Meanwhile, at Elgard Castle, the grand hall was filled with a tense anticipation. One of the advisors stepped forward, bowing deeply. "My Queen, we await your order," he said, his voice filled with reverence.
Irene, seated on the throne with an air of authority, waved her hand dismissively. "You are not needed. Go home," she commanded.
"But my Queen—" the advisor began to protest, but Irene cut him off sharply. "No buts."
Her commanding tone silenced the room. The advisors exchanged uneasy glances but did not argue further. They bowed once more and took their leave, whispering among themselves as they exited the hall.
Irene's eyes scanned the room. "Is anyone there?" she called out.
A knight hurried in, bowing deeply before her. "Yes, my Queen."
"Gather up some knights and bring Tadio Cliff to me immediately," Irene ordered.
The knight bowed again. "Yes, my Queen," he replied, then swiftly departed to carry out her command.
Left alone in the throne room, Irene allowed herself a satisfied smirk, settling back comfortably on her throne. The power she wielded felt intoxicating.
The next day, the grand hall of Elgard Castle was heavy with tension. An advisor stood before Queen Irene, trying to maintain his composure as he delivered the news. "My Queen, word has been sent from Lord Khan, the new leader of the Abstract Clan, King Richard and Queen Elena have been slain," he said, his voice wavering slightly.
Irene stood up abruptly, shock and sorrow etched across her face. "Who could have thought this battle would have been their last," she murmured, her voice trembling. She slammed her hand down on the armrest of her throne, the sound echoing through the hall.
"My Queen, accept our condolences," another advisor said, bowing deeply. The others joined him in reverence, their heads bowed.
"But my Queen," another advisor continued, "we must act regarding the Abstract Clan. They might seize this opportunity to attack us head-on. We have lost many soldiers, including our king and queen."
Irene took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "What are you suggesting?" she asked.
Another advisor stepped forward. "We suggest that you take a husband, my Queen. Not just anyone, but a powerful ally to support you in your reign."
Irene's eyes flashed with anger. "Are you saying I'm weak, that I can't protect our people?" she demanded.
"Forgive us, my Queen, but we believe it is for the best," the advisors replied in unison, bowing once more.
Irene's voice was firm and resolute. "Well, you are all wrong, I will choose our next course of action. After all, I am now your queen, and you have no choice but to abide by my command," she declared proudly.
"You all are dismissed," Irene said, her voice carrying a commanding tone.
"But, my Queen, we advise and plead you listen to us," an Advisor said with a bow. Other Advisors bowed in unison and echoed, "We plead you listen to us, my Queen."
Irene's eyes narrowed. "If anyone disobeys me, he or she will face the penalty, regardless of status," she commanded, a hint of anger sharpening her voice.
The advisors exchanged worried glances but quietly took their leave, whispering amongst themselves. Just then, Ivin entered the hall, her eyes red and puffy from crying. "Is it true that mother and father are...?" she began, choking on her words. She paused, looking desperately at Irene. "Tell me it's a lie. I don't want to believe it." She fell to her knees, her hands covering her face as she sobbed.
"You have to be strong, sister. Get up, clean yourself up, and dry your tears," Irene replied firmly.
Ivin obeyed, but the tears continued to flow down her face. "Are you not sad, sister?" she asked, sniffling.
"I am, but I am the queen now. I simply can't cry," Irene replied, her voice steady but cold.
Just then, Tadio Cliff was dragged into the hall by two knights. Another knight stepped forward, bowing deeply. "My Queen, we have brought Tadio Cliff as you commanded."
Ivin's eyes widened in surprise. She looked at Tadio with a mix of sorrow and resolve. "Lock him up in the dungeon," Irene ordered.
"Yes, my Queen," the knights replied with a bow, then led Tadio away.
Ivin, still processing what had just happened, turned to Irene. "What was that about, sister?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"Mind your language, sister. I am the queen. You have to address me with respect," Irene said, her tone tinged with pride.
"You just locked up Tadio Cliff for obviously no reason," Ivin replied, a hint of anger in her voice.
"It doesn't matter. I can do whatever I want since I am the queen," Irene replied proudly.
"So what if you are the queen? That doesn't give you the right to do whatever you want," Ivin retorted, her voice shaking with frustration.
"Actually, it does," Irene replied with a smirk. "Mother told me so."
Ivin's eyes widened in disbelief. "Mother is dead. Snap out of it, sister," she shouted, her face contorting with anger and grief.
"Ivin, you won't understand," Irene said, her voice dropping to a whisper. Then, with sudden determination, she declared, "Anyway, I'm going to have a royal wedding without Tadio Cliff."
"What?" Ivin reacted, stunned.
"You heard me. As the queen of Elgard, I will be marrying Tadio Cliff. I'll be making him my husband, the king of Elgard. Isn't that exciting?" Irene replied.
Looking confused, Ivin stammered, "I love Tadio Cliff, and you are aware of this, sister?"
"It doesn't matter. I love him too," Ivin replied calmly.
"But I loved him first," Ivin said, her voice tinged with sadness.
"Well, I became queen first," Irene replied proudly.
" that's your excuse?" Ivin scoffs.
"Obviously. I can do whatever I want, and nobody can stop me," Ivin replied with a haughty tilt of her head.
Looking utterly bewildered, Ivin asked, "Are you sure you are my sister?"
"Actually, I'm the queen of Elgard," Irene replied with a smirk.
Feeling defeated and disoriented, Ivin returned to her room in a daze. She lay on her bed and cried bitterly, the weight of her new reality pressing down on her.
******Three Days Later*******
The atmosphere in Elgard Castle was fraught with tension. In the grand hall, an advisor approached Queen Irene, his face etched with worry.
"My Queen, you cannot have a Royal Wedding with Tadio Cliff," the advisor said, his voice shaking slightly.
"Says who?" Irene demanded, her eyes narrowing.
"The people," another advisor interjected. "My Queen, he is not fit for you. We need a reliable king," he added with a bow.
"I don't care what you say. Tadio Cliff and I are having the Royal Wedding tonight. And nobody is invited," Irene declared defiantly.
"My Queen, with due respect, you are being childish and not fulfilling your duty to the people," another advisor dared to say, bowing low.
"What did you say?" Irene replied, her voice icy.
"Forgive me, My Queen, but we are your advisors and we want what is best for the kingdom," the advisor replied cautiously.
"Well then, how about you continue your advice with your head hanging on a stick?" Irene suggested, her tone lethal.
"Forgive us, Your Highness," the three advisors bowed deeply, fear evident in their eyes.
"Guards," Irene called out, her voice ringing through the hall, "take these three and make a public execution,after that, hang their heads on a stick right in front of the castle. This will teach others not to oppose me."
"Forgive us, My Queen," the three advisors pleaded earnestly as guards seized them.
Their pleads fell on deaf ears as they were dragged away by knights, their fate sealed by Irene's ruthless command.