The Forgotten Queen

Talks

A man paced hurriedly down the dimly lit hallway. He pushed open the door in front of him.

"We have an agreement with the Brothers Locks, but they promised to give half..."

The man who stood in front of the desk became silent as a new member walked in. The person who entered the study bowed and rushed forward to the desk. "May the Light bless the Imperial royal Highness," the man said.

A man seated behind his desk had golden brown blonde hair, brushed back neatly with a messy beard. His dark eyes stared at the man who entered.

"What is so important that you had to enter my study during these hours?" He asked.

"Your Royal Highness... We have received word from Aurora."

Dreadful silence filled the room. The man continued to rely on the message, "There are talks of lifting the shield."

The Royal stood onto his feet, banging his hands against the desk. Everyone in the room flinched and dowed their heads, fearing the worst would come if spotted. But they were afraid of who would be blamed for the leaked information.

"First, find out the reason for the shield being lifted. Second, we need to work fast in our plan for Aurora," he said. "I am making myself clear!"

"Yes, Your Imperial Grace!"

"NOW LEAVE!"

Everyone rushed out of the study after saying a respectful farewell. However, a man seated at the back of the room remained. He wore a floor-length white with gold embroidery around the hem, waistband, and neckline. His jet black hair slicked back, and his grayish-white eyes slid to the Royal.

The Royal huffed, then took his seat and interlocked his fingers as he thought to himself. "I don't think it is wise to move fast," the man in the room said.

"We have an opportunity here and need to take it. We know that making an alliance with them would be difficult. They will never agree," he sighed in angrily.

The man stood up, approached the desk, and both men stared at each other in silence. "True... But we also don't know how they would react if we acted without consideration. If we ruin the trade, then we would be at a disadvantage in the war against Amun. Think about our kingdom's finances as King."

"Don't bring our finances into this, priest!"

"Everything about this war involves finances, Your Highness..." the priest said with a scoff. "One of the agreements with the Brothers Locks is insuring the union between the Crown Prince and the Guardian."

"Let me worry about the Brothers Locks, and you worry about the Church."

The priest smiled, stepped back, and bowed. "Of course, Your Imperial Majesty. I shall take my leave..." he said before on his heels and walking out.

The priest stepped outside to find the previous men in the study. They seemed to be waiting for the priest. They made way for him, bowing their heads as he walked ahead.

"Follow the King's order, but we make for our spies are not captured," the priest said.

"Yes, Your Holiness..." They said.

Meanwhile, in the Aurora kingdom, Isla tries to apologize to Edward for Duke Jared's involvement in the matter. But Duke Jared seemed to know what he was doing and offered to help with the training. Also, Sir Aiden agreed with Duke Jared.

"Stop your sluking, Isla. You got Sir Aiden, and Duke Jared agreed to help. There's no need to be sad," Sara said.

Isla sighed, "but Edward is upset with me and has been avoiding the topic."

"Well... You should be happy that his quiet," Sara murmured.

"No, this shouldn't be left as such!"

Isla stood up and dushed out of the room. "Isla!" Sara called out as she hurriedly followed behind in confusion. "Where are you going?" she asked.

"To the library."

"Why?"

"To talk with Edward and clear the mess."

"But why!?" Sara whined, pouting her lips, and continued to run behind Isla.

Isla stormed into the library, glancing around, and saw priests, council members, and students in the library. She gave them a tight warm smile and nodded as they bowed and greeted her with praise when she walked past them.

She lifted her gaze, spotting Edward on the sixth-floor balcony with a book in hand. She sighed in slight relief, then walked to the teleport magic circle. After Sara jumped in, she commanded it to teleport her to the sixth floor.

Once on the floor, she stormed to where she saw Edward. Sara groaned at Isla's determination as she tried catching up with Isla.

Isla spots Edward, still leaning against the balcony with hand in hand and deep in his reading that he did not realize she was there. She huffed, lifted her head, and approached Edward.

"Edward, we need to talk. I know that my decision the other day was uncalled for. Still, Duke Jared is a part of the council and has good insight regarding these matters, especially where I'm concerned," she said.

"While we are on the topic of me. I feel like I have to voice my own concerns in matters regarding me. You and the council cannot say what's good and bad for me without considering me," Isla continued. "I know I am the Guardian to the kingdom, but I am my own person."

Edward lowered the book he was reading, remaining silent as she spoke.

"Now have I made myself clear!" Isla said, lifting her head higher and looking unbothered about her statement. But within, she was nervous as this was the first time she spoke up about her concerns.

She hoped that Edward does not find her approach rude and look disrespectful to the Holy Priest that chose her to be the Guardian.

Edward smiled and placed his hand on top of Isla's head. She looked at him in confusion. "You are right... " he said, nodding his head.

"I am?" she whispered. After realizing her blurt, she shook her head, removed his hand, and gave him a blank expression. "Of course, I am."

He chuckled and glanced down at the library.

"It's just that we are trying to prevent history from repeating. Trying to prevent a war against our kind and prevent a young Guardian from losing their life early."

Isla sighed, approaching the balcony and gazing over at the grand library. "We need to learn from our past to get through the future, and I know you wish the best for me. But... I know I can do this as long as I'm well informed," she said, glancing at Edward.

"Where has the childish Isla gone?" Edward asked jokingly as he turned his gaze to Isla.

Isla nervously chuckled, glancing away from Edward and looking down at her hands. She didn't know what to say after what Edward said. Of course, this sudden behavior would raise eyebrows. But she hoped it did not cause any concerns.

"So, about Sir Aiden and Duke Jared," she said, changing the subject.

He shook his head, "if Duke Jared is putting his title on the line for Sir Aiden, he must trust the boy. Also, I'm calmer knowing that someone else would be watching you during training."

Isla smiled warmly, glanced back up at him, and smiled back. "So... We're no longer in trouble?" Sara asked.

Both Edward and Isla turned their gaze over their shoulders to Sara. Edward narrowed his gaze and shook his head. "Nope, you girls are still in trouble for sneaking out," he said.

"What!?" Sara whined and grabbed Edward's sleeve. "But no one was hurt!"

Isla chuckled, watching Sara whine and beg a stubborn Edward, who kept shaking his head. Isla hoped nothing would change between everyone.

Edward, later on, kicked both Sara and Isla out of the library, and the girls decided to see Sir Aiden. After Sir Aiden and Duke Jared made an agreement, Sir Aiden moved into the knight quarters of the Temple Palace.

As they approached the training grounds, they heard roaring cheers, and ahead of them was a crowd surrounding someone. Isla and Sara stared at each other in confusion as they approached the group.

In the center of everyone's attention was Aiden. He showed off his shadow magic, how he could summon a night blade or two, and how strong they were.

One of the knights in the crowd threw a thick plank at Aiden, and he swiftly cut it in half. He grinned, watching the two halves separate and fall, then his eyes landed on electric blue eyes.

He realized it was her ladyship and stood straight with a smirk. "GOOD DAY, YOUR LADYSHIP!" he shouted as he bowed, and his sword disappeared.

Everyone looked confused as they turned their gaze over their shoulders, and seeing Isla, they gasped and bowed. "Greetings to Her Holy Grace," they said.

Isla felt awkward and cleared her throat. "You may all rise," she said.

Aiden passed through the crowd and approached Isla with a smirk as they rose. "So, what brings you here?" he asked.

"How about respect?" Sara asked.

He glanced over at Sara, winked at her with a slight shrug, and turned his gaze back to Isla. "The Duke never told me that Her Highness would be coming to the training grounds."

"I just came to see if you have settled well, and clearly you have," Isla said, nodding to where the crowd was gathered.

"It's nothing," he said, shrugging his shoulders.

"Let's have a walk," Isla suggested. Aiden nods, extending his hand to guide her to take the lead.

Isla and Aiden walked beside each other, heading towards the exit of the training grounds. "I want to apologize about the fight the other day. I never knew it would turn like that," she said.

Aiden scoffed and shook his head. "Nah, it's alright. I still get paid, but with more work."

"More work?" Isla's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, and she glanced at Aiden.

"Oh, the Duke did not notify you about the situation. I'll be your personal guard."

Isla stopped in her track and turned to face Aiden. "But I don't need a personal guard. I have Edward and Sara. You shouldn't be forced to do something you don't want to."

He shrugged his shoulders. "It's just an agreement, and also, I'll be putting my training on the test while being your guard. I don't mind... Besides, the pay is good."

"Oh?"

Isla stared at Aiden's back as he walked ahead of her. If he was okay with it and was being paid, then it was okay. However, she worried about Edward's thoughts about Aiden being her personal guard.

"Who would have thought I would be the personal guard of the Guardian?"

Aiden stopped in his tracks and glanced over at Isla, who realized she had never introduced her identity. She lowered her head and nervously bit her lower. "Apologize for not telling you," she said.

"There's no need for Isla to apologize!" Sara said. Both Aiden and Isla turned their gaze to Sara, who placed her hands on her hips. "She's the Guardian and does whatever she wants."

"Isla?" Aiden muttered.

Sara gasped, stepping forward and pointing at Aiden. "You're not allowed to call Her Grace by her name," she said.

Aiden smirked, folding his arms across his chest, and lifted an eyebrow. "But you did?"

"Well, that's because she blessed me with her permission."

"Then... May I call Her Highness by her name?" He asked, staring over Sara's head to Isla.

"Of course, she cannot give you the right as you just met!"

Sara yelled while Isla froze under Aiden's crimson blood-red eyes. They had just met, but she wanted to be his friend.

Isla nodded her head 'yes' and smiled warmly. "You can call me by name," Isla said.

"What!?" Sara gaped, snapping her gaze at Isla.

"Then you may call me by my name, Aiden. No sir, no formal title," he said, smiling back at her.