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C H A P T E R   S I X

"The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery.  There is always more mystery."

- Anais Nin

Edelynne Jolie, the famous leader and revolutionist during the Medii Aevi era, Jolie led the struggling lower class Ivories to its currentday glory. She fought for-"

I flipped the page.

Edelynne Kindra daughter of Lord Vector Kindra was the only born child of the Kindra-Ovilia Family who was supposedly the next in line to inherit Lord Vectors biggest Ivorial Company-

I flipped the page again. None of these made sense, why was a box with the label of a woman named 'Edelynne Cassida' in the chamber of Ex-Queen, Georgia Waters? Though this could be completely irrelevant to the situation,I still needed to know who she was.

"Good Morning your High-"

I flinched and closed the history book I stole from my personal library shut and quickly hid it under my pillow, but unfortunately, stealth wasn't my greatest forte at 5 am in the morning. My joints were frozen stuck from being in the same position all night.

"Catching up on a read? Would you like me to come back after an hour?"

I squinted at Henri's image, it was a tad bit blurry from all the strain of reading in the dark, "Could you-?" I waved my hand to the curtains, in hopes that some bright light would help me see better.

Henri drew the curtains slightly and rays of sunlight escaped from behind the cloth shade. "Ahhh!" I shrieked. The light was a bad idea, I think I may be blind.

"It'll take some time for your eyes to adjust, try blinking." He offered, and I followed his instructions, using my forearms to shade as much light as I could while doing it. To no one's surprise, my sight became much clearer.

"Leading Women In History." Henri was holding the book in his hands and reading the title. 'Are you researching? You don't have to stress too much on this, we have history classes set up for your tutoring and battlefield training, which was Recommended by Queen Aisha. Would you like to start the training now, there are trial sessions for the newcomers near the patio.'

"No!" I spluttered, then realised that it was something Queens ought not to do. "I mean, not now."

I had enough on my plate, and according to Lady Sienna, this was only the beginning. But finding out who Edelynne Cassida was is my first clue to finding out who my Mother was too. And then I had the Ambers I needed to take care of, though there was not much I could do until I became Queen, so this would be perfect to pass my time here.

Henri nodded, "If not, would you like me to send Olive to take you to the Castle library after Lunch? Our Chief Historian, Ryke Laurence, is always in his office there, you could ask him if you need anything specific."

My spirits brightened up, this would make the job so much easier! I ran up to Henri and Hugged him, oh bless him and his bald head. "Thank you so much! Can I bring Conroy with me?"

Henri nodded but looked quite perplexed. I dont think its everyday an 18 year old Queen - to be, hugged him at 5 in the morning. "Er- You're most welcome, Your Highness." He patted my tangled hair in what seemed like affection or repulsion, I couldn't tell. "Shall I ask the maids to get you ready for breakfast, we'll be having it in the Patio with Queen Rosalie and her sons."

Oh. I forgot about them. "Will I have to entertain them while they stay here?" I asked nervously, I remembered in one of Lady Sienna lessons that the guests should always feel welcomed in your presence, especially when you're graciously allowing them into your dwelling. Her exact words.

"I'm afraid so, but I can allow you some time here and there, you are going to be Queen, and you will have your royal duties to uphold, so they would understand, I hope."

And that's when I hugged him again. "You're the best, Henri, God-sent, really!"

This time he simply melted into the hug until my maids arrived. I kept thinking about how far I've come in the past few weeks. From simply being a poverty-stricken Amber, I became a Royal Ivory, Queen of the Kingdom. Such luck only came to a few people in a lifetime.

Olive and the rest of my maid curtsied, While Henri gave them their orders, I didn't fail to notice how he kept his distance from the maids at all times, and whenever one came too close, he'd take a step back and hurriedly leave the room. No matter how hard they try, they'll be Ivories, and Ivories will never accept Ambers. The council and staff may be civil towards me, but they're only showing what is to be seen.

They're sincerity is a mask, underneath their hide is another one.

"Oh, and Olive? Do you mind taking Her Highness to the castle Library after breakfast, she may have things to discuss with Sir Laurence." Henri briskly spoke as he swerved towards the door, not wanting to be in the same room with them.

I remembered him saying how I could change the staff when I became Queen. 'If you would like Ivory maids, we can do that too.' I shook my head, even if they were going to be my subjects, I was never going to be their Queen.

Olive nodded her head meekly while the rest of the maids got me ready, their silence has become something I adapted too, helps me think, must be why they're supposed to be silent.

"Princess." One of the maids whispered. I turned around to find her gesturing to the bathroom, my bath must be ready.

●・○・●・○・●

After a while, I was dressed in a simple floral frock and some gold-colored leather flats. Breakfast wasn't an auspicious occasion, so there wasn't any need to be over the top. Being an Ivory was not that hard, except for all the dressing up and meeting people's expectations. Everyone in the castle was fair to me but sadly I was confined to the palace walls, and if I was sent outside into the towns, I would really see their true colours, until then I was to live with this lie, and all the lies I'm forced to tell.

I made sure to double check where I hid the box I found in Georgia's chamber. Taking it out, I examined it carefully, it was a rather old box, with gold edges, vintage design, and it was, unfortunately, locked. It had a keyhole, I observed, but no key. Based on memory, I didn't remember seeing a key lying next to the box at all.

Although, it was dark and I could have been a bit sleepy to notice one, but for now, this box was all I had to bring me closer to the mystery of Georgia Waters.

I quickly wrapped the box with layers of cloth and placed my aquamarine pendant around it. It gave me good luck, so it would probably protect the box. I'm not one for superstitions. But if something gives you good luck, it's bound to stay that way. I slid the box under my mattress and left the chamber.

●・○・●・○・●

"Your Highness." The passers-by greeted; butlers who were going to the servants quarters and Lords who were going to their council morning meetings.

Conroy magically appeared at my side. "My father was furious with me." was the first thing he said, and I knew that was the ruin of a perfect morning, he was going to know it was us who ventured into the Ex-Queen's chamber, he would probably fire Conroy, and maybe I would lose my chance at being Queen too, finding out who my mother is and trying to free the Ambers. I've failed yet again.

But, much to my irritation, Conroy broke into his infamous grin. "Kidding!"

"When I become Queen, I'm definitely getting you executed and passing a law about this." I grumbled pushing him by the shoulder.

Conroy scoffed. "Ridding the world off its favourite being and then passing laws on what? Not joking in the mornings?"

"No, not joking about serious matters."

"What's so serious about breaking into your mother's chamber? You could just say you're curious and dismiss them, it's not like they can object."

Then I realised that Conroy knew nothing about why being Queen was so important to me. Conroy went on explaining how Royals were the highest in the Hierarchy System, while my thought wandered on life back at home, how was mother and father doing? I hope the coronation is soon, I want to explain everything to them, and Bree. I hope she's fine. I miss walking with her to the selling grounds and eating leftovers and making jewellery at her house on the weekends, when her school was closed.

"-Willow? What do you think?"

"Huh? Oh yes... it's a great idea."

"Great! I'll tell my dad to ask Patrik!" I could feel his enthusiasm as he opened the doors to the back gardens. Instantly the winds came to hug me, my dress was floating among them and my hair flew to my face.

"Let's get inside the Patio, it's windy." Conroy stated, and I fought the urge to eyeroll

"Really? I had no idea." Sarcasm was laced in my tone.

Two guards followed us to the patio from behind, their footsteps were in sync with ours.

"There was a breach in security yesterday. Some fool put off the fire alarm in the West Wing, and sneaked into Her Majesty's chamber." I heard one say.

"It shouldn't be a big deal, the room was practically empty, except with the furniture. Whoever went in couldn't have gotten anything out of the tiny door anyway." I heard another one reply.

"It was our duty to guard our posts. What will Officer Wallace think? He's going to fire us, and give better replacements. Where will we go? Really, if they had just told us what was so important that we had to protect in the chamber, other than furniture, we'd have taken the job seriously. High pay it is too."

The second guard paused. "Oh well, I hope they find whoever the faulter is, they're going to be in big trouble, worse than death, that's for sure. The Council's been securing that room for years now."

The guard's conversation continued, but they were faint as they took a different turn. Conroy was stiff to the bone, his shoulders were tense, but he kept a stoic expression. "That was a bad idea," he muttered. "I'm gonna get them fired, then Dad will be forced to suspend me from the castle after he finds out who it is."

Conroy looked as if he was on the verge of tears, "Ma always wanted me to grow up and become a part of the guard, god, I'm going to disappoint her with one harmless joke!"

I took Conroys hand in mine. "You know, I'm going to be Queen in a couple weeks, I may be able to do something, or at least not get you suspended. Plus, they can't say anything to me, I'm Queen. Lets hope they don't find out until I'm coronated.'' I squeezed his palm and then let go. "For now, let's just have a peaceful breakfast." But when I saw the seating arrangement of the table, I knew nothing was going to be peaceful after this.

The table was filled, Queen Rosalie sat next to Patrik, Padgett and Katricia were conversing in hushed tones, the only empty seat was between the Coslitus Twins, Pierre to the right and Lucas on the left. I could feel the vibrations of Conroys irritation when he noticed where I had to sit, too.

"La belle Reine, Bonjour! " Lucas greeted me as he stood up, kissed my hand and pulled out my seat, the only vacant one, between him and Pierre.

"Uhh- belle?" I really needed to brush up on my french. Lucas gave me a puzzled look, which looked a lot like a lost puppy.

Conroy placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, in full attack mode.

"Its, Merci." someone muttered from beside me, Pierre, as usual, was hiding a book under his table, subtly flipping the pages.

"I mean- Merci." I quickly replied and focused on my plate. Lucas grinned and tousled his hair.

"Thanks." I quietly replied to Pierre, not directly looking at him. His satchel was hung on the backseat of his chair, and he wore the same crumpled sweater as before, except with a maroon shirt inside. Lucas looked his polished self, he wore a yellow shirt with a black bowtie and some suspenders. Queen Rosalie looked like her beautiful self, she wore a silky gown with an off shoulder top and flowers on both her auburn hair and skirt. It looked awe inspiring, but with a little tweaks, here and there, it could be turned into something magical.

"Good Morning Your Highness'!" I greeted them. "And to you, Patrik, Padgette and Katricia." Pagette and Katricia were too deep in conversation to reply, but Patrik gave a curt nod.

"You know, you're supposed to greet us before sitting down, it's called manners." I heard a voice comment to my right. I rolled my eyes.

"Says the guy who can't even look at my face while talking to me." I took a sip of my orange juice, waiting for breakfast to be served. "I doubt the word 'manners' would mean anything to you at all."

Instead of looking offended, like how any arrogant Ivory would be, Pierre smiled, amusement evident in his eyes. "I apologise if my addiction to books disturbs you. After all, one of us must do something worthwhile, other than sneaking into prohibited areas in the middle of the night."

The hairs on my hand jumped up, I could clearly feel my face turning pale. "What!" I furiously whisper-yelled. "How could you possibly know- Conroy made sure no one was following us!"

He looked confused for a second and then replied "Conroy, as in that kid in the guards uniform? He doesn't do that much of a decent job, he didn't even bother checking the other hallways."

I was going to defend Conroy, he may be a kid, but he pretty much earned the honor of being a guard if he were to be posted at such a young age, but I kept quiet, as the maids had started serving me some delicious scrambled eggs and buttered toast, with a side of sausages.

No matter the amount of my attempts to get Pierre into revealing how much he knew of the night before, he didn't utter a word. One the other hand, Lucas was constantly stirring up a conversation with me. I tried replying back, but French is harder than it looks.

Conroy, to my disappointment, was standing a bit far away, talking to his dad with vigorous hand gestures.

"So, Princess Willow. Have you stitched anything recently?"

I hastily chewed my sausage. 'Oh, no, I don't think so." I replied wistfully, thinking back at the times Mother and I used to, wishing I had taken the time to be grateful for all those memories.. "But I do hope I'll get time after all my preparations."

"Oui, Oui. Je rappelle- er- I recall, when I was going to be Queen, it was quite exhilarating. Unlike all the other Queens, I wasn't married off to a king, I was to inherit the crown, much like you. Fortunately for me, I grew up studying royal etiquettes, heritage and laws. But it's not too much you can't handle."

I gave her a tight lipped grin, not too much? I can barely remember everything Lady Sienna taught me, until I'm actually in that situation. But, it felt nice to have someone I could relate to, she could be a possible ally for Mithalore.

There I go, making future plans for the kingdom, and I'm not even Queen yet.

Clanking of metals and yells began to echo around the breakfast patio. "Oh it's starting!" Queen Rosalie clapped her hands.

"What is?" I asked, looking behind me to see the battle training arena, now filled with thousands of guards and electric fences.

"The training for New recruits." Patrik explained. "We have these every year when we select new guards for defence, The Colonel usually heads this."

Violence to begin the day. Very proper indeed.

"I've done this before y'know?" Pierres irritating voice followed. "It's harder than it looks."

The problem was... I couldn't see anything, we were all seated on the same level chairs, and all my eyesight could reach were the fences and not anything beyond them.

"Conroy?" Katricia called. "Do you mind escorting Her Highness to the Arena?" she noticed my struggling, thankfully.

"Take the boys too." Queen Rosalie waved. "I've seen enough violence in Coslitus to be content."

Conroy marched forwards and offered me his elbow, which I gladly looped with mine, unfortunately the Coslitus twins followed, especially that one very maddening bookhead.

"What happens in these?" I asked, peaking my head around the fence to see a huge empty space inside.

"The new recruits fight," he shrugged. "They're all nineteen, and have begun training with their powers for at least a year now, this is where it all comes to action."

"But won't it be unfair? A Pyro fighting against a Hydro? Obviously the Hydro will win."

"No they won't." Pierre butted in, smirking slightly at my exasperation, his only hobby other than reading was to annoy me. Oh how I wished he wouldn't have to be staying here for the next few months. "If the Pyro has enough swordsman skills he can easily overthrow the Hydro through a physical fight or stab his hand or heart." Of course, the two places where their power originates from, an Ivories cruel hands and cold heart.

"That'll kill them!" I yelped. But Pierre didn't seem to mind, neither did Conroy.

"It's what they train for, if they haven't done well, they'll need to face the consequences."

"So they just put in kids and make them fight each other to death!" All I recieve for the affirmative silence from him. All my life I thought Ivories were vicious to just Ambers, this took their brutalness to a whole different level.

"Round One!" A man yelled. The guards surrounding us pushed in closer to see the battle. "Sir Jacob, Pyro, versus, Sir Gregory, Spira!"

The crowds of guards roared with life and pleasure. So did Conroy.

A man, to the far off corner, blew a horn, a large trumpet, he stood on a large tower over the arena. And the Battle started.

A boy in Red, the Pyro, attacked first. His hand burning up in flames, throwing balls of fire towards the unarmed Spira boy, dressed in grey.

But the fire never reached him, it disappeared. The winds blew the flames away to smoke. It was his turn to strike.

The Pyro kept attacking, sending flames and sparks of fire all over the arena, burning up every inch, but the Spira sent winds, blowing the fire in the opposite direction towards the Pyro.

"Pyro's can't burn." Pierre murmured, invested in the battle. "Fool."

But the boy was too late to realise, the Pyro stepped unharmed out of the large flames blowing on top of him. And kept firing balls of sparks, non-stop, and the Spira kept dodging it, making the winds blow harder.

"He's Done for. Jacob won. There's no need to continue." Pierre furiously muttered under his breath. "Waiting for Jacob to kill him off I suppose." I didn't understand the logic behind this, was this supposed to be a test of strength or callously?

But the Spira did not wither, not even once. That's when I realised the smoke forming, the flames burning up the fence and the ashes rising up. The spira was triggering the Pyro and using the smoke as his defence.

And just as I predicted, he did. At once the smoke swirled from the sky, into a thick fog, thick enough to make you blind.

The Pyro kept firing, we could see the balls of light illuminating through the smoke, but it was fired in all directions, the Pyro didn't know where the Spira was anymore.

He was blinded by the smoke of his own flames.

That's when we all heard the whistle of a sword piercing through the air, and then nothing. Just silence. No fire, and no smoke anymore.

The Spira had killed the Pyro.

The clapping began. Roars of laughter and maniac cheering erupted. I felt disgusted, how could they even want to kill their own kind, it made me feel even more scared of what the Ivories were capable of, and what they could do to the Ambers.

"Olive's here to take you to the library." Conroy whispered as we walked away from the Arena, The twins were talking in hurried French, discussing the first round of the battle, while all I wanted to do was to try to forget all the brutality I had witnessed.

The Pyro who died was being buried in an hour, he died for the sake of entertainment and for the sake of earning a place in the guard, which he never would have, not anymore. The spira was now cheering, cheering because he killed a boy, cheering because that was winning.

Winning was death.

●・○・●・○・●

Henri and Colonel Richett were giving a tour of the Ivory towns, and would be scheduled the entire day. I frowned. So many things that needed to be done, the silver moon ceremony, my coronation, classes and finding out who Georgia Waters and Edelynne Cassida are. "What's wrong?"

I was about to reply with a rant, but realised something much more important that needed to be discussed. "Pierre knows! He knows what we were doing last night!" I frantically glanced around to see if anyone was within hearing distance. "He told me about it at breakfast, Pierre saw us sneaking around the West Wing."

I could swear I saw a flicker of annoyance in Conroy's eyes before he widened them in fear.

"Will he tell anyone? He looks harmless, really. I don't think he'd dare snitch on us." I sounded a lot like he was trying to reassure himself.

I gave him a look. "Your job is hanging on loose threads right now, if anyone finds out, you'll be executed for breaking a possible law, and it'll probably give me a bad name too."

Conroy sighed. "Let's not talk about this now. You needed to get to the library right? Henri mentioned something about research? I don't know and neither do I want to. 12 years of school is enough studying for me."

I gave him a soft smile, at least he got the chance to get schooling. I was brought up by self-teaching everything myself. I debated on whether or not I should tell Conroy, but decided against it, he was better off when he's not entangled in my messes. And I needed a desperate distraction.

"Your Highness." Olive curtsied before me. I nodded my head in acknowledgment. "Sir Henri said you wanted to go to the library?" I nodded again. "Right this way." It was the first time I heard Olive say more than 'Your Highness'. 'Is this alright?' 'You called?'

Conroy took a step but Olive waved her finger at his lanky form. "Not you. This is a royal library, no Officers or Staff." I couldn't help but fall into a trance at her honey-like voice, it was quiet and every word was spoken softly, even when she was informing Conroy where and where not he should be. An Amber.

Conroy shrugged. "It's ok, I didn't want to go into the library." He nudged me subtly and mouthed the word 'Pierre' of course, he was going to go and threaten him or use something to blackmail him.

"Why isn't he allowed in the library?" I asked Olive while following her through the crowds of maids, as they cleaned the table, but she kept quiet. I internally slapped myself, she never talked while dressing me, why would she answer my questions? Her job is to follow orders.

"It's called the Royal Library for a reason." she said, almost in a whisper. "There are things that can be used against the imperials, things that are stored in the books there. No one except the King and his family is allowed, that too, unless they've taken the sacred oath." I was shocked to hear so much of Olive's voice. I wanted to tell her that I hadn't taken any sacred oath yet, but it would just hinder my goal of finding out about my birth-mother. Whoever this Edelynne Cassida is, she could have a connection with Georgia, I was one step closer.

Olive suddenly stopped and stopped in a low curtsey. "This is how far I am permitted to be." She looked towards the hallway that led to the library. "It's just at the end of the hall."

I let out a breath, today was the first time in weeks, I knew I was getting the answers I needed. "Thank you." I was about to turn towards the hallway when Olive's frail hand gripped my shoulders and pulled me to face her again.

"You have to save us, Willow. You're our only hope." and then she left for her quarters, not sparing a glance at my confused expression.

You have to save us, Willow. You're our only hope

She was talking on behalf of the Ambers. I wanted to tell her that I am, or at least trying to. I wanted to tell her that the whole reason I accepted the throne was for my family, and for the Ambers. I wanted to tell her that it was the only thing that mattered to me. But I didn't. I needed to find answers for myself first, so I let her walk away.

●・○・●・○・●

"Name?" An officer called from a distance as reached the end of the hallway. I hazily noticed a terra office sprouting vines that creeped on a pillar, they must have not seen the battle training.

"Willow Quill Moore." I stated confidently, before my eyes widened as I added hastily. "Vaclare."

The officer, who was a Hydro, raised an eyebrow and stooped low, in what I presumed was a bow. His armour was heavy and pulled him down further, but the weaponry hanging around his waist didn't let him bend.

"Sir Henri mentioned you'd be arriving." It was funny hearing people call Henri, sir. But it only made me wonder whether I ought to have too.

"Which section?" He asked.

"Pardon?"

"Which section? Acquisition, Technical Processing, Circulation, Reference, Periodicals, Maintenance, Folklores..."

I didn't know what any of them meant. "Err- Henri- Sir Henri, said I could meet the Chief Historian here?"

"Oi, Xander! Do ye know where Sir Laurance is?"

The other Terra officer was still near the pillar now entirely covered in creepers, scowling at the mention of his name. "Don't know." he grumbled, as he stretched his fingers, making the vines wrap around the pillar tighter. "That Ryke is a madman, who am I to care about his whereabouts."

The Hydro officer looked back at me and shrugged. "His office is in the library." He was a bit ticked off at Xander behaviour, and so was I. He seemed the least bit interested in his duties, using powers inside the castle was forbidden, and not mention, all this infront of the future Queen. I didn't like it, which was exactly why I didn't bother.

I gave a slight curtsy and walked past him and Xander. I had no particular interest in libraries, just a large, crowded room, filled with unused books, or at least I thought they were unused by the amount of dust they caught. Ivories were never ones to invest in education, yet they never bothered to give us Ambers the opportunity to.

Libraries were simply buildings that stored books when these books had no home elsewhere. An orphanage for lost pages and words.

Anything written by Ivories was not reliable or the truth. Libraries were filled with such books, which is why I enjoy reading books on Amber history, if there's one thing that can't lie, its history.

But I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel the urge to start reading the books here, no matter how old or dusty or unreliable they were. It had been such a long time since I sat to read anything other than my etiquette and politics textbooks. I wanted to read something, anything, and right now, they were at the tip of my fingertips. I haven't read a proper book for so long, just the boring self-help books on my bookshelf. I missed the folklore book I had given to those poor Amber twins. I needed something to keep me company, like how Pierre had his own book to do the same.

I looked around the shady library, there was only one window near the empty reception. How are people supposed to read if there's no light? Do they have to carry their own form of light?

"Yes, all readers carry their own torches, actually." A voice echoed from across the shelves, near a reading area. "We can't risk people peeking into windows, you see, everything here is sacred, and must be kept a secret from outsiders." It was a man's voice, I could see his black figure, but his face was shadowed.

"How did you know?" It was obvious to the both of us that I was asking how he knew I was thinking of that.

"You said it out loud, darling. It happens often, people see a dark room, all dusty and seemingly uninhabited, and so they think out loud involuntarily because they assume no one is around to hear them. It's psychology, really."

He seemed a lot smarter than he sounded. I walked closer to his figure. "Who are you?" I asked

"Oh no, Willow, the real question is, who are you?" in a blink of an eye, his shadow disappeared.

I looked around perplexed. "But you just said my name, you know who I am."

"Ahhh, yes. Everyone knows the infamous Willow vaclare, ascending the Imperial bloodline. But what they don't know is who she really is. Who are you willow?"

An Amber, I thought to myself, at least, it was who I wanted to be. To get back my time for sewing clothes with mother, to pickpocket with Bree during the weekends, and spend dinners with my parents. That's what I wanted to do. That's who I wanted to be.

And then, out of the crammed shelves, came a gawky man, he was stout and a bit underdressed, wearing nothing but a simple pullover and shorts, not too mention that he was a foot shorter than me. "I'm Ryke Laurance, chief Historian to the late King Alexandro Vaclare, but of course, not for long, if you plan on giving this role to someone else once you're Queen." He gave a bow after his extended greeting.

I didn't utter a word yet.

"Is there a reason that a madman, such as myself, is graced with the presence of our Queen- to- be?"

When Ryke mentioned madman, I could only recall what the guards had said outside, but Ryke didn't look much like a madman, more like an obsessive person in general.

"I'm searching for something, actually someone... But the thing is, I couldn't find anything about her anywhere, and I spent last night researching someone who could have a close connection with her, but I couldn't find any records of her either."

"Let me guess, does this have something to do with Georgia Waters?"

"Yes!" I blurted, but immediately regretted being so loud in such a quiet place, it felt odd and eerie, like someone could be lurking in the shadows of the book shelves, like Ryke was. "Do you know anything about her?"

He scratched his tiny beard. "I'm the only person in the entire kingdom who knows so much about her."

This was great! Ryke was just the person I needed. "Tell me." I pleaded. "I need to know!"

"Oh I will tell you everything, starting from the fact that she doesn't exist."

My whole demeanour fell. "What?" I shrieked. "That's not true! The entire castle knows about her, all of them know about Georgia Waters!"

"Then the only plausible explanation I can give you is that they were fed lies, because she doesn't exist. If she did, something would be remembered of her, but there is not a single trace of the Ex-Queen in history, which can only mean that she never truly existed. And like you said, History never lies."

"That isn't possible. I'm her daughter, they checked my blood which they got sampled from one of my doctor visits, and said that I had strands of her DNA in it." If she didn't exist, to whose blood did they compare mine with?

Ryke didn't seem fazed by my rant. "Just because she doesn't exist doesn't mean she wasn't alive."

I stood there, frozen for three long seconds. Now I get why people called him a madman, how can someone that does not exist, be... alive? Was there a double meaning behind his words?

"There are many instances in history just like this one, Captain Fredlie, lost his major battle against the Yvenors and went into complete hiding, people thought he died for years, yet there he was, strolling along the gardens during the coronation of the King's heir. And then there was Edelynne Jolie, famous leader and revolutionist during the Medii Aevi, she reinvented herself after the fall of her kingdom, and changed into a complete new peron, new identity and whatnot-"

"Wait." I blurted. "I also wanted to know who this lady is, she seems to be connected to Georgia Waters, I found a box with her name on it."

"Whats her-"

"Daddy... who is she?" A child's voice interrupted what Ryke was going to say. She was small, and was a carbon copy of Ryke, who I am assuming is the father. She didn't look more than four, but yet, wore reading glasses.

"One minute, Astra, darling, daddy's talking to a visitor." He spoke softly to her, and stroked her Honey-dew hair, which was of the same shade as her father's. Ryke noticed her looking oddly at me and jumped to introduce us. "Er- Willow, meet my daughter, Astrope. Astra, meet the future Queen, Willow Vaclare." At the mention of the Queen, the little began bouncing.

"A Queen!" she squealed. "She's the Queen!" Astrope collapsed into a set of giggles.

I smiled at the girl, she was adorable. "Thank you."

Ryke turned at me once again. "Who is she? The woman connected to Georgia Waters?"

I was about to reply when a guard burst through the doors, it seemed that being Queen meant no absolute privacy. "EVERYONE STAY STILL. THERE HAS BEEN A BREACH OF SECURITY. WE ARE TO ESCORT THE QUEEN TO SAFETY." The guards circled around me and pushed me forward to an exit. My fingers rose to brush my aquamarine, only to realise that I'd left it along with the box in my chamber.

"Rebels." Ryke muttered and scooped Astrope in his arms and followed the guards "We'll talk later, Willow, but for now, keep all the information you know to yourself."

That was the last Thing I heard before the alarms started blaring and gunshots were repeatedly fired. And my own breaths started sounding exceedingly loud in my own ears.

What's your favorite genre to read?

Mine would be YA or Fantasy or Historical fiction