Elaena approached Princess Naela's chambers. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the lie she was about to tell.
Entering the room, she found Naela sitting by the window, her white curls cascading down her back as she played with her dolls. Elaena's heart sank at the innocence of the young princess, but duty compelled her forward.
"Princess," Elaena began, her voice trembling slightly. "I have some somber news to share with you."
Naela looked up, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What is it, Elaena?"
With a heavy sigh, Elaena continued, "It pains me to say this, but my uncle has passed away. And I must attend his funeral."
Naela's eyes widened in shock, her doll slipping from her grasp." But... but why? How?" Elaena bit her lip, struggling to maintain her composure. "He... he fell ill suddenly, my dear. It was... unexpected."
She hoped that this would make the Princess believe her lie, if not, then she don't know what will.
"Go seek solace with your blood. I shall inform my mother of your leave," she commanded, as Elaena bowed in deference. "I am grateful, your grace. The prospect of reuniting with my family brings me comfort," she replied, concealing the true reason behind her words. In truth, she had no uncle; it was a fabrication to facilitate her visit to Selena.
Without a moment's delay, Elaena hastened her departure from the princess's chambers, eager to return to her own quarters and commence her packing. Oh, the joy that awaited her in seeing Selena and conveying the news was almost too much to bear.
Alynla's heart raced as she approached the towering gates of the castle. After years of separation, she was finally returning to her family, to the royal court she hoped to one day call home. Each step closer to the gates felt like a journey through time, as memories both cherished and painful flooded her mind.
As the gates swung open, Alynla's eyes swept over the familiar faces of her kin. There was her aunt Queen Alicent, radiant yet burdened with the weight of the crown. Beside her stood King Rhaenarr, a stoic figure masking his inner turmoil. Alynla's gaze softened as she took in their regal presence, a reminder of the responsibilities that awaited her within these walls.
"Welcome, lady Alynla," Alicent greeted her with a warm smile, her voice tinged with relief and longing. Alynla's heart swelled with emotion as she stepped forward, her eyes brimming with tears. "Thank you, your majesty. It's been too long."
Rhaenarr nodded in acknowledgment, his expression grave yet welcoming. "Indeed it has, Alynla. We are pleased to have you back."
As they embraced, Alynla felt a sense of belonging wash over her, the years of absence melting away in their embrace. But amidst the joyous reunion, a pang of sadness tugged at her heart, a reminder of the loved ones she had lost along the way.
"I wish Mother could be here to see this," Alynla murmured, her voice laced with sorrow.
Alicent's eyes softened with sympathy as she placed a comforting hand on Alynla's shoulder. "She may not be with us in body, but herspirit lives on in you, Alynla. She would be proud of the woman you've become."
Alynla offered a grateful smile, her heart warmed by her aunt's words. "Thank you, your majesty. That means a great deal to me."
"Please call me Aunt, after all we are family." Alicent said and Alynla smiled before nodding.
With the formalities of their reunion complete, Alicent turned to Alynla with a glint of excitement in her eyes. "Come, my dear. Let us show you to your chambers. I'm sure you'll find them to your liking."
Alynla followed eagerly as Alicent led her through the corridors of the castle, the familiar sights and sounds stirring memories of her childhood. As they reached a grand set of doors adorned with the family sigil, Alicent turned to Alynla with a smile.
"Here we are, Alynla. Your chambers await you," Alicent announced, gesturing for Alynla to enter.
Alynla stepped inside, her breath catching at the sight before her. The room was spacious and elegantly furnished, with rich tapestries adorning the walls and a plush bed draped in silk. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room.
"It's... it's beautiful," Alynla breathed, her eyes wide with wonder.
Alicent smiled warmly, her pride evident in her gaze. "I'm glad you think so, my dear. This is your home now, for as long as you wish it to be."
Overwhelmed with emotion, Alynla threw her arms around Alicent, her heart overflowing with gratitude. "Thank you, Aunt Alicent. I couldn't ask for a more welcoming home."
"Worry not, for I am confident your cousins will be pleased to greet you," she stated, eliciting a smile from Alynla. "May I pay them a visit?" she questioned, to which Alicent nodded in agreement. "I see no reason why you shouldn't. Proceed," Alicent declared, as Alynla smiled before heading off to find her cousins. Alicent smiled before rejoining her husband.
As Alynla approached the courtyard, the sound of clashing swords and cheerful banter reached her ears. Visevar, Rhaerion, Maelyx, and Naena were engrossed in their sparring session, their movements precise and practiced. Naela sat nearby, her fingers deftly guiding a needle through fabric as she worked on a new garment.
"Alynla!" Naena exclaimed, catching sight of her cousin. The others turned to see her, faces breaking into wide smiles.
"Alynla, it's been far too long," Maelyx said, sheathing his sword and stepping forward to embrace her.
"We've all missed you," Rhaerion chimed in, clapping her on the shoulder.
"I've missed you too," Alynla replied, returning their embraces warmly. "It's good to be back."
They spent the afternoon catching up, sharing tales of their respective adventures since they last saw each other. Alynla recounted her journeys through distant lands, regaling them with stories of exotic landscapes and thrilling encounters. Naena listened attentively, occasionally interjecting with questions about the places Alynla had visited.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the courtyard, they decided to take a break from their activities. Alynla joined Naela by the sewing table, admiring the intricate patterns she was stitching into the fabric.
"You have such skill, Naela," Alynla remarked, running her fingers over the delicate embroidery.
Naela smiled shyly, ducking her head. "Thank you, Alynla. It's just something I enjoy doing in my spare time."
"It's more than just a hobby," Alynla insisted. "You could make a living from this talent."
Naela's cheeks flushed with pleasure at the compliment, and she returned to her work with renewed determination. Meanwhile, Alynla turned her attention back to her cousins, who were engaged in a lively debate about the best technique for wielding a sword.
As the afternoon faded into evening, they reluctantly began to disperse, each heading off to their respective duties and responsibilities. Alynla lingered for a moment, watching her cousins go with a sense of gratitude for their company and a renewed appreciation for the bonds of family.
TWO DAYS LATER
The grand ballroom was alive with music and laughter as guests from far and wide gathered to celebrate Princess Naela's 10th Name Day. Lords and ladies mingled, their voices blending with the melodies of the musicians playing in the background.
Alicent's voice resonated with gratitude as she thanked the guest for gracing their gathering. Her eyes sparkled with joy as she beheld her daughter, Naela, twirling and laughing amidst the company of other guests. With a contented smile, Alicent returned to her duty of warmly welcoming the esteemed visitor. Meanwhile, Rhaerion leisurely sipped his wine, his gaze captivated by the lively dance and the guests' revelry.
Weariness consumed Rhaerion, his spirit longing for respite. The tedium had become unbearable, leaving him craving mirth and revelry. His eyes caught sight of several maidens stealing glances at him. A notion sprouted in his mind, urging him to approach them.
As Prince Rhaerion, the second eldest son of Queen Alicent and King Rhaenarr, mingled with the guests, a loyal guard, unknowingly planted by Vanyx, eyed him with a sinister intent. His loyalty lay not with the royal family but with the ambitions of his master, Vanyx.
The guard remained ever watchful over the royal family, making sure that no one was left unattended. While the other children were surrounded by important guests, there was one lone Royal who seemed to be isolated from the rest.
Rhaerion sat in a corner enjoying his drink halfway drunk. In a swift and calculated move, the guard seized Rhaerion, whisking him away to the depths of the castle dungeons before anyone could raise the alarm. Panic surged through Rhaerion's veins as he struggled against his captor, his mind racing with fear and confusion.
Dragged from the keep, Rhaerion found himself ensconced in darkness within a bag. Though he struggled to break free and fight back, he lacked the means to defend himself. A vicious strike to his countenance left him unconscious on the ground. His limp body was then cast onto a ship, setting sail away from the Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Alicent and Rhaenarr, unaware of their son's plight, continued to host the festivities, their hearts brimming with joy for their beloved daughter.
Alicent's laughter echoed through the air as her daughter and a few other children twirled and danced around. Her smile radiated warmth as she scanned the surroundings, ensuring she could witness the joy of all her beloved offspring. Yet, her heart skipped a beat as she searched for her second-born child, Rhaerion, only to find him nowhere in sight.
Alicent's gaze swept over the ballroom, searching for her son among the throng of guests, but she still didnt find him. She turned to her husband, her voice trembling with worry. "Rhaenarr, have you seen Rhaerion? I can't seem to find him anywhere."
Rhaenarr's brow furrowed in concern as he scanned the room, his heart pounding with dread. "No, I haven't seen him either. Something isn't right."
With growing apprehension, Alicent and Rhaenarr called upon the guards to search the castle, their voices urgent as they relayed the news of their son's disappearance. Panic rippled through the ballroom as word spread, the festivities grinding to a halt as guests whispered in hushed tones of the prince's fate.
Alicent's heart clenched with fear as she left the ballroom and fell to her knees, her hands clasped in prayer to the gods above. "Please," she pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation. "Keep my son safe and bring him back to me. I beg of you."
As Alicent's prayers echoed through the empty halls, a sense of foreboding hung heavy in the air. For on this night of celebration, the royal family's worst nightmare had become a chilling reality, and the fate of Prince Rhaerion remained uncertain in the hands of those who sought to tear their kingdom apart.
The search for Rhaerion continued throughout the night, the castle descending into a frenzy of chaos and fear. Every corner was scoured, every shadow examined, but there was no sign of the missing prince.
As dawn broke over the horizon, Alicent and Rhaenarr made the difficult decision to shut down the festivities and send their children back to their chambers under the protection of the guards. The once lively ballroom now stood empty, a stark reminder of the darkness that had descended upon their kingdom.
Alone in their chambers, Alicent and Rhaenarr clung to each other, their hearts heavy with grief and worry. As the hours passed, Alicent's thoughts turned to her son, her prayers to the gods growing more fervent with each passing moment.
"Please, let him be safe," she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Bring him back to us, I beg of you."
With unwavering determination, Rhaenarr vowed, "We shall uncover his whereabouts." As tears welled up in her eyes, she whispered the words that shattered their hearts, "Our son has been taken from us." Rhaenarr held his wife tightly, offering solace through his wordless embrace.
But as the day wore on and no news came, Alicent's faith began to waver. Fear gripped her heart like a vice, threatening to consume her with its icy embrace.
Outside, the castle bustled with activity as guards and servants continued their search, their voices raised in solemn determination. Yet amidst the chaos, a mother's desperate plea echoed through the empty halls, a poignant reminder of the bond that bound a mother to her child, even in the darkest of times.
As darkness descended upon the castle, Elaena ventured beyond its walls, her footsteps muffled by the soft blanket of night. Her heart heavy with secrets and resentment, she sought solace in the solitude of the courtyard, where the cool breeze whispered through the trees like a haunting melody.
To her surprise, Selena emerged from the shadows, her presence a welcome respite from the weight of Elaena's thoughts. They exchanged a silent nod, their eyes meeting in silent understanding.
Wordlessly, Elaena produced a set of parchment scrolls from the folds of her cloak, their contents bearing the markings of King Rhaenarr's seal. She held them out to Selena, her expression unreadable in the dim light.
"These are the plans," Elaena said, her voice low and urgent. "Plans for alliances to support the royal family."
Selena's eyes widened in surprise as she accepted the scrolls, her fingers tracing the intricate designs with reverence. "Thank you, Elaena. This information could prove invaluable to our cause."
Elaena's lips curved into a bitter smile, her gaze hardening with resolve. "I care not for the cause, Selena. All I care about is making my father lose everything for abandoning me."
Selena's expression softened with empathy as she placed a hand on Elaena's shoulder, her touch a silent reassurance. "I understand, Elaena. But there is more at stake here than just vengeance. We must ensure the safety and stability of the realm as put the rightful heir on the throne."
Elaena's jaw clenched with frustration, her resolve wavering in the face of Selena's unwavering loyalty. "I know," she conceded, her voice tinged with resignation. "But my vendetta against my father consumes me."
Selena nodded in understanding, her eyes flickering with determination. "Then let us work together, Elaena. Together, we can uncover the truth behind these treacherous schemes and ensure that justice prevails."
With a reluctant nod, Elaena acknowledged Selena's words, their alliance forged in the shadows of the night. "Very well, Selena. We shall be in touch."
As they parted ways, their footsteps echoing in the silence of the courtyard, Elaena knew that she had found an unexpected ally in Selena. And though the path ahead was fraught with danger and uncertainty, she took solace in the knowledge that she was no longer alone in her quest for retribution.