Chapter 10

The realization that the Queens' children were unwittingly playing a crucial role in a deadly game cast a long shadow over Edward's attempts to warn his sister. Their innocent games, once seen as mere childish antics, now felt like deliberate obstructions, each playful distraction a calculated move to prevent him from revealing the truth. The weight of this understanding added a layer of urgency and despair to his mission. It wasn't simply a matter of mischievous children; it was a carefully orchestrated campaign to silence him and protect the Queens' deadly plot.

Their innocent chatter and playful games became a constant, frustrating obstacle, transforming the castle into a dangerous maze. Every corner, every corridor, held the potential for an encounter with the Queen's children, each encounter delaying, distracting, and putting Edward and Ellie in further danger. The previously carefree atmosphere of the castle was now fraught with peril, each playful invitation a potential death sentence. The simple act of trying to reach his sister became a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, a desperate race against time, with Edward's life and his sister's hanging precariously in the balance. The previously innocent children had become unwitting accomplices in a deadly scheme, highlighting the insidious nature of the Queens' evil and the perilous situation facing Edward and Ellie.

Princess Ellie sat alone in the garden, the vibrant flowers offering no solace to her grief. Tears streamed down her face, a silent testament to the weight of her troubles. She was overwhelmed by the recent events – the maid's murder, the suspicion surrounding her mother's death, and the ever-present threat from the Queens. Her sadness was palpable, a heavy cloud clinging to her.

Suddenly, her younger brother, Edward, appeared, his face etched with worry as he witnessed her distress. He rushed to her side, his heart aching at her sorrow. He gently urged her to stop crying, his voice hushed with concern. He had something important to tell her, something that could potentially change everything. He began to recount what he'd overheard – the Queens' wicked plot against her, their insidious plan to eliminate her.

Just as the weight of his revelation began to sink in, Pearl and Cherish appeared, interrupting Edward's urgent warning with a playful question or a frivolous request. But this time, something was different. The shock of Edward's initial words had already pierced Ellie's sadness. The interruption, instead of distracting her, only fueled her curiosity. The seed of suspicion had been planted, and Ellie's sadness was replaced by a burning desire to hear the rest of her brother's story. The playful interruption only served to heighten the tension and emphasize the urgency of the situation. Ellie's attention was fully captivated, her sadness momentarily forgotten in the face of a far greater threat.

Vera, Pearl and Cherish their innocent faces masking a growing understanding of the stakes, raced to their mother's to report Edward's attempt to warn Ellie. They recounted how they had repeatedly interrupted him, preventing him from revealing the Queens' deadly plot. The Queens, their faces hardening with a mixture of anger and fear, emphasized the critical importance of maintaining secrecy. They painted a stark picture of the consequences if the truth ever came to light. Queen Roselyn reminded Vera, Pearl and Cherish of King Solomon's unwavering affection for Princess Ellie, contrasting it with the Queens' own precarious position. Queen Roselyn left no room for doubt; revealing the secret would lead to their banishment, a life of homelessness and destitution. Queen Roselyn and Lucy made it clear that this was not just a matter of protecting their own lives, but also the future of their children. The threat of being cast out was enough to instill fear and obedience in the young hearts. The children, bound by their fear of abandonment and a newly forged sense of loyalty to their mothers, pledged their unwavering support. They vowed to do everything in their power to distract Edward and ensure that Ellie remained oblivious to the deadly plot against her. Their innocent intentions were now weaponized, their playful distractions transformed into a shield protecting the Queens' dark secrets. Their innocent games, once a source of joy, now carried the weight of their mothers' desperation and the fear of a life without their home and family.

Prince Edward, seizing a rare opportunity, found Princess Ellie playing in the gardens. He ran to her, embracing her in a tight hug, his playful demeanor masking his urgent need to speak. He began to recount the Queens' plot, his words tumbling out in a rush of anxious whispers. He tried to convey the urgency of the situation, the danger that loomed over her. But before he could fully reveal the Queens' plans, the familiar figures of the Vera, Pearl and Cherish appeared, their playful interruptions once again disrupting his attempts to warn Ellie.

This time, however, something was different. Ellie, initially amused by her brother's playful antics, noticed a pattern, a persistent interference that went beyond mere childish interruptions. The repeated disruptions, the calculated timing, sparked a growing suspicion in her heart. She began to suspect that something far more sinister was at play. The playful distractions of the Queen's children no longer seemed innocent; they felt calculated, deliberate, and threatening. A chilling thought solidified in her mind: the Queens were actively working to prevent her from learning the truth.

This growing suspicion, fueled by her brother's frantic attempts and the persistent interference of the Queen's children, ignited a new resolve within Ellie. She knew she could no longer rely on chance encounters and whispered warnings. She needed concrete evidence, a plan, and the support of her trusted friends. Leaving Edward to continue his playful interactions with the Queen's children, Ellie made a silent decision, her sadness replaced with a determined focus. She would seek out her friends, share her suspicions, and together they would uncover the truth, no matter the cost. The playful scene in the garden had become a turning point, transforming Ellie's grief and uncertainty into a focused determination to expose the Queens' wicked plot.