The Last Member of the Elite
Fiyord,
Yale (Capital City),
Marly.
The King's Castle – Royal Courtroom
The royal family sat in the grand courtroom, addressing the complaints and needs of their citizens.
A slender woman in a golden-brown gown stepped forward, her face partially hidden behind a flowery scarf. She bowed low before meeting the gaze of King Cedric Eamonn.
Is she really a commoner? he wondered, noting the richness of her attire.
"State your business."
"Oh, great King Cedric, I bring a message from Ailantika, directly from Her Highness."
Cedric froze, his mind racing.
That mad woman?!
"Go on."
"I have been sent to inform you of a plan that would benefit you greatly."
"Carry on."
"A plan has been set in motion to overthrow the proud King of Tyrane. Her Highness believes this alliance will benefit Fiyord, especially given its current economic crisis."
She paused.
"If you offer your support, your forces will join those of other kingdoms to execute the plan. All that remains is your answer, Your Highness."
Silence filled the courtroom.
"What is your name, miss?" the king finally asked.
"Shirley, Your Highness." She curtsied.
"Miss Shirley, leave us for now. We will have an answer for you by sunrise."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Shirley turned to leave, briefly locking eyes with Queen Olive before disappearing through the doors.
"What was that about?!" Queen Olive snapped, facing Cedric.
He raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
She scoffed.
"Why send her away? Why not accept the offer immediately? We all know we need this if we're to survive the coming winter without starving to death!"
"So you suggest I join forces with those we don't fully trust and massacre innocent people—simply because I can't provide for my own?"
"Yes! That's exactly what I mean!" Olive retorted. "I fail to understand your leniency. In fact, how are you still king?!"
Gasps echoed through the room. Cedric's eyes darkened with anger, but instead of reacting, he turned and strode out. Olive glared at his retreating figure before following after him, leaving their children behind.
The guards cleared the courtroom, instructing everyone to return the next day.
Seated in the courtroom remained the king's children:
Elroy, the eldest son, sat beside his father's throne.
Edgar, the second son, sat beside his mother.
Dorothy, Queen Olive's only daughter, occupied the seat next to Elroy.
Eve, daughter of the late queen, sat beside Edgar.
Breaking the silence, Elroy sighed. "What now?"
"Let's go on a picnic. My friends want to meet you," Dorothy suggested.
Edgar rolled his eyes. "Not interested. I have sword practice with Father and the soldiers. So do you, Edgar."
Dorothy frowned.
"Fine, I'll just go alone!"
"Why not ask Eve?"
Edgar said facing Eve who had remained quiet the whole time, She was the eldest among them, but she hardly acted like one, not to talk of her small stature, she should at least say something sometimes.
He thought.
Dorothy sneered, eyeing Eve with disdain before sashaying out.
Eve, relieved, remained silent.
"Come on, Edgar, she can handle herself, right?" Elroy smirked.
Eve nodded slightly.
Edgar sighed and followed Elroy out. As soon as they were gone, Eve slipped away unnoticed.
Moving swiftly through the castle corridors, Eve stopped in front of a storeroom door.
Voices whispered inside.
"Did you hear about what happened in court today?"
"I heard the queen disrespected His Majesty again. If it were anyone else, it would be considered treason, but as always, he did nothing."
"It's disgraceful. He may be wise, but he's too soft. And look at Princess Dorothy—just like her mother!"
"So… if the queen tried to overthrow the king, would you follow her?"
A gasp. "You can't say things like that! You'll get yourself killed!"
The other laughed. "No one can hear us. But honestly? I'd follow her. We need food and supplies. My kids are starving."
Eve walked away, her face unreadable.
She reached the stables, saddled her white stallion, and rode out through the back gate.
At a secluded waterfall miles away, she dismounted, secured her horse, and stepped into the cascading water.
Behind it, hidden within the rocks, lay a cave. She slipped inside, letting her drenched hair fall loose.
Cupping water in her hands, she splashed her face. "I'm sick of all this!" she whispered.
Staring at her reflection, she scowled. "It's so obvious! They must all be blind!" She screamed.
Unbeknownst to her, Edgar stood beside her horse, scanning the surroundings.
She's always disappearing… he thought.
His gaze narrowed toward the waterfall. A sudden scream pierced the air.
His instincts kicked in. Bow and arrow in hand, he stepped forward, letting the rushing water engulf him.
Inside the cave, he stopped abruptly.
"Eve?!"
He quickly turned away, realizing she was barely clothed.
Eve stiffened. "Did you follow me?!" she demanded—except her voice was… different.
Edgar frowned. That was a man's voice.
Without thinking, he turned back to her. "Eve… you're a woman, right?"
Eve stiffened. "Get out!"
Edgar smirked and sat down. "Make me."
Eyes blazing, Eve stormed toward him, grabbed his collar, and yanked him up.
"I said—"
Before she could finish, Edgar grabbed the cloth around her chest and pulled it off.
Eve froze. Edgar's eyes widened.
Her face turned beet red—quickly turning to rage.
BAM!
She punched him.
Edgar went flying out of the cave.
Meanwhile, back at the castle, Queen Olive hurled a glass against the wall, shattering it.
A shadowy figure lurked in the corner.
Sensing its presence, she stilled, then turned. "Yes?"
The figure stepped forward, engulfed in dark flames. "Her Highness requests your presence tonight. There's been a change of plans."
Olive's breath hitched. "Understood. Long live the All-Seeing Eyes."
"Long live the All-Seeing Eyes," it echoed before vanishing.
Olive sank to the floor. "I don't have the strength for this."
Elsewhere…
Cyrus,
Tanzania – Outskirts of Cyrus
Clyde rode ahead through the thick greenery, his personal attendant , Bernald, following closely.
"Something wrong, my prince?" Bernald asked.
No response.
Clyde exhaled.
"I can't shake the feeling that something's seriously wrong."
Bernald raised an eyebrow. "Wrong? In what way?"
"I don't know. Maybe I shouldn't have left home."
Bernald remained silent. He knew Clyde and his sister never got along, but he also knew Clyde cared.
Clyde sighed. I just can't figure it out.
Bernald, avoiding further questions, rode ahead. Clyde grinned and followed.
Back in Cyrus…
Colin, the king's advisor, cautiously approached the queen's chambers, under the ever-watchful gaze of the guards.
Knocking lightly, he was met by a young maid.
Is prince Clyde here?? I was told he was here.
"Prince Clyde isn't here," he hasn't been here since yesterday.
she said.
Colin frowned. "Where could he be?"
Retracing his steps to the king's quarters, he got the same answer, he had left to find his sister!
By the time he reached his own residence, frustration boiled over.
He was about to undress when the hair on his skin stood up at once,
he froze, hands still on his shoes.
A figure emerged slowly from the dark, he quickly went on his knees ;
Long live the all seeing eyes.
He said.
The figure nodded :
Her highness requests your audience tonight, be there.
It said, vanishing immediately.
Alright,
Colin said, beads of sweat dropping from his face, collapsing to the floor,
deep in thoughts.
Colin, drenched in sweat, clenched his fists. "Curse you, Clyde. Now I have to face him, knowing i failed to restrain Clyde and failed to safely deliver
the princess to the Malishains.
He already knew he was doomed, his only hope now was that the Fiyordians were having better luck than him. Unless they were all doomed.
He got off tthe floor, marching back to the king's castle ;
At least, if i'm going to die,
i'll die knowing i had the last laugh.
He thought,
a sinister smile curving his face.