Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

LORD KAEL'S VOICE THUNDERED through the royal council meeting chamber, his eyes blazing with accusations regarding Lord Valois.

There was no such thing as betrayal the in the royal court, only power speak volumes. "Lord Valois, you have betrayed our kingdom's trust! You have sold our military strategies to our enemies, engaged in secret negotiations with our foes, and even traded in blood slaves!"

"What will you gain in slandering me, Lord Kael? Tell, what will you gain?" Lord Valois barked.

Lord Kael looked at the trembling minister, "You will have to be demoted from your position. Besides, Lord Valois. I'm not slandering you as this is the truth."

Lord Valois sneered, his face pale with guilt. "You have no proof, Kael. These are mere allegations. I've been loyal to the kingdom and it's people, how would I dare do such shameful acts!?"

Lord Kael drew a parchment from his cloak, his eyes flashing with triumph as he beat the air with the said parchment. "This is the proof I need. A document, signed by your own hand, detailing the sale of our military plans to the rival kingdom!"

The Queen's eyes widened in shock at the sudden reveal, her voice stern. "Is this true, Lord Valois?"

Lord Valois's smile faltered, his eyes darting around the room. He was trapped. "It...it was a necessary evil, Your Majesty. To ensure the kingdom's survival."

Lady Calantha's laughter was cold and mocking as she leaned back and said, "Survival? You call treason survival? You have put our entire kingdom at risk, our soldiers, our people, our very throne yet you call it necessary evil?"

"I had no choice but to fall into the enemy's trap! But you should believe me, Your Majesty, I had no sinful thoughts towards the kingdom and the throne." He cried a song of plea. Sorrows a mask under his evilness.

"Stop being pitiful." Lady Calantha hissed in annoyance.

The other Ministers gasped, their faces aghast.

"How could you, Lord Valois?" one of them asked, his voice trembling with outrage.

Lord Valois's face suddenly turned red with rage, his eyes bulging as he hissed, "Stop being hypocrites! Everyone knows how difficult is has been for survival since His Majesty the King has fallen ill! Treasonous acts!?" He laughed, "I have done none of that!"

"Lord Valois! You dare deny your crimes?" Queen Kaelin shouted. Her voice shaking the entire courtroom in fear.

"Your Majesty, the royal family is for the kingdom and it's people. However, you've placed everyone to shame with you on the throne, we've never been ruled by a woman! Ever! It's a taboo!" Lord Valois already knew his fate.

With his accusations against the Queen, he was really asking for be beheaded.

"What do you mean, Lord Valois? You've had sinful thoughts towards the throne as well?" Queen Kaelin accused.

"I think it would be wise to choose another King, Your Majesty." Lord Valois said.

"How dare you! The King is still alive and you wish death upon him?" Queen Kaelin looked at the old vampire.

Lord Valois trembled in fear, "Your Majesty, I hope you think about the kingdom.

The Queen's voice was firm, her eyes blazing with anger as she said. "Lord Valois, you are stripped of your title and duties, effective immediately. You will be put on trial for your treasonous acts. Guards, take him away!"

The guards moved forward, Lord Valois's eyes widened in panic as they seized him, dragging him away from the council table.

"No! This is a mistake!" he shouted, struggling against their grip. "I am innocent, I tell you Innocent! I was trapped and I fell into the villain's hands! There must be someone who's behind all of this!"

The Queen's voice was cold and unforgiving. "You will have your chance to prove your innocence in court, Lord Valois. But for now, you will be held in the dungeon until your trial."

As the guards dragged him away, Lord Kael turned to the Queen, his eyes burning with fright. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Justice will finally be served. The villain will surely come out!"

The Queen nodded, her face scary as she looked at the faces which had horror written all over them. "Indeed it will, Lord Kael. Indeed it will."

The royal court room erupted into chaos, the other Ministers shouting and arguing over the shocking revelation. Lord Kael stood tall, his eyes fixed on the Queen while he waited for the commotion to die down.

The Queen's voice cut through the silence as her eyes were fixed on Lord Kael. "Lord Kael, I task you with uncovering the full extent of this treason. Leave no stone unturned, no matter how high the perpetrator may be."

Lord Kael bowed, his heart pounding with anticipation. "I will not fail, Your Majesty. I will bring all traitors to justice, no matter the cost."

The Queen's eyes narrowed, her voice firm. "I expect nothing less, Lord Kael. You have proven yourself to be a loyal and trusted servant to the throne and the kingdom. I have no doubt you will uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice."

Lord Kael's smile grew wider, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will not disappoint you."

"Court dismissed." The Queen said and the Ministers grouped each other to share some thoughts regarding the recent matters.

As Lord Kael walked through the castle corridors, he nodded to the guards and servants, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of treachery. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, their eyes locked on Lord Kael's. It was a mysterious figure, cloaked in darkness, their face hidden behind a mask.

"Lord Kael," they whispered, their voice low and urgent. "I have information about the treason. Meet me in the old windmill on the outskirts of the whitherlands at midnight. Come alone."

With that, the figure vanished into the shadows, leaving Lord Kael with more questions than answers.

The crown prince grinned as he placed the last piece of chess piece on the chessboard,"Checkmate."

Lilyan bowed, "Your Highness."

Prince Edmund looked at Lilyan and smiled, "Do you know what is the most exciting thing in the council chamber?"

Lilyan chuckled, "Are you mocking me Your Highness? I don't even understand what happens in the council chamber."

"It's when you play everyone like chess piece and you end up winning." He said smiling.

"Something good must have happened I suppose." It was evident by the way the crown prince was smiling.

"I will wipe out the evil ministers, one by one until nothing evil is left inside the royal council." He said.

"Are they a threat to you?" Lilyan dared to ask.

"I don't usually have threats, but they're a threat to the kingdom and it's people." He took a glass and poured out a red liquid from the bottle. "I'm a crown prince, I have to protect my people."

"The King won't have much time to leave." Lilyan said and Prince Edmund stopped what he was doing.

He swallowed hard and took a sip from the glass, he knew that well but he didn't realize it was going to be anytime soon, "How much time does he have?"

"A month at most." Lilyan replied.

Prince Edmund gulped every drop of liquid from the glass then he poured out another one. He clenched his fist in anger and frustration. "My mother is determined to rule."