LONG LIVE THE QUEEN
910 Words
Annabelle's eyes snapped open, her mind reeling from the vivid dream. She had stabbed Rufus, the man she once loved, and the pain in his eyes still lingered. Conflicting emotions swirled within her: softness and anger.
"Today, I will be properly crowned as the protector of Gassel. Father, wherever you are, I have expanded our family. We're no longer blacksmiths but the protector" Annabelle whispered, tossing aside the velvet blankets.
Her servants, set outside her chambers, rushed in to assist.
"Our protector, shall we begin preparations?" one asked.
Annabelle nodded, her gaze cold.
The servants rushed to bath and dress her in the elaborate coronation gown, adorned with dark gemstones.
As they worked, Annabelle's thoughts drifted to Gracie's destruction and Amira's emotional state. She smiled as she felt fulfilled. Medea. whispered to her she was perfect for the throne. She smiled unemotionally.
With her attire complete, Annabelle went into the dungeon, seeking the Protector, as instructed by Medea.
Guards parted, allowing her to enter the dimly lit prison.
The Protector, once a fierce warrior, now hung shackled.
"Today's my coronation," Annabelle declared, her voice dripping with triumph. "I'd be pleased if you attended. It won't be fun without you"
The Protector's gaze remained focused on the stone floor.
Annabelle's smile twisted.
"Silence suits you. Look at how weak you've become. It's a pity."
As she turned to leave, the Protector spoke, his voice low.
"What do you truly desire, Annabelle? What have I done to you? How did Gassel wrong you?"
Medea, the dark spirit within Annabelle, provoked.
"The power to rule the world, you have wronged me Theo. You cast me out and I have waited a long time for this day to take what's mine." Annabelle replied, her voice no longer her own.
The Protector's eyes widened.
“Medea!”
Annabelle's laughter echoed through the dungeon.
The coronation ceremony unfolded without a glitch. Annabelle, now Queen, sat upon the throne, Medea's dark powers coursing through her veins. With a wave of her hand, she dispatched messengers to neighbouring regions.
"A new protector has taken over Gassel, we cordially invite you to feast with the queen." the proclamation read. "A new era has begun."
As the sun dipped below the edge, Gassel's subjects trembled.
Their queen's reign had begun.
*********†******†*******†
Selene and Rad had set off early, in order to return immediately for Healior. They went through the lower citadel and made it for the palace. navigated the palace's hidden passages, to avoid detection. They only wanted to see their mother after years. On their way, they only prayed the rumours were false, as they wanted their mother to see the era of good and not evil.
“ Rad, I just hope our mother is alright. I don't want to lose her or know she's not in the world.” Selene filled with emotions said. Rad, who stood as the strong one, refused to show his emotions but encouraged Selene to stay strong.
Upon reaching her chambers, they found servants attending to her. They waited, concealed, until the servants left.
As the door creaked shut, Selene and Rad rushed to their mother's bedside.
Her eyes, engulfed and weak, fluttered open.
"Selene...Rad… you came to see me" she whispered, a faint smile on her lips.
Tears streamed down their faces as they clutched her hands.
"Mother! We miss you so much, I can't believe the rumours are true. Please stay strong for us. We'll find a cure." Selene sobbed.
Their mother's voice was barely audible.
"Be good...protect each other...forgive…do what's right, no matter what."
Emotions overwhelmed them as they shared tender moments.
“ Mother we will be going to Healior, I believe our new found friend has divine powers, everything will be fine soon.” Rad assured her. They heard the bell which served as a means of communication in the kingdom and wondered what it meant.
“ You two will have to leave now before you get caught. Your father is the worst and won't spare you.” Their mother pleaded.
Just as they prepared to leave, guards stormed in.
"Traitors!" one guard shouted.
Redo emerged from the shadows, a calculated smile spreading.
"I have always known you'd come to see her. I mean with the rate of gossip in the palace, it's obvious the news of her health will get to you. I've been waiting patiently every day."
Their mother, with fading strength, pleaded. "Redo, please...let them go… I beg you"
Redo's expression remained unyielding.
"Guards, take them away."
The scene spread before their mother's helpless gaze.
As Selene and Rad were dragged out, their mother's frail body trembled.
"Selene! Rad!" she cried out, her voice fading. After a while, she succumbed.
Selene and Rad’s screams echoed through the palace as they watched their mother die.
The guards tossed them before the king.
" You have been charged for treason and for the murder of the queen," the king declared, his face cold. "You're sentenced to death."
Selene and Rad exchanged a despairing glance.
“ Father! wait! I didn't betray you, I only followed Rad, my foolish brother, to gather some information for you. I know where he hid the people, and I also heard there's a werewolf in the Nine clans with divine powers.It seems Redo is not informed.” Selene declared, standing up from where she knelt with confidence.
Rad, who was shocked at her words, looked at her in despair.
- Writer
