Chapter Four: The Prime Minister

''Your Majesty, this servant went back from Elvira." A deep and husky voice spoke behind the queen.

He is the queen's most elite spy, Sir Sergio Von Murella. He came before the queen's presence with complete reverence. As he spoke, he fell on one knee with his right fist laid on his chest. His poise is firm and admirable.

The dark cloak hid his face well but his broad shoulders, tall figure, and well-built body gave off the feeling and hint that he is of the highest caliber. Deadly yet captivating.

Queen Natalia was in her favourite spot, the balcony of Atarah's Sky Tower, standing tall in the midst of Nero - the kingdom's capital city. She was looking down from the top at the city bathed in white, dull, and frozen in time beneath her feet.

The sun in the sky was overpowered by the grey clouds and the weather couldn't be better. The chilling air as the wind blows made people shudder. Thick layers of clothes weren't much of help. So, every house and establishment kept the fire day and night.

"Is he dead?" The queen asked. Her eyes remained looking down on the city.

"Yes, Your Majesty. As you planned, Queen Vernon couldn't think well in the absence of the court jester. Her emotion devoured her. Instead of listening to the former Prime Minister, she killed him along with the court," Sergio said.

The queen nodded in satisfaction.

''How about the letter?''

''As you expected, Queen Vernon let herself be eaten away by guilt. She locked herself in the room. Just as you said, she let the new council of nobles rule Elvira,'' he added.

"It's going well according to the plan."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Sergio looked up and gaze at the queen's back as he took off his cloak. His obsidian eyes shined in amazement.

"Sergio." This time she turned around. His name on her lips sounded like a deep alluring melody to his ears.

"Yes, my queen?" He bowed his head.

"Lead the Court of Elvira and gain her trust."

"Yes, as you wish, Your Majesty." His face gleamed. His loyalty will forever remain to Queen Natalia. She is after all his life and everything.

The queen stepped forward and offered her hands to him.

He smiled and deep dimples appeared on his cheeks.

"You never changed, Your Majesty. You look ethereal as always." he complimented her as he casually accepted the queen's hand and pulled himself up to stand.

A cough escaped from her lips. "You are too, Sergio or should I say...Prime Minister?"

She teased him as she addressed him the title Queen Vernon showered to the new leader of her court.

He laughed heartily. "Queen Vernon didn't give me that title. You are, My Queen."

She only looked at him. "Careful. If I managed to send spies in Elvira, then she can as well," she warned.

"I understand." He nodded as he joined the queen on the balcony.

"Your Majesty, I have something to ask," his look turned serious, almost frowning when thinking about something. He seemed curious but not fond of that curiosity.

"What is it?"

"What do you want to do with the dark queen's jester?"

"Keep him." Her short but quick response made him stunned.

"W-Why?" He almost choked.

"That man...I never saw someone like him."

"Your Majesty, what are you thinking? He is our enemy."

"I don't think so."

"He must be a spy. The dark queen favoured him!" His tone anxiously rose a bit.

''I'll use him as much as I want until I see Vernon on her knees,'' her voice was cold as ice as always.

Sergio sighed in relief for some reason. He gently took the hold of the queen's hand and planted a kiss on it. ''My Queen, command me as much as you want. I'm always here for you.''

Those are honey-like words but the queen was unfazed. Held no emotions in her eyes.

''I know,'' she slowly held back her hands. ''Sergio, there's something you must do.''

''What is it, My Queen?'' He said as he bowed respectfully with his hand on his chest.

He was a little bit disappointed when her hands retreated back away from his grasp. But he could only swallow his feelings.

''Help him.''

''Who?''

''The jester. Help him to escape and gain the dark queen's trust.''

……

It was past midnight. The city and the whole kingdom were submerged into a deep slumber. It was also the time of the next shift of guards since noon. Usually, this time around is when the defense was a bit weaker. But no one knows, it was Atarah’s castle after all. Home to one of the most invincible armies on the continent.

But at the time of desperation, there’s always someone who would toughen themselves, enough to test the waters.

‘’It’s time.’’ The jester stealthily crept down the hallway leading to the servant’s quarters. The surroundings were dark and creepy.

‘’Mother, help me!’’ he cried under his breath. His legs shuddered as he took step by step onwards.

The bells on his colourful cap clinked whenever he moved so he decided to take it off and tucked it under his sleeves.

One step at a time and every minute made his heart burst in fear.

Suddenly, from the corner of his eyes, he saw a shadow. It was fast but his eyes who had seen the greatest tricks around the world wouldn't miss even a fast-moving shadow in the darkness.

‘’W-Who was it?’’ He whispered. His voice was tremulous because of fear and thick coldness in the air. As he walked closer to the servants’ quarters, the cold became even denser.

‘’Who are you?’’ He asked but only the howling wind coming from the window, wide open, at the near end of the hallway could be heard.

‘An open window?’ The jester asked in the back of his mind. ‘There’s no way a guard or a servant would leave a window open at night unless there is someone who...’

Suddenly, he heard quick footsteps behind him.

Tensed, he turned around but before he could see the person running to him, a large figure pinned his body on the ground. ‘’L-Let me go!’’

The jester twisted his body in protest. He tried to kick and push the unknown person but failed to make him get off his body since he was smaller than him.

‘’Let me go!’’ he said harshly.

He elbowed the person but he still failed. His body wasn’t that trained in combat. He was raised as a jester, not a warrior.

‘’Don’t move!’’ The person spoke with a deep, annoyed, and solemn voice.

In the next moment, the jester found his hands tied by the rope. Then the tall stranger carried him on his broad shoulders like a sack.

‘’Let me go! Are you a guard?’’ The jester asked. ‘’Why aren’t you gagging my mouth? I can still speak!’’

‘’Do you really want to be gagged. No problem. I would love to!’’ The man said and attempted to put him down but the jester responded.

‘’No!’’

‘’Just shut that annoying mouth of yours.’’

‘’Aren’t you kidnapping me?’’

The man stopped in his tracks once they arrived in front of the window.

‘’No.’’ Then his feet smoothly landed on the window sill. The large window was as tall as a human. Thankfully, a tall man like him could fit through the window.

‘’Then, why did you tie my hands and feet as well? This is how you kidnap people plus the gagged in the mouth.’’

‘’It’s troublesome to let those legs and hands-free. I’m not kidnapping you so will you keep silent now? If someone would hear us, we’re both dead,’’ he said in a very low voice.

‘’One more thing to ask before I shut my mouth.’’

The man just makes a ‘tch’ sound as his response. He looked carefully side by side before cautiously jumping from the window. It was high enough to make someone drop dead on the solid ground once after jumping but this man skillfully landed on his two feet. The bushes hid them from the patrolling guards.

‘’Woah, man you’re incredible! Are you an assassin? A spy?’’

’’ Shut up or I will kill you.’’ He whispered but the sharpness was like a knife that could cut through flesh.

‘’Fine. But where are you taking me?’’

When he made sure there were no guards within his sight and he sensed there was no one around, the man ran from bushes to bushes until they reached the back gate of the palace meant for the servants.

‘’Home.’’

‘’Home?’’

He put down the jester and took something under his cloak. It was shaped like a flute made of oak wood. There were dragons carved around its body. The man put its mouth on his lips and he blew it.

From the bushes, a small arrow came out and hit the guard's neck guarding the palace’s back gate. It only took seconds and the guard dropped dead on the ground.

The jester’s eyes widened in amazement. ‘’That was amazing!’’ he said but he was hushed by the man.

‘’So, you’ll take me home. To my grandmother?’’

‘’No. Back to the dark queen.’’