novelxo Chapter Betryed 77
Chapter 77
SAGE
As Elara and I made our way back to my chambers, I couldn't help but notice the group of people wearing black robes. I've seen those before when I was being falsely charged with treason. They were the elders. However, there's something different about them. It seems
like they were different from the one I've seen before.
I turned to Elara to ask her. She's been around the palace longer Dan I did. "Aren't those members of the Circle of Elders?" I
asked her.
Elara didn't get what I was asking until she stretched out her neck on the terrace to see those people entering the gate. I frowned when I noticed the fear in lier eyes upon seeing them.
"What's wrong?" I asked her curiously.
"Those aren't members of the Circles of Elders, my lady," she replied. She turned pale as she switched her eyes between me and those people who just arrived.
"They're not? But I know those clothes. I've seen those when I had to face the charges against me. What do you mean those aren't Circle of Elders?"
"They were elders indeed, my lady. But..." She hesitated, her face paling as fear crept into her expression. "Those were Royal Elders. Her voice quivered as she swallowed hard, her eyes wide with apprehension. "Royal Elders?" I repeated, confusion lacing my voice.
Elara's grip tightened slightly around my arm as she gently tugged me toward the terrace's edge. She guided me to the railing, positioning me so I could get a clear view of the group below, "Look closely," she whispered, pointing toward the figures gathered in the courtyard. "See those gold emblems sewn onto their robes? That's the mark of the Royal Elders. They are the highest of the council, responsible for ensuring the purity of the throne. Their duty is to safeguard the legitimacy of the one seated on it, ensuring the king is beyond reproach, free from corruption."
I squinted at the group, noting the shimmering gold threads woven into the dark, formal robes of the elders. They carried themselves with an air of authority that sent a chill through me, but still, I couldn't understand her alarm. "Perhaps they're just here for a routine visit." I suggested with a dismissive shrug, trying to make light of it. "After all, they have their duties to attend to, don't they?"
Elara gasped sofily, her grip tightening again, and this time, there was an edge of panic in her voice. "No, my lady, you don't understand! Their presence here is not casual. It's a "bad" sign. The Royal Elders only appear when something is terribly wrong, when there's a threat to the stability of the throne." Her words came out in a hurried whisper, as if saying them aloud would somehow make them more real. "Them being here means someone is challenging His Majesty's rule."
My stomach dropped, the innocent explanation I had clung to unraveling with every word she spoke. "A threat?" Techoed, my gaze now focused intently on the elders below, suddenly seeing them in a more ominous light. "Someone is challenging the king?"
Elara nodded, her expression darkening. "Yes. And if they're here..." she hesitated, glancing nervously around before continuing. "it means the situation is far more dangerous than we imagined."
I felt a cold wave of dread sweep over me as I stared at the group of Royal Elders, their presence now a looming shadow over the castle. It makes me wonder if this has something to do with me being back in the palace.
Who could possibly have the courage to challenge His Majesty I asked, my voice barely hiding the anxiety building within
"I have no idea, my lady. But this... this isn't good," Elara replied, her voice trembling slightly as she fidgeted with the hem of
Tue, Oct 22
Chapter 77
her apron.
I felt my pulse quicken as the gravity of the situation began to sele in. "Let's go, Elara I need to see His Majesty, I have to find out what's going on.
Without waiting for a response, I turned and started toward Titus office, my strides quick and determined. Elara trailed behind me, her nervous steps a sharp contrast to the urgency driving me forward. As I rounded a corner, I collided with. Beta Scott, flanked by several guards, all looking unusually tense
"Beta Scout!" Lexclaimed, relief mingled with frustration. "Good, you're here. I need to speak with His Majesty immediately. Can you tell me where he is?
Scott's expression was stony; his brows furrowed in concern. "I'm afraid His Majesty is currently preoccupied, my lady," he said, his voice calm but firm. "But he's given me orders to ensure your safety."
I blink, the word "safety sending a fresh wave of confusion through me. "Safety?" I repeated, frowning. "Why would I need to be kept safe? What's happening, Scott?"
His jaw tightened, his eyes darting to the guards flanking him as if weighing how much he should tell me. "I'll explain later, my lady, he replied, urgency creeping into his tone. "But for now, we need to leave. His Majesty insisted on your protection
I opened my mouth to protest, questions swirling in my mind like a storm, each one louder than the last. But the look on Scott's face, the seriousness in his eyes, made me hesitate. Something wasn't right. The tension in the air was palpable, thick enough to make my skin crawl. Scott," I said, my voice quieter but no less demanding, "you can't expect me to just follow without knowing what's going on."
He stepped closer, his voice low, almost conspiratorial. "My lady, I understand your frustration, but we don't have time. The Royal Elders are here for a reason, and it's not good. If there's a challenge to the throne, things could escalate quickly. Please,
Trust me.
A shiver ran down my spine as his words sank in. The Royal Elders, a threat to the throne... Could Titus really be in danger? My heart pounded, tom between wanting to demand answers and the gnawing fear that now wasn't the time to push. Scott wasn't the type to panic, and if he was this on edge, the situation had to be dire
"If what you're saying is true, then we can't leave him here. He needs all the strength, every resource, and every ally he can gather to defend the throne," I argued, my voice rising in urgency.
"You don't need force to defend yourself in front of the elders, my lady," Scott replied, his tone measured. "He needs to defend his "actions","
1 frowned. A knot tightened in my chest. "His actions? Was he questioned because of something he did? Can you be more specific!"
Scott's jaw tightened as he avoided my gaze. "I'm not at liberty to tell you more, my lady," he said, his voice firm but apologetic. "You can ask His Majesty about it later. But right now, we need to go."
His insistence only fueled the fire inside me. "No!" I shot back, planting my feet definitely. "I will not leave without speaking to him. I don't need your permission to see him, Scott"
I spun on my heel, determined to push past him. My heart raced, each step feeling like a desperate countdown as I stormed ahead. But before I could get more than a few paces, I heard Scott's remorseful voice behind me.
"Please forgive me, my lady
His words barely registered before I felt a sudden, sharp impact against my back, like a powerful gust of wind knocking the breath from my lungs. Everything spun in an instant, the world tilting wildly as my vision blurred. My knees buckled beneath me, and a wave of dizziness crashed over me, dragging the down into the dark.
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Chapter 77
The last thing I felt was the pair of strong arms catching me before I hit the cold stone floor.
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