The Fallen Queen (1)

“So, the princess announced your wedding was being held in two weeks?” Duchess Westerwyn exclaimed, smirking through the blue crystal ball.

“Yes.” Ryker nodded as he stared at his mother, wondering what she was thinking.

After leaving the princess’s quarters last night, the Head Maid found him and explained that he was being moved to the rooms next door to the princess’s quarters as per tradition.

His quarters were much bigger than that of the guest rooms and now he was sitting in the drawing room, talking to his mother about yesterday’s events while he waited for the princess.

“That’s not a lot of time to prepare for the royal wedding.” Ryker’s mother mused. “But I suppose it’s for the best. While everyone is distracted with wedding plans we can make our move.”

“I take it, you've started working on it?” Ryker asked.

“I have. But I believe your sister needs to move to the palace with you before everything is executed.” Duchess Westerwyn explained. “Having her with me will be too dangerous if things go south here. At least staying at the palace will keep her out of the line of fire.”

“Mother, you know Rosie’s not weak. In a few years she’ll be more powerful than you.”

“I know, however it’ll make me feel better if I know she’s somewhere safe.”

“The palace is far from safe.” Ryker retorted. “Who knows what will happen here. Besides, what excuse will we use to keep her here? The king will realize something is up when Rosie doesn’t return with you.”

“Use your head Ry.” Duchess Westerwyn muttered. “The princess has a need for lady-in-waitings and picking Rosie as one wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

Ryker’s eyes widened in understanding. “Rosie could keep the curse at bay until you’re finished making the antidote spell…. The only problem would be keeping the dark witch from finding out.”

“You’re right…” The Duchess paused for a second. “We’ll need to find out who the dark witch is… I could put a silencing spell-”

“My lord?” A voice sounded as someone knocked on the drawing room door.

“Hold on, mother, someone’s here.” Ryker whispered, covering the crystal ball with a cloth. “Yes, Lord Myster!”

“The Crown Princess has come to see you.” Lord Myster called out.

Just as he did, the door slammed open and the princess walked in, seeming to be mad. Ryker suspected it had something to do with her being summoned by the emperor but he was still surprised by her unexpected visit.

“Your highness?! What brings you here?” Ryker asked, standing up.

“I decided to meet you here instead of calling you to my office.” Raquel explained before looking at Lord Myster. “Could you have one of the servants bring some refreshments please?”

“Of course, your highness.” Lord Myster bowed before quickly hurrying off to do what the princess had asked.

As soon as the door closed behind him, the princess looked back at Ryker with a serious look. “I believe we should discuss more about what you said yesterday.”

Ryker was silent for a moment before nodding his head. “Alright. Please do take a seat.”

He motioned to the table he was sitting at, Raquel’s eyes instantly falling on the clothed ball. She sat down but continued to look at it with curiosity in her eyes.

“Can I ask what’s under the cloth?” Raquel asked as Ryker took a seat next to her.

“It’s a MCD. I was actually speaking to my mother before you came in.” Ryker said, taking the cloth off the crystal ball.

“A mage communication device…” Raquel muttered, staring at the ball. “I haven’t seen those in years but I suppose it’s a common way for you to talk with family when away.”

Ryker nodded before turning back to the crystal ball. He quickly chanted a spell, waving a hand over the ball to let mana flow through it. A white cloud soon appeared inside it.

“Greetings, your highness.” Ryker’s mother greeted, appearing suddenly.

“Greetings, Duchess Westerwyn.” Raquel nodded, looking a little reversed.

Ryker’s mother, noticing this, smiled. “Ry filled me in on everything and I promise I don’t bite..”

“I see…” Raquel smiled nervously. “Then I guess you’re going to help get rid of this curse in exchange for helping Ryker with the plan?”

Duchess Westerwyn nodded. “Yes…However, there are a few things I will need to say.”

“And that is?” Raquel asked, turning to Ryker in confusion.

“My mother will need to look at your curse marking to figure out what your curse is and who cursed you.” Ryker explained.

“And the other thing would be to have you keep Ryker’s sister as a lady-in-waiting.” Duchess Westerwyn added. “She’ll be there to keep your curse in check while I make the antidote spell.”

“I guess that’s understandable.” Raquel exclaimed, removing her mask. “By the way, how do you know who the curser is by looking at the curse marking?”

“Think of the curse marking as a dark witch’s signature. You know, like how artists have a unique signature to show that an artwork was made by them. It works in a similar way.” Ryker said. “A curse marking is how others can identify who cursed the person.”

“I see…” Raquel murmured. “It explains a lot…”

“What do-” Ryker started.

“It can’t be!” Duchess Westerwyn suddenly cried out. “How could you get a mark from that person?!”

Ryker watched his mother’s eyes glow with fear and shock. But it wasn’t her face that made chills go down his spine. No her words made him more fearful.

“Mother, you don’t mean?” Ryker asked nervously. “You don’t…”

Duchess Westerwyn shook her head. “It’s true. I can never mistake that marking, not after everything that happened. She’s truly alive….”

Ryker felt the blood drain from his face as he heard his mother’s last words. Westerwyn’s worst nightmare was alive and well. Not only that but she was someone powerful in the palace.

Out of everything that could have gone wrong, the worst case scenario had happened even before anything had happened.

The Fallen Queen was back from the dead.