Claiming the Crown (pt. 4)

Jarte's eyes went wide, "What?!"

Hurt flashed in her eyes and she looked down to collect her thoughts before meeting his gaze again,

"I suppose that's to be expected. You truly don't remember me, Your Majesty."

The fury left her. Both her attendant and Zephyr exhaled a sigh of relief at the same time. She turned the ring on her ring finger,

"My apologies, Your Majesty. I have behaved crudely. If possible, allow me to explain privately."

Jarte was astonished at her changed behaviour. However, he came to an understanding that he's missing important pieces of the puzzle,

"Alright. Please do explain at a later time."

Her frown melted to form a smile as she spoke, "I am Kyestra Von Uvaz from the House of the Dragon, I have come on behalf of the Duke of Kalistra. The Duke is deeply upset due to missing your coronation, Your Majesty. Unfortunately, he is leading the his army on the Northern borders to defend against sudden demonic attacks. He sends his regards. I, as his first-born, am taking on his responsibilities while he's away."

Jarte's features relaxed and a smile adorned his face, "Pleased to meet you, Kyestra."

Kyestra continued on explaining, "The pleasure is mine, Your Majesty. As I have already stated, you and I also happen to be engaged. Though you seem not to remember it at all."

"Unfortunately, it is as you say."

Kyestra gestured towards Avohld with one of her gloved hands, "This is my personal guard and knight, Avohld. He was presented to me by the royal family during my younger days, much like the poorly dressed knight behind you."

Zephyr frowned at the remark but she was right. He wasn't dressed like a knight at all. Perhaps Jarte should've told Zephyr to get changed while he was bathing. But it slipped his mind at the time.

Avohld got down on one knee to greet Jarte, "I am honoured to be in the presence of His Majesty."

Jarte felt a bit uncomfortable with these formalities. Avohld had already bowed when Kyestra did. But things are done this way so he had to get accustomed to these changes. Jarte asked Avohld to rise. Jarte turned to Zephyr and said, "Won't you like to freshen up?"

"I wish to stay by your side, Your Majesty."

Jarte chuckled, "Come now, Zeph. I'll have Martha and Aereos by my side. You mustn't worry so. Lady Kyestra is also here."

Kyestra blinked when Jarte suddenly mentioned her in the conversation, "My, my, you are quite trusting, aren't you, Your Majesty?" She teasingly said.

He scoffed, "I happen to be a good judge of character."

Kyestra's eyes had a mischievous twinkle in them as she smirked at Jarte.

Zephyr knew Jarte wasn't lying. He was indeed capable of discerning the truth of others' nature in the Common Realm. But this wasn't the Common Realm. Moreover, his father was assassinated and the assassin was roaming free. However, Zephyr didn't dare oppose their king twice, specially in front of Kyestra. Zephyr knew Mehedarkha treated Jarte as if he was her own son. He trusted her. Reluctantly, Zephyr left when Mehedarkha and Aereos arrived before the King's Chamber.

After accepting their greetings, Jarte spoke,

"I wish to see mother before the coronation. I must speak with her. "

Mehedarkha brightened up, "Most certainly, Your Majesty. Her Majesty has been most eager to see you."

Kyestra looked at Mehedarkha, "Oh, how I've missed Her Majesty." She shifted her eager gaze from Mehedarkha to Jarte, "Can I please accompany you, Your Majesty?"

Her brows were lifted lightly in concern.

Jarte was fine with her tagging along. But he still looked at Mehedarkha to confirm if it would be appropriate. Mehedarkha's expression told Jarte all he needed to know. Jarte smiled. Kyestra was favoured by most of his knights and from the looks of it, she must be well acquainted with the queen mother to express such eagerness to meet her.

"Do come along, Kyestra."

Her expression brightened. They walked side by side towards the queen mother's chamber. The knights followed closely behind. She knew her way around the castle so Jarte didn't get lost. They had a pleasant conversation on the way. The servants they ran into greeted them properly and were left blushing. Jarte could hear them whisper among themselves, 'They're made for each other, I tell you.'

Such remarks only made his cheeks heat up and she briefly smirked then proceeded to smile innocently while conversing.

'What are they talking about? We just met!'

That was true for Jarte but he knew he didn't have the full picture.

When they reached the Queen's chamber, a screen popped up once more,

[You have discovered a new location: The Queen's Chamber]

[The Queen's Chamber is occupied by the Queen Mother]

The door started to open on its own when the group approached. There were no guards at the entrance of the chamber. Mehedarkha and Aereos looked at each other with frightened eyes,

"Her Majesty!"

Jarte and Kyestra immediately rushed inside. A dagger flew across the chamber and stopped inches from his face. The hand that stopped the dagger in its course was none other than Kyestra's. She had grabbed the dagger without hesitation. Kyestra threw the dagger to the side as blood dripped down from her hand and stained the carpet.

Before them, the bloodied figure of the Queen Mother was on her knees supporting herself with her sword. There were cuts on her face. Her robe was torn and stained with her own blood. A few servants and guards were lying dead around her. A tall hooded figure laughed from behind her and said in a sing song tone,

"You know how these things go! Don't move or I'll slice her up some more blah blah blah-"

The hooded figure tilted their head, "Oh, come on, it's not like I killed her! She's still breathing, don't look at me like that."

Kyestra's breathing was heavy and purple flames surrounded her hands, her gloves had already burned away,

"I'll burn you to cinders where you stand!"

"Don't move!" Jarte yelled and outstretched his hand to stop her.

"Your Majesty!" Her protests died down in her throat as she looked up at Jarte. His eyes burned with passionate hatred and fury. She could instinctively feel that something inside him had changed. His eyes were lifeless and his face had no bearings of the boy she had walked side by side with.

"Did you kill my father?"

The hooded figure laughed once more, "What will you do if I did? Sacrifice your mother to get revenge? Go right ahead! You still won't be able to catch me."

Queen Mother Octavia gathered almost all of her strength before speaking,

"Call for all the knights, dukes and nobles in the castle, His Majesty, they will heed your command. Give me this coward's head. I will die with honour!"