-Karen-Conor led me forward as we came to stand several feet away from the desk. We both clasped our hands in front of us. I could see Joanne out the corner of my eye standing next to me standing with her hands clasped in front of her. The doors shut and all four of us bowed to the king murmuring, “Majesty.” We stood back up in unison and waited anxiously for him to speak. Remember to breathe, Karen. Just keep breathing.The king stood up snickering under his breath. That makes me so nervous. Silently, I watched him walk around the room out of the corner of my eye. “Elsie, move next to Michael.” She got up immediately and moved next to him, watching us quietly. I could see she was focused intently on Conor. “Conor go sit in Elsie’s previous chair. Remain silent throughout this meeting. I don’t want to hear a damn thing from your mouth. Not one word.” Zachary hissed as he fixed himself a drink from a small cart off to the right of the room. Conor obeyed quietly and sat down next to h
-Karen-My knees throbbed with pain as I watched her take a few steps towards me. She had a twisted smile on her face as our gazes locked. “Acrid Shadow Thorns!” I was stabbed by a thorny spike that shot off a couple thorny branches through me in different directions. I yelled from the pain but that was only the beginning as I found out. She snapped her fingers and I felt searing pain race through me as I screamed louder from the pain. I writhed from the pain, falling against the ground while the chains tightened up against me. I cried out from the agony I felt all over. I could feel her eyes on me as I lay there panting trying to catch my breath. It hurts so badly! It was worse than demon’s poison! I could hear the small group murmuring among themselves. I could feel Conor’s intense gaze on me as the pain slowly dissipated. “Supreme Heal.” Monica muttered with a hint of reluctance in her voice. The pain left me completely, but I felt slightly heavy from the attack. “I’m not done wit
-Karen-“Silence both of you!” Zachary yelled at them. “Show me the spells. Now.”“I’m not allowed to use those spells without permission.” I refuted firmly. I closed my eyes tightly trying my hardest to resist against the growing pressure. Please just let me leave alone.“It didn’t stop you from using it at your demonstration, though, did it?” He hissed angrily. I shook my head in defiance. “I was defending my life! It was justifiable in that moment! This is not!” I snapped back. He slapped me as hard as he could. Damn that hurt!“Mind you tone when addressing me, woman! Unlike my son, I don’t care if you suffer.” Zachary screamed, raising his hand to me again. “I don’t give a damn what you think is justifiable. I’m commanding you to do something and you will do it expeditiously and without negation!” I shook my head in defiance and he struck me harder in the face. I could hear Bart and Joanne trying to hold Conor back as he tried to come to my aide. I could hear Michael laughing at
-Karen-“You’re quite amazing, little rat… But I’m not done with you either!” Zachary explained snatching my jewel from around my neck and tossing it to Monica. I looked over at him confused as he turned me to face the group. What else does he want? Haven’t I endured enough for one day? “Let me tell you the real reason I summoned you and your hopeless group to bask in my presence.” My eyes flipped over to him as I stood in silence. Conceited much?“For the last five weeks, I had Remus, Germanicus and Octavian do some digging into Lewis’s notes that he sent to us on Zargo and your former Queen’s personal documents. There was a lot of amusing information that had been found pertaining to the status of the kingdom, imports and exports and the Mage Clan. We also investigated the Head Mage’s documents too just to be thorough. I always want to know what was going on in a Kingdom right before I end that dynasty.” He snickered under his breath as he wrapped his left arm around my shoulders. L
-Karen-He flipped the paper and showed me another one with several drawings on it. “This document shows where Roger did the genetic testing to confirm the maternal link to Queen Delia. As you can see here, it says that this was a positive match with less than half a percent of error. Just to be certain and make sure that there was no chance at us making any mistakes, we added Lady Monica’s genetic information into this puzzle so there can be no doubt whatsoever proving your relation to the Queen.” Oh. My. Goodness. I. Can't. Even. Think. “It is noted that all three of you carry the same genetic markers for females in your family.” I felt like I was going to be sick. “Last but not least is the most damning piece of evidence I have.” Zachary cried gleefully, placing the folded document in my hands. I saw that the Royal seal had been broken in half as he watched me with a cold smile. “Read it out loud so we can all hear you, Princess.”I unfolded the document and read over the words an
-Conor-“Oh- She fainted. Must have been too much for her weak mind to handle.” Zachary sneered, pursing his lips as Bart and Joanne quickly rushed to attend Karen. “Take her out of here. She is of no use to me in that condition.” Bart nodded as he and Joanne took Karen out of the Study. Conor went to follow them out, but Zachary grabbed his left arm and held him back. Kay! Please be alright! “And where do you think you’re going?!”“I need to be with her!” Conor snapped angrily as he tried to pull away. “Haven’t you done enough to her today?!” You psychologically tortured her! You planned this all out! You are such a twisted monster.“She will be cared for properly by those two. They don’t require your assistance. You’re a prince not a doctor, Conor.” Zachary scoffed rolling his eyes. He motioned to the two guards at the doors. The doors shut promptly as Zachary smirked coldly at Conor. I know that look on your face father.“You have something planned… What is it?” Conor asked narrowi
-Karen-A horrible odor woke me up. I coughed and gagged from the caustic smell while I tried to gather my wits. I realized I was back in our apartment with Joanne and Bart. He was writing notes down and she helped me sit up. Joanne and Bart were talking to me, but I was too preoccupied to listen. My whole life- It was a lie! Everything I knew about myself. Everything I was ever told. It was all lies. A life of lies, anguish and being shunned... I burst into tears and just cried. Joanne pulled me to her and did her best to console me. Why would they do this to me?“It’s okay Karen! We still love you!” Joanne murmured sweetly as I sobbed in her arms. “You’re still my sister.” I felt confused and hurt by the revelations the king presented. I felt devastated and worthless. Her voice was soothing as I sniffled sadly. I need to calm down and try to think this through. “See, Kay? It’s going to be just fine...” Bart left to get something for us to eat now that they had been able to wake me u
-Karen-He cupped my face again, “Now my princess is extra pretty.” I felt my cheeks get hot. Your princess… He always called me his princess anyway… Now I really am. “You haven’t blushed like that in a while…” He laughed as I turned even redder. I chuckled and hugged him tightly.“Listen Kay, I really despise your family for what they have allowed to happen to you.” He gave me a serious look. “It pisses me off so bad that they would hide something this important from you. And treating you like you didn’t matter for many years- It makes my blood boil!” He took my right hand within his. “I hate seeing how much this has hurt you because I’m not sure I can help heal that pain and it-” I stopped him by putting my left thumb over his lips.“Just being here for me is enough, Conor.” I grimaced. “I always had my suspicions about it even after I thought I was able disprove the many rumors I heard… But to see it in writing, well… That’s a lot harder for me to deal with.” I cupped his cheek wit