Dark Chronicle: Long Live the Queen

Chapter 13: A Mothers Blessing.

Days had swept by since Monica bore witness to the tragic fall of Max, each moment heavy with the unresolved promise of turning back time. Entrusted with the precious and final starglass by the Great Sage, Monica now faced the quagmire of restricted movements, her feet bound to the castle grounds, save for royal duties sanctioned by protocol. Undeterred, she penned an idea, rich with earnest desperation, reaching out to Elena for aid in crafting a surreptitious departure from the stronghold that cradled her.

Hope flickered anew as Tilly delivered the heartening tidings: Elena intended to traverse the castle's threshold, seeking a secluded council with the queen amidst the grandeur of the overflowing gardens. Monica clung to this news, her heart thrumming with anticipation. This secret assembly beneath the knowing boughs and whispering blooms presented the ideal setting to weave their strategy for eluding the vigilant eyes of the castle, a plan that promised freedom's whisper to a soul too long confined.

Monica positioned herself by the water fountain, confidant in its gurgling cascade to mask their forthcoming conversation. During this interlude, her gaze swept across the splendour of the Royal Gardens. These gardens, a gem set in the heart of the palace estate, unfurled their splendour over sprawling acres, ensnaring the eyes and hearts of all who wandered within.

Upon entry through the ornate wrought-iron embrace of its gates, one is immediately immersed in a tapestry of hues and perfumes. The landscape, an artful composition of floriculture, boasts beds of blooms juxtaposed with precise hedges and wandering stone paths. Each bend along these trails offers a surprise — a hidden alcove with a stone seat facing a tranquil pond, a pergola labouring under the sweet weight of rambling roses.

The crown jewel of these gardens is undoubtedly the rose garden. An array of roses, both rarified and beloved, unfurl under the tender stewardship of the royal gardeners, inviting visitors to bask in their fragrant aura and a palette that sweeps from passionate reds through blushing pinks to purest whites.

Towering arboretums present a dictionary of the globe's majesty in tree form. Oaks of solemnity, willows of grace, cherry blossoms of fleeting beauty all offer shade, creating a play of light and shadow upon the paths that invites reverie.

The sound of water is never far, a composed score of tranquillity that permeates the air. Ponds, fountains, and streams converse in hushed tones, fostering an enclave for flora and fauna alike, melding nature's serenity with life's vibrance.

In a dedicated corner of the garden rests the herb gardens, tended with the same precision and care, destined to enrich the palace's cuisine with their zestful essence. Basil, mint, thyme, and more burgeon here, contributing both visual allure and indispensable essence to the feasts held in grandeur within the palace walls.

For Monica, the grandeur of these gardens was a bittersweet echo of the gardens at Moon Flower Palace, which once mirrored this beauty but fell to the wrath of Emperor Griffon. A stark reminder of his anguish and his decisive act to erase the memories of Queen Alexandra's fate, which he could not avert.

Lisa arrived with Elena following closely behind. "Your Majesty," she addressed Monica, who was seated beside the fountain. "I have brought Lady Elena to see you."

"Thank you, Lisa. You may leave us now," replied Monica. Lisa bowed respectfully and departed.

Monica's eyes lit up with a smile as she looked at Elena, glad to see Max's mother in good spirits.

"Thank you for requesting an audience, Your Majesty," Elena said, bowing in the presence of the queen.

"Please, relax, Elena," Monica reassured her. "I summoned you here because I am in need of your assistance for a matter of great importance."

Elena's curiosity heightened as she expressed her commitment to helping the queen. "I will do whatever I can to assist you."

Without hesitation, Monica revealed her request. "I need your help to escape the confines of the castle."

Elena's surprise was evident as she inquired, "I don't understand. Why would you require my assistance to leave this place?"

Monica presented her reasons. "I must reach the town of Palm Brinks. There is something of great importance that I need to accomplish there."

Elena's response was immediate. "Impossible. That town was abandoned after a tragic incident occurred there 100 years ago."

Monica regarded Elena with a knowing gaze. "And you are aware of why it was forsaken, aren't you?"

Elena attempted to conceal any revealing emotions on her face.

"This is something I aim to change," declared Monica, her determination resonating in her voice. "A final journey through time can save your son, Elena, and ensure that the town is not left deserted. Crest gave me a starglass"

Elena acknowledged the gravity of the situation but conceded, "Even if I were able to assist, you know that there is a law prohibiting time travel. I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I must adhere to such laws."

Monica's disappointment with Elena's unwillingness to help was evident. "Even if it means letting Max and Gerald die? Max was right about you. You are selfish."

Elena countered, her voice filled with concern and conviction. "And what about your responsibilities as queen, Monica? Let us not forget the oath you took when you ascended to the throne. Have you considered the consequences of abandoning your people? Without a monarch to maintain stability, the noble houses will plunge into chaos, striving for the crown. If that happens, countless innocent lives will be lost, far more than Griffon's actions."

Elena's words struck deep within Monica, causing her to question the weight of her choices. Could she truly forsake her kingdom to save one man, knowing that her absence would lead to further suffering and devastation? "If sacrificing my duty as queen is the price to save your son and find personal freedom, then so be it."

Disappointment washed over Elena as she absorbed Monica's response. "Your father would be ashamed of you," she expressed softly before turning to depart. Her parting words carried a hint of mockery, "Goodbye, your Majesty."

Monica, infuriated by Elena's refusal to assist and her act of turning her back, made a swift decision. She declared that Elena was no longer welcome at the castle, labelling her a coward. Storming off towards the castle, Monica vowed to find an alternative solution. "If she won't help, I will seek another way."