The Greatest Villainess (Completed)

Chapter 31

The next morning, chaos erupted within the palace due to a dreadful event. A thick rain of ash began to fall from the sky, blanketing everything in a fine, suffocating powder. Panic spread quickly among the palace staff, who scrambled to get inside, abandoning their tasks as the air became increasingly choked with ash.

I bit my nail in anxiety, unable to control the growing sense of dread gnawing at me. I paced back and forth in front of the closed window, my mind racing with thoughts of what this could mean. The ash outside continued to fall, darkening the sky and adding a heavy weight to the already tense atmosphere.

"Your Majesty, the entire city is now affected by this ashfall. It seems to have started in the nearby village, the one close to the farm that burned down recently. People are becoming increasingly concerned, and they’re looking to the palace for guidance," Henry’s voice snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts. I turned sharply to face him, my heart quickening at the seriousness of his report.

"Are all the doors and windows of the palace secured?" I asked, my voice laced with tension. I could feel the stress creeping into my features, every muscle tight with worry, "Yes, Your Majesty," Henry replied, his tone grave. Though his voice was calm, I could see the strain etched on his face, betraying the concern he was trying to contain.

I gave a curt nod, already thinking of the next steps. "Send a few knights to deliver messages to the city and to the affected village," I ordered firmly, my voice brooking no argument, "Make sure they wear cloaks, and have them wrap wet cloths around their faces to block the ash," I added, quickly moving to the desk where I began drafting an official order.

"The affected areas must be placed under lockdown. The people need to remain inside their homes. If it’s absolutely necessary for them to go outside, they should use protection—a mask to cover their faces," I dictated, rolling up the parchment with a swift motion. Turning to Henry, I handed him the sealed scroll. "Ensure they understand the gravity of the situation. They have to be careful," I said, my voice steady but commanding.

Henry nodded, his expression firm as he bowed his head respectfully before leaving the room. As soon as he was gone, I slumped into my chair, feeling the weight of the situation pressing heavily on my shoulders. Rubbing my temples, I tried to think clearly. Now, there is another issue-how would people get their daily food supply?

I closed my eyes tightly, overwhelmed by the enormity of the problems at hand. If there’s truly a God in this world, I silently prayed, please, send us rain to wash this ash away.

In the meantime, I realized that all merchants and vendors would have to stop their business temporarily. The risk was simply too great. I let out a long, weary sigh, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. My head was starting to throb from all the problems piling up.

"Your Majesty!" a voice interrupted my thoughts once again, and I stood up immediately as Sarah burst into the room. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with fear, and panic was written all over her expression.

"Calm down," I said gently, trying to keep my own voice steady in an attempt to soothe her. She took a shaky breath, but her body trembled uncontrollably, and soon, tears began to well up in her eyes.

"A-Ang pamilya ko, Your Majesty," she choked out between sobs. The desperation in her voice tugged at my heart. I pressed my lips into a thin line, my fists clenching as I struggled to maintain my composure. I couldn't let my emotions take over—I needed to stay strong.