Chapter 17
For hours the soldiers had scoured the perimeter without being able to find any trace of the princess, the sun was beginning to creep into the horizon, Asher was worried about not finding any trace of the princess, the weather was very unstable in that place, if a snowstorm hit the place it would make the search more difficult, the princess herself would not survive such a cold weather by herself.
- Keep searching! - shouted Asher.
His companions nodded at his words, that territory was a complete mystery to all of Nakahud's soldiers, even if they were thorough with the search, they might be overlooking some place.
- Majesty, please call the mages from the tower - said Asher in supplication.
Asher bowed his head waiting for the answer of his majesty, who had not been moved by hours of the snow with the body of the queen in his arms, those golden eyes were reddish because of the continuous tears shed by his majesty, raising his gaze towards Asher, he spoke.
- Magicians... - answered her majesty in a low voice.
His majesty clenched his hands and teeth tightly, he stood up with Layla's body in his arms, without saying a word he passed by Asher's side, that glow that his majesty always had in his eyes had completely disappeared.
- Asher, you will be in charge of Stella's search.
Said his majesty getting on his horse, Asher knelt before him at his majesty's command, those words were sharp and direct.
- You must find her, whatever it takes.
Asher accepted the order of his majesty in silence, when he heard the hooves of the horse moving away he looked up, he observed with sadness how his majesty was leaving with the body of the queen in his arms.
- Majesty .... - said Asher.
- Is it right for her majesty to return on her own? - said a soldier.
- Right now no one could stop him, her majesty is very wounded - Asher sighed with regret - the princess is our only hope, if we don't find her her majesty... she could fall into darkness - Asher said seriously looking at his companion - everyone be attentive and don't leave a single place unchecked -
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//Reign of Nakahud//
The wind suddenly rose and began to whip strongly, that clear sky began to be covered by dark clouds in an instant, that phenomenon called the attention of all the residents of the kingdom of Nakahud.
- Hurry up, it's going to rain soon! -
The palace maids were rushing about their chores as they witnessed such an unexpected change in the weather.
- Empress Dowager, you should go in," said a maid.
Silently watching as the woman stared at the clouds, giving a smile the empress dowager entered her chambers.
- I need you to deliver a message," said the empress dowager.
The maid looked a little confused at the request of her mistress, she nodded silently as she watched her write the letter, noticing that the envelope was dark in color she looked at the empress dowager with surprise.
- Empress... his majesty forbade you to...
Hearing the knock on the table the maid shrugged her shoulders with fear and kept silent, the fixed gaze of the empress dowager felt on her, without looking up and trembling she received the letter while she was leaving her quarters, the empress dowager when she found herself alone in the room rested her gaze on a portrait of the royal family.
- I thought I was clear enough with her when she arrived at this palace, you were just a young girl the first time I saw you, those golden eyes full of innocence, I warned you countless times, but you did not listen to my words and simply let yourself be carried away by your feelings, love? - The empress dowager began to laugh in her chambers while she took that portrait in her hands and looked at it with a frown - love is fleeting and ends when betrayal begins, such a fragile and delicate flower would never have survived in this dark, cruel and selfish world.
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No matter how far he walked, the view remained the same, the snow still covered his feet.
- I'm not getting anywhere - Agnus felt annoyed and exhausted at the same time.
Feeling the small tears wetting his chest Agnus was surprised, the sobbing of the little girl in his arms was heard, Agnus slowed down his pace.
- Princess...
The little dark-haired girl looked up, meeting those crimson eyes and looked around desperately.
- Mo... mom! -
The cry of the princess became louder when she heard no answer, the albino hugged the child who was trying to let go.
- I'm sorry, princess - said Agnus.
- Dad... daddy! - cried Stella in tears, clinging to Agnus.
Agnus tried to calm her down.
- I'll take her home, that's why... - Agnus stopped talking when he noticed something out of the ordinary in the little girl - princess... this... -
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//Reign of Nakahud//
- HIS MAJESTY HAS RETURNED! - announced the guards.
Norma and Mary who were in the palace hurried to meet her majesty.
They were not the only ones waiting for his majesty, the Duke of Tyson and the ministers were at the entrance of the palace.
Hearing the horse's hooves more loudly, those present bowed their heads welcoming his majesty.
The faces of all present were filled with surprise at the sight of his majesty's clothes covered with blood, and as they noticed the person he was carrying in his arms, murmurs began to be heard.
Mary at the sight of those fine golden hairs of the person in the arms of her majesty paled, she hurried her walk even with fear.
- MY QUEEN! - Mary cried out in tears.
Her hands trembled without being able to touch the body of the queen, Mary fell to the ground disconsolate after having confirmed that it was her mistress.
Norma shook her head not believing that the person her majesty was holding in her arms was Stella's mother, if she was in that state, then how was Stella?
- Stella... - said Norma.
The gaze of the ministers rested on Norma after having pronounced the princess, the ministers wondered where the little girl was, drawing conclusions themselves, they talked about having to see the future of the Romanius.
The Duke of Tyson, listening to the ministers, frowned with annoyance at the lack of delicacy of the nobles with what happened, his majesty looked very pale and the queen was dead in the arms of his monarch, the ministers as if it were a piece of meat talked about the future without taking into consideration his majesty.
- The princess... - Mary looked up at her majesty in tears - Where is the princess! - she said in despair.
Mary was afraid of her majesty's answer, yet she had asked Stella's whereabouts.
- Stand up and follow me - said her majesty.
Mary felt that cold look of his majesty on her, still trying to stop her tears she nodded and stood up following his majesty.
- Your majesty, we must know what happened! - spoke one of the ministers - you must understand that leaving the kingdom is unheard of. Besides, your majesty must be held accountable for what happened in the wizard tower! you can't just ignore... - I don't want to see the faces of any of the ministers.
- I don't want to see the face of any of you in my palace - his majesty's voice was serious - until I order it, no one is allowed to take a step inside my palace! - shouted his majesty looking at the ministers behind him - to give an account? This kingdom belongs to me! I am its ruler! And you are only my servants! By what right do you dare to address me like that! -
The minister was silent at his majesty's words, the other ministers felt indignant at not being able to contradict his majesty.
- Get them out of here, NOW! - shouted his majesty - all of you will be brought to trial, so get ready! -
The ministers looked stunned at his majesty's words, their faces paled, the knights guarding the palace followed his majesty's orders as they learned the ministers one by one.
- I don't care who it is, if they were involved with what happened to the queen, they will die.
Her Majesty watched out of the corner of her eye as the knights led the ministers away as he entered the palace.
It was the first time Norma had seen his majesty act that way, the emperor of Nakahud known as one of the most benevolent emperors gave off an almost murderous aura around him, even so, Norma pretended to follow his majesty, but the duke walked while staring at him.
- Father... - said Norma.
- The queen is dead - said the duke - the factions that are with the empress dowager and her majesty will enter into confrontation after what happened, this will affect the kingdom significantly and without the princess, our position is very clear, Norma, we will return to the duchy, now- - Norma kept silent as she listened to her father.
Norma kept silent as she listened to her father, she forcefully let go of her father's grip and ran inside the palace.
- Norma!!! -
The child ignored her father's shout as she continued on her way, noticing his majesty at the end of the corridor she shouted.
- Your Majesty! Where is Stella! -
Her Majesty stopped walking when she heard him, Mary turned her gaze to the little boy who had shouted and turned her gaze to Her Majesty waiting for her answer.
- I don't know, I only found my wife, the whereabouts of the princess is unknown, I don't even know if she is still alive - answered her majesty.
Mary upon hearing his majesty's answer clenched her hands and teeth trying to hold back her tears.
- Don't go back to the palace - said her majesty as she advanced.
- Wait! Your Majesty! - the guards stopped Norma's walk, the youngest was trying to get loose from them while shouting to her majesty to wait.
Mary stood silently by her majesty's side, when she reached the queen's chambers her majesty carefully laid her body on the bed.
- I need you to bring warm water and towels - said her majesty in a low voice.
- Yes... - answered Mary with a trembling voice.
She watched sadly as her majesty carefully caressed the queen's face, it broke her heart.
The abrupt sound of the door opening surprised Mary, noticing the presence of the empress dowager Mary lowered her head.
- Empress... - said Mary
The empress dowager walked past Mary as she entered the room, seeing Layla's body on the bed she smiled as she looked at her majesty.
- I knew this would happen - said the empress dowager - this is the consequence of your impulsive acts, you not only lost the queen but also the child.
- She is still alive - replied majesty in a low voice, doubting her own words.
- Do you think a child like that can survive the cold climate of the kingdom of Khardia? - asked the empress dowager - behind the walls of the palace that girl looked like a crystal that with the slightest blow would break, she will not survive - she looked at her majesty fixedly - you lost everything, accept it.
- Silence... - said his majesty between teeth.
- Now that he died you should prepare a good place for his body to rest, of course he can't be with your father, nor our family, a foreigner should just... -
- Mother! - his majesty shouted euphorically, drawing his sword - that's enough! I will not allow another word -
- You dare to raise your sword against your mother!! - said the dowager empress annoyed - after all I've done for you! This is how you thank me! Did you forget, who let you marry that woman?! - the dowager empress pointed at Layla's body.
- Don't you think I know that you are also involved in Layla's death! - replied His Majesty, placing his sword on the empress dowager's neck, her eyes filled with tears as she claimed - "What are you talking about?
- What are you talking about? How could you distrust your own mother, when I... I SACRIFIED EVERYTHING FOR YOU! -
- Sacrifice? - Cedric lowered his sword - You think I don't know that? In the battle for the crown the death of my brothers was no accident - those golden eyes glared hatefully at the dowager empress - it was all your doing, how could I trust you, you did it once and you would do it again.
- Cedric... -
- I left you alive all these years because we shared blood ties, but that doesn't mean I will let you go unpunished now - said her majesty - you took from me what I cherished the most -
The dowager empress immediately recoiled at her majesty's words, as she left the room.
- Inform Lord Greimon to come to my palace - she said to one of her maids - "impossible, he wouldn't do it" -.
Mary after hearing the discussion between her majesty and the empress dowager could not believe that her majesty's mother was involved in what happened.
- Mary, I need you to contact some people immediately - said her majesty.
- Yes, as her majesty ordered -
- Also, I know it will be difficult, but over Layla's body I entrust you - said her majesty while caressing Layla's face - I will finish with all of them... no one will be saved... I promise -
Mary nodded to his majesty's words as he left, when they were in complete silence Mary approached the queen's body, wiping her tears she looked at her with a sad smile.
- My queen... - Mary clung to Layla's hand - it's not fair... my queen has suffered so much and now, the princess will suffer too... if the queen is not by her side - Mary said between tears -
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//days later, Nakahud Palace///
All the ministers in the palace hall looked confused at her majesty's sudden call.
- Why did his majesty call us suddenly - said one of the ministers of the kingdom.
- I didn't want to waste time, so I investigated on my own - his majesty's voice was cold to those present - to commit treason to the crown, who would have thought that the people I trusted would stab me in the back, it's cruel -
- Majesty, we all feel a great sadness for the loss of the queen, but... to speak of treason..." said one of the ministers, "My wife is dead and my daughter is missing.
- My wife is dead and my daughter is missing, very few people knew about the route they would take to the kingdom of Khardia and those who have access to that information are limited, so you say I should overlook it?! -
The ministers remained silent as his majesty stared at them.
- If they have nothing to hide, they shouldn't be afraid -
His majesty noticing the nervousness of the ministers smiled slightly.
- Don't worry, I can't be without my ministers so I won't get rid of them all, although whoever is behind all this will not be spared," said His Majesty.
All the ministers looked at each other puzzled.
- What is he talking about? -
- What is going on? -
His majesty stood up, his gaze was fixed on the ministers.
- Giving information from the royal family, eh even receiving money for it, how should I have compassion on those who only think of enriching themselves, in exchange for the lives of others! - said his majesty
- Selling information? -
- Who would do that?
Some of the ministers were confused by his majesty's words.
- I inspected each of you and found something strange, the servants of that place sold information of the royal family if you could pay for it - said his majesty.
- Is that true? - spoke one of the ministers.
- Aren't you curious to know since when the information began to be sold? - his gaze fell on a man with hair similar to yours - or perhaps you should say it yourself, Lord Greimon - the minister looked at his majesty without saying a word - it was the year Princess Stella was born and the same year in which you became court minister -
- Your majesty, that accusation cannot be true - interjected one of the ministers.
- Keep your mouth shut! - shouted his majesty - Lord Greimon sold information of the imperial family to our enemies! He is a traitor who ended the queen's life! -
- Please understand that this is a false accusation, your majesty! -
His majesty struck the throne with force, calling the attention of the ministers, pointing towards them, he spoke.
- If you say that I am falsely accusing him again, you will be sentenced to death right now," His Majesty said seriously, "you will pay the price for the crime you committed, so speak up! Who else was in cahoots with him?! - All the ministers were silent - For all these crimes Lord Greimon will be beheaded, the whole Greimon family will be exiled and their noble titles will be revoked.
All the ministers turned pale as they tried to talk some sense into his majesty, the empress dowager rushed in, standing in front of his majesty.
- What are you doing? - said the empress dowager - Why are you making a judgment based on your emotions! You lost your mind after the queen's death, don't forget what your limits are! - he shouted.
- So this is how things will be - his majesty walked towards the empress dowager and spoke in front of her - I never get carried away by my emotions, apparently you must have lost your judgement due to old age if you defend a traitor - he said seriously - the evidence is crystal clear if my mother cannot see it then I think the empress dowager is no longer needed at court meetings.
- CEDRIC! - shouted the empress dowager in annoyance.
- The empress seems to have forgotten where we are - her majesty spoke firmly - even though she is my mother to refer to me by my name is an offense, therefore I request that your regency be terminated - the empress dowager paled - from now on you will not interfere in my decisions.
- YOUR MAJESTY! - cried the empress dowager.
- I am being merciful by only killing Lord Greimon and not his entire family, I know he is a relative of the empress dowager, perhaps, she WANTS ME TO EXECUTE ALL OF THEM! How would you like that? -
- You, you're trying to make a deal with me for Lord Greimon's life -
- A deal? - his majesty smiled as he looked at her - only when you have other options can you say it's a deal -
- YOU! - The empress dowager felt annoyed at her majesty's words.
- Your majesty! - Lord Greimon was on his knees with his head touching the ground - I, I will not acknowledge such an accusation, but I will prove my loyalty by obeying her majesty's order, if with my life I can appease her wrath I will accept it.
- It is a relief - said his majesty - I was worried that due to old age you would be stubborn - I do not regret having spent my life in the past.
- I do not regret having spent my life at your majesty's side, but please grant me permission to have one last audience with your majesty before my death.
- I will grant your request - his majesty replied curtly - the minister's relatives have until tomorrow to leave the kingdom and the same punishment will be meted out to those who are in cahoots -
- Have mercy on us, your majesty! - cried the ministers on their knees.
His majesty without answering left the main hall.
- Take Lord Greimon to my palace - said the dowager empress.
The guards looked at each other and refused, the empress dowager with annoyance ordered.
- Everyone leave the hall! -
Quickly everyone left, the guards remained outside the hall.
- You have lost! - shouted the empress dowager - the prince you supported to be monarch has asked for your head! -
- I didn't think his majesty could find proof, I don't know how he got that information - answered Lord Greimon.
- I trusted you to take care of the royal family, you let your hatred of the queen condemn you to your own death! -
- I made a mistake in believing that if that woman disappeared everything would be all right, but - Lord Greimon looked at the empress dowager - you also trusted her majesty too much in believing that she wouldn't go against you -
The empress dowager kept her words, what Lord Greimon said was true, after the last trial and her restriction, leaving her majesty in charge was her only option, she never believed that her majesty was reorganizing the palace internally.
- Empress Dowager, it is time - said one of the knights as he chained Lord Greimon.
- My head will not roll, don't worry - said Lord Greimon calmly.
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The next day the nobles of the house that belonged to the Greimon disappeared without a trace, all the people were informed of Greimon's deeds and his sentence when they were discovered, the position of the people of the kingdom was divided in two, those who supported his majesty and those who opposed him.
The kingdom was in complete chaos after the death of Queen Layla, those days the rain had not stopped at any time, some believed that it was due to the loss of her majesty, others spoke of it possibly being a curse left by the queen herself, no matter which rumor was true, the only thing that all these stories agreed on was that her kingdom had fallen into darkness.
The sound of the bells could be heard again in the kingdom, every time the bells of the cathedral were heard all the villagers put aside their chores and kept complete silence until the bells were finished.
A month has passed since the death of the queen, during all that time her majesty was in mourning in the palace, hardly any news of her majesty was heard in the whole kingdom, the only thing they knew was that her majesty always stayed next to the queen's tomb, the queen's funeral was very simple, her majesty had not let anyone attend that day.
A few months later the palace doors opened suddenly, the royal guard with her majesty left the palace, it was a rainy day, all the people who had seen the royal guard with her majesty affirmed that the complexion of their monarch did not look very haggard, that day nobody expected that her majesty would go crazy.
The royal guard after the orders of his majesty rode to the magic tower, wizards and knights fought a battle with each other, the swords clashed against each other, that day the magic tower was destroyed, many wizards were beheaded in the same place and others were captured.
Sir Lion was among the captured wizards, his majesty to have him in front of him did not hesitate to raise his sword against him, in front of all the villagers cut the hand of the magician without hesitation, some of the people present looked stunned at the act of his majesty.
Publicly killing magicians became a habit for his majesty, many questioned his majesty for his way of acting, he simply did not listen to those words, he threatened anyone who stood against him would die for treason to the crown, the benevolent emperor had disappeared, the news of the death of the queen spread throughout the kingdoms and how the emperor of Nakahud had become a bloodthirsty madman after that.
Even though the search was exhaustive, in those months they had not even the slightest clue of the princess, some came to the conclusion that the princess could have died in that very place.
The kingdom of Nakahud took measures against the kingdom of Khardia, his majesty felt resentment towards that kingdom, any trade treaty between the two kingdoms was canceled, his majesty knew that the monarch of Khardia was not to blame for what happened, but the pain of the wound after losing the queen was stronger, The monarchs of Khardia tried to appease the anger not only of his majesty but of all his kingdom, but in vain, the controversy between the two kingdoms was clear and could not have a peace treaty again, the kingdom of Nakahud broke any connection with the kingdom of Khardia, any kingdom that tried to judge him would be considered an enemy.
At the end of the year, in the last expedition in the kingdom of Khardia one of the knights arrived with news to Nakahud, the body of a girl who looked about the age of the princess was found on the border, his majesty, undeterred, ordered the body to be taken to the palace and a funeral was prepared, all present looked surprised at the way his majesty acted when he learned that the princess was dead.
In the duchy of Tyson upon hearing the news about the princess, Norma lost control, screaming to see the body of the princess, the duchess was worried about the attitude of her son.
- I demand to see her! - Norma shouted.
- Norma!!! - reproached the Duke - behave yourself.
His father's gaze fell on him, Norma ran out of the living room to her room, the duke accompanied the messenger to the exit.
- My lord... please be understanding with Norma - said the Duchess.
- It was impossible that the princess was still alive - said the duke - Norma must understand that this is the fate of those who fight for the crown.
The duchess looked sadly at her husband when she heard him talk like that, about a life that was just beginning, just thinking that the princess was younger than Norma and was no longer among them devastated her.
- She was still very little... - said the duchess -.
The duke just stared at her, he gave a sigh as he left the room, the duchess went to Norma's room, when she entered her room she was surprised to see Norma at her desk.
- Norma, I thought you'd be... - Norma.
Norma, listening to her mother, looked at her for a moment while she turned her gaze to the book in her hands.
- She's not dead," Norma said.
Those words surprised her mother.
- Norma, they found the body of the princess... - said the duchess.
- Even so, it doesn't fit... from the beginning the expeditions were around the border, so why didn't they find her body then, almost a year has passed and they find her body in a place where the expedition had already taken place... - said the Duchess.
- Norma... in the border of the kingdom of Khardia the weather is very changeable, the blizzards can confuse the sight of the others, for that reason they didn't find his body until now - the duchess put her hand on Norma's head - I'm sorry...
Norma after hearing her mother's words lowered her gaze in silence, putting her book aside.
- I'm sorry mother, I want to be alone... - said Norma.
The duchess nodded as she left her son's room, although it was very cruel to have said it that way, she had to be realistic with Norma.
- Stella... - Norma, remembering Stella's smile, couldn't help crying - I will find the truth, I promise -