Treason: Informing Vidor

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CHAPTER 49 – Treason: Informing Vidor

After rereading the letter thrice, Era closed it and let her eyes drop close as tears began to stream down her face.

"Mother."

She felt the wound in her heart reopen again and clutched the letter close to her chest. She missed her home, her parents, her sister and her people.

Era did not move from where she stood and wrapped her arms around herself as she imagined her family hugging her and supporting her.

Unknown to her, Aquata was watching silently and felt sad seeing her queen like that.

She did not need a soothsayer to tell her that the letter wasn't from the King and was obviously from her own people instead. If the king had sent her something nice, she still would not have reacted that way.

'Be strong, my queen. You will do well and find happiness later in life.' Aquata thought within her and left to do her chores.

***

For a very long time, no trouble occurred in the palace but that did not still make Vidor rescind his words and call upon Era.

It was already more than a month since they got married, yet the two still did not consummate it. Well at this rate, it seemed virtually impossible for that to happen.

Even a part of her had already come to accept the fact that she may likely die a virgin and untouched. With that thought, she set her goals and priorities straight. First, she gave her time to her duties and then to the children.

With each passing day, she could see hope in their eyes and their growth and felt inner peace and joy and just when she thought nothing could go more wrong, nature shook its head at her.

***

The marching of feet could be heard echoing along the passageway leading to the throne room. After some time it came to a halt. "Urgent news for his majesty," the voice proclaimed and the huge doors pushed open instantly.

Seated on his throne, Vidor raised his head from the scroll he was reading and looked at the person who rudely interrupted without waiting to be announced or an approval for his coming in.

He was a bit shocked when he saw that the person standing before him was…

"Greetings, your majesty," he said with a bow. "My sincerest apologies for my rude entrance. I. Caspian would accept any punishment for this but first, I must say this, I bring you urgent news," he quickly added."

Vidor arched his brows at him. He did not understand what he meant by that. What urgent news could it be?

As of now, they were not expecting anything nor were they planning on doing a takeover of another kingdom.

In fact, after marrying Era, Vidor's conquest slowed down a bit. He did not know why but previously when he tried conquering the kingdom and they surrender under his rule, he doesn't waste long up to three weeks before attacking the neighbouring kingdom.

This time around, more than a month had passed, yet nothing was in play. So he wondered what urgent news, his Lord and regent would have.

"Rise and speak," he ordered, handing over the scroll in his hand to his servant.

"Yes, your majesty. Unfortunately, I do not think, I am the one suited to say this out loud. I believe when your majesty sees it or reads it, he would understand why it burdens me and how heavy it is to speak those words out."

Vidor's eyes dimmed a fraction at him. He took a deep breath and nodded at him. "Thank you, your majesty."

Caspian looked to his side and nodded for the servant boy to come to give Vidor the letter he brought out from his robe.

As soon as the letter got to the king, he immediately accessed it and noticed something familiar.

His eyes shot up and he gazed down questioningly at Caspian. "What is this?"

"You know it quite well, your grace," Caspian replied.

Without saying anything more, he looked down at the seal on the letter and his brows furrowed deeper than before.

"Meribia, what are you doing?" He quickly pried open the letter as his eyes scanned through the contents of the letter.

By the time he finished reading it twice, Vidor's hand shook and the letter dropped to the floor, close to his feet.

"Your majesty," Caspian called out.

Vidor did not say anything but instead processed everything keenly. He knew that handwriting all too well to be mistaken and that seal. There was no mistaking it. The truth was finally out.

Immediately he stood up from his throne and his eyes dimmer further as a dark glint flashed before them.

"Get the men ready. Let the drums sound. This is treason and as such, it must be dealt with. Get ready, this is my judgment…"

****

In the same vein… a pair of footsteps hurried along the passageway in the palace as the owner of the feet ran with all that she got.

There was a fire on the mountain and she needed to run. She brushed past some people on the way but she was too in a rush to even bother. Something terrible had gone wrong.

At the very least the severe pounding of her heartbeat against her chest was sign enough that everything had fallen apart and soo soon.

BANG!

The doors flung open with a loud thud and without any restraints as the girl in question stood in the doorway as her chest heaved up and down in a fast manner. "Your maj…"

She tried to speak when she saw the worried and confused eyes that stared directly at her but she needed to catch her breath.

"Arya…" Her eyes widened as well. "What is it.?

"Your majesty," she managed to voice out quickly as fear and terror shone in her bright eyes. "It has happened. They are coming. The king has given his verdict…"