Chapter 11: Mistaken Hope

Around this time, citizens at Candleberry grew furious over Emberlyn's new position as queen. Despite initially liking Emberlyn, the citizens did not think it was right for her to make herself queen, knowing Brighton could return. Threatened by the darkness surrounding the throne, all the citizens gathered in town square. Despite the eerily fog and the mysterious wanderers, they transformed their fear into rage as they started large-scale riots near the castle. The people demanded that candles be shared, and Emberlyn abdicate the throne until there was proof that Brighton was not returning. The people fought with the Candleberry soldiers.

The citizens' cries and the revelation that mass corruption was surging in the castle fueled their rebellion. One of the royal court members hastily ran into the throne room and informed Emberlyn about the outrage among the people.

"Your majesty, the people are rebelling. There is chaos in the streets and the citizens have gone mad. If you do not do something, they will overthrow us!" One of the nine court members shouted.

Emberlyn sat on the throne as she responded: "Do not worry about the people. Everything is falling into place; I knew this would happen. Which is why I will make myself the hero for Candleberry."

"How is that possible? You have done nothing but let the people suffer. They are all awaiting Brighton's return, and until then they are going to try to put an end to your reign," muttered one of the court members.

"Leave it to me, I know what they seek," Emberlyn hissed.

The riots continued to rage on, and the citizens used their pitchforks and pots and pans to ward off the soldiers. At the top of one of the castle balconies, Emberlyn walked out in her white dress and commanded the trumpeters to blare their horns to get the people's attention. As the people started to quiet down, Emberlyn raised both of her hands and forcefully shouted aloud: 

"Stop! I have good news!" She yelled.

The crowd looked at her in shock and rippled in silence. When the crowd was hushed, Emberlyn announced before the people. 

 "I have found the candlemaker!" She proclaimed. She continued: "Brighton's father lied. Our candlemaker never died, he was just silenced and imprisoned in the dungeon. His father only said that Candleberry had a limited supply of candles so Brighton could further control all of you. Brighton had a hidden storage filled with candles! He is using this journey as a cover up! Why else would he postpone his journey until the people suffered! Mark my words, Brighton and Ronin are traitors!"

Baffled and speechless, the citizens shouted: "If that were true, then show us the candlemaker! Prove to us that Brighton has been lying!"

"I knew you would want to see him for yourself. So here he is." She smiled. She then brought an old man up to the balcony who had the signet of a candle on his jacket. The people stood there in stunned silence; they did not know what to make of the current situation.

"Are you really the candlemaker?" Someone shouted at the old man.

The old man looked nervously at Emberlyn as she glared back at him. "I…I…yee….yes." He stuttered. Emberlyn then shoved him behind her.

"Everyone, listen to my voice and set down your weapons." Emberlyn said.

The people under her influence set down their weapons. 

 "Everything is okay. This is the candlemaker, and we have an abundance of candles. So, let us prepare to celebrate the Festival of Light." Emberlyn proclaimed.

And the people began to cheer in monotone and hesitant voices.

"That's the spirit." Emberlyn declared.

Emberlyn returned to the castle and ordered the servants to supply everyone with all the needed candles. After all the candles were handed out, there were none left. When she pulled the fake candlemaker aside, she muttered in his ear: "Remember our deal and remember what will happen if you don't keep our agreement." 

The old man departed from Emberlyn quietly in fright. With the candles placed throughout the villagers' homes and streetlights, the eerie fog and dark beings fled out of Candleberry.

"How does this solve the problem, Emberlyn? Once they find out that you have been lying, and we run out of light, they will get rid of us. You only postposed our downfall?" The royal court demanded.

 "How can they find me if they cannot see?" Emberlyn laughed.

"No, you don't understand! We are doomed because of you! You…you tricked us!" One of the court members shouted.

"It is not my fault your corruption blinded you from mine. All of you are in too deep. If I go down, you will be dragged down with me. You may not understand why I chose to do the festival of light, but it was never for you to know my reasons. I know Brighton will come back. All my battles have been won with a smirk and a smile. But not this one. This is personal; Candleberry has bestowed me the power and the dagger to cut the hearts of my enemies."

The royal court members stood speechless. In panic, they all gathered and plotted to hide their corruption and greed.

"Come on, let us get the Festival of Light started. Shall we?" Emberlyn smiled.

Emberlyn and the nine royal court members celebrated joyfully, knowing they had given false hope. They lit their candles. Golden confetti was tossed around everywhere, the instruments played, and everyone paraded with their deceptive confidence. 

The citizen's rebellion had failed. The gloomy atmosphere had been transformed into false hope, and people mesmerized by Emberlyn's eyes were unfazed by reality.