1 Chapter 1: Mary

The auspicious ceremony suddenly turned into an inauspicious graveyard at the arrival of the Archer, Mary Asparagus. The Great Hall of the Buxbeaner Palace grew quiet like the silence before a storm.

The Queen Mother eyed the hooded figure at the entryway of her

palace and quickly pulled on a disgusted face.

"Well," said Queen Mother, "it must be a very good day for The Archer is here at... our doorstep."

Sniggers followed the comment like ripples in waves, but The Archer remained quiet for sometime.

"Archer!" The King addressed her with a frigid tone, "Why are you here? "

"Why indeed", Came the calculative response. The Archer's voice was like a knife sliding on a rock, low and firm. The King looked vaguely repulsed.

"Do I get to join your daily balls, Sir?" The Archer said with a smirk, "I suppose not. And that's why I am not here to see your face. "

There was a louder laughter than there had been at the Queen Mother's comment. The King bristled.

"Hold your tongue, Archer!" he cried with fury, " You will be executed if you don't give a suitable reason for your arrival. "

The Archer had a ghost of a smile hovering under the hood of her cloak. It's so easy to anger the royals.

"If you must know, " The Archer said in a coy voice of defeat. "I am here to ask you a... favor. "

The reaction to this statement was vivid but not distinctly different, as all looked tongue-tied in the Great Hall. They had never, in there wildest dreams, thought of a situation where The legendary Archer would ask for a favor. They shared dubious looks.

"What in the world do you think you want, Archer? " The King said spitefully.

"Your blessings. " replied Mary, in a tone that felt mocking.

"Don't beat about the bush!" exclaimed the raging King. Mary smiled bitterly," Your Palace. " And the King's face paled, though the others took the statement lightly. They did not know what Mary was made of, after all. But the King did.

"What has propelled this desire in you, may I ask?"

"Just, it has been a long time and Buxbeaner is still ruled by you---- you are outdated, in fact, you've been outdated long ago."

The King looked offended and dead frightened, "You will leave me alone! "

But Mary only smiled, "For now, of course. By all means, enjoy. "

The Great Hall had never been so chilled.