Chapter Ten: The Queen Questions
1611 Words
Morning spread slowly across the capital, pale light sliding over the tall towers of the royal palace.
But inside those walls, the mood was far from peaceful.
Rumors had already reached every corridor.
Someone had attempted to assassinate Prince Kael Ardyn during the night.
Servants whispered while carrying trays through the halls. Guards spoke quietly among themselves at the gates.
Because an attack on a royal was never a simple crime.
It meant someone powerful had made a move.
Queen Zara was having a feast full royal breakfast at the royal dinning hall alone she didn't have her crown on her head she still had a fearful aura.
It was at this time her trusted adviser came.
She already knew what he had to report.
Everything but she intend to let him talk.
"Good morning your majesty" he greeted she continued her meal not sparing him a glance.
"Go on"
"A report arrived shortly before dawn," he said calmly.
"The assassin infiltrated Prince Kael's residence disguised as one of his guards."
Zara did not look up.
"And the prince?"
"He survived."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"Impressive."
Cassian continued.
"The assassin killed himself before he could be questioned."
Zara finally lifted her eyes.
"Convenient."
Silence settled over the hall.
Then she rose slowly from her chair abandoning breakfast.
"Send for the prince," she said
Cassian nodded.
"You wish to question him personally?"
"Not exactly . I want some trusted cabinet members present as well "
He handed a medallion to her she accepted it puzzled
"This was brought in from the prince belongs to the assassin"
"What does it mean "
"Witch hunters your majesty " she looked up at him of cause she knows just confirming.
"What about them"
She studied the medallion again.
"The Ashen Creed does not act randomly."
Cassian's brow tightened slightly.
"You believe the attack was planned?" she thought it was a stupid question
"I believe," she said quietly, "that someone is testing this throne and I intend to discover who"
Prince Kael arrived at the palace shortly after midday following the queen's order.
His carriage rolled through the palace gates under heavy guard.
Because everyone understood something important.
The new queen and the royal prince did not trust each other.
Kael stepped out of the carriage and looked up at the towering palace walls.
For a moment his expression hardened.
The throne inside those walls had once belonged to his family.
Now it belonged to Zara.
A witch.
A queen crowned in fire.
A palace guard approached him.
"Her Majesty awaits you in the cabinet chamber.
Kael nodded.
"Of course she does."
The cabinet chamber was different unlike the throne hall which was a place of towering pillars, banners, and glittering marble where nobles could admire the power of the crown.
It was where power was used.
Thick stone walls sealed the room from the rest of the palace. No windows allowed curious ears outside, and the only light came from tall iron torches that cast restless shadows across the long obsidian table in the center.
Five chairs surrounded it.
Each belonged to a man capable of shaping the fate of the kingdom.
This morning, every one of them was present.
General Torrin sat with the rigid posture of a soldier who had spent most of his life in armor rather than court robes. His broad shoulders filled the chair, and the scar across his jaw made him look permanently displeased.
Lord Halric lounged more comfortably, dressed in layered silks that spoke of wealth and careful vanity. His eyes were sharp and curious, the eyes of a man who enjoyed watching powerful people argue.
Lord Veridan sat quietly beside him, hands folded over a polished cane. His age showed in his silver hair and lined face, but his calm gaze missed nothing.
Cassian stood near the head of the table.
And at the head sat Queen Zara.
She had arrived before the others.
She had spoken to none of them.
Her dark eyes were fixed on the door.
The room was silent when it opened.
Prince Kael entered.
Every man in the chamber looked up.
The prince wore deep blue velvet trimmed with silver thread, the colors of the royal bloodline. The fabric fit him perfectly, tailored with the quiet elegance expected of a prince raised in power.
The emblem of the royal house — a crowned serpent — had been stitched across his chest.
A ceremonial dagger rested at his belt, its jeweled hilt glinting in the torchlight.
But it was not the clothing that held the room's attention.
It was the fact that he looked completely unbothered.
A man who had survived an assassination attempt only hours earlier might reasonably look tired.
Prince Kael looked composed.
He stepped forward and bowed his head slightly.
"Your Majesty."
Zara regarded him for a long moment.
Then she gestured to the chair across from her.
"Sit."
Kael took the seat.
The silence that followed was thick with unspoken questions.
General Torrin finally broke it.
"Well," the general said gruffly, "you're alive."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"So it would appear."
Lord Halric chuckled softly.
"Forgive the general, Your Highness. He has a habit of stating the obvious."
Torrin snorted.
"Someone tried to kill him."
"Yes," Halric said pleasantly, "and yet here he sits. That makes it worth mentioning."
Kael folded his hands calmly on the table.
"I assure you, Lord Halric, I appreciate the concern."
Halric smiled.
"Oh, it isn't concern."
"Curiosity, then."
"Very much so."
Cassian stepped forward and placed something on the table between them
.
A metal medallion.
The symbol engraved into its surface caught the torchlight.
A sword wrapped in chains and flame.
General Torrin groaned quietly.
"Wonderful."
Halric leaned forward to examine it.
"The Ashen Creed."
Lord Veridan sighed.
"I had hoped they were merely a rumor."
Kael studied the symbol briefly.
"I was not familiar with them until last night."
Halric tilted his head.
"Then your education has improved dramatically."
Zara finally spoke.
"They hunt witches."
Her voice was calm.
But the torches along the wall flickered slightly.
No one commented on it.
Halric cleared his throat delicately.
"Yes… their reputation is well known."
General Torrin leaned forward.
"So how does one of their assassins walk into the prince's residence?"
Kael answered easily.
"That is a question I hoped this council might answer."
Halric smiled.
"How flattering."
Veridan spoke quietly.
"The assassin entered the capital three days ago."
Torrin frowned.
"Three days?"
Cassian nodded.
"He passed through the northern gate disguised as a mercenary."
Halric tapped the table thoughtfully.
"And no one stopped him."
"Apparently not."
Torrin crossed his arms.
"That means someone helped him."
The room fell quiet.
Zara's gaze slowly moved from one man to another.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop slightly.
No one mentioned it.
Halric spoke carefully.
"That is… a possibility."
Torrin grunted.
"It's the only possibility."
Veridan nodded slowly.
"The Ashen Creed rarely operates alone."
Kael leaned back slightly in his chair.
"So someone invited them."
Halric lifted a finger.
"Let us be cautious with that word."
"Which one?" Kael asked.
"Someone."
That drew a faint smile from the prince.
General Torrin looked unimpressed.
"Assassins don't wander into royal estates by accident."
Halric nodded thoughtfully.
"True."
Then he glanced toward Zara.
"Though it is interesting that they chose the prince rather than the queen."
The comment hung carefully in the air.
Zara's expression did not change.
"They may have hoped to start something."
Halric smiled faintly.
"Oh?"
"A kingdom is easier to destabilize when its rulers begin suspecting one another."
Kael watched her closely.
"A clever strategy."
Veridan spoke again.
"Prince Kael, did the assassin say anything before he died?"
Kael nodded.
"Yes."
The room became very still.
"He said the queen must burn."
Halric exhaled softly.
"Well."
"That seems rather personal."
Torrin rubbed his forehead.
"If the Ashen Creed is truly here, we have a problem."
Halric corrected him immediately.
"She has a problem."
He gestured politely toward Zara.
"No offense intended."
Zara regarded him calmly.
"None taken."
Kael's voice was thoughtful.
"I find something curious."
All eyes turned toward him.
"The assassin fought well."
Torrin nodded.
"They usually do."
Kael continued.
"But he carried this."
He tapped the medallion lightly.
Halric frowned.
"And?"
"That symbol makes him easy to identify."
Veridan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Meaning?"
Kael met Zara's gaze.
"Meaning whoever sent him wanted us to know who he belonged to."
The room fell silent.
Halric leaned back slowly.
"Oh."
Torrin frowned.
"That doesn't make sense."
"On the contrary," Kael said calmly. "It makes perfect sense."
Zara studied him carefully.
"Explain."
Kael's voice remained steady.
"If someone wanted to provoke fear, or conflict they would send a message "
His eyes moved slowly around the table.
"And a witch-hunting order attempting to murder the prince certainly sends one."
Halric let out a soft laugh.
"I must admit, that is a wonderfully unpleasant thought."
Zara leaned forward slightly.
"Prince Kael."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Do you believe the assassin came for you?"
Kael held her gaze for several seconds.
Then he said quietly,
"I believe someone wanted this meeting to happen."
The torches flickered again.
And this time, Zara noticed.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as a thought formed in her mind.
Because if the prince was right…
Then the assassin's mission had not been to kill him.
It had been to force this conversation.
Zara slowly leaned back in her chair.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Her gaze rested on Prince Kael.
Perhaps she had underestimated him.
And if that was true…
Then the game inside this palace had just become far more dangerous.
- Writer
