The confrontation

Rufus, Rafael, Williams, and Cynthia were the children of the king, aged nine, seven, and four. Williams and Cynthia were twins. They all gathered at the dining table along with the king and his three wives.

Fiona, however, did not join them for breakfast.

Rufus looked at his father and asked, "Dad, why do you look so upset?"

**"It's nothing, son. I just had a bad night,"** the king replied.

He had dreamt the same dream he had four years ago, but this time, it was far more intense. As they ate, the king's mind remained clouded, his gaze fixed in the distance, lost in thought.

After a while, he stood up from the dining table and left for his chambers. A heavy silence fell over the room as breakfast continued.

Rafael hesitated before asking, "Mom, is something wrong with Dad?"

His mother looked at him with a sympathetic expression and said, "Don't worry, child. He just has a lot on his mind as king. You should look up to him because, one day, you will grow into men and inherit this kingdom."

She then continued, **"Now, eat your meal. I will take his to him.""

As she spoke, she exchanged glances with the other queens. They all knew something was troubling the king, but he refused to share it with anyone.

Shortly after breakfast, Stephanie, the king's first wife, gathered the other two queens for a private discussion.

"I believe Fiona knows what's wrong with the king," she said.

Rachael, the second wife, frowned. "What makes you think that?"

Stephanie sighed. "Fiona was always the king's favorite. I won't lie, after their argument years ago that created a rift between them, I was relieved. But ever since then, the king has never been this disturbed or afraid."

Isabel, the third wife, nodded thoughtfully. **"So you think Fiona knows something?"

"Yes, I do."

Rachael folded her arms. **"So what do you suggest we do?"**

Stephanie exhaled. "I think we should confront her and ask some questions."

Rachael raised an eyebrow. "Do you really think she'll talk to us? We've barely communicated with her since the fallout years ago. We treated her like an outsider, even though she's still our equal."

Stephanie sighed and turned to face the wall. "You're right. But what else can we do? I've heard rumors about how dangerous the king can be when angered. I don't want to find out if they're true."

Isabel, now growing impatient, stood up abruptly. "She has no choice but to talk. If we do nothing, we all lose. I say we confront her—she has to comply."

Rachael shook her head. "I just hope it's that simple. Fiona hates everything about this place, yet she refuses to leave. There must be a reason, and I believe it's connected to whatever is troubling the king."

Stephanie nodded. "I've also heard that she's angry at the king for something he did. But she never spoke about it. I wonder what it could be."

Rachael stood. "Where is she now?"

"In her room. She never leaves."

"Then let's go to her."

As they left, a maid was summoned to take food to the king's chambers.

Meanwhile, the king remained in his chambers, tormented by the sorcerer's prophecy. He kept repeating the words in his mind.

"No… No… It can't end like this. There must be something I can do. I have worked too hard to lose everything in this way!"

Overcome with rage, he swept everything off the table, sending plates and goblets crashing to the floor.

When the queens arrived at Fiona's chambers, she greeted them with a cold smile.

"Oh, if it isn't my fellow majesties. To what do I owe the honor? Or have you come to witness how miserable I've become?"

Stephanie folded her arms. "Of course not, Fiona. But let's be honest—you brought this upon yourself. Your arrogance and pride cost you everything, including your status. Yes, you are still a queen, but not in the king's eyes."

Fiona's expression darkened.

"You've made yourself quite clear, Queen Stephanie. Now, if you'll excuse me, you may leave."

Isabel raised a hand. "We didn't come here to start a fight. We just need to ask you a few questions—if you're willing to answer."

Fiona smirked. "Let me guess. It's about the king's sudden, unexplained aggression."

Rachael's eyes widened.

"How did you notice that?"

"It's obvious,"Fiona replied.

"The entire palace can feel the king's rage."

She sighed and leaned against the wall.

"If you're here to ask me what's causing it, I have no answers. You can ask him yourselves, can't you? Or are you afraid of your own husband?"

Stephanie scoffed.

"Let's go. She's as useless as I expected."

As they turned to leave, Fiona's expression changed. She suddenly recalled something the sorcerer had whispered to the king:

"He lives. He always has. For his time will come."

The words had never made sense to her, but now, she knew only one person could explain them—the sorcerer himself.

Determined to get answers, Fiona decided to leave the palace unnoticed. She summoned a maid and requested a disguise.

The maid hesitated. "Ma'am, sneaking out could get you in trouble with the king."

Fiona smirked. "Only if he finds out. Besides, I won't be gone for long."

The maid sighed. "Okay, ma'am. I'll distract the guards."

Fiona's smirk softened. "Thank you. I'll repay you someday."

With the maid's help, Fiona successfully slipped past the palace gates. As she rode away in a carriage, she whispered to herself,

"This is my only chance to get answers. I won't waste it."

As she neared the village, Fiona's eyes widened in horror. She saw suffering and desperation written on the faces of the people.

"Aren't these the king's subjects?" she thought, guilt creeping in.

She watched as villagers stared at her passing carriage. Their weary eyes and tattered clothing painted a grim picture of the kingdom's reality.

Fiona whispered, "This is madness. I never imagined the kingdom would be worse under his rule."

Ahead, The sorcerer stood on the path. The carriage slowed, and Fiona's heart pounded.

"Stop here,"** she told the driver. "I'll walk from here."

She stepped down and approached the him—he was covered in a hooded robe, gripping a staff.

"Sir?" she called.

He then looked up and said.

"It's Jonathan, Jonathan is my name my queen" he said.

"I've been waiting for you. I imagine you have questions since my last visit to the palace."

Fiona sighed. "I'm sorry it took so long. It's not easy for someone of my status to move freely."**

She took a deep breath. "And yes, I have many questions. Not just about the king… but about the entire kingdom."**

Jonathan smiled. "I'm glad you noticed the suffering on your way here. From inside the palace, one cannot see the truth of the outside world."

He turned and gestured for her to follow. "Come. We have much to discuss."