Guardian Of Ancient Wood

Chapter 38

Queen Guaya remained seated on her cloud-like throne as the trio approached. Her gaze was stern and unyielding, directed down towards Leaf, Rain, and Furie. The Queen's demeanor exuded seriousness and a hint of annoyance, leaving the group to wonder about the cause of her apparent displeasure. As they exchanged polite salutations, the Queen's silence became pronounced. Her piercing gaze fixed on Furie, studying her with an intensity that made Furie feel uneasy. The Queen's scrutiny seemed to bore into Furie's very essence, causing a subtle warmth to rise in her cheeks. The silence from the queen added an air of tension to the room, leaving the trio in suspense, awaiting the monarch's words and the reason behind her intense focus on Furie.

Furie suddenly became aware of the Queen's advisors present in the room. Each advisor occupied their own mini throne, crafted from their respective elemental forces. The brief moment of observation was cut short as the Queen's voice reverberated through the room, filled with anger and frustration. "You lied to me!" The Queen's words were directed at the Fire Advisor, a black-haired woman who rose from her throne, her fiery essence evident in her every movement. The advisor frowned in response to the Queen's accusation, and the room held its breath, awaiting an explanation.

The Queen's anger was palpable as she continued, "I trusted you with an important task. I believed you were the only one capable of executing this necessary order. Why did you not carry it out?" The Queen's eyes flashed with a mix of fury and betrayal, creating an aura of tension in the room. Furie was relieved to realize that, at least for the moment, the Queen's anger was not directed towards her or her companions.

The Fire Advisor's response carried a mixture of remorse and defiance, her eyes unable to meet the Queen's gaze directly. "I am sorry, my Queen. I did what you asked me to do and got the girls out of your sight. But I could not resolve myself to 'make them disappear'!" The words hung in the air, revealing a significant piece of information that sent shockwaves through the room. The tension was palpable, and a collective gasp of surprise echoed among those present. The revelation sparked a shared understanding that something grave had been narrowly avoided. Furie felt a mixture of confusion and realization, her eyes scanning the room for cues on what had just transpired.

In the midst of the unfolding drama, Leaf subtly moved closer to Furie, his hand finding hers for reassurance. His touch conveyed a silent understanding, as if he had grasped the depth of the situation more clearly than Furie. There was a subtle reassurance in his gesture, a promise that they were in this together, whatever challenges lay ahead.

As Furie stepped forward, her curiosity and disregard for the prescribed protocol were evident. She needed more information, and her directness clashed with the formal atmosphere. "Can you tell me what you mean? Are the 'girls' you are talking about, your daughters?" Furie's questions hung in the air, cutting through the tension in the room. The Queen, visibly taken aback by Furie's directness, regarded her with a stern expression. Furie's refusal to adhere to the expected decorum challenged the Queen's authority. Slowly, Queen Guaya stood and began walking toward Furie. The intensity in the room heightened, but Furie's stubborn determination held her ground, maintaining eye contact with the Queen.

As the two strong-willed women faced each other, their eyes locked in a silent exchange, something shifted. Queen Guaya, initially irritated by Furie's defiance, softened as she observed Furie more closely. In Furie's eyes, the Queen recognized a reflection of her own, a striking similarity that momentarily surprised her. The water magic within Furie's gaze mirrored her own, creating an unexpected connection between the two. The Queen's demeanor softened slightly, as if looking into a mirror made of water had unveiled an unforeseen connection.