Fated to the Beast

Chapter 7: Summoned by the Queen

I awoke with a start, immediately sitting up in my bed. My eyes darted around the room, searching for any signs of intruders who might have entered while I slept. It was the first time in a while that I had slept so soundly, and the realization struck me—it meant I had let my guard down for the first time. But this was not good news.

What if I hadn't woken up at all?

What if I opened my eyes to find them already inside, waiting to mercilessly end my life?

Aggressively, I brushed my hair to the side of my head and let out a heavy sigh.

How had I ended up here?

The memories of running through the meadows outside the palace, witnessing something inappropriate between my siblings, and then being struck unconscious after a blow to the back of my head were still hazy. There was someone else in the meadow with me, but scanning the room now, I couldn't find the coat that figure had worn last night. Deciding to lie back down, I stared up at the ceiling, contemplating my next move after witnessing Alexandra and Lucius together. It was evident from their distant expressions that their involvement went beyond mere pleasure—they had genuine feelings for each other.

Would Alexandra still come to see me after what happened?

I doubted I had the courage to face her, despite my desire for her presence in this moment. But then I scoffed, realizing the absurdity of my thoughts. I wanted her to be with me. It was a selfish desire that had lingered since childhood—to wait, miss, and love someone. However, considering the danger that now surrounded Alexandra, I couldn't subject her to it. I longed for her to explain what was happening and what had driven her to engage in a relationship that could cost both of them their lives. Alexandra might possess strength, but she was still no match for our father. I feared for her life, for it could be snuffed out in an instant.

As I prepared to close my door, a knock interrupted my thoughts. At first, I hesitated to respond since my door hadn't made a sound in years. The maids who attended to me would simply enter without warning. When Alexandra visited, she would barge into my room without bothering to knock. So, this couldn't be her.

I waited a few more seconds, and when the knock came again, I realized I had to acknowledge it. Rising from my bed, I moved towards the sofa, discreetly retrieving my hidden dagger. With the blade concealed in my skirt, I sat down and peered at the bottom of the door, noticing the shadow of a single person outside. Finally, as the person knocked for the third time, I decided to respond.

"Who is it?" I inquired cautiously.

"An attendant from the Queen, Your Highness," came the reply, prompting me to stand up and rush to the door. Opening it, I was greeted by the presence of Rosalynn, the Queen's trusted attendant. Despite her elegant appearance, she had a reputation for dealing with those who threatened the queen's life or stood in her way.

"What brings Lady Rosalynn to my humble chambers?" I asked, bowing respectfully.

"The Queen wishes to see you," she stated as I raised my head to meet her gaze.

"The Queen?" I questioned, surprised by the sudden summons after all these years.

Why did she want to meet me now?

I mean, for what reason?

"She wanted to talk to you about something," Rosalynn stated, which brought me back to my senses, and I looked at her again.

"Something?" I then asked, still confused.

Rosalynn's words brought me back to reality, and I looked at her, still confused. "About his royal prince, Lucius," she replied, causing a wave of unease to wash over me. I knew I would be questioned about something I desperately wanted to avoid discussing.

~

Before leaving my room, I discreetly concealed my dagger under my skirt. I didn't want to alarm anyone by openly carrying it. Walking through the hallways, with Rosalynn leading the way, I couldn't shake off the anxiety that consumed me. It wasn't just because of the presence of this woman, but also due to the impending conversation.

We entered the Queen's palace, and I halted as Rosalynn turned towards me. "If I were you... I would tell the truth," she warned, her words resonating with a sense of urgency. The implication was clear: honesty was crucial, and I couldn't afford to deceive them.

But would I be capable of doing so?

We entered a sparsely furnished room, with only couches and a solitary table. The Queen was already seated on one of the couches, sipping tea from her cup. As Rosalynn closed the door behind us, the Queen glanced in our direction and greeted me with a warm smile and an embrace. I remained cautious, refusing to let my guard down. There was a lingering suspicion that the Queen might be plotting something against me. Perhaps she intended to end my life, either by her own hands or through Rosalynn's, once she discovered her son's secret affairs.

After breaking off our embrace, the Queen took hold of my hands and examined me closely. "You look exactly just like your mother," she remarked, causing me to tense up. I had never heard descriptions of my mother's appearance from anyone before. There were no remaining photographs to allow me to visualize her face. Thus, the Queen's mention of my mother piqued my curiosity.

"Do I?" I inquired, intrigued by her statement. She nodded affirmatively, detailing how my dark, long, silky hair, pale complexion, and the features of my hands, lips, nose, and eyes closely resembled those of my mother. It brought a smile to my face.

However, the Queen added, "The only thing that didn't is your eyes," her tone shifting, and an odd expression crossing her face. The room's ambiance transformed as she stared piercingly into my eyes, as if she harbored a dislike for them. I detected a hint of resentment, as if she wished I didn't possess this particular pair of eyes. Among my siblings, I alone inherited our father's blood-red eyes.

Dismissing the moment, the Queen reverted to her usual self and guided me to sit on the sofa. "Here, tea," she offered, extending a cup towards me. I hesitated, knowing I couldn't trust the contents.

"I'm not fond of tea," I admitted, noticing the disappointment in her eyes. Despite her disapproving gaze, I remained resolute in my decision not to drink it, considering the ongoing experiments on my body. I have been intoxicating poison and it would not be good to take another different kind in case she had put one in the tea.

In an attempt to change the subject, I asked directly, "After all these years of neglecting me, why have you summoned me now, my Queen?" I hoped to expedite the conversation and bring it to a swift conclusion.

"Well..." she began, her voice trailing off. "I recently discovered that Princess Alexandra has been visiting your chambers," she revealed. Her words didn't surprise me. I knew it must be common knowledge by now that Alexandra had been paying me frequent visits, ever since the incident involving my other siblings in the hall.

"She has," I confirmed, observing the Queen as she placed her cup on the table—the same cup she had offered me.

"She isn't the real reason why I had summoned you today," she declared, capturing my attention. I braced myself, knowing the question that would inevitably follow. I was prepared to answer, even if it meant risking everything.

"What is it, Your Highness?" I asked calmly, prompting a mischievous grin to spread across her face.

"You saw something last night, didn't you?" she inquired, but I chose not to react.

"I have been noticing Lucius leaving his chambers secretly, without informing me. It's unlike him, as he used to confide in me about everything since childhood. It's only been these past few months that he has been acting peculiar, and I can't help but wonder why," the Queen explained, holding my hand.

"I suspect it's because he has developed feelings for someone," she continued, her gaze locked with mine, probing for any signs of weakness. However, I refused to allow myself to falter.

"I know nothing about my siblings' affairs, Your Highness," I stated candidly, prompting her laughter. A few moments later, she regained her composure and released my hand.

"Just last night, Rosalynn found something intriguing, confirming my suspicions," the Queen said, her words hitting me like a blow. I felt a numbness creep over me.

Last night...

Could it be?

Before I could dwell on the thought, the Queen's grin twisted into a devilish expression.

"Have you been involved in an affair with your own brother?" she asked, causing me to furrow my brow. After a moment's pause, I burst into laughter, my nerves getting the better of me. I acted recklessly, seemingly insane, without even realizing it.

"Why do you think I would have an affair with Lucius?" I managed to ask, my confusion still evident as I chuckled in her face.

"Rosalynn found Lucius last night. He emerged from your chambers, looking disheveled. My initial fear was that he may have harmed you. But seeing you here, alive and well, I suspect my son has developed a fondness for you and engaged in something within your chambers," the Queen revealed, jolting me out of my laughter.

Then, Lucius brought me back to my chambers?

“Did he have a coat with him, Lady Rosalynn?” I bravely asked as I looked at the woman.

"He didn't have a coat with him. He was wearing his robe," she replied. Lucius wasn't the one who escorted me back to my chambers—a realization that perplexed me.

"Why are you asking?" Rosalynn asked, drawing my attention back to her.

"I was searching for someone who owned a coat last night. I ended up losing consciousness due to that person's coat," I explained, which left Rosalynn momentarily speechless. Returning my gaze to the Queen, I noticed her deep in thought. "It seems it wasn't you," she mused, her eyes fixed on me.

"No, it wasn't," I firmly responded between sporadic laughs, only to pause when I detected a serious expression on her face.

"Then, who could it be?" she pondered, her gaze returning to mine.

"You may return to your chambers now. As a token of appreciation for visiting me, Lady Rosalynn, please present her with that box," the Queen instructed, and Rosalynn handed me a box containing... a dress.

"I heard you were planning to visit the town. Consider this a gift, so you can enjoy the scenery without worrying about appropriate attire for a princess of the Durchville Kingdom," the Queen explained, to which I responded with a bow.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I shall take my leave now," I said, exiting the room with the box in hand, and leaving the Queen deep in thought.

~

As I walked back to my chambers, clutching the box containing the dress the Queen had given me, my mind raced with thoughts of the events that had transpired. The revelation of Lucius' involvement with Alexandra, the Queen's probing questions, and the mysterious figure in the meadow—all these pieces of the puzzle swirled together, creating a web of secrets and suspicions.

I knew the truth, but revealing it would only bring more harm than good. I had made a silent promise to protect Alexandra, to shield her from the consequences of her forbidden love. But as I traversed the familiar hallways, I couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that danger lurked around every corner.

Entering my chambers, I closed the door behind me, the sound echoing in the silence. I placed the box on the nearby table and took a moment to collect my thoughts. The dress inside, a gesture from the Queen, was meant to distract me, to divert my attention from the brewing storm that threatened to consume us all.

But I couldn't allow myself to be fooled by such trinkets. There were more pressing matters at hand—the identity of the mysterious figure in the meadow, the reason behind Lucius' sudden change, and the danger that loomed over Alexandra. I needed to find answers, to untangle the threads of deceit that had ensnared us.

I approached the window, peering out into the moonlit night. The world beyond the palace walls beckoned, tempting me with its mysteries. If I wanted to uncover the truth, I needed to venture outside, to seek the truth where it lay hidden. Leaving my chambers, I slipped through the shadows, avoiding the prying eyes of the palace guards. The night air was cool against my skin, and the distant sound of chirping crickets filled the silence. I made my way towards the meadow, the place where it all began, hoping to find answers amidst the memories that lingered there.

As I reached the meadow, bathed in moonlight, I felt a sense of déjà vu wash over me. The grass rustled under my feet, whispering secrets I was yet to uncover. I scanned the surroundings, searching for any clues that might lead me closer to the truth. And as I continued my search, a sound reached my ears—the faint echo of voices carried by the wind. I followed the sound, my steps quickening, until I reached a secluded spot concealed by overgrown foliage. Hidden from view, I peered through the leaves, my breath caught in my throat.

There, bathed in the moon's gentle glow, stood Lucius and Alexandra. They were locked in a tender embrace, their whispered words lost in the night. A mixture of emotions surged within me—betrayal, anger, and a pang of jealousy I dared not acknowledge.

But amidst the whirlwind of emotions, one thing became clear—I had stumbled upon a love that was both forbidden and fragile. Their secret trysts explained the Queen's suspicions, her relentless pursuit of the truth. If their affair were to be exposed, the consequences would be dire for everyone involved.

As I watched them, torn between loyalty and duty, I made a decision. I would become their protector, their shield against the storm that threatened to engulf them. The weight of this secret burdened me, but I knew that it was a sacrifice I had to make.

I retreated from my hiding place, leaving Lucius and Alexandra to their stolen moments of happiness. My resolve strengthened, I vowed to navigate the treacherous path ahead, to protect them from the Queen's prying eyes and the dangers that lay beyond.

Returning to the palace, with each step, I became more convinced that the palace held more secrets than I could fathom, and it was up to me to unravel them. As I closed the door to my chambers, I knew that my journey had only just begun. The truth remained elusive, hidden beneath layers of deception and intrigue. But armed with determination and a burning desire for justice, I would not rest until the secrets were laid bare and the ones I cared for were safe from harm.