Of Her Corrupted Throne

Chapt. 16 - Something Feels Off

Throughout the meeting, Argenti was on edge ever since Eros came in. Mother Crystal was fawning over Eros, she didn't request him just to have him listen in on the meeting.

          "Uhm..if I may question..? What subjects are we to be touching on in this meeting?" Eros spoke with his soft voice, almost entrancing.

Crystal looked over to Eros and took his hand gently in hers. Her lips curled up gently into a smile as she spoke, "We're just discussing the engagement my dear. After that, we will be discussing the army arrangements!" He looked at her softly for just a moment before asking. "Then..why did you summon me this early, Mother?"

Mother Crystal once had a visit from Eros while he was on a business trip. Crystal fell in love with the sweetness of his aura and craved to see him much more. "I summoned you because you are one of my many favorites. I'm sure you'll do well in helping...Ciel was it? In the battles to come."

Eros looked to Argenti who looked away from him swiftly hurting his neck from turning to hard. "Agh-" Eros let out a soft chuckle before turning back to Mother. "Sorry for my interruption..let's carry on shall we?"

Ciel looked over and spoke up. "Actually, we were supposed to plan a trip to the Monochromes. That's why you're here, Eros. You know how to navigate the land fairly well from your trips." Eros tried to get his hands away from Mother but she held her grip. "Ah..is that so? I'll arrange a carriage for it then. How many will be going and when?" Julia looked up, "let's go now! We're all gathered here and it would be such a hassle to have to gather again later don't you think?" She grinned.

          "Well..I agree with Julie, the White Kingdom is all the way up in the mountains and it's quite far from here. I think we should try to make it today if possible." Queeny spoke softly but loud enough to be heard.

          Ciel got a bit nervous, remembering his small plan he spoke a bit louder so that anyone outside the door could hear. "Very well! Let's go arrange the carriages for our trip right now!" He walked over to the door purposely missing the handle a few times before opening it. Giving Rosaline some time to run off.

          He opened the door and held it for everyone to walk out. Eros and Argenti ended up walking in the back even though Mother Crystal insisted they walk up front.

"You seem nervous. Are you feeling alright, Argi?" Eros looked at Argenti who had his head held low. Argenti flinched at the nickname and quickly shushed him, pointing to everyone else. Eros understood and kept his voice low. "You have a bit of dust on your hair..it's quite bothersome." Argenti pointed out. Eros patted his hair and brushed it off. "Well maybe you should clean up under your bed? It's fairly dusty down there." His lips curled up into a sly smile.

          Queeny walked beside Julia as she went on and on about how awful her army is. "And you see! They're always asking me for my hand in marriage. I tell them all the same exact thing! You can't handle this hair nor this ego! Hah..I'm not even looking to marry for my kingdom." Julia seemed to be very distressed about the topic, so Queeny tried to put her at ease. "Have you made a speech to your kingdom at all? Maybe you can make it clear you don't wish to marry. But however..how will your kingdom carry on if you have no one else to carry out your legacy?" Julia looked down at Queeny with a sly smirk.

          Julia lowered her voice. "Do you know how old Mother Crystal is?" Queeny shook her head. She realized that ever since she was a droplet, Mother Crystal never changed in looks. Sure, her antlers got bigger and bigger every year but her features and figure never changed in the slightest. "I'm going to take a trip to the Crystal Kingdom one of these days." Queeny turned her head to look at Julia with a questioning look. "But how will you get there? Surely you don't plan on making your own wings..and the distance? Julie!" Julia shushed her to quiet down. She just winked and kept walking.

          Freesia snapped out of her thoughts and turned to look over at Evander. "You! Today! Why have you not said a word of it?" Evander looked at her a bit startled, both as to why she began to talk to him all of the sudden and how she was moving about. He looked down and saw a cloud act as her other leg. "Uhm..what is it exactly?.." Freesia looked at him with surprised eyes. "Have you forgotten your own birthday?" Evander was hit with realization. "Yes that's right! But..how did you..?" She turned back, but before doing so she spoke one last time. "Happy Birthday, Evander."

          Evander felt as though time stopped. After the queen of yellow walked away, everything resumed as normal, as though nothing happened. Queeny walked over to Evander who stopped walking, everyone else waited a bit. She whispered to him softly, "happy birthday, Evander!" Then quickly took his hand and ran back to the group as they resumed walking.

          Azura looked around as she wobbled while walking. "Something feels..off.." she held her necklace tightly. Vida looked at her in annoyance. "That's because you're drunk once again..however, there is something a bit odd." Mother Crystal placed her hands on their heads and spoke. "Freesia loves to read does she not?"