we're going to attack the alliance. Let's start this war before it come to us. I'm sure Lance will push through the wall the Kingdoms that will oppose him The greater his power, the greater the threat. We should be able to destroy a fracture of his power. That way, it will not be too hard for us, if it comes down to it, to crush him if he decided to go against us. Which I bet he will." This is it. Hell is coming right through them. It definitely will.
"What about the one who uses your insignia?" Madam Verna asked.
"Oh that? Let's give them a little scare. If they know that the real owner of the insignia is alive, I think that will force them to stop spreading the fake ones." If that's what they really want. If their objective is to scare the Monarchs, then this plan will suffice but if their plan is to--impossible, they wouldn't think I'm alive, would they? But given that they knew, their other plan would be...Making me come out. Tch. this is more difficult than I expected.
"Your Highness, we will prepare everything. So rest assured." Everyone left the room and prepared the things the queen ordered. However the Queen is lost in thoughts about the real objective of the culprit who spreads the fake insignia. Whatever the objective, eliminate the threat.
"Whoever you are, You're courting death."