Chapter 4: SHE NEVER FORGETS

After the crown prince's love affair incident, a few days passed in the palace, and everyone had been living peacefully. Almaria and Kitanna avoided stepping on each other's toes. Clephas continued to stand at the princess's quarters, enjoying the natural scenery of the palace. It was like the calm before the storm. In the courtroom, Queen Almaria sat on the throne, with Khelan, the crown prince, beside her. Khelan needed to marry into an affluent family to ascend the throne, but so far, no lady from a high-class family had caught his fancy, and Almaria was growing increasingly worried. "Queen Almaria, there is news that the heiress to the crown of Slokan is dead, and rumors suggest it was the work of the Black Rose," one of the ministers announced. At the mention of the Black Rose, murmurs filled the court, and fear gripped every official. The Black Rose, or Roses, as no one knew their identity or number, were assassins who targeted heirs or heiresses of powerful kingdoms. Almaria furrowed her brows when she heard the black Rose. What type of rumor was going on in her kingdom that she was not aware of? She thought to herself. "Silence! We have heightened the palace security. The black roses should know better. Don't waste your time with petty gossip," She spoke with authority, her eyes watching every official in the courtroom. "Well, that's on a lighter note. The crown prince will be getting married after the two moons. Send out invitations and start making preparations for his gift. I will meet the priestess myself. That will be all for today." "Congratulations, Prince Khelan. Long live the crown prince!" The ministers chanted. The crown prince forced a smile on his lips to please his mother. Khelan did not ever want to be the crown prince or the next in line for the throne. It would have been better if he could have offered his crown to his sister, but that would have been over his mother's grave. She will never allow that day to come. He always wished to have e simple life, with a maiden of his own choice, but now his wedding was planned for him; all he had to do was show up on that day. Khelan thought about Calissa, and he felt his heart squeeze with hurt. "Be present here in the court, son. I'm not saying physically, but mentally, and don't be rude. The ministers are offering their heartfelt congratulations." Almaria moved closer to whisper into her son's ear. "Thank you," Khelan said through his teeth as he forced a tasmile on his face. "Louder!" the queen ordered, only to his hearing. "Thank you, ministers of the court. I ask for your support and blessings throughout my marriage and re. " Khelan bowed politely. Almaria nodded, pleased with what the crown prince had said. She continued to smile at the greedy men in court who were waiting for Khelan to fall so would have a reason to take the crown away from her family. "Court dism, " The royal secretary announced when the meeting we. There, the court officials quietly dispersed from the room. The only noise heard was their heavy steps on the marble floor and the sounds their robes made as they stepped out in groups. They dared not gossip in the palace grounds because they knew Almaria was not someone to be taken lightly. When the last official left, he closed the door. Almaria turned to her son, who had a grim expression on his face. " Smile, Khelan. Your bride is a very beautiful maiden. I will never do anything to hurt you, son, I have your interest at heart." Khelan scoffed subtly. His interest?? That was the biggest lie he heard that day. Bride-to-be is from a kingdom that supplies salt. He thought to himself. The queen never plays a losing game. "I know, mama, I know. I feel very tired, I will now return to my chambers." Khelan bowed and walked out of the courtroom. His guards and servants followed him immediately. The queen watched her son leave the courtroom, and she smiled to herself before she stood up to leave the courtroom. Then came her worst nightmare. No news was good news when it came to the princess. Almaria thought to herself. Kitanna walked into the courtroom grinning. She noticed the change in expression on her mother's face. She enjoyed how she kept the queen on the edge. "Long live the Queen!" Kitanna bowed deeply. "My queen, whose grace is sufficient. I have reasons to believe that you are running low on grace," she smiled, enjoying the look on her mother's face. Almaria thinned her lips, her brows knitted in a frown before she allowed herself to smile. "Why do you say so? Princess," She asked. "The punishment, my queen, I cannot believe that my offender roams freely in the palace," Kitanna said with a sad face, her eyes trailing to look at her prey. The guard did not make any comment or change the look on his face. The Queen rolled her eyes internally and faced her side. "Man-uel! You have not carried out the punishment order? Are you getting old?" She sighed. Almaria never had the intention of punishing the favorite guard. Even after the incident, she rewarded him. She did not want to stay all day arguing with the princess, who always had something to say. So she decided to place the blame on her most trusted ally. And just as she thought. He played along. "Please spare me, my queen. I will do the needful right away," Man-uel bowed. Kitanna sneered at them, mentally criticizing them. The queen should leave the throne and go to the school of performing arts; she would rule better. She thought to herself. "Man-uel, make the ground of thorns ready; let us all meet there," The queen ordered. Almaria had always wanted to have Kitanna out of her sight; the princess's presence did not sit well with the queen. She turned to the princess, who still had her gaze fixed on the guard. "Are you happy now? I will send some people to whip him," Almaria said, getting Kitanna to look at her with her brown eyes. "Well, I would have been happier if my offender looked remorseful, but he still holds no expression and no sense of guilt. Let us move to the ground of thorns; I will pick a suitable punishment for him. I have come to believe he likes surprises," Kitanna replied, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, then she sneered. The courtroom reeked of guile and blood, and she wanted nothing to do with it. She needed to leave quickly to get some clean air. Almaria watched the change in the girl's expression. She looked around to see if anything was irritating her in the courtroom so she could address their growth. Their eyes locked with each other immediately. Kitanna bowed with the wicked grin that unnerved the queen, then she stepped out of the room. Almaria let go of the breath she didn't know she was holding.