Chapter 90: The Queen’s Decision

Inside the grand, cold walls of the royal palace, the tense atmosphere in the Queen's private chambers was suffocating. Queen Isolde sat at the grand oak desk, her fingers nervously tracing the edge of a parchment, as the door to her chambers swung open abruptly.

Lord Chancellor Eldric stepped inside, his usually composed demeanor showing signs of strain. His brow was furrowed, and his breath was heavy, as though he had been running through the long corridors to reach her.

"Your Majesty," he began, bowing low. "I regret to inform you, but our worst fears have come to pass."

The Queen, her face pale and drawn, looked up from her desk. "What is it, Lord Eldric? What has happened?" she demanded, her voice laced with growing anxiety. She could feel the pressure mounting with every passing day, the weight of the throne she held slipping further out of her grasp.

"The prince," Eldric started, his voice tight. "Your Majesty, my men nearly had him. Prince Stefan is alive... we had him in sight. But Prince Benedict's assassins were close behind. There was a skirmish by the cliffs, and now the prince is missing again. Our scouts are searching, but they found no body. Prince Benedict's men intend to make sure the prince is dead either way."

Isolde paled and grasped the chair beside

"Benedict," she hissed. "That snake. So sure of his triumph." Her eyes glistened with unspent tears, hands trembling with fury. "We could end this tonight. Give me a blade and I'll send someone to his door before morning breaks. Let him taste the fear he so readily deals!"

Eldric's brow furrowed. "Your Majesty," he said carefully, "assassinating a royal prince is a dangerous path. The court is already restless. The nobles who waver could turn against us if we strike so openly. And Benedict has men loyal to him, removing him could provoke an outright civil war. The throne cannot survive that."

Isolde's hands unclenched slowly as she listened, though resentment still burned in her gaze. "And what would you have me do instead, Eldric? Sit idle and wait as he tears this kingdom apart?"

A chill seemed to settle over the Queen's heart. She leaned back in her chair, her gaze distant. "This is impossible. How could he disappear again?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, as if the mere mention of her missing son, the rightful heir to the throne, was too much to bear.

"He is being hunted, Your Majesty," Eldric replied, a grim expression on his face. "Prince Benedict will stop at nothing to ensure that the prince is dead. He believes the only way to solidify his own claim is to see the heir out of the picture once and for all."

Isolde closed her eyes, her hands trembling as she clenched them into fists. The sound of Benedict's name sent a flash of fury through her, but she knew her emotions were dangerous in this game of politics. "We cannot let him kill my son," she hissed through gritted teeth. "What are we going to do, Lord Eldric?"

Lord Eldric remained silent for a moment, his gaze searching her face. "The situation is dire, Your Majesty. But... there is something you can do."

The Queen raised her eyes, her expression wary. "What are you suggesting?"

"We must reconsider Lord Wycliffe's offer," Eldric said, his voice quiet but firm. "He has made it clear that he wishes before he can offer to help us, and with his connections and resources, he could provide the support we desperately need. If we are to keep Prince Benedict's forces at bay, we need Wycliffe's influence. The Lord has power, wealth, and a vast network that can help us regain control of the situation."

Isolde's face tightened, a mix of frustration and reluctance crossing her features. "Wycliffe... I never wanted to depend on him," she murmured, her voice cold. "But I understand the gravity of the situation. If Benedict thinks we're weak, he will press harder. But can we truly trust the Lord of Wycliffe?"

Eldric gave a slight nod. "Trust or not, we may have no other choice. He has his own ambitions, but for now, those ambitions may align with ours. We must consider the offer, Your Majesty. Time is running out, and the threat of Prince Benedict's growing power cannot be ignored."

The Queen stood up abruptly, her eyes narrowing. "So we must make a deal with a man who thinks of power above all else?" she asked, her voice seething with frustration. "How much more of my kingdom will I have to give away to keep it from falling apart?"

Lord Eldric took a step closer, his expression serious but compassionate. "Sometimes, we must make sacrifices, Your Majesty. The survival of the crown is more important than our pride. Lord Wycliffe can offer what we need, and in exchange, we can secure the throne for your son. This is the only way forward."

Isolde's face softened, the weight of the decision bearing down on her. She closed her eyes briefly, silently weighing the options before her. The future of her kingdom and her son hung in the balance.

"Very well," she finally said, her voice low and resigned. "Make the arrangements. Let lord Wycliffe know we accept his offer, but remind him that his loyalty must be beyond question. He will help us now, but I will not forget the price we may have to pay in the future."

Lord Eldric bowed deeply. "As you command, Your Majesty. I will ensure it is done."

As he turned to leave, the Queen stared out the window, the weight of the decision settling over her like a heavy fog. The path forward was uncertain, but the game of thrones was one she had no choice but to play. With Prince Benedict closing in on her, she had no choice but to seek the help of the very man she had hoped to avoid.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Lord Eldric turned back, his voice low and measured.

"Your Majesty," he said, "there's one more thing. We must act quickly. There are rumors that Prince Benedict is gathering his forces for something far more dangerous than we've anticipated. It seems his plans go beyond merely securing the throne. We don't know yet what he intends to do next, but we must be ready for anything."

The Queen's expression hardened, and she nodded slowly. "Then let's make sure we don't lose any more time. Prepare everything we need, Lord Eldric. We may not have much time left."

As the Lord Chancellor left her chambers, Queen Isolde's thoughts turned dark. She had placed her trust in the wrong people, and now, to protect her kingdom and her son, she would have to make an alliance with one of the most dangerous men in the kingdom.

But even as she gave the order, she knew that there would be consequences... consequences that could change the very future of the crown.