CHAPTER 512: HER SECRETS

Cedric felt his every vein pulse with power. He had never felt this much power before. The battle felt different like he was different...but

His body was growing exhausted too fast. He normally could fight for hours without a break, but just minutes, and his body was getting weak. His arms got heavier. Cedric stumbled; it felt like his lungs were on fire, and everything started to spin.

Thamiel stopped attacking, he understood what was happening. He watched Cedric collapse.

Thamiel walked towards him and squatted by the side of the youngest prince. Damael appeared beside Thamiel, "You should get him treated. His wounds won’t heal in this condition." Damael suggested

Thamiel smirked, "I thought he wasn’t worth your attention." He chimed, Thamiel threw Cedric’s hand over his shoulders and helped him up.

"I just find him interesting," Damael mentioned. Thamiel frowned, he knew Damael as the most shrewd person ever. What piqued his interest.

*******

Winter had spread all over the land. Draconia was now covered in snow. Winter in Draconia was very cold and harsh. A storm filled the night

Eleanor was pacing in her room, she was restless. Things were not going as she had envisioned. "Are you sure about what you heard?" She asked the aide before her.

It was one of her excellent knights who doubled as a spy. After hearing whispers of Abrielle being in Heliosa she sent spies here.

"Yes, Abrielle was recognised as Abrielle Ceaphyr; the royal family is still neutral." The aide answered. The Ceaphyr family had not recognised Abrielle’s marriage. This was a good thing for her but she wasn’t at ease.

Heliosa might not be interested now, but what of later? Up till now, there was no news about Cedric. The royal family was being tight-lipped about it, but it was safe to assume Cedric was still in refuge in Heliosa.

Eleanor’s eyes watched the aide, she sensed something off about him. Her eyes narrowed at him. "What are you not telling me?" She questions the aide. Eleanor marched towards him, her fierce demeanour cracking him..

Over the years of leading the harem, she turned into something fierce. A true queen. The aide swallowed, then bowed his head. "Rumours are spreading in the court, the emperor is about to step down. Aurelius would be crowned any time from now."

Eleanor stepped back, her heartbeat dropped to her stomach. All her instincts were flaring at once. "How can that be? Silvanius is still very fit to rule," she stuttered, barely able to form the words.

Aurelius was Abrielle’s sibling, Abrielle was obviously going to be favoured by him. "The empress is dead, and due to scandals related to her death, Silvanius had to step down."

Eleanor turned around, and her feet led her to the window. Her eyes were watching the snow forming a soft freeze. She released a tired sigh, there were too many stakes.

Eleanor had fought long enough, she thought by now she could rest but it felt the battle was only going to get tougher from here. "Abrielle’s is going to be the sibling of the emperor of Heliosa. The only people that could rival our strength." She mentioned.

The room felt tense, the silence deafening, making every sound echo. From the crackling of the fireplace to the snow hitting the window panel.

"Lucian’s coronation can’t be delayed any further." She stated. Kaiden was finally going to be put to rest in a few days from now after which Lucian would be crowned.

"Is Lucian ready?" She asked the aide. The reason Kaiden’s funeral had been delayed this long is because of Lucian.

Lucian is still hesitant about the coronation. He knew once the former king was buried he would be crowned. "The crown prince is still focusing on his training." The aide answered.

Eleanor sighed. That was an excuse. Lucian had been holed up in his castle avoiding his duties. He has been this way since his last battle with Cedric.

"Tell the servants to prepare a carriage for me." Eleanor requested. The aide nodded then left the room.

Eleanor’s eyes drew to a portrait on the wall. His gold eyes were staring at her, like he was glaring. She smiled at Kaiden. "Even after your death. I am still struggling." Her voice trailed.

"I guess you know the truth now." Her mind trailed to the first blood she spilt. She was staring at her palms, she didn’t use these hands, but she took a life, and she would again to protect what she has.

Ariel, it’s been ages since she thought of that name, she thought.

The door creaked open drawing her attention from her thoughts. "Your majesty." She heard a soft voice chime. Eleanor glanced over her shoulder.

Callista was standing by the door with her head bowed, and a soft smile graced Eleanor’s lips. "Callista, I was about to visit Lucian. How is he doing that boy is being unreasonable?"

Callista beamed at Eleanor, then gracefully approached the queen. "The crown prince is doing well," Callista answered. Her smile is still as bright as ever. "There is something that demands your wise knowledge," she added.

"What is it?" Eleanor asked, Callista’s face turned serious. "Something of high importance," Callista mentioned. Something about her aura changed, her presence grew stronger..

Eleanor frowned, deepening with her brows pulling together. The bells in Eleanor’s head started ringing. She nervously swallowed, she didn’t understand what exactly about Callista shook her to the core.

Her eyes followed Callista, the priestess’s eyes darted around the room until they fell on Kaiden’s painting. It lingered a bit too long before moving Eleanor. "How does it feel?" She asked.

Her words were too cryptic for the queen to understand. "What do you mean?" She blurted.

"How do you live knowing you spilt innocent blood?" Callista asked bluntly. Eleanor’s heart skipped a beat. Her fingers secretly clutched her dress. "I have no idea." Eleanor tried to play it cool.

Callista did fret. "I heard she was the most beautiful woman to have stepped foot in the palace and you killed her." Eleanor’s lips parted then closed. She tried to pretend but her face gave her away

"I didn’t kill Ariel. She had a difficult birth." Eleanor defended herself instinctively.

Callista laughed. It was light and innocent with no malicious intent. At least it seemed that way. "Ariel, I wasn’t talking about the late consort." Callista chirped.

Leaving Eleanor dumbfounded. Her fist tightened. "Are you trying to blackmail me?" Eleanor spat. Callista arched her brow at the queen.

"Come on, will I blackmail you over the death of a consort? If that was my intention I would have used the fact you are the head sorceress." Eleanor’s face went pale. How did Callista know?

"The entire sorcerer’s facade of poisoning crops, the plague is all your doing to force Kaiden

to step down, but that wasn’t enough..."