The Violet-Eyed

Chapter 4

That night, Solaria slept better than she ever had in months...

And jolted awake from the ear-splitting noise of someone screaming bloody murder.

Annoyed that some inconsiderate idiot had roused her from her slumber, she stormed to demand Miriam for an explanation – but realized that Miriam wasn't in her room.

"Someone come here! Tell me what's going on, now!" Solaria knew she wasn't being queenly in the least bit, but all she knew was something had gone terribly wrong and she would find out what it was immediately. Unfortunate for her, nobody seemed to care that their queen was about to go berserk with worry, not even Lady Sonora.

After another agonizing ten minutes, the screams died down. Lady Sonora burst into her room, her brows furrowed. "Lady Queen, forgive me for not arriving earlier. I could hardly walk through the corridors – there were so many people running around and yelling their lungs out!"

Solaria waved her hand impatiently. "Tell me, then, what on earth has happened? And why in the world is Miriam not here?" Sonora's eyes widened in shock. "Miriam isn't here? She should always be with you as your caretaker! How dare she neglect her duties! I shall go and investigate this, Lady queen."

Solaria was so irritated that she was about to scream at Sonora. Gritting her teeth, she glared at Sonora so intensely that Sonora instantly averted her gaze and cowered. "Lady Sonora! Tell me this instant what has happened." Sonora fumbled with the hem of her lace-trimmed blouse, stammering. "You see, Lady Queen, all the guards patrolling the garden have died mysteriously. There was no visible injury. We presume they were poisoned, but we have no way to prove it, since we are regrettably underdeveloped in science. The murderer is on the loose now, so more guards have been sent to patrol the palace grounds. I cannot emphasis this more, Lady Queen – you must be careful!"

Solaria held Sonora's gaze for a moment, touched by the concern that was etched all over her face. Promising to be careful, she requested Sonora to leave her.

"As you wish, Lady Queen." Sonora turned to take her leave when Miriam bursted into the room. Her breathing was labored, presumably from running. "Lady Queen, I'm sorry that I was not here this morning. I was in the laundry rooms when the commotion started, and by the time I realized what was happening, people had crowded all throughout the corridors! It took me ages to get here!" Then Miriam promptly started hacking violently.

"Miriam, please compose yourself in the queen's presence," Sonora said, eyebrows raised. Miriam coughed again in response.

Solaria stomped her foot, startling them. "Miriam, you will tell me now exactly where you have been. Every single detail. I find this suspicious, Miriam, so you'd better explain yourself. Well?"

Miriam shook her head frantically. "No, Lady Queen, I've told you everything! Please believe me!" she pleaded.

Sonora leaned over and whispered in Solaria's ear. "Let her go for now, Lady Queen. Later we shall find more chances to discover what exactly she has been up to." Solaria was just about to nod in agreement when somebody started rapping so hard on her door, it threatened to fall off its hinges.

Frowning, Solaria went to open the door. In the doorway stood a thin man who looked like he hadn't eaten in days. "Who are you? What business do you have that's so urgent that you must pound on the queen's door?"

"Lady Queen, I'm Tim, messenger of the army. The bodies of the guards who were killed are missing."

His statement was met with unanimous silence and shock.