"Whispers all around... Where am I? Why can't I move? I can't feel my body…"
Kiett's eyes fluttered open. The first thing he saw was the ornate ceiling of an unfamiliar room. It was elegant, almost too elegant. He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his chest and abdomen, forcing a groan from his lips. Before he could try again, two Sentinels noticed his awakening and rushed to his side.
"Stop, don't move! You're hurting yourself!!" Callaghan, a blond-haired man, exclaimed, stepping closer. Beside him was Cosette, who approached with visible relief. "Kiett, thank the heavens it worked! It was a success!!" Cosette said excitedly, reaching for his hand.
"Where… where am I!?" Kiett asked while his eyes were darting around the room.
Callaghan quickly reassured him. "You're in Queen Fiora's chambers."
Kiett's breath hitched in surprise. "What!? Why am I here!? Where's my sister!?"
Attempting to rise again, Kiett winced as pain flared through his body. Fiora, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward and gently placed a hand on his shoulder, urging him to stay still. "Calm down, boy. Don't push yourself. Your wounds haven't fully healed yet," Fiora said in a soothing tone. Kiett looked up at her and found warmth in her gaze.
"Y-Your Majesty, it's an honor to meet you," Kiett stammered nervously.
Fiora smiled, and Kiett immediately felt more at ease. Meanwhile, Cosette retrieved a book and placed her hand above Kiett's body.
"OFFENBARE MIR DIE WAHRHEIT!!" she invoked.
A soft glow enveloped Kiett as the spell took effect. Cosette carefully observed the magic's response, relieved to see that the wound was healing properly and that the venom that had previously resisted all healing spells, was completely gone.
"Everything is in order, but you'll have to stay here a little longer!" Cosette informed him. "For how long?" Kiett asked impatiently.
Fiora placed a comforting hand on his head, playfully ruffling his hair. "Have patience. You'll recover in time. You're strong and incredibly brave," she said warmly. Kiett smiled slightly before his expression turned serious again. "Where is my sister!?"
Fiora stood and reassured him. "I've already sent for her."
Almost on cue, the doors swung open, revealing Claire, a wide smile lighting up her face. She hurried forward, bowing respectfully to Fiora before throwing herself at her brother.
"My brother… my little brother!!" She exclaimed. Kiett cried, holding onto Claire tightly. Fiora watched the reunion with a smile, but her moment of peace was interrupted when Callaghan burst into the room. "Your Majesty! You must come with me immediately!" said Callaghan, the Master of the Sentinels, urged with a tense expression. Fiora's smile faded, replaced by a serious, almost grim look. Without hesitation, she followed him out of the chamber.
"Grislett has awakened and requests to speak with you about the incident!" Callaghan informed her as they hurried through the halls. They reached Princess Sonia's chambers, where Grislett was resting. As Fiora pushed the door open, she accidentally knocked onto a young Sentinel apprentice carrying a stack of scrolls, causing her to stumble and scatter the papers across the floor.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't see you!" Fiora exclaimed, immediately bending down to help. The girl, Senna, turned pale, overwhelmed by being so close to the Queen. "Y-Your Majesty, it's an honor!!" she stammered, hastily gathering the scrolls. Fiora quickly assisted her before Senna excused herself and hurriedly left the room. Meanwhile, Grislett, who had been lying in bed, attempted to sit up upon seeing Fiora.
"Don't move! You'll hurt yourself!!" Fiora warned.
Grislett greeted the Queen with a hand over her heart. "Your Majesty, it's an honor to stand before you. Thank you for saving us!!" Fiora shook her head. "You should be thanking Rivett and the other recruits. They came up with one of the most reckless plans I've ever seen."
Grislett looked surprised. "To be honest, I don't remember much about that… but I do remember what happened when we were ambushed."
Fiora's expression darkened. "Everyone, leave the room," she ordered. Once they were alone, she turned back to Grislett. "Tell me everything." Grislett hesitated but, unable to hold back, suddenly burst into tears.
"Grislett, it's okay. Let it out" Fiora said softly, wrapping her in an embrace. Grislett clung to her, pressing her cheek against Fiora's shoulder. "I couldn't save them… all the children were devoured in front of me!!" Grislett cried, inconsolable. Fiora gently lifted her face, wiping away her tears. "Tell me everything."
Grislett's Flashback:
"We entered the Blue Wasteland searching for the White Serpent—that was our mission. But almost immediately, we were swallowed by an impenetrable fog. I lost sight of my men, I shouted their names, until I heard the most horrific screams.
I ran as fast as I could… but by the time I reached them, all I saw was mutilated bodies. Dante had been split in half. There was so much blood—arms and heads scattered on the ground. I heard another scream and ran, but a Scarlet rammed into me, knocking me off my horse. Before I could react, another one bit into me. From within its jaws, I saw Dorian being torn apart by two Scarlets. I didn't even feel the pain until I realized my pelvis had been crushed.
I thought it was over… but instead of devouring me, the beast simply… left me there."
End of Grislett's Flashback.
As the memory faded, the silence in the room returned like a shroud. Fiora stood by the window, staring at the blue banners fluttering over the castle walls.
"Watching them die was the greatest pain I've ever felt. I still hear their screams… I'll never forget it," Grislett whispered, tears streaming down her face. Fiora turned to her. "I know what happened was beyond horrifying… but you must remain strong. You are a warrior."
Despite her words, Fiora couldn't shake one unsettling thought, why had the Scarlet left Grislett alive?
Grislett sniffled. "There's… something else."
"What is it?" Fiora asked, sitting beside her again.
"They weren't just attacking randomly. They were looking for something… or someone."
Fiora's face hardened at those words. Without another word, she turned to leave. "Your Majesty! What are those beasts? Where do they come from!?" Grislett asked desperately. Fiora hesitated for only a moment before stepping through the doorway. "Rest. Get better," she said, shutting the door behind her with a firm, almost furious click.
As she strode through the castle halls, her blue cape billowed behind her. She called for Magnus, her trusted servant. "Your Majesty, at your service!" Magnus responded promptly. Fiora continued walking without slowing down. "Send a message to the Four Families. The Queen summons them to their seats. There is an urgent matter to discuss. They are to meet in the Great Hall at dawn."
Magnus bowed and hurried away.
Left alone, Fiora ascended to her throne, her face set with pure rage.
"Damn you. Damn you forever, I will never forgive this" The young Queen exclaimed; her face filled with fury.
Then, the doors swung open once more, and Princess Liliam entered, accompanied by her son, Prince Lon. As they reached Fiora, Lon bowed respectfully, but Liliam did not.
"What's going on, Fiora? Why have you summoned the nobles?" Liliam asked.
Fiora rose from her throne and stepped forward, motioning for Lon to stand as he did so.
"Lon, I'm so happy you're safe. Give me a hug!" Fiora exclaimed. Lon obeyed and embraced her, bringing a smile to Liliam's face.
"Thank you, Your Majesty! I owe it all to the hunter who led us!" Lon declared.
Liliam smiled, while Fiora turned and began walking, with Liliam and Lon following close behind.
"Give yourself some credit—you are brave and skilled. You've learned a lot!" Fiora remarked.
Lon blushed at the compliment.
When Fiora reached her throne, she turned to Lon.
"Young Prince, I need you to be present at the meeting I've convened." Fiora announced.
This surprised Lon and visibly unsettled Liliam.
"What are you saying, Fiora? What are you planning? My son doesn't need to be here, that's why I am!" Liliam objected.
Fiora regarded her calmly.
"I need you in your seat. I want your son to take the Bright Family's seat." Fiora declared.
"Your Majesty, are you sure about this? Don't you think I'm still too young?" Lon asked hesitantly.
Fiora stepped closer, gently placing a hand on his left shoulder.
"You are old enough, and you must learn these things. You are a prince." Fiora said firmly, then turned and took her seat on the throne.
"Tomorrow morning, we will have the meeting. Be prepared." Fiora stated.
Liliam and Lon bowed before taking their leave.
To be Continued….