Chapter seven: A little bird

The door to the court room opened apart as king Howard and Queen Denville walked in elegantly.

The court ringer rose to his feet and announced the arrival of the king and Queen" all rise and pay their respects to the king and Queen of the great Northern land"

They all rose to their feet and bowed " Live long sire, live long Queen"they chorused and waited for them to take their seats. After the king and Queen and taken their seat, the other members present in the court sat down.

" I decree that today's matter commences " king Howard gestured grinning widely. A man walked out in strange clothing,and Denville could definitely remember that ugly face of his.

He took a deep bow Infront of the king and Queen and then turned to the other court members. He opened the scroll that was with him" matter one.The entire kingdom sends their warmest greetings to the Queen, Queen Denville,and prays for a healthy heir soonest. The palace is well pleased as the royal union has finally been consummated, which gives the Queen,a right to access her prepared duties, the kingdom wishes to see your good works on the land " he paused and looked around, Incase a correction was needed, he got a negative reaction,he sighed and continued " matter two. The prince, prince Silin has once again brought victory to the kingdom, the archery contest that was held among the princes in the Empire,was won by the Northern land prince, and so the Emperor is delighted and wishes to have a banquet with the royal family five days from now, in the scared royal dining hall of the great Northern land palace" he paused again licking his lower lip " matter three. The kingdoms alliance that takes place once in a century is about to once again happen. In one month from now, the kingdom of Wellinberg will be joining the great Northern land in declaring war against the Shelddack Empire, and if victory is granted to the kingdom,the Emperor's seat will be moved to the great Northern land." He paused again" we pray for victory " he rolled up the scroll, bowed and walked back to his seat.

King Howard sighed and nodded approvingly " very well, minister ooriz, very well" he faced Denville with a smile " my Queen, you should say something" . Denville looked around aimlessly, at the faces in front of her, she wasn't used to being in such gathering,to talk of addressing such multitude, being a Queen wasn't easy,after all. She cleared her throat and maintained a sense of equipoise " i-i uhmm..I really appreciate the kind words from the people, and I hope their prayers are answered..... although,I didn't expect the news of my marriage consummation to have spreadth so fast, like a wild fire " she said trying to cover up her disgust.she saw them whisper to one another" well I guess, it must be tradition then" she added gaining their full concentration again. " Haha, it is a tradition,your highness " minister Festus chirped in hurriedly. " Hum" Denville twitched her mouth.

" The news of the marriage consummation should remain within the palace" king Howard said and the rest of the court members bowed. "Your majesty, it is time for the Queen to vacate the court room, political matters is next" minister Shawn said and Denville frowned. King Howard faced her and smiled warmly" my queen you should go ahead to your chambers" Denville bowed unsatisfactorily and took her leave.

The door to the court room was immediately shut.

[̲̅⁠$̲̅⁠(̲̅⁠ ͡⁠ಠ⁠_⁠ಠ⁠)̲̅⁠$̲̅⁠][̲̅⁠$̲̅⁠(̲̅⁠ ͡⁠ಠ⁠_⁠ಠ⁠)̲̅⁠$̲̅⁠]

As Queen Denville, alongside her outer maidens with Aquila and Ciellé walked down the corridor, she kept looking back, back at the court room's entrance, she had a feeling that, there was more to the political matters they were discussing about, it could really have a connection to the real reason she was in the palace.

" Your highness" Ciellé cut in worriedly " why can't I intervene in the political aspect" Denville asked fully staring at the entrance " it has never been recorded in the history of the kingdom,for a woman to hear the political matters" Ciellé said " we should leave.....there is something you must attend to, your highness "she added and Denville nodded slowly.

They were about taking a corner,when someone suddenly walked up to them" hi...we meet again, Queen Denville,or should I just say...denvie?"prince Silin asked raising his brows provokingly

" Queen Denville" Denville scoffed

" Ohhh....." He paused and pinched his eyes together " don't be like that, father says we're of the same age"

" I am still your Queen, same age or no same age" Denville replied firmly this time. Prince Silin cocked his head slightly" I thought we were friends " " neither are we enemies, I only demand my share of respect" she said and rolled her eyes.

He kept his gaze on her for a while, chewing on his lip" tsk...tsk, too bad, I've got a lot of surprises for you" he said and grinned widely.

" Is there a thing you would like to say"Queen Denville demanded coldly. " And you say we're not enemies, I know the sound of one when I hear it " he replied brushing his tongue slightly over his teeth.

Denville smiled and moved away" good luck with that then"

" Won't you congratulate me, Queen Denville!"prince Silin asked making Denville stop abruptly. She whirled around stiffly " for what if I may ask?"

" The archerrrrrry contest?"

" Oh that....I see you've managed to win the Emperor over" she drawled " not much of a victory I would say" he replied clearly boasting.

" Bless you" Denville said and walked away. Prince Silin watched her mutely as she left the corridor, he smirked and then grinned widely " Beautiful".

(⁠☞ﾟ⁠∀ﾟ⁠)⁠☞(⁠☞ﾟ⁠∀ﾟ⁠)⁠☞(⁠☞ﾟ⁠∀ﾟ⁠)⁠☞

Queen Denville rushed into her Chambers hurriedly " that damn bastard! He's clearly hitting on me" she grabbed a chair breathing heavily. Ciellé turned to the other maidens " leave her highnesses chambers,you shall be called upon when needed" they bowed and walked out.

" Where's she!" Denville turned around anticipantly. " Your highness " Yvonne called as she walked out of the inner chamber.

" Oh Yvonne" Denville drawled and hurriedly embraced her" there you are, my sister" she added breathing a sign of relief. She released her and stared at her intensely " you have indeed earned my trust"

THE UNSPOKEN SCENE

Ciellé leaned in and whispered in Denville's ear" what shall we do now?". Denville smiled curtly " remove the blocks"

Ciellé stared in confusion as Denville began to remove the blocks little by little,soon a passage was revealed " ohh" Ciellé gasped in amazement and immediately covered her mouth" your highness!....how--how come there's a secret passage here?" Denville smirked and tucked her hair behind her earlobe" when going to war, you should have your armor on" she smiled widely

" O heavens, I never knew there was a secret passa...."

" Shush...the moon and sun don't see each other for a reason " she paused and looked into the passage" it's quite dark in there, got a lighter?". " Uhmmm" Ciellé paused and fondled with her dress" there has to be one in my undergar.....ah,here!" She raised the lighter grinning happily. Denville raised a brow at her goofly " you carry that around?"

"Hehe ..just in case" Ciellé replied timidly.

Denville held her hands and kissed it" you are indeed my person...come,this way" she said and lit the lighter, causing a mild illumination along the secret passage . " Becareful not to make a sound...." Denville said looking back at Ciellé,who in return blinked her eyes " it's the garlic witch's chambers up there, hehe" Ciellé muffled a laughter and kept following Denville quietly.

The secret passage led to palace's eastern gate, and before it was a small carriage parked neatly. " We've got a ride!" Ciellé whispered jumping happily. Denville nodded faintly and walked towards the carriage. A man then jumped out of it " you're here denvie"

" O my, Wilson, you never disappoint me" Denville said getting into the carriage with his help "anytime denvie" he said grinning handsomely.

" Denvie!"Ciellé asked in shock" how dare you call her highness in such manner"

" Ciellé it's fine, moreover,it was your choice not to call me denvie...now hop on or someone might catch us...now Ciellé!"Denville said stiffly. " It is totally absurd to call her high....."

"Shut up Ciellé!"they both yelled at her.

" Wait...." Ciellé drawled with widened eyes" he knows me?"

" Sapphires!" Denville swore getting off the carriage " I'll explain better later Ciellé...come on, the guard shift will soon commence"she said and pushed Ciellé into the carriage . " Let's go Wilson" she said shutting the door .

The carriage moved slowly along the sloppy group of the palace till they reached the eastern gate. A guard stopped them and walked towards the carriage steadily, Ciellé bit her fingers frighteningly,while Denville only watched in a relaxed manner. The guard seemed to have recognized Denville,he made a strange sign with his hand on his chest and Denville nodded slightly, soon the carriage left the palace.

Getting off the carriage, Wilson brought out a mask and handed it over to Denville, and as Denville wore it on, Ciellé stared confusingly. Wilson noticed her countenance and then jabbed her on her elbow" in here, you can't disclose her identity, it's best you started calling her denvie".

Ciellé's mouth parted unconsciously as she dazed in awe " why is that so". He moved closer to her and slowly drew out a golden dagger " do you still have questions" he arched his brow and Ciellé stylishly stood behind Denville.

Wilson kept the dagger back in his pocket and then opened the large door they had been standing in front of. As Denville walked in the people present in the hall all bowed and made a strange sign on their chest. Ciellé could definitely remember that action, it was ....yes!,the guard from earlier did that sign, was he perhaps the Queen's person as well. She looked around and saw so many people gathered round the orchestral room, they were all faces she had never seen, expect two of them.....they looked very familiar, where had she seen them? And then.."Aquila?- Yvonne?"

" Welcome to the family, Ciellé" they all chorused and made the strange sign to her again.

Ciellé flung her head back at Denville totally lost" wha....wha....". " Relax Ciellé,this is the penthouse I have told you about,in here resides those who live for justice to prevail,and whoever enters in here becomes a family. You have sworn your loyalty to me,and so.....you are a part of this family,pay your respect to your new brothers and sisters" Denville said pushing her forward. Ciellé stepped out both timidly and frighteningly, was this some kind of secret cult group,she thought,as she made the weird sign as well and stepped back.

Wilson stepped forward,and stood boldly " the front members should vacate the hall,for the strategy room" he turned to Denville and led her out.

Wilson closed the door behind them and settled on the chair beside Denville " I heard that your marital consummation is this night". " Exactly, Wilson" she replied taking off her mask. The shadow of a man that wasn't present with them in the hall suddenly emerged from within " someone has to take your place denvie" he said with a thick voice. He finally came into light and Ciellé was almost blinded by the gems on the mask he was putting on " I am well aware of that master Yi" Denville said lowering her head. Ciellé was now sweating,it was clear that she had reached her limit, the Queen of great Northern land bowing in front of a mere masked man called Yi or whatever?what in the world was happening?.

" That girl, what was her name again?" Master Yi asked again. " Yvonne?"Wilson chirped in. " You were curious if she was indeed loyal, and yet you kept her in the penthouse?" Master Yi asked rather angrily " I'll prove my loyalty master Yi!" Yvonne said staring at him firmly before slowly averting her gaze. Master Yi got up and moved towards her intimidatingly. Denville watched him expectantly with cornered eyes, she knew what he was capable of. Yvonne shivered keeping her head low,as Ciellé watched whatever was about to happen strictly. Wilson on the other hand, kept grinning. Master Yi stopped abruptly in front of Yvonne and then lowered his self proudly" how will you do that" he said and Yvonne tipped her head up" allow me to sleep with the king".

PRESENT SCENE

Yvonne lowered her head and smiled " I had to prove myself worthy of being part of the family your highness" . " Challenging master Yi is the biggest mistake a human can ever make...but yet, you did it to earn my trust, you are indeed my person". Yvonne bowed again and looked up" one more thing your highness"

Denville stared at her warmly " what is it?"

" There is a little bird in your chambers" she said and Denville raised her brow.