The Inner Kingdom

Chapter Seven - The Exhaustion

Location: Celebration Room

◑ Angie ◐

"What are you all still standing around for? Their time is up," Raven shouted at the royal guards who were scratching their heads in confusion.

The entire room became quiet as they noticed that my sisters and I were no longer standing in the same spot as we were what seemed like a second ago to them.

Turning to look our way, the expression on Raven's face was priceless

For once, even Leo and Leev's faces held a look of astonishment.

"So, you know little tricks. Your task was to find my brooch," Raven reminded everyone subtly patting the top of her dress. "And I have a feeling, you did not fulfill it."

Raven's face became more confident as she felt April's brooch, thinking it was hers. My sisters and I shared a smile after seeing her take the bait.

"Why are you smiling? You didn't pass the test," Raven exclaimed, coming toward us.

Standing up on the steps, we prepared to face Raven. I chanced a glance at Ashley to make sure that she was still clutching the brooch in her hands.

"Arrest them. They have failed their test," she screamed at the guard members who stepped in-between us.

"Not exactly," Ashley spoke up uncovering the brooch. "Is this what you lost?"

"That is impossible," Raven bellowed patting the top of her dress again, not so discreetly this time.

"Bring me the brooch," Prince Leev commanded Leo.

Ashley handed over the brooch which was taken to the Prince. As he examined it, he handed it over to Nolin, who was now wearing a look of triumph on his face.

"I declare that they have passed the test, and from this moment forward, they will be recognized as the dragon warriors," Nolin announced, causing the entire crowd to burst into applause.

The only ones who weren't happy were Raven and Zarf, and while I basked in my satisfaction, I noticed that Zarf had disappeared.

"That cannot be my brooch," The irate Duchess screamed silencing everyone. "Let me see it."

"It has your royal seal on the back," Nolin stated, handing the brooch out toward her.

As she climbed the podium to retrieve it, her face became even more drained of blood, which I thought was impossible.

"This can't be," Raven murmured to herself, feeling where the brooch should have been.

"Why are you so sure that that brooch is not yours?" Angie taunted her by patting the top of her dress. "As you can see, my sister is also missing a brooch. Have you seen it?"

I could see it appear on her face, the moment she realized she had been tricked. Peering down in the top of her dress, her face turned a violent shade of red.

"Do you have any more interjections, Duchess?" Nolin questioned her, already knowing the answer.

Raven turned to leave, stopping beside me with eyes full of malice. "You have no idea who you are messing with...little girl."

"I'm just playing the game you put into motion," I countered, looking her straight in the eyes.

She broke eye-contact and stormed down the podium, pushing several people in the crowd as she exited the room.