The maid, trembling with fear, was brought before the court and fell to her knees. King Erian's voice boomed through the hall, "Speak! What is the meaning of this rumor you've spread about the queen?"
The maid, still shaking, began to speak in a barely audible whisper. "I-I was changing the sheets on the queen's bed, Your Majesty, when I saw a strange image on the wall. It was a goddess, unlike any I've ever seen before. And then I noticed a small closet, a room within the queen's chambers, with the door slightly ajar."
King Erian's eyes narrowed. "Go on."
The maid hesitated, glancing around the room in fear. "I-I sneaked into the closet, and what I saw, Your Majesty... it was strange. The same goddess, shaped like a crescent moon, surrounded by candles. I feared for the queen's soul, and for the kingdom's safety. I feared she had given herself to an unknown god."
The king's face darkened. "Do you know the punishment for lying against a member of the royal family, specifically the queen?"
The maid nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Y-yes, Your Majesty. I could be put to death for such a crime."
The king's voice was cold. "Take her away." The guards moved to escort the maid out of the court.
As the maid was led away, the queen, unaware of the reason for her summons, entered the throne room with a mixture of curiosity and caution. She bowed low before King Erian, her movements elegant and refined. "My Lord," she said, her voice melodious.
King Erian's expression was stern, his eyes narrowing as he spoke. "I have heard strange rumors, my queen. Rumors that you have given yourself to a strange goddess, one not recognized by our kingdom's laws. Is this true?"
The queen hesitated, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for an explanation. "I... I do not know what you are talking about, my Lord," she replied, her voice laced with confusion.
King Erian's face darkened, his voice taking on a tone of warning. "Speak! For I will not forgive anyone who tramples on the gods of Eridoria. They may have kept quiet for years, but we all wait for hope. It is high treason to worship another god, one that is not recognized by our laws."
The queen's eyes widened, fear creeping into her expression. "I... I do not know what to say, my Lord," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I swear, I have done nothing to betray our kingdom's gods or you, my Lord."
King Erian's gaze lingered on her face, searching for any sign of deception. But seeing only confusion and fear, he nodded curtly. "Very well. You will return to your chambers, my queen. But know this: if I find even a hint of truth in these rumors, there will be consequences."
With a flick of his wrist, the king ordered the guards to escort the queen back to her chambers, with respect but firmness. As she left the throne room, the queen's eyes cast a pleading glance at her husband, but King Erian's expression remained resolute, his mind consumed by the rumors and their implications, making it difficult for him to read her mind.
Lady Nightshade stepped forward, her voice calm and measured. "Your Majesty, I implore you not to overlook this matter for now. We must start an investigation, gather proof before we act."
Minister Burroughs nodded in agreement. "How do we do that, Lady Nightshade?"
King Erian's face was set in determination. "I will have the queen's chambers searched. I know exactly what to do." He turned to the guards. "Go to the queen's chambers and search every inch. Should you find any trace of a strange god, bring the evidence to me."
The palace guards bowed and hastened to carry out the king's orders, leaving the throne room with a sense of urgency.
Meanwhile, the queen returned to her chambers, her heart racing with fear. She thanked the bodyguards as they bowed and left, then hurried inside, where Susan and Emma were waiting to attend to her.
As soon as the door closed, the queen called her ladies-in-waiting together, her voice trembling. "We have been discovered. Everyone knows about the moon goddess. I don't know how this got out, but I was just summoned to speak for myself. I denied it, but we have to do something quickly before I am discovered."
Susan's eyes widened in concern. "What do we do, my queen?"
Emma's face was set in determination. "No need to hesitate, my queen. We must remove every trace of the moon goddess. No one can tell what's upon us. The king might instruct for your chambers to be searched at any moment."
The queen's eyes welled up with tears as she nodded, fear and desperation etched on her face. "You're right, Emma. We must act fast. Help me, my friends. I don't know what to do."
Together, the three women began to frantically search the chambers, removing any evidence of the moon goddess, their hearts racing against time.
The queen's voice was urgent as she instructed Susan, "Gather everything - the candles, the images, everything. Put them in a piece of cloth and fold it. Take it and leave the palace, go to the temple of the moon goddess. Stay there for now. Emma and I will stay here."
Susan bowed and hastened to obey, carefully gathering the forbidden items and wrapping them in a cloth. She folded it neatly, trying to appear nonchalant despite the danger that lurked in every corner.
As she left the queen's chambers, Susan walked through the hallway with a confident air, trying to blend in with the other servants. But her heart raced with fear as she made her way to the back gate of the palace, the precious bundle clutched tightly in her arms.
"Where are you going?" one of the guards asked, eyeing her suspiciously.
Susan stood tall, her voice firm. "I have been instructed by the king to run an important errand."
At the mention of the king's name, the guards bowed and opened the gate for her. Susan didn't hesitate, quickly slipping out into the night.
But her escape was short-lived. Minutes later, the warning bell sounded, and three bodyguards rushed to the gatekeepers. "Do not let anyone out of the palace!" they shouted. "The king's instructions!"
The gatekeepers looked at each other in confusion. "But... a maid just left," one of them stammered.
The bodyguards exchanged a swift glance, then demanded that the gate be opened. They mounted their horses and thundered out of the palace, determined to catch the fleeing maid.
Susan, oblivious to the danger closing in behind her, ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She didn't dare look back, fearing what she might see. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She could only hope that she reached the temple before her pursuers caught up with her.