The night Radna was taken into custody, chains adorned his wrists as he was forcefully ushered into the palace, though he offered no resistance. This seemingly branded him a prisoner, yet Queen Marissa strangely referred to him as her guest, rather than captive and this comment prompted questions about his fate. Was she sparing him from execution and why? And what role did Lady Saphina play in this unfolding drama?
Confusion clouded Lady Saphina's mind as she tried to comprehend Queen Marissa's cryptic words. Lady Saphina's gaze locked with that of the demon king, a moment pregnant with unspoken tension. Radna's disdainful scoff broke the silence as he threw his gaze to another direction acting like he was disgusted by the long stare with a common human.
"Your Majesty, I don't understand," Lady Saphina finally spoke, her eyes fixed on Queen Marissa as she shifted her gaze away from Radna, a sense of unease creeping over her. She felt a chill, a fear she couldn't rationalize.
"Why do I need to greet a serpent, Your Majesty? Isn't it a dangerous thing to do?" Lady Saphina questioned, her voice laced with apprehension.
Queen Marissa forced a smile. "Is it?" she replied, her tone devoid of warmth.
"It very much is, my Queen." Lady Saphina responded.
Queen Marissa smiled, turning to her guard with a subtle signal. "I think I should leave now," she told him, the guard nodding in silent understanding.
"We must take our leave," Queen Marissa informed Lady Saphina, leading her out of the cave, yet Saphina couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched by Radna's piercing gaze and wondering what could be going on in his head. Oh, only if she could read minds.
"What will you do with him, Your Majesty?" Saphina inquired once they were outside, her maid trailing behind.
"I don't know yet, but I won't execute him, that is for sure." Queen Marissa stated firmly.
"Why?" Lady Saphina's curiosity piqued, though she oddly found comfort in the news.
Despite their complex relationship, which sometimes resembled that of guardian and ward, Queen Marissa and Lady Saphina shared a bond beyond queen and subject, at times toxic yet strangely peaceful. They had moments when they had conversations like normal people but those moments never lasted.
"We can't risk his people retaliating. He's the lord of the serpents. Imagine the repercussions if any harm befalls him here. Talcuta would be doomed," Queen Marissa explained.
Lady Saphina took a moment to consider what Queen Marissa had just said, before she spoke again.
"Does his majesty know?" Saphina asked cautiously.
Queen Marissa paused, her expression unreadable. "Yes, he knows Radna is my prisoner, no doubt. But what I do with him is my concern alone, not the Kings." she declared coldly, signalling the end of their conversation. She seemed to have had enough discussion with Lady Saphina.
"I'll take my leave now, Your Majesty," Saphina said with a respectful bow, sensing it was time to depart.
As they moved away from Queen Marissa, Saphina's maid, Yotta, began, "About Queen Marissa back there, I don't think..."
"I noticed it too." Lady Saphina pauses and considers her thoughts before she speaks again.
"Yotta, do you know what intrigues me?" Saphina speaks, her thoughts already consumed by Radna.
"What?" Yotta inquired.
"The serpent lord. Radna. There's something about him," Saphina mused. "Something I can't quite lay my fingers on, and it intrigues me." She added.
"Discard whatever thoughts you have, Saphy. Radna only breaths trouble," Yotta cautioned.
"You never know," Saphina countered. "Why else would mother bring him here?"
"Your mother is enigmatic, my lady," Yotta replied knowingly, as Saphina pondered her mother's motives.
After the encounter with Radna, Saphina couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling. His gaze haunted her, sending shivers down her spine. She knew her mother's intentions were far from pure, and she was determined to uncover the truth behind Queen Marissa's scheme.
Meanwhile, in the royal court, King Nero deliberated on Radna's presence and the threat he posed.
"Radna's presence poses a grave danger to us all," King Nero stated, concerned about the kingdom's safety.
"My king, the El dribu cave, provides ample protection. We're safe," Queen Marissa reassured him.
King Nero eyed her suspiciously. "I heard you were there this morning," he remarked.
"Yes," Queen Marissa confirmed.
Despite his misgivings, King Nero was intrigued. "He will be executed at dusk today. Prepare your weapons," he ordered, indicating the seriousness of the situation.
"It's not wise to execute Radna," Queen Marissa objected.
"Why not?" King Nero questioned, intrigued by his wife's sudden interest in a prisoner.
"Radna is the king of Guzanda, the kingdom of darkness. If any harm befalls him here, it could spell disaster for Talcuta," Queen Marissa explained, emphasizing the potential repercussions.
"Talcuta is secure. If he's here, he sought trouble," King Nero countered, dismissing her concerns.
"My love, think strategically. His minions won't hesitate to retaliate. Talcuta is not equipped to fend off an attack from over ten thousand serpents. It's too dangerous," Queen Marissa insisted.
King Nero pondered her words, realizing the gravity of the situation. "What do you suggest?" he asked, conceding to her superior judgment.
Before Queen Marissa could respond, the palace bells rang out frantically, signalling imminent danger.
"What's happening?" King Nero demanded, alarmed.
"I don't know, but we must find out," Queen Marissa replied, springing into action, with King Nero following closely behind.
The palace was in chaos, guards rushing about, and panic gripping the servants. The guards urged everyone to seek shelter and stay indoors.
"What's going on?" Yotta asked a passing guard, desperate for answers, but received none. She was taking some clean sheets to Lady Saphina's room for a change.
As King Nero and Queen Marissa approached, Sir Eliot, leader of the knights of Talcuta, bowed before them.
"What is going on?" The King asked him desperately.
"Your Majesty." He said, bowing his head in shame. "I regret to announce this, but... Radna is gone," he announced solemnly.
"What?!" Queen Marissa exclaimed in shock, her heart suddenly pounding fast.
How could this have happened? What did Radna's escape mean for Talcuta? The answers remained elusive, shrouded in uncertainty...