Heir to the throne: Broken Blood

Plato

King Plato, his golden crown glinting in the flickering torchlight, ushered Queen Senna into the cavernous throne room. The heavy oak door creaked shut behind them, the iron lock sliding into place with an ominous clank. Plato's face, usually calm and regal, was etched with worry.

"Why would you tell Jinx I'm sleeping with his girlfriend, my guard Heven?" he demanded, his voice a harsh whisper.

Queen Senna'sloo eyes flashed dangerously. She tossed her raven hair, adorned with intricate silver pins, and let out a bitter laugh. "Well, you are! Everyone in the castle knows. I bet they think of me as a fool!" Her voice echoed off the stone walls, filled with hurt and rage.

Senna stepped forward, her ornate gown rustling as she pushed Plato, her delicate hands connecting with his broad chest. "If you were a better husband, we wouldn't be in this predicament. You loved the thought of me, not me."

Plato's gaze softened as he looked at his wife, her beauty still as breathtaking as the day they wed. "I adore you," he pleaded. "I just had bad judgment in my actions. I thought it already happened once, why stop?"

The slap resounded through the chamber as Senna's palm connected with Plato's cheek, leaving an angry red mark. "But you want me to stay untouched while you have your way with Heven under my nose?" she hissed. "Doesn't she deserve to be punished for such actions?"

Plato's jaw clenched, his voice low and controlled. "Not punishing your sister Clover is the reason we're at war. If I punish Heven, it will look bad on us for not punishing Clover Wessex for getting pregnant with the enemy's child." His eyes drifted down to Senna's swollen belly, a reminder of their own impending parenthood. "How... how is the pregnancy so far?" he asked, his tone softening.

Meanwhile, in another part of the sprawling castle, Clover - Senna's twin sister - and their nephew Roman were escorting Lord Randall Rues' daughters on a tour. The stone corridors echoed with their footsteps and excited chatter.

Rya Rues, her eyes wide with wonder, confessed, "Honestly, even as a young girl, I dreamt of being a Wessex. Holding great power, being able to transform..." Her voice trailed off, filled with awe and a hint of envy.

Her sister Ronda, more hesitant, asked, "Does transforming hurt?"

Clover and Roman exchanged amused glances before leading the girls to the lush castle gardens. The scent of roses and lavender filled the air as they stepped onto the manicured lawn.

"Why don't we show you?" Roman said with a mischievous grin.

In an instant, where Clover and Roman had stood, two massive basilisks now coiled. Their scales shimmered like polished obsidian, eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. The Rues sisters gasped, a mixture of fear and amazement on their faces.

As quickly as it had happened, Clover and Roman returned to their human forms, clothes somehow unruffled by the transformation.

"It doesn't hurt at all," Clover explained, smoothing her dress. "It's like slipping into a second skin."

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a maid, her apron crisp and white against her dark uniform. "My lords and ladies," she curtsied, "dinner is served in the great hall."

As the group made their way inside, the weight of unspoken tensions and looming conflicts hung in the air, threatening to shatter the fragile peace of the Wessex dynasty.  

The night air was thick with tension as the inhabitants of the castle gathered in the entertainment room. Goblets of wine clinked, and forced laughter echoed off the stone walls. As the alcohol flowed, so did loose tongues.

Bloom, her wings slightly ruffled and cheeks flushed from drink, finally decided to confront Queen Senna. "Queen Senna," she slurred, her voice dripping with disdain, "why would you be so messy to reveal Heven's been sleeping with Plato?"

Senna's eyes flashed dangerously. "Excuse me," she hissed, "your friend was in the wrong. As a angel, you of all people should know sleeping with married men is wrong."

Bloom sat up straighter, setting her goblet down with a thud. "You both are wrong, not just her."

Before Senna could retort, Clover swiftly covered her twin's mouth. "Please don't bark up that tree. Senna isn't what you want," she warned. "Everyone knew anyway. Jinx was going to find out sooner or later."

Roman, ever loyal to Senna, chimed in. "Honestly, Heven did it behind her back, so she just evened the score. Everyone saw she had a crush on him. It was obvious."

Bloom rolled her eyes, letting out a harsh laugh. "Heven told me about you, Roman right. The prince who stayed glued to Senna's side. Of course you're going to agree with her. Probably having sleeping with her too, to close for comfort to me."

Senna wrenched free from Clover's grasp. "Real family let you know when you're wrong," she spat. "Some cousin you are. You're so mad because you're just like her - a whore."

The room fell silent as Bloom stormed out, her friend Halo close behind. In the corridor, Halo grabbed Bloom's arm. "Stop, calm down," she pleaded.

Bloom whirled around, her eyes wild. "I can't because Heven drank grimroot. She was pregnant by either Jinx or Plato." Halo's eyes widened in shock as Bloom continued, "I think the queen was behind her taking it to make sure it wasn't her husband's."

Halo shook her head, disbelieving. "I've been around the queen. She never gave off those vibes. You're probably just overthinking come back calm down."

Meanwhile, King Plato had finished his meeting and was drawn to the commotion in the entertainment room. As he entered, Bloom, who had returned, shouted, "My king, I think your wife needs a muzzle."

Senna lunged forward, but Clover intercepted her. "I'll break you in half, angel or not," Senna snarled.

"Come on!" Bloom taunted.

As Senna pushed her way through, Roman swooped in, lifting the struggling queen and carrying her from the room. Clover and her boyfriend, Notah, followed close behind.

In the hallway, Clover attempted to reason with her sister. "Senna, remember you're a queen. Be graceful. We need to be on our best behavior in front of company. Acting out only proves them right about us being more monsters than human."

Senna rolled her eyes, still seething. "We didn't ask for their help in this war. Heven did."

Clover sighed, placing a comforting hand on her twin's shoulder. "You're right, but let's not stoop to their level."

As the night wore on, the castle settled into an uneasy quiet. But beneath the surface, secrets and resentments continued to simmer, threatening to boil over and consume them all.