WONDER ( Twisted Forbidden Tales ) Book Three

Collabarated Lies

MANOMAY

Haku should have been back by now. My thoughts ran wild at the thought of the Haze fog making its appearance suddenly covering an even wider range than before from Mushroom Bay to Chimney Town. Tweedle City was in range being within Dream Forest, but as for Chimney Town……? I couldn’t help but feel that the Fog was low-key hinting at something but I couldn't figure out what about.

Chimney Town was completely desolate, so much so it was considered a ghost town.

However, it was a perfect place for lurkers, squanders, and traffickers. My instincts held on to that fact but still, my mind couldn’t process too much right now. I found something amazing during my lab tests. But the person I wanted to share it with was not here.

Pacing back and forth with my thousand worries, the top being Haku. The Diamond Crows had long returned from there at the portal borders revealing nothing but complete bull on their end after reporting that they hadn’t found anything. Morse and Chester were something, they thought I was blind to what people were saying about me.

Besides that, we had two newcomers. What was the Mad Bandit thinking? The Elder Portal had disappeared after their strange entrance. What was it up to again? It was likely the newcomers that landed with the Mad Bandit had gone into hiding. For the mad bandit that was okay but as for the other two either they had acquaintances here or they were also from here.

Were they friends or foes? Had yet to be clear. Once my Heart’s eye caught their trail, they would not be able to escape. If the letters were correct once again, one of the newcomers held the key to my return home. But at this point after all this time, would I even want to? Would they also have information about my mother?

I was like a maze of questions. The magic within me began to spark so much that it bordered on being uncontrolled. I couldn’t let that happen or damage would ensue. Christine oh dear Christine! How easy was it for you to escape all your bad deeds with death? My hatred for her was unyielding but at the same time tormenting. I didn't want to be a princess or now the Blood Queen. I never hurt a soul yet this title had been thrust upon me.

Haku was considered missing for now just like the other teens and elderly that had risen in number as of late in Dream Forest near Tweedle City. I had to do something, regardless if I was holding this position just in name, I was smart enough to build up my own small but effective team of trusted allies.

Before, it was mostly items and things people used being traded between the reals through the portals of late. Now, that people were involved the outcome could not be good. It brought back painful memories I wanted to forget, but that was impossible considering the way Haku and I first met and the start of a beautiful friendship. One that I, as of late could not deny had over time developed into something much more than friendship.

I prayed that he was alright, especially with the Haze fog in play the night before. A sense of unease came over me, the more I thought things through the clearer I could see that things were not as simple as it was portrayed to be. The missing people were a cover, a well-placed facade to the dark side of things. Had the experiments started back? Morse and Chester were placed by my side to be trusted advisors. But I never once took their guidance to heart.

Those two made me feel uncomfortable to the point where my skin crawled around them. If it weren't for Haku’s protection of me and helping me build my secret team of White Knights to aid me when he wasn’t around. I would have long ago been broken and used horrifically in their disgusting hands. What such a bountiful mother figure was Christine, leaving people like that to supposedly take care of me in her absence.

My hands balled up into fists at my side as stared out the window of my bedroom chambers looking over the rose garden on display in blooming beauty in front of Heartland Palace. I couldn’t deny the letters anymore, it was time for me to break free of this massive prison and start my journey. With a sigh, I turned to leave the beautiful view in the window behind me just as a knock sounded on my door.

“Enter,” I said taking a seat on the edge of my bed. The door opened to reveal with relief one of my trusted White Knights Dean. He walked in and stopped just a few feet in front of me, bowing and then standing straight before he spoke.

“My Queen, The royal advisors have requested for your presence in the Diamond Heart Hall. They have relayed that it is of grave importance to the Wonder Kingdom.” Dean said, his words enough to process the hidden meaning within them.

“Hmm, it seems something indeed has gone wrong on their part. Humph, has the game begun now? Okay Dean, I will reside with you to the Diamond Hall since my presence is needed. Let’s see if we can find the truth in their collaborated lies. This may be what we need to finally get out and prepare the team.” I said giving Dean the command as he nodded in affirmation.

Ten Minutes Later…….

As I stepped into the opulent Diamond Hall, the air thickened with a sense of impending darkness. The hall itself exuded an air of regal magnificence, with walls adorned in glistening diamonds that reflected the flickering candlelight, casting dancing shadows across the marble floors.

Amidst the grandeur stood Morse Crow, his presence commanding attention despite the darkness that clung to him like a shroud. Tall and imposing, he was dressed in a distinguished three-piece suit, tailored to perfection. The fabric, though elegant, seemed to ripple with a subtle malevolence, hinting at the darkness that lurked within.

His physical features were strikingly handsome, with a chiseled jawline, piercing eyes, and a mane of midnight black hair that framed his face with an unsettling allure. But it was his eyes that held the most deceptive allure – crude, cunning, and filled with a longing when his eyes landed on me that sent shivers down the spine.

“Welcome my Queen, it is an honor to grace us with your humble presence this eve.” his cunning voice filtered through the hall sounding throughout the space. As he bowed in respect to me the queen.

“How could I not, Sir Crow with such a matter being of grave importance to the Kingdom? Is it not my duty as your queen to attend to such matter dutifully.” I said in a kind. My tone with a sarcastic hint of my own. Returning his greeting with a slight nod of acknowledgment. I couldn’t act out as I normally would.

The sight of Morse disturbed me. Perhaps it was the way he stood, like a predator sizing up its prey, or the way his lips curled into a cruel smile as he watched me approach.

My eyes scanned the room, drawn inexorably to two figures standing in the far corner.

Zuri and Enzo Tweedle stood there looking angry battered and worn as if they had encountered something unsightly and not in their favor. A sense of enlightenment came over me but I still had to put my best face forward. I had a feeling the Mad Bandit was behind their dispositions. They were not good people that was not a secret here in the Wonder Kingdom.

My steps became hesitant and wary, as I noticed Morse's gaze never wavered, his eyes boring into me with an intensity that made my skin begin to crawl. Tonight I would have to keep my White Knights close to my side. I knew what that look meant. Haku was not around now, would he try to sneak into my chambers again?

That sent a shiver down my spine at the thought. In that moment, I knew that whatever lies he spun, whatever deceit he wove, would have consequences far beyond anything I could imagine. I had to plan my words and actions from here on out carefully Chester Crow had not appeared yet. They two worked together meaninglessly in everything they did and that included using my name and me as a scapegoat for their evil doings.

“Indeed, Indeed, my queen that is why you are undefeated as the most revered throughout the Kingdom lands. It is because of your steady that your presence in this matter is most important to the fate of the kingdom.” Morse said.His tone now changed to one of leisure and flattery.

Did he think kissing my ass right now, would make help the Tweedle’s if I could control my power properly , they would be obliterated by now. The Tweedle’s detested me.How dare they try to hide behind my name. They would never my signature on another decree, never again. I could guess just who they were gunning for, but the letters wanted me to protect this person. For I would need their help moving forward. I couldn’t be objective in these matters anymore. It was time for me to break free from the shackles of Heartland Palace.

“Oh, pray tell how so?” I said arching an eyebrow up in feigned surprise to his praising words.

A smirk played at the corners of Morse's mouth. Causing Dean to tense up on guard at the mall action. As my gaze fell upon the pocket watch that hung from his pants pocket, I knew it was more than just a timepiece. It was a relic of darker times, a talisman of ancient magic that pulsed with a malevolent energy all its own.

The atmosphere within the hall was heavy with tension, the air thick with the scent of intrigue and deceit. The sound of two sets of footsteps approached from behind us entering the hall making my hair stand on end. Chester Crow had returned but he wasn’t alone.

They seemed to be pulling out all the stops right now, meaning that Mad Bandit must have discovered something and it would put a damper on whatever they had been planning. Chester Crow stopped before me. Donning a respectful bow, he straightened himself.

“My queen.” he said before proceeding to stand with his brother. The person beside me didn’t show one ounce of respect to me at all and just followed Chester taking a place beside them both.

I didn’t care one way or the other, If I had my way I would escape here and now. Right now a frown was on my face as I stared at the person next to them. He was one would not forget. His face was covered by a mask his presence a bit overwhelming making me sick to my stomach but I held my reaction in.

It was him, the man who stood by Christine, the man who hurt Haku and many others with his experiments, one of them being me. When the first set of letters appeared our altered memories had returned. That mask had been the source of many nightmares for me and Haku without knowing why until the letters gave us the answers. Was he unaware that Christine’s death had released a lot more than what he thought they had only done together? How ironic at a time like this, but I was different now and would no longer be their pawn. What could they do if I were to disappear? Without their queen, they would no longer have control.