Potions, Power and Pain

Chapter 26

The second Rowan set foot in the Earthly Palace, he could sense commotion in the air. From the way the servants shuffled through the halls, to the way they whispered to each other in dark corners; it was clear something was off.

However Rowan had no interest in whatever had gone on. He simply tried to sneak up to his tower whilst attempting to draw the least amount of attention to himself possible.

Unfortunately, his efforts to pass through the castle noticed were all in vain. After only a few steps, his father's voice bellowed behind him. "Rowan Nightshade yours presence is required in my study."

"What if I don't want to go?" Rowan countered.

His father merely looked at him with disgust, before turning on his heal and marching off to his study. The message was clear, they both knew that Rowan had no choice in the matter. If his presence was required somewhere by anyone in the royal family, Rowan had to oblige to the request, especially when his father was the one calling him.

So Rowan unwillingly followed his father to his study. He was surprised to find that it was already quite crowded. Indeed, both his brother and mother, along with the Supreme Commander of the Earthly Kingdom's Army and the Palace's Chief of Staff, were already in his father's office and had been waiting for him.

"Oh there you are Rowan!" His mother Titania exclaimed. While Rowan's relationship with his father was strained and complicated, his relationship with his mother was quite the opposite. His father was cold and complicated, while his mother was warm and welcoming. While Kallik looked more like Berono, Rowan looked more like Titania.

She pulled Rowan into her arms, giving him a tight hug, letting him go a few moments later.

"I have called you all here, because I have some grave news. It must not under any circumstance leave this room." Berono said with a grave and somber look on his face, and whilst giving Rowan a pointed look. "As we all know Kallik will marry Princess Zielle in a matter of months. This is a highly anticipated event for the majority of the Fae. However, like any other big event, there is opposition. It comes from all three Kingdoms, however it is mostly from the Celestial Kingdom. Rebels from the Celestial Kingdom have been carrying out a series of organised attacks on the Earthly Kingdom."

"What?" Titania gasped. "Why haven't we heard about this before? Why has no one been talking about this."

"No one outside of this room is aware, it has all been kept from the general public. We do not want this Kingdom to fall into a state of complete disarray, because that is exactly what the rebels want." The Supreme Commander clarified.

"I'm sure half the servants are aware and gossiping about it at this instant. Or at least that's what they were doing when I arrived," Rowan interjected.

"No, they are most likely just gossiping about the fact that I called a private meeting in my study. They have no idea what it's about, I am certain of that," Berono affirmed.

"Anyways the goal of this meeting is for all of you to be extra vigilant going forwards. This Kingdom's entire future and peace relies on this upcoming wedding, we cannot jeopardise this, it is our only shot a peace."

"I feel like it's wrong to not inform the other faeries of our Kingdom about this threat. Either way why tell us this now?" Rowan asked.

"We will be adding extra security to Kallik's detail. I refuse to take any risks and potentially jeopardise this upcoming Royal Wedding, for many it is the event of the century, which is a big deal considering we all live for many centuries."

"This Kingdom's entire future and safety, as well as the peace of the world relies on the union between Kallik and Zielle, we cannot compromise that."