POV of Harrison Romochron:
"Listen," I told the guards before we walked into the large seating chambers of the royal family. "With the death of the king, there will be a large panic. Your job as guards is to remain calm for the time being and assist the royal family with every whim or task they have."
The guards pushed open against the colossal, iron-plated doors. I walked in, peering at the four sets of anxiety-filled eyes looking back at me. I could sense the eagerness and worry that had been built up in the room. An uncomfortable silence had been created, one that was meant for me to break. I focused my gaze upon the queen, who was staring intensely at me—probing me with her eyes.
"Harrison," she spoke.
I could feel the tension swaying as she awaited my response. She knew. She knew the news I'd come bearing was heart-breaking and shattering. I put my hand up and shook my head, indicating for her not to continue her train of thought.
"I apologize, my lady... and the royal family," I began. I paused, looking down for a moment before breaking the news. "But, Lord Fourth has died." The light in their eyes expanded like a flash of light. I could see their eyes shaking, succumbing to fear and despair. The two twins let their heads hang, hiding their faces as they did. The queen raised her hand over her mouth, nodding her head slowly as she fought to hold back her tears.
"I am truly sorry for this tragedy," I continued, taking a deep breath and licking my lips after. "I heard the sound of guards storming the hallways, and so I followed. When we arrived, outside the doors of these chambers... he was dead. Unresponsive with no other face or soul nearby." I noticed Princess Elvereta silently crying, listening to every word.
"Thank you, Harrison—"
"If only I had been there," I said, clenching my fists and closing my eyes.
"Harrison, enough!" the queen demanded, her voice stern but gentle. "You've done more than enough for this family. Don't blame yourself for this incident." She leaned over in her seat and locked her hands together in front of her face. "I want this palace under surveillance for the time being."
"Yes, Your Majesty," I responded. "I've already ordered the guards to patrol the castle."
"Thank you, Harrison."
"Now, if you excuse me, Ma'am. I must gather the other advisors and discuss the matter with them. If I may be pardoned?"
"Indeed."
The look in her eyes was passionate and fierce. Even in the face of grief, the queen was a powerful leader from the shadows. For the time being, she would act as the head of the kingdom until the coronation of the new king.
I left swiftly after, immediately strolled through the hallways until I reached a mounted entrance to the basement. As I opened the hatch, I grabbed a lantern hanging from the wall above it. I opened the lid of the lantern, grabbed the match inside, and lit the candle within it. A bright flash illuminated some of the many steps below me. I closed the hatch and proceeded.
The steps were steep, widening as I descended—pushing the walls outside the pathway further apart. It was dark inside, barely receiving light from the few torches mounted across the gray, stone walls. Finally, I reached the last step. At the base of the basement, I could see the dungeon walls stretching for nearly a mile ahead.
Most of the prisoners continued to sleep. It was mostly quiet, except for the occasional groans of the prisoners who did wake up, my footsteps echoing throughout the halls, and the recurrent sound of water dripping from the ceiling.
As I walked, I could feel the wandering eyes of those who were awake. No chatter arose. They just simply watched. My gaze caught the likes of a few of them, but my main focus remained on the end of the hall. Unlike the rest of the cells in the dungeons, a solid wall prompted itself up off the ground. In the center of it was a single door.
I opened the door and stepped into the room. Three familiar faces stared back at me.
"You know, for a man who can control time, you sure as hell aren't good at showing up on time," Audreon said.
"You should've let me do it," Kalvin snickered. "Could have been done with and back here in the same minute."
"Right," Vye agreed sarcastically. "Knowing you, you'd leave a bloody mess and a trail of evidence back this way," she rebutted.
"Enough jokes," I butted in, taking a seat at the northern end of the long table.
"As of today, we are all traitors among this kingdom." I folded my hands over each other and placed them in front of my mouth.
"Right," Vye agreed, sighing as she folded her arms over each other.
"Tell me, Harrison," Audreon spoke, "Was it worth it?"
"If what Vye said is correct..." I said, looking at each of their faces and taking a small pause, "it'd be more than worth it."
"Hmm," Audreon thought out loud. "Was this really our only choice?"
"Yes," Vye answered. "At least now, we have a chance to survive if this war heads our way."
"What exactly did he say?" I asked her.
"There is a war brewing," she began.
"War?" Kalvin chirped in, twiddling his fingers and cracking his knuckles with excitement.
"Yes," she answered. "A war growing across the continents. The Black Moon Kingdom is interested in allying with us before it has a chance to reach the Celestial continent."
"The Black Moon Kingdom?" I thought out loud.
"Weren't they crippled centuries ago during the World Collision?" Audreon asked.
"Pathetic!" Kalvin said, slamming his fist into the table. "You're telling me, we killed that old bastard for nothing? A weak alliance?"
"Shh" I hushed the two men. "Continue, Vye."
"They're not the same power they were centuries ago," she said. "In fact, they might just be the strongest kingdom of the Dragolean continent. Over the last year, they rose to power and conquered multiple other kingdoms, annexing their might."
"I see," I said. "And why exactly are their affairs running into our continent?"
"I don't know..." she hesitated. "He wouldn't tell me."
"He?" Audreon questioned. "Who is this he?"
"I don't know," Vye answered. "A representative. He didn't talk much."
"Alright. Well, we can't change what's already done," Kalvin said. "So, what are we going to do now that the king is dead? Do we wipe out the royal family?"
"You want to commit more treason?" Vye asked.
"No. We will do nothing instead," I answered.
"But!" Audreon rebutted. "Shouldn't we use this opportunity to rule the Kingdom, ourselves?"
"There's no need to," I said. "The next ruler is far too young to make decisions by himself. Now, more than ever, there will be a king who relies almost completely on us."
"In other words, we already are the ones in control," Vye added.
"Yes," I agreed. "And, there is not to be a hair touched on the young king or any of the royal family." I got up from my seat and turned my back to the door, opening it. "Or... I'll kill you, myself."