Princess Guinevere, her heart pounding with anticipation, led Kael through the dimly lit corridors of the palace, her delicate hand clasped firmly in his. They followed a labyrinthine path that wound through hidden alcoves and secret passageways, ensuring their clandestine journey remained concealed from the watchful eyes of the palace guards. Soft candlelight danced upon the marble walls, casting elongated shadows that seemed to whisper secrets of their own.
Reaching the entrance to the Queen's chambers, Princess Guinevere turned to Kael, her eyes filled with a mixture of anxiety and determination. "Her chambers are just through there," she whispered quietly.
"Wait here," Kael replied, his voice barely audible. Kael then recited a chant and became invisible.
Princess Guinevere was shocked but quickly held her mouth with her hands together tightly to stifle the gasp that threatened to escape. She watched in awe as Kael disappeared out of sight.
Invisible to all, Kael glided gracefully past two pairs of vigilant guards, their spears held at the ready, their gazes fixed on the corridor ahead. He moved with the precision of a shadow, his steps silent and calculated. The queen's chambers beckoned him forward.
Within the dimly lit room, Queen Solara lay sound asleep, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Kael's heart raced as he meticulously searched every nook and cranny, his hands ghosting over the smooth surfaces of furniture and trinkets.
Twice, the queen stirred in her sleep, her eyes fluttering open briefly, causing Kael to freeze in place. With bated breath, he watched as her gaze scanned the room, searching for any intruders. Satisfied that all was well, she drifted back into the realms of dreams, and Kael resumed his silent exploration.
Yet, despite his thorough search, Kael found no tangible evidence of malfeasance. No spells, no vials of poison. If Queen Solara was indeed involved in the previous queen's demise, she had ensured that no trace of her misdeeds remained.
Satisfied that there was no evidence to be found, he turned to leave, his eyes caught sight of a freshly penned letter addressed to her father resting on the queen's writing desk. Sealed with wax and adorned with the royal insignia, it bore all the hallmarks of secrecy.
A flicker of curiosity ignited within Kael as he hesitated, grappling with the weight of his decision. With resolve in his heart, he pocketed the letter, his fingers brushing against the wax seal.
Silently retracing his steps, Kael emerged from the queen's chambers, his invisible presence undetected by the guards who remained none the wiser. Finding Princess Guinevere waiting anxiously, he materialized before her eyes, the invisible cloak dissipating like morning mist.
Breathless, the princess met his gaze, her eyes filled with anticipation and shock. "How did you do that?" she whispered.
Kael Shrugged.
Together, they carefully broke the seal and unfolded the letter, their hearts pounding in unison as they delved into its contents.
The words inscribed on the parchment struck them like a lightning bolt, revealing a truth more sinister than they had ever imagined.
Queen Solara's confession spilled onto the page, her remorse evident in every stroke of the ink.
She wrote, "I am sorry for being a coward and not speaking up sooner. I am sure that Duke Kassadin killed the previous queen, using a cursed necklace that was buried with her. He threatened to destroy our family if I ever said a word, making me obey him and keep quiet. But I can't take it anymore, and I will expose him at the feast for the king's first son, who was healed by a miracle. The duke was invited so I'm sure he will be there too. There I will confront him. Forgive me for not telling you this sooner."
The duke had threatened to unleash unspeakable horrors upon her family if she dared to utter a word, forcing her into a life of submission and silence. However, her resolve had finally shattered, and she vowed to expose him at the feast celebrating the miraculous healing of the King's son, where the Duke was among the invited guests.
Kael and Princess Guinevere looked at each other in shock, their thoughts spinning with the implications of what they had learned. The road ahead was dangerous, but their resolve was stronger than ever. Together, they would face the evil that had corrupted their kingdom, demanding justice for the dead queen and saving their family from the grip of a cruel Duke.
With the truth on their side, they set out on a risky journey that would expose the web of lies that had trapped them all. With hearts filled with the fire of righteousness, they would reveal the Duke's evil schemes and make sure that justice triumphed over treachery.