ROYAL DARKNESS (MASKED)(18+)

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

I hesitated, much like someone who hesitated. I have no idea why I didn't take the necessary steps to avoid chaos. I can't bear this child; I am a high-ranking general with responsibilities, and I shouldn't have been involved with his majesty in the first place. Why did I hesitate to end this pregnancy when I've never been one to hesitate or avoid doing what's necessary? I strolled down the corridor and halted in front of his majesty's courtroom. The king had summoned me for something crucial, but I didn't know how to face him, given the secret I'm hiding. Gathering my courage, I entered the courtroom and noticed Cedrick and a few other warlords present, leaving me curious about the occasion.

"I stand before you as summoned, your majesty," I replied with a respectful bow.

Lord Varric, one of the warlords, wasted no time in addressing his concerns. "How did someone like Sapphire manage to infiltrate the kingdom under your watch, Grand General?" he questioned, his voice laced with discontent. "We should have exercised better judgment than to appoint a woman as a grand general, let alone a Vedan," he muttered under his breath. I took a deep breath, striving to contain my anger. These derogatory remarks from the warlords were nothing new to me, but what unsettled me more was the news of Sapphire's presence in Drakonia.

Sapphire? Here in Drakonia? It had been years since anyone had heard of her. The mere possibility of her being in the kingdom left me bewildered, a flurry of questions swirling in my mind. However, I chose to keep my inquiries to myself, focusing on listening to the unfolding conversation.

"I propose, your majesty, that we consider appointing a more suitable grand general," another warlord chimed in. "It's evident she is unfit for the role," he declared, casting a shadow of doubt on my abilities.

"Enough!" The king's voice cut through the tension in the room, his tone chilling. His gaze turned to me, and he issued a direct command, "Take the queen and locate Sapphire." I responded with a slight bow, acknowledging his order before exiting the courtroom. The burning desire to confront the insolent warlords had to be suppressed for now; there were more urgent matters at hand. How had someone as powerful as Sapphire infiltrated the kingdom unnoticed? What were the circumstances surrounding her presence?

I proceeded directly to the queen's quarters, knocked politely, and entered. She was already prepared for her training, and I greeted her with a respectful bow before explaining, "Your Majesty, I request your presence to guide me to Sapphire's location."

"Sapphire?" The queen's brow furrowed in confusion. "Has Sapphire done something wrong? I had explained to the king that she wasn't a Vedan. Why do we need to search for her?" The situation was becoming increasingly confusing for me, as I had not been told the full details of what was going on. Nevertheless, I had received a direct order from the king, leaving me with no choice but to carry it out.

"Please come with me, Your Majesty," I urged, and the queen drew a deep breath before agreeing with a resigned "Okay." We left her quarters, escorted by a dedicated unit of ten soldiers. The queen's crow remained perched on her shoulder, offering her a bird's-eye view as we quietly exited the castle. The expressions of confusion on both our faces reflected the gravity of the situation.

As we reached the training field, the queen communicated with her bird silently. The crow took to the sky and, after a few minutes of being absent, it came back on her shoulders conveying an unexpected message, "I can't find her, my lady."