THE LIGHT ROOM: Continuation

CHAPTER 55

The Light Room shimmered around them. The floral scent of flowers lingered in the air, the beauty, there was a stillness that chilled Grace, It was too quiet.

Parkston's half-bandaged arm hung at his side, barely able to move, he didn't meet anyone's eyes, not even Grace's. And at the time, his strength had faded.

King Charlenugo raised his hand and the doors to the Light Room sealed shut behind them with a resounding thud.

He turned toward Parkston, who knelt silently. "You confessed to the murder of Nuel, a soldier but wasn't citizen of this kingdom. You claimed it was done not out of rage, but for the sake of someone who no longer lives. And yet", the King narrowed his eyes, "you did not name her fully, nor explain your reasons with clarity."

The light in the room shifted subtly, dimming just enough to cast a slight shadow over Parkston, meanwhile Grace took a shaky breath.

Parkston lifted his head before proceeding to speak. "I killed him because he knew the truth about Grace and if he had spoken, she would've been hunted. She would've died."

Gasps echoed around the room. Queen Jonah's face tightened, but she didn't speak. Her eyes flickered at Parkston.

"She's already dead," Jonah said flatly, breaking the tension. "Grace is a memory and we no longer mourn her."

Parkston turned toward her, his expression was hardened. "You might say that. But what if the truth was moving before you every day, living her normal life?"

Grace stiffened.

King Charlenugo didn't blink. "Explain yourself," he ordered.

Parkston's eyes found Grace's. "Tell them," he said. "Tell them what you know."

Her breath caught. The walls of composure she had built began to fracture. Every part of her wanted to scream. But she knew, she needed to tell a lie. She wasn't ready to reveal herself just yet.

"I think it's time," Parkston whispered.

Grace stepped forward. Every step echoed with finality, she could feel Jonah's glare burning into her back.

"Her name was Grace Johnson," she said.

"I know about her, because I read about her life and everything that happened to her, and I know I said I didn't know her, I did know her."

"You lied to every one of us, king", someone in the crowd muttered.

Grace lifted her chin. "I did. But I didn't do it out of ambition or cruelty, the truth was dangerous, even though it didn't matter to us anyway." She gave Parkston a side glance, when she noticed how shocked he looked. He had expected her to finally come clean.

King Charlenugo's expression didn't change, but his hands were clenched at his sides.

"I did what I had to," she continued. "I took on this burden knowing what it meant. And Parkston, only wanted to protect her because of how much he loved her."

Parkston bowed his head. "Let them punish me, I did what I did".

King Charlenugo stepped toward them, his gaze sharp. "You made fools of every lord, every council, every subject in Alagascar. You could have told us about her, Quicke, and maybe we wouldn't have let Parkston in."

Grace didn't flinch. "It wasn't necessary father".

Charlenugo's silence was worse than shouting. Then he turned to the Light Room itself. "The Light Room does not serve man, it serves truth," he said.

The walls glowed brighter. From the corners of the room, figures emerged, old Keepers of the Light, their robes trailing along the stone. No one had seen them enter. Their faces were painted in white and gold, their eyes lit with exteme brightness.

"They will judge," Charlenugo said.

Grace had only heard stories about them, ancient seers, immune to influence or fear. They didn't speak, but one of them raised a small crystal wand and placed it in front of Parkston.

The wand began to glow red.

"He is guilty," one of the seers intoned, her voice was cold and ancient. "But not by malice, by sacrifice."

Gasps rippled across the room.

On hearing this, Grace became agitated. "What shall be his fate?" She asked.

The seers didn't respond. Instead they closed their eyes tightly as they meditated.

Mathew Sterrn watched from afar in complete admiration.