Chapter 19

After Gustov had taken away the child to the facility she could not keep herself from checking on him. She somehow managed to convince Gustov to let her visit the child once in a while, but Gustov had put forward one condition, she was not allowed to have any contact with the child in any way or form. She just could see him grow from a distance. She happily agreed to the deal, it seemed enough back then.

She was allowed to go see the boy just once every two months from afar. As time passed, she got extremely fond of the kid, even the name Kylian was proposed by her when he was two. The name meant little warrior and bright-headed which perfectly suited the boy.

Earlier Fiona had thought Gustov would train him once he was of age, but Gustov was rather extreme in execution of his plans.

From just a mere age of three, Kylian was trained as an elite soldier, his body was pushed to the limits. The child was suffering and so was Fiona. Fiona could see Gustov was trying to turn the kid into a monster, emotions were being plucked out of him day after day like wild grass.

Fiona desperately wanted to help Kylian in any way or form, but Gustov was too cautious and he had reasons to be, his son's and the Kingdom's future laid on that child. Not even the masters were allowed to leave the place.

Finally, she got a small chance. It was when Kylian was five there rose a need for a good healer. She then managed to sneak Maya one of her loyal assistants to the castle as a master healer for Kylian.

Years went by, Maya acted as a support system for Kylian inside the castle trying her best not to let Kylian turn into an animal without consciousness.

Even though Kylian was extremely good at assassination and even better with weapons, but there were no signs of him awakening as a mage. Gustov was getting desperate, without a mage there was no chance to get 'The Ancient one' out of the way. In his desperation, Gustov started buying different kinds of expensive portions from Borax Kingdom in secrecy. These portions claimed to help mages awaken.

The potion worked, Kylian would sometime show a supernatural side with his skills.

But no one was sure if Kylian had actually awaken or they were side effects of giving such a high dose of different potions, because he seemed in no control of himself.

Just within a month, the high expenses of buying those potions made their way into the financial reports of the Kingdom.

Gustov's deed could not be hidden any longer, and soon came to light in front of the council. 'Ancient One' then himself ordered prince Jamine to get his father executed and take up the throne for himself. Jamine did it without even a second thought, he wanted power but moreover, he did not wanted to offend the 'Ancient One' in any way.

The King was loved by the general public so not to cause any riots, the cause of the King's death was published to be a natural cause.

Just before Jamine and the councilmen could get their hands on Kylian and Maya, Fiona helped them escape using her resources. Further, she even gave fifty gold coins to Maya for Kylian's upbringing.

All the councilmen were suspicious of her involvement in Gustov's plan, so they made extra efforts to keep a watch on Fiona.

Choosing the best for her and them both, Fiona made no contact with the two. She was not even aware where Maya had taken Kylian to, just the assurance of their safety was enough for her.

In the time of three years, every official and aristocrat loyal to the late King was either killed or imprisoned under false charges.

Three years later, Scilias Mallor managed to track both Kylian and Maya, who by then were living a peaceful life in a small village.

Scilias immediately sent a battlemage Ceneteur Tremeur, to kill them both.

Along with Maya and Kylian, Ceneteur burnt eighty-two of the other villagers too. Of course, villagers hardly mattered to the King.

By achieving such a feat, Scilias Mallor then became the King's favorite and gained influence over the councilmen and the Kingdom.

"Fiona ?" Scilias called out. Fiona blinked her eyes twice and looked around, she had zoned out.

Once Scilias had Fiona's attention, he repeated himself "Do you accept taking the money?"

Scilias had her surrounded, she could not in any case give away the reason.

"Yes, I accept" Fiona pursed her lips.

Scilias Mallor gave a haughty look to Fiona. Finally, he had managed to put down the former queen herself.

"Your Majesty The King. Here are all the pieces of evidence." Mallor waved all the four papers in his hand, for everyone in the council room to see -"If anyone present here would like to cross-check, please go ahead."

It was just a formality, and no one obviously cross-checked the evidence in question.

Scilias waited for a minute or two and when there was no one who questioned the evidences. He spoke after giving a slight bow "Your majesty I, therefore, rest my case here."

It was time for the King to take the stage, the main power was vested to the King and the final decision was his despite all the evidences.

Without waiting even for a second Jamine got up from his seat, all set to give his verdict.

"Ablon has always been known for it's Justice throughout the world" He spoke aloud, "If someone is found guilty, he or she gets punished despite their post or lineage." Jamine looked around all over the room and continued "I King Jamine Bertillon charge Fiona Akerberg guilty. She will be stripped of every post inside the Kingdom and will be not be allowed to leave the castle until further orders. To make sure she follow the orders, four guards loyal to the throne would be accompanying her."

The council-room burst into cheering and clapping, for them seeing Fiona out of their way was a great achievement.

Scilias waved his hand and four guards came towards Fiona. Fiona looked at Scilias with scorn, her green eyes burning with rage.

Fiona raised her hand, her whole body was by now brimming with fury.

When everyone saw her raised hand, the noise soon subsided.

Looking fiercely at the councilmember she spoke aloud "You all selfish swine. Do you think what is happening here is justice ?"

The members started booing and cursing Fiona, but her voice towered over everyone as she continued "For your greed, you all sell this kingdom in the market each and every day like a whore." the shouting increased a notch, but Fiona did not waver even a little

"You all don't care about the Kingdom. You say I stole from my Kingdom." she gave a mocking laugh. "In the past thirty years, I have not charged a single penny for my services as an advisor and as a healer mage. When your wives were wearing expensive jewelry to exquisite parties, It was I and my team who were at the battlefront healing soldiers." At this moment, she hardly cared about anything and it was not as if the King could imprison her or get her executed even if he wished, he could have already done if he could.

Even though in the past years she and her family had lost her influence over the council, but the commoners and a few among soldiers still worshiped her. If the council were to imprison her there would only be a huge riot, and Ablon was in no condition to handle any. They could not get her executed and call it a natural death as she was a healer mage.

After Gustov's death, Fiona had been cautious and had learned what were the councilmen capable of, so Fiona had made special arrangements that if incase the council manages to get her assassinated the whole Kingdom would come to know that the blame for her death lies with the council.

Even the council and the King were aware of this and this was the very reason no one had dared to get their hands around her neck till now.

"You all here have been corrupted by power, money and fame" by now she was staring at the King "- and trust me, Ablon will fall within a year."

"ENOUGHHHH" Jamine roared, his eyes red in anger. The whole room hushed instantly. "Leave, or the consequence will be worse" he spoke through his gritted teeth, his eyes were filled with scorn and pure hatred, for Fiona.

Their whole relation had crumbled many years back.

Scilias on the other hand, had an ear-to-ear smile on his face. By insulting the King Fiona had only made his future plans easy for execution. Today's punishment and insult would just look like a slap on the wrist to what Scilias had planned for her.

Without wasting a single second Fiona left, followed by the four guards.

Even being in the same room with such people disgusted her.

Reaching her room she sat on her table, and quickly wrote a letter. As she was starting to leave one of the four guards interrupted, "Your majesty," he spoke "I would like to check the content of the letter."

'What had become of me' she thought. A healer mage, an elder daughter of the most prestigious families, a Queen to one of the most powerful kingdoms, now have to take permission to send letters.

Fiona took a long breath, it was no time for self-loath. She looked at the soldier and spoke with a sharp edge to her voice "You all are here just to watch if I don't leave the castle. Try interrupting me again and I will make sure there is one more paper added to Scilias Mallor's collection, and this one would be legit."

The soldier paled visibly.

She then started walking out, this time no one dared to interrupt her, they just followed her.

She made her way straight to her brother's chamber to deliver the letter, on normal days she would have just sent a messenger but times were grave and no one was to be trusted.

Without saying a single word, she handed the letter to Darus.

Darus was stunned by her sudden arrival, but before he could speak Fiona was already out of the room.

She had no doubt that the guards would be giving a detailed report to Scilias but she had to keep her family safe.