The Realm Of The Abyss

Chapter 27: Third Power

Quinn’s POV.

“She is the one to blame!” The queen’s voice echoed throughout every nook and cranny of the large room, pointing at me.

My ears rang, and the world seemed to slow down. Suddenly, I had everyone’s attention. My knees buckled from the way they stared at me, as if they were judging my entire being.

“Mother!” Alfaro’s voice became louder as he weaned the queen. “Call a doctor!”

My foot was nailed in my stance. I couldn’t open my mouth to speak or deny what the queen was accusing me of. I couldn’t defend myself against her accusation because I knew what I would say would be pointless.

Who am I compared to the Queen of Araya? Who would believe in somebody like me?

My eyes welled up with tears as I turned to gaze at the king, who was lying unconscious on the floor. Everyone was panicking and rushing to call a doctor, but their whispers about me did not escape my keen ears. Their malicious gossip was crushing my heart.

I couldn’t describe the agony of being blamed for something you didn’t do, but nothing hurt more than not being able to defend yourself because you know that no matter what you do, you will always be bad in everyone’s eyes.

“Capture that woman and imprison her!” Queen Adelana ordered the security officers. Alfaro spoke up again and confronted his mother, pleading with her to stop.

“But mother!–” He was cut off from speaking when the queen interrupted him with a wave of her hand and a menacing glare.

“Don’t try to meddle, Alvaro. I won’t let you get away with it.”

I was immediately surrounded by warriors, and I yanked both of my arms away from there with great force. I didn’t bother resisting and instead just went along with them to keep the peace and avoid getting hurt.

We ground to a halt when Alvaro blocked our path, his eyes filled with concern. I looked at him, shaking my head and mouthing him to let me, but he was obstinate. I didn’t want his mother to punish him because of me.

“Release her,” he commanded with a firm voice.

“Alvaro!” the queen threatened him, but he ignored it, as if he hadn’t heard his mother.

I was gobsmacked when Alvaro snatched my arm away from the soldiers who were holding me and rushed to get me out of there.

“Run!”

The queen’s shrill voice could be heard as the two of us sped away from the place.

“Chase them!”

Alvaro accelerated his pace and gripped my hand even tighter. I had no idea where he was taking me or where we were heading, but the only thing on my mind at the time was that I was safe because I was with him.

We took cover behind a large tree and stayed there until we were able to escape the soldiers who were trying to chase us. I panted and gasped for air, clutching both of my knees. I suppose we were in the middle of the woods.

I took a deep inhale as we sat down under the tree. Unbeknownst to me, tears were rolling down my face. I was crying before I realized it. I couldn’t stop weeping, so I covered my mouth with my hands.

To Alvaro’s surprise, I began to blubber like a child. He held both of my shoulders and brought me to him to soothe and help me calm down.

“I didn’t do it, Alvaro…” I said in a shaky voice. “It wasn’t my fault. It wasn’t me. Believe me…”