Forgotten Magic

Chapter 31

I was helped to my feet. Asked if I was okay. And then interrogated for what seemed like hours so people could understand the situation that I could barely wrap my hand around, myself.

And then I was thrown back in that room. Not in the dungeons, like I'd expected. After all, I'd aided and abetted Varian and committed treason. I also had close ties with the accused. But instead of a cold, hard prison bed, I found myself on a warm bed under some blankets, listening to the crickets outside. And the preparations for next week-Rapunzel's birthday.

~ ~ ~

A knock at the door.

"Coming!" I set down my quill and got up from the desk, sort of sprint-walking across the room to the door. I didn't know who to expect. Maybe Ms. Crowley, complaining about the state in which I'd left my quarters. Or Ann, coming to visit. Which she hadn't done, but I was sure she was going to show up at some time. Or-I chuckled at the thought-Nick, ready to apologize. But whoever I expected, I didn't think I'd find Queen Arianna outside my office.

"Taylor, was it?" she asked, kind smile on her face.

"U-uh, your highness," I stutter. "What brings you-" And then the chaos over the queen's shoulder catches my attention. Guards, advisers, and maids are squabbling in the halls as if they had nothing better to do.

"There's been something strange going on in the castle," she explains, but I knew that that wasn't it. "I was wondering if you'd take a look."

"Of course," I answered. And I went to ask around.

I passed the royal adviser-rambling about his fake accent-, a few maids yelling about their workloads. And then, as I'm distracted by all this chaos, I bump into none other than my brother.

He looks a little shocked at first, then asks, "You have any idea what's happening?"

"No. Do you?" I answer, half fazed.

"Well...I'm told Pete confessed to Stan or something...and that everyone's telling a lot of truths...and something about cookies," he lists. "Anyways, I have to get going." He left without a goodbye.

After a while, I decided to stop and ask someone about the situation. I tapped one of the maids-I think her name was Faith-on the shoulder.

"E-Excuse me?" I asked.

She turned to me.

"Do you know anything about...all this?" I nod towards the chaos.

"Oh, it's you," she answered, a small smile on her face. I'd met her on one previous instance where I'd dropped a stack of papers all over the hallway. "Well, someone's been giving people these cookies." She held up a purple cookie. "I think they-"

"Mind if I borrow that?" I asked. "I'm trying to figure out how to fix...all this." A small smile crossed my face.

"Sure." Faith handed me the pastry. "I'm going to get out of here."

"Good idea." I watched her scurry away before leaving for my office.

After a long time, I had only one conclusion. That it'd wear off over time. Maybe it was a cheep answer, but the serum didn't seem too strong and some of the shouting had died down by then. A waste of time, but a fun bit of testing.