The Violet-Eyed

Chapter 5

"WHAT?" Three astonished voices yelled simultaneously.

"I was sent to collect the bodies, Lady Queen, and I saw that they weren't there," he said.

An image of Martin suddenly flashed across Solaria's mind. Her heart ached at the mere thought of him. She wondered if her family was still safe after the mysterious disappearance of Martin. She had been too caught up in being queen to give any thought to Martin or her family, and she was deeply ashamed. Pushing these thoughts away, she focused back on the man.

"And why would the bodies mysteriously disappear?" Sonora demanded.

"I've no clue, my Lady, but I'd think the murderer disposed of them to cover any evidence." he said.

Turning to Solaria, Sonora frowned. "Lady Queen, would you have any idea as to who the murderer might be?"

Solaria cast a pondering glance at Miriam, who returned it with silent fury. "Leave me, all of you, so that I may be able to think in peace. Especially you, Miriam. Your insufferable criticism is driving me nuts," she ordered.

Solaria plopped onto her bed. Rubbing her temples, she seriously reconsidered her statement the night before that being queen might not be hard. It was getting harder by the minute, and if she didn't figure out who the murderer was soon, her kingdom would become unstable with fear.

She stood and decided to take a walk in the palace gardens. Hastily, she pulled on a simple dress and a cloak, then flung open the doors – only to see a guard standing in the doorway, blocking her exit.

"What's the meaning of this?" she demanded angrily. The guard bowed from the waist. "I beg your pardon, Lady Queen, but there have been more murders in the castle kitchen, and Lady Sonora has instructed all the guards to ensure that you stay within your bedchambers. Please don't be offended. It's for your safety," the guard said apologetically. Sighing, Solaria nodded, her mind already spinning with speculations about the recent murder.

While she was immersed in her thoughts, Haywire Brains had arrived and was kneeling at her feet. Seeing that she hadn't noticed him, he coughed and made a big deal of clearing his throat. Solaria jumped, and upon seeing that it was Haywire, immediately began bombarding him with questions about the murder.

Haywire looked flustered by her questions. "Lady Queen, three kitchen staff were found dead in the cellar. They were sent to retrieve some ingredients, and disappeared for a long time. I thought it was suspicious, so I sent somebody to check on them. They looked exactly like the guards who were murdered – no visible injuries at all," he explained, and getting a bit teary-eyed, he added rather dramatically, "Oh, it's just so horrible! Good gracious, I just can't believe three men I once knew well are dead! Oh, good God!"

Unsure what to say, Solaria sent him back to the kitchen with instructions to properly dispose of the bodies. "Well, Lady Queen, his name suits him quite well, don't you think?" the guard joked. Solaria was in no mood for jokes, but she forced a smile anyway.

Barely five minutes later, Haywire came running to see Solaria, his face deathly pale.

"What's the matter, Haywire? Have you dealt with the bodies?" Solaria braced herself for the news that she feared to hear.

"Lady Queen, the bodies....they're...."