Chapter 5: Shadows and Secret

After breakfast, Lady Calantha, tired and upset, returned to her chambers, her maid Mogus following behind. "Mogus, summon Naria for me. It's an order," Calantha instructed, her voice weak. "And fetch me some lemon juice, please."

Meanwhile, in Queen Lyra's chamber, Rylan and Lyrik sat nervously. Rylan, still shaken, answered his mother's call, his handsome face pale. "Yes, mother?"

Lyra's voice was stern. "Today's fight between Calantha and Xanthe - you laughed, didn't you?" Rylan nodded, and Lyra continued, "Can't you see our family is falling apart? I and your father's first wife are the only ones trying to keep us together."

She turned to Lyrik. "Keep an eye on your brother, Lyrik. You may be the youngest, but you have more sense than he does." Lyrik nodded, and Lyra dismissed them, saying, "Call my maid on your way out. I need a bubble bath."

Although Lyra was strict she still care about her family Lyra soaked in her bath, she wondered why her family was drifting apart. She thought about her husband, the king, and how distant he had become lately. She thought about Calantha and Xanthe's rivalry and how it was affecting the family. But it seemed like nobody knew the answer.

Mogus arrived at Lady Naria's chamber and informed her that her mother needed her presence. Naria let out a stressful sigh and said, "I'll be there in a minute." "Yes, my lady," Mogus replied and left for Calantha's chamber.

Naria touched up her makeup and decided to see her mother. While passing through the king's courtyard, she noticed a dark shadow passing by, and panic set in. She decided to follow the shadow but reached a dead end. "I guess it was just my imagination," Naria said, trying to leave, but heard someone chanting a spell. She saw a door to her left and approached it cautiously. As she reached for the handle, she heard her name. "Naria, what are you doing here?" Naria looked guilty. "Nothing, my queen. I thought I saw someone." Lady Xanthe replied, "Okay, if you say so." Naria left, feeling a mix of relief and fear.

She arrived at her mother's chambers, knocked softly, and Mogus opened the door. "Good day, mother." Calantha replied, "It took you long enough to come." Naria apologized, feeling a pang of guilt. Calantha instructed her to wake her brother, and Naria nodded, giving her mother a quick kiss on the cheek.

She entered Kaidrian's chambers without knocking and found him snoring like a fool he is. Thinking of something evil She smirked O MY GOSH kaidrian shouted as Naria splashed water on him, saying, "Wake up, butt-head!" Kaidrian glared at her, his eyes flashing with anger. "You know you don't scare me, Naria said but deep down she knew it was a lie who wouldn't be afraid of this monster. Naria smiled sweetly, her heart still racing. "Dad has requested your presence in his chambers. Why? Kaidrian answered still angry that he was splashed with cold water duhh I'm fourteen how am I suppose to know naria said her voice full of scarsm leaving his room she said please take a bath, you stink!" Ughhhh Kaidrian groaned, standing up. He couldn't help but wonder why Naria smelled like forbidden magic, but he brushed off the feeling and decided to pay his father a visit.