The Damned Demon

Rowena stepped into the grand throne hall, her regal, deep-black gown trailing behind her like the flowing currents of an unstoppable river.

The gown clung to her form with an air of regal authority, the intricate dragon embroidery creeping up the hem and swirling around her shapely waist in dark, angular patterns.

Perched atop her head was a crown as dark as the abyss, its thorn-like projections reaching skyward with a menacing grace.

Horns curled outward from the sides, sharp and imposing, framing her pale, commanding face. What made the crown truly captivating was the glowing red-hot light emanating from beneath the mystical metal, casting crimson veins of light that pulsed like a heartbeat.

The air was heavy with anticipation as the ministers and lords of the noble Houses gathered before her, their faces reflecting a mix of hope and unease, not expecting to be summoned again so soon unless she was going to announce something very important.

However, there was an unshakable sense that something was amiss.

The queen's gaze swept over them, her cool eyes colder than usual, her presence commanding yet distant. She spoke, her voice steady and firm, echoing through the hall with an authority that made even the boldest of lords straighten their backs.

"Noble ones," she began, her voice steady despite the storm raging within her, "in times like these, when shadows loom large and war threatens to consume us, unity and resilience are our greatest weapons. And so, it pains me deeply to sit before you and share this news."

She paused, allowing the tension to settle, her frigid presence commanding the attention of all.

"Our king, Asher Drake, whom you all cherished, has made a choice that has taken him far from us, and he won't be able to fight with us. It is a choice I cannot fully explain, but it was one he felt was necessary for the greater good of this kingdom and its future. He has stepped away out of a duty he believes must be fulfilled elsewhere."

A murmur rippled through the hall, eyes widening in shock and disbelief. Their king left them?

Even Seron, Thorin, and Vernon, who had been calmly listening, had their brows raised.

Esther furrowed her brows as she felt that something was wrong. She had seen and talked to her king not too long ago, but he didn't seem like he was going to disappear or leave the kingdom to do something.

King Moraxor and Queen Narissara had their expressions turn into grim shock. Why would their son-in-law disappear on them without even revealing a good reason?

They worriedly looked at their daughter, wondering if she knew something.

Isola, who was watching this from afar and feeling her parents' gaze, pressed her lips together, realizing that Rowena was not telling the truth to not risk lowering her people's morale even if it couldn't be completely avoided. Asher had grown so much in popularity and status that all his people revered him like a deity.

If even Rowena reacted like this after hearing the truth, then the people here would be devastated after learning that their beloved king was once the Golden Prince who killed so many of their own, especially the late king.

Yet she was surprised that Rowena, despite her anger, suppressed the urge to reveal the truth to everyone. Anybody else would have done so in her place, especially after feeling so betrayed and hurt.

"Asher left us without telling us? At a time like this? That doesn't make sense…" Sabina mumbled with a bewildered expression while Silvia stood beside her who had her eyes widened as she bit down on her nails, "Noo….He wouldn't leave Silvia behind…"

Ceti and Merina were also shocked and baffled by what they just heard as they glanced at each other.

"It can't be true…Master would never leave us without any notice. He would have at least told us something. I believe something is wrong," Merina said with a look of worry, feeling that something was amiss.
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Ceti looked at her mother and couldn't help but feel that she was right.

This wasn't like Asher at all, and his disappearing right before the war was just absurd!

They all immediately reached for their Whisper Stones to reach him, but their eyes widened when all the stones suddenly burst, making them slowly shift their gazes toward Rowena, who was looking down at them indifferently.

Rowena had her hand raised, her expression unreadable yet her tone sharp and unyielding, "It's a direct order from me that not a single one of you is to try and contact him. Disobey, and it won't be without consequences."

The room fell into a suffocating silence as their queen's words hung heavily in the air. The faint crackling of the Whisper Stones breaking apart still echoed in their ears, as if the shards of their hope had crumbled along with them.

Everyone had their breaths froze upon feeling the chilling intensity of her aura, realizing she was serious about this, making them feel even more shocked, wondering why she was like this.

Some wondered if their king was busy doing something where he shouldn't be disturbed, while few felt that their queen was hiding something.

Rowena's tone remained firm and determined, "His absence is a heavy burden for us all, but as your queen, I vow to lead this kingdom with the same strength and courage he inspired in each of us. We will not falter. We will not despair. We will honor the sacrifices of our forefathers and those we loved by standing united, stronger than ever before."

The gathered ones murmured, unease rippling through them, but Rowena raised a hand, her posture firm and commanding, "The king may not be here, but his spirit lives on in every one of you. And I swear, on this throne and on my blood, I will spend every breath in my body to lead us to victory and ensure our kingdom's survival."

Her unwavering eyes swept the crowd again, and she added with unyielding conviction, "Let us not forget, we are not defined by one person, but by the strength of our people, our will, and our unity. Together, we shall weather this storm and survive."

The gathered ministers and noble lords exchanged solemn glances before nodding in unison, their loyalty to their queen unwavering despite the strange tension that lingered in the air, "Long live the queen!" one of the older ministers proclaimed, his voice carrying a ripple of resolve that spread through the crowd.

Rowena gave them a curt nod, her expression firm as she addressed them, "Now, return to your posts and prepare for what lies ahead. The war doesn't wait for us to wallow in uncertainties. Dismissed."

The lords and ministers bowed deeply before filing out of the throne hall, their murmurs faint but filled with a mixture of determination and confusion. Some wanted to ask some questions but after sensing the frightening intensity of the queen's aura, they swallowed them back.

They trusted their queen, but even they couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted in her. Her unusually cold demeanor was a stark contrast to the strength tempered with the warmth they had come to admire, especially after her marriage with their king.

"Our people are going to be very confused and anxious about this. Do you know what's really going on?" Vernon asked as he turned to look at Naida, who had a contemplative expression.

She then slowly looked at him and said, "Only our queen can know," Saying so, Naida walked away, making Vernon pull together his brows as he followed after.

—

"What is she hiding?" Sabina muttered under her breath as she stood with the others, her ghostly red eyes fixed on the throne Rowena had just vacated, "I've known Rowena long enough to see through her facade. She's lying about something."

Silvia, clutching the broken Whisper Stone fragments in her dainty hands, whimpered softly, "The queen must have her reasons...but...why would our husband leave us without a word? Silvia doesn't understand..." Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her voice trembling with heartbreak.

Sabina clicked her tongue in frustration, her eyes flashing with irritation as she glared at Silvia, who sat quietly wringing her hands, "Quit moping around! She can't just forbid us from reaching out to our husband, hmph!" she snapped, her tone sharper than usual.

Without waiting for a response, she pulled out another Whisper Stone, determination blazing in her expression, "If our queen thinks she can control me like this, she's got another thing coming!"

Just as Sabina was about to activate the stone, Isola's hand shot out, grabbing her wrist firmly. "Don't do it," Isola said sharply, her voice firm but calm, "Our queen is serious, and you don't want to test her resolve."

Sabina frowned, her grip tightening on the Whisper Stone, "What do you mean? She can't possibly think she can just silence all of us and expect us to sit here like obedient little dolls!"

Isola slowly let go of her wrist and sighed, her expression clouded with complexity, "It's not just about defying her. It's no use. You won't be able to reach him. His Whisper Stone...it's unreachable." Isola knew that Rowena had revoked every power and severed every connection Asher had to this kingdom, including his Whisper Stone.

Silvia blinked, her silver eyes brimming with confusion, "Unreachable? But how? What's happening to him? Is he okay? Is he somewhere dangerous?" she asked with a trembling voice, her worry for Asher growing by the second.

Sabina narrowed her eyes, her sharp gaze locking onto Isola, "You know something, don't you, Isola? Spill it. Now."

Before Isola could respond, Ceti stepped forward, her own amber gaze scrutinizing Isola, "Sabina's right. You're acting strange. If you know something about what's happening to Asher, it's better you tell us."

Merina stood silently behind Ceti, her ears flicking as her concerned gaze studied Isola silently.

Isola sighed heavily, her shoulders sagging as if burdened by an invisible weight, "I'm sorry...but I can't say anything more. Please trust me when I tell you it's for the best that you don't know….not yet."

Sabina's lips curled into a snarl of frustration as she crossed her arms, "Tch, enough of this cryptic nonsense! If you won't tell us, then I'll ask Rowena myself!" She spun on her heel, storming toward the exit with determined strides, "If she's hiding something, I won't leave until I know, even if she takes my head for it!"

Silvia jumped up, hurrying after Sabina, "Wait for this young lady, Sabina! Silvia wants to know too!" she called, struggling to keep up.

Isola reached out a hand, her tone urgent as she called after them, "Sabina, please! This isn't the way!" But her plea fell on deaf ears as Sabina and Silvia disappeared into the corridor.

Ceti glanced at Isola, her expression one of worry and concern, "Sabina's right. We deserve answers, and I'm not going to sit around waiting for them, especially when it concerns him," She turned to her mother, her voice firm, "Let's go, mother."

Merina hesitated, her gaze lingering on Isola before nodding silently.

Together, the two followed Sabina and Silvia, their footsteps echoing down the hall.

Isola stood there alone, her hand falling to her side as she let out a weary sigh.

Dread curled in her chest like a coiled serpent as she couldn't help but fear what awaited them.