Chapter 118: Queen of Roses

Within the castle, Harvard would be able to see its interior: It shined marvelously, like a cathedral. Bright white marble for its interior, as well as a silk carpet and tapestry amidst the numerous windows and wide floor. The carpet felt like it went on for miles, had it not been contained within the building, and most of the walls were decorated in a rose-like pattern, even holding paintings of such flora with a golden frame. Each painting held a different name in them as well: "Crocus", "Amaryllis", "Asther", "Iris", "Snapdragon", "Astilbe." Each painting held a different flower, yet all of them shared one thing in common: They were painted red. Blood Red. Each petal painted, Each leaf embedded, each speck of color that wasn't the desired pigment of Crimson covering it. It seemed to be her favorite color, Harvard thought to himself. When reaching the throne room, with the Guards removing the chains that bound to his neck, as well as the Demon quickly maneuvering his way around to watch the event unfold, everyone would be seeing the likes of the Queen herself: A Woman in a crimson dress with ivory linings embedded within, possessing a pattern similar to that of a Garden. The woman's dress held long sleeves which contained her slender arms, as well as a pendant around her neck, being in the shape of a small bouquet. The woman, lastly possessed the likes of a red and green tiara, a crown that almost looked like they were made out of thorns and flowers, like a bush blossoming to fruition. She was currently directing another painting to be hung behind her, a painting of a single, red flower: "Rose" was its title.

The Queen simply sat at her throne, having everyone available to bow, Harvard and Zazel included, before letting the guards explain to her the situation. "There was supposedly an assault going on the West side of Synoni. Supposedly it solved itself the moment we arrived, however we still wish to let you choose the verdict, my Queen." After such a summary, the queen looked on towards the two suspects, noticing more so the man than the child, in regards to their appearance.

"Let them speak. I wish to hear their side of the story." The Queen demanded, to which the Guards backed away, acting as a barrier to ensure one does not assault the other. Sadly, as Harvard was about to explain his situation, the man shouted once more with vitriol upon his very soul, shoving the guards away and grabbing the boy by the scruff of his suit.

"HE ASSAULTED ME!! HE ATTACKED ME IN COLD BLOOD!! HE WAS DEFILING OUR GREATEST KNIGHT BEFORE I TRIED TO CORRECT HIM!! HE SHOULD BE EXECUTED!! EXECUTED, I TELL YOU!! EXECUTED!!" The man demanded, to which the Guards tried to have the man let go of the child.

"Your Highne-" Harvard would began, before he was interrupted again.

"EXECUTED!!" The Man shouted once more.

"Your hi-"

"EXECUTED!!!"

"WILL YOU SHUT UP, YOU BIG JERK!?"

"EXE-BLOODY-CUTED!! KILL THE CHILD! RIP HIS THROAT OUT!! HANG HIM LIKE THE DIRTY A-" The guards covered his mouth as a desperate attempt to silence him, yet the man merely retorted with a gut punch, attempting to shout once more. Just as he opened his mouth and let his tongue speak, however, the Queen has had enough.

THWACK!!

A whip. A Whip out of thorny vines smacked his tongue, before striking at his neck in such lashes, it made him bleed profusely like mad, falling over onto the pristine floor and being wide open for more strikes at his body. He would continue having such lashes throughout, his clothes ripped apart, his skin stung and struck every time he tried to talk, howling in pain before slowly but surely being incapacitated, close to death, even. "Now....you may speak." The Queen stated, which despite such brutal punishment, spoke in a soft and calm tone, almost as if she was aware of this problem. Harvard would be nearly petrified at such a state, taking a deep breath as he would try to gather his words. Zazel, meanwhile, was left speechless, staring at the near bloodied corpse in fear of what she is capable of.

"Your highness.." Harvard would start, mainly trying to look away from the wounded man. "....He was trying to hurt someone who was talking about the kni-"

"Stop. I've heard enough." The Queen stated, taking a deep breath, watching Harvard's stunned expression in trying to understand why she stopped him. "Do not worry yourself, my child. You are innocent in this. I have seen this happen before, and it is a dreadful sight when I see it."

"Wait...you do?"

The Queen nodded her head. "It actually started a few weeks ago, where rumors were beginning to spread. I am not one for gossip, but I was able to notice they were besmudging a figure in this kingdom. A figure I'm not familiar with, yet I knew was just as innocent." Her words were almost nailed directly in Harvard's head, as he quickly knew what that figure was. He was right, they would've never done such a Hero such harm. Something was amiss in his eyes, and this woman happened to be a witness to it. "Ever since those few days I've spent here, I keep seeing more and more of people like him. People with Red Eyes that bark nonsense regarding their so-called heroes. People with a Dog's fangs that kept yammering on and on about their prestige, their strength, their mind. It was getting annoying, I won't lie, and it seemed I figured out exactly why such was the case."

"Wait the Knight guy? But he's dead though! How is he-"

"You'd be surprised how much dedication his 'followers' tend to have." Despite her velvety speech, she was blunt and to the point, getting up from her throne and approaching both the child and the whipped man, letting her magic flow across the silk carpet: Vines and flowers growing softly, providing a pleasant aroma. "What I discovered is nothing short than that of a plague. A Plague that is spreading that makes the mind irrational. Makes the mind more irredeemable. You've seen it firsthand, no?" As the Queen gave such words while such aroma was around, Harvard could feel his body slowly starting to relax itself, slowly being at peace despite the damage. As the man woke up and attempted to speak, he too would inhale its scent, slowly calming down just as much, his red eyes disappearing, and looking less like an animal as a result. Zazel, the one unaffected, tried to piece together her words based on Vial's deduction. A Man that takes people within a book, as well as a plague throughout the town. He was also able to know that the residents wouldn't really react such a way to a titular character as what they saw.

Within that instant, Zazel immediately recognized what was the 'plague' going around Synoni. An answer that also made him realize they too need to escape as fast as possible, not just because they would die of old age, but also it meant everyone would be against them.

"As such, I recognize well you are one of few people that aren't naturally affected by this plague. I request for you to find an antidote for this, or if there is no such thing, that you leave before you yourself become affected. Say nothing to my people about this matter. They are under belief I am by their side. One more thing, if by any means I am to be infected, then I apologize on my behalf for such behavior." The Queen pat the boys head, allowing him to take as much knowledge as he could regarding the situation, blessing him upon his hair with a gift: A Rose. With such gifts given, she'd have the Guards escort the child safely, in hopes he heard his demands. Zazel quickly followed before them, to which the Queen took notice.

She gave a small smile knowing someone else was just as aware of the problem as she was.