Back at the grand Zientek estate, the family gathered in their private parlor, the sunlight filtering through the tall windows and casting dappled patterns on the walls. The air was filled with laughter and teasing as they discussed the second prince's request.
Charlotte sat in her chair, her posture relaxed but her arms crossed in irritation. She was an enchanting figure, with hair like spun silver that shimmered in the light, cascading down her back in soft waves. But it was her eyes that truly captivated—a vivid hazel, a breathtaking mix of gold and green with flecks of amber that seemed to shift with her mood. In the warm glow of the afternoon sun, her gaze held a hypnotic depth, like sunlight streaming through autumn leaves, unpredictable yet irresistible.
"You're all absurd," Charlotte said, her voice sharp, her hazel eyes narrowing as they flicked to her brothers. "Why am I the one stuck doing this? Ezra is sitting right there. He can handle it."
Ezra, the youngest of the Zientek siblings, leaned back in his chair with a smug grin. "Oh, but you're the perfect choice, Charlotte. It's your first real task, after all. Besides, the prince didn't specifically ask for me, did he?"
Charlotte's gaze darkened, the amber tones in her eyes deepening like molten gold. "Perfect choice? This is a waste of my time." Her voice carried a sharp edge, though a faint trace of reluctance softened her features.
The rest of the family exchanged knowing looks. Duke Maverick Zientek, their father, finally spoke, his deep voice calm but firm. "Charlotte, enough. We've all decided. You're the one most suited for this. It's a simple task, and it's time you stepped forward. You may not see it now, but this will be good for you."
Her mother added, her voice gentle, "My dear, we all have faith in you. It's not about who can do it—it's about who should do it."
Charlotte groaned, running a hand through her silver hair. The metallic sheen caught the light, making her appear otherworldly, like a figure out of a legend. "Fine," she said at last, her voice laced with resignation.
Her brothers burst into laughter, clinking their glasses in mock celebration. Charlotte ignored them, her hazel eyes flashing with annoyance as she rose to leave. Her gaze lingered on her family for a moment, the shifting colors in her eyes betraying her hidden thoughts. She wouldn't admit it aloud, but a small part of her was curious about the task ahead.
"Don't expect me to enjoy this," she muttered as she left the room, her silver hair catching the sunlight as she strode away.
The next morning, Charlotte arrived at the royal palace. The imposing structure loomed ahead, its golden spires piercing the sky, but Charlotte was unimpressed. Her silver hair shimmered under the morning sun as she approached the grand gates, her hazel eyes glinting with faint irritation. She had no intention of staying longer than necessary.
She was escorted to a set of chambers arranged for her stay. The task, as explained, was straightforward: investigate the queen's disappearance. The details were vague—too vague for Charlotte's liking—but she wasn't one to ask questions.
Her first stop was the royal gardens, where the queen had last been seen. As she walked through the meticulously manicured paths, her sharp gaze caught every detail, from the trembling leaves to the faint impressions left in the soft earth. She had an uncanny ability to see what others missed, a skill honed from years of observation in the shadow of her powerful family.
Then, she heard it—a faint, eerie whispering. She stilled, her hazel eyes narrowing as she followed the sound. Quiet as a shadow, she moved closer, slipping behind a wall of climbing roses. What she saw made her pause.
In a shaded corner of the garden, a group of spiders sat weaving intricate webs, their glossy black bodies catching the light. But they weren't ordinary spiders. They spoke, their voices low and conspiratorial.
"The queen is clever," one spider hissed. "Fooling everyone, even the king. But it won't last."
"Poor fool," another replied, its voice dripping with malice. "The king doesn't even know he's been poisoned. And by his own wife, no less. The queen always gets what she wants."
Charlotte's hazel eyes widened, the gold flecks in them gleaming as the truth sank in. The queen hadn't been kidnapped—she had orchestrated her own disappearance, leaving behind chaos to cover her tracks. The king's illness wasn't due to grief; it was the result of deliberate poisoning.
She leaned back against the stone wall, her silver hair catching the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves. A wry smile tugged at her lips. "Typical royals," she muttered under her breath.
For a moment, she considered reporting her findings to the second prince. But then the idea of getting further entangled in royal politics made her stomach turn. She had no loyalty to the crown and no interest in cleaning up their messes.
Instead, she resolved to keep the information to herself. She would continue the investigation on the surface, pretending to search for the missing queen while letting the kingdom unravel its own web of lies.
"Let them sort out their own problems," she whispered to herself, turning away from the spiders. "This is their mess, not mine."
As she walked back toward the palace, her silver hair swayed with each step, and her hazel eyes glinted with quiet amusement. Charlotte Zientek was no pawn, and she had no intention of becoming one. This mission was just another passing obligation, and she would ensure it ended on her terms.