Iolene Summers: Chapter Nineteen

It has been a few days since the trial and the Nightmares still have not ended. Even though Akvor has been guard-escorted out of the country. According to my uncle, they are heading south… To the desert country where humans are kept as slaves. But even without his presence. He still haunts me… I have a weird feeling that one day I will meet him again…

But trying to distract myself as I look around the beautiful palace. Eleya and I have walked around the palace gardens many times and every time we tend to realise something new. I am not allowed to leave the palace grounds yet as the family wants to keep an eye on me.

I have received letters from Marsh from the priesthood. I never ended up reading them. I placed them in the fire as soon as I see his name on the envelope. I heard after when I left he went back into the temple and has isolated himself. Eleya disapproved of me doing it. But I don't want to hear any more stupid excuses from him. The only person I want to talk to from that priesthood is Marianas. But she is at the temple trying to fix what Akvor and the elders broke.

"It is so wonderful that we get to walk freely in the sun. It will be very good for your skin my lady." Eleya held my arm as we walked together. She is right… We barely got to walk in the sun. Even when I traveled to the hospital for training. I was in a small wooden carriage with a priest who dressed as a commoner. They made sure I did not sneak off anywhere. My skin is so pale white it will be nice to see if the sun can bring some life into it.

"Excuse me, my ladies."

Eleya and I turned around seeing one of my uncles' Stewards.

"Hello! Does the king want to see me now?" I smiled and looked at him. We have been waiting all day for my uncle or grandfather to tell us what is happening. We were supposed to be traveling by now. But royal duties and the trial slowed everything down. Uncle had to rearrange many urgent meetings with the other lords to make sure the trial went ahead as fast as possible. So now he is trying to sort all of them out. Again I feel like I am to blame for all of this… But I had to try and shake away this feeling. Eleya keeps telling me on repeat that it is not my fault. It is all Akvors' fault, Akvors' fault, Akvors' fault, Akvors fault…

"Yes my ladies, His majesty is will soon head to the throne room. I will guide you there." We followed him to the throne room. It was not a long journey since we are only in the palace gardens.

"His majesty will be with you shortly he must still be with the Lady Cordelia of Crescent Bay." He bowed to us and took his leave, the guards then opened the large iron doors. The whole room has been rendered back to normal after the trial. All of the wooden chairs and wooden stands are all gone. It is wonderful to see this room in its natural glory. Like the whole palace, this room is also made out of pure white marble. The walls are engraved with wave patterns that can be seen that they have been painted with a light glittery substance. Eleya and I walked in the light blue carpet that led to the throne. I notice that the king is not present. So I can see the large throne. Surrounded by two large fountains that connect to the sea. Filled with beautiful and colourful koi fish that I heard was given as a gift from the Blue Draconium Empire. Each Empire has a unique throne and this one is made out of light blue draconium. I heard that it glows softly as the king sits on it. The draconium reacts to his presence as the power his body holds is Light Blue Draconium. I have read in a book that metal draconium that this throne is sculptured from. Was lifted from the deepest part of the sea. It's sculptured as if the water is creating waves in a storm. The waves twist and turn as it is formed on the seat. I walked closer as I wanted to look even closer at the extensive detail. There are no guards next to the throne since the king is not present. They only have the guards outside of the room.

"My lady…" Eleya said in a stern tone. Not often do I hear that from her. I just wanted to see the pretty and powerful chair…

I walked up the marble steps and I stared at this chair… It is beautiful. But it also felt alluring. To think one day… If I decide to fight a war that I can win. I could possibly have a throne of my own. My breathing slowed as I just stared at this chair. It was just me and Eleya in the throne room.

I placed my hand gently onto throne… It glowed. It glowed so brightly! I felt like I was under a trance. Then without thinking I sat on it…

I felt all of this natural draconium energy absorbing into my veins. I breathed in and closed my eyes.

"My Lady get off there right NOW!" Eleya tried her hardest not to shout so the guards outside could hear. I could not clearly hear her, she sounded so muffled in a distance but the flow of energy felt so nice… So much power. I lifted my hand and looked at the light blue energy on my hand. I can see my body absorbing it in front of my very own eyes. When it gets absorbed into my skin it transforms into gold draconium. I wanted to stay on here...

However, Before I knew it Eleya grabbed my arm as she heard the iron doors start to open. I was flung off the throne. I almost fell down the stairs.

"Eleya!" I managed to get my footing and breathed in. But I felt a strange sensation after coming off the throne. The power transfer stopped. I felt back to normal.

"I am sorry my lady! But you must not have done such a thing! I will keep this secret! You know as anyone not to sit on a royal throne…" As Eleya checked around me to make sure I was okay. I already know that it is massive disrespect to sit on the throne… But I was under some sort of trance… Or did I want to do it. I am so confused as to what happened.

But as I looked towards the iron door I see my family walking into the room. Eleya and I bowed as they walked towards us. I really hoped they didn't see what I just did…

"Hello, family!" I sounded so shaky and surprised. All my family did was just give me a weird look. They must not have seen me sit on the throne otherwise they would have said something.

"We need to discuss Macdan." My grandad begins the conversation. Queen Darya steps forward. It has been a while since I have seen the queen. She must have been busy.

"We have had a lot happening in the past few days. But I have begun talking to our personal guards. We need guards that we can trust… We have plenty of guards to spare who are happy to go on an adventure to Macdan with you."

"I have also sorted a traveling cook, carriage dragons, and food supplies. It is a long journey to Macdan. So we need to be well prepared."

The queen has certainly been busy… She has been preparing the whole trip herself.

"So grandfather and grandmother will be traveling with me?" I looked at them and smiled. It will be nice to travel with them. But instead, they looked at me in sadness.

"I'm sorry darling we would love to go with you… But I am afraid we will not be able to… Our health has not been the best. Going on a long journey will be much too difficult for us. However, we also need to talk to you alone after this meeting." My grandmother then takes my hand and rubs it lovingly. I felt so disappointed. I really hoped they would come with me… But if my grandparents are not well. They need to stay and get better.

"Will I be going alone?" I really hoped that I was not going alone… I have no idea what I am doing. I know I will have Eleya. She is the person who I trust the most in this world and we are always together. But it would be nice to be in the company of other people once in a while.

"You will be with me Iolene Summers!"

I look to my left and it is Prince Murray. Immediately I felt relieved I am so glad he is coming with me! I know Murray has experience in international matters. He loves his politics. I would not be surprised if he jumped at the opportunity to go to Macdan. "We will be heading off first thing tomorrow morning. The earlier the better. So make sure you say your farewells to everyone before then. Once we leave we will not turn back."

I understood and nodded yes in reply. I want to leave here badly but I always had that lingering feeling that I didn't want to leave. At first, I was afraid... But then the night with Akvor happened and Clifford betraying me to him… I just need some kind of a fresh start and I hope this adventure will give me it.

When I arrive at Macdan I will have no idea of what to do or who I will meet. I know I am a princess… Or even call myself a Queen as I am technically one. But I am still just little me… But I really think about it… It is not really about me… It is about my family and their legacy. I am what is left of it… But if I do choose to fight I have to create a treaty to bring empires together to unite as one.

After a while, much of the discussions are about political matters. The Black draconium ambassadors are still under arrest, but they will be transferred into the main dungeons. Apparently, the Black Empire is sending envoys to replace them and discuss their sentencing. But it will take them a long time to reach here… Since we blatantly refused to let them build one of their teleportation gates here. Since there is a war in the Green Draconium Empire south of them, they would have to go by sea.

The meeting lasted a while longer as my family started to discuss and delegated the length of the journey. Macdan is northeast of us and is located south of the Brown country. It is still a nation that is under war, so all precautions need to be taken. Even though the war front is north of their country we can never be too careful. This is why the Queen herself wanted to delegate soldiers. We would need advanced protection. We would have at least twenty human soldiers and ten soldier dragons. They all be equipped with defense and attack gear. Our carriage will be encased with gear and protection so it cannot be easily destroyed. Well if they wanted me to feel safe… I most certainly do now.

They notified that I will have a few stewards who will pack for me as soon as I get back to my room. Even though I do not have much to pack. I hope I can take a few books with me on the journey though…

The meeting with the family has ended and I will see them soon for dinner. I bowed to my uncle and they all left leaving just me, Eleya, and my grandparents. However, with a kind voice, my grandparents asked her to leave. I gave her a quick nod in response and leaves with the rest of the family.

"Iolene we need to show you something." My grandfather reached out with his hand and I grabbed it. My grandparents lead me out to the palace gardens. As we walked through the large tropical garden we came across a building. It was not so big. It was not built like a house as I see that it had stained glass windows. The windows had stained glass art of a woman on them. I have walked past it many times and I have noticed guards protect it day and night.

Like the palace, it was built from marble and it looked like it had many pillars that merged into one solid building. But there was only one door and it was a black large iron door… It would not be easy to break into such a thing.

We reached the doors and with a nod from my grandmother, the guards opened it. It was dark inside… However, it eventually lit up with Light blue Draconium! With patterns of waves, dragons, fish, and humans! It looked beautiful! Similar to the designs of the priesthood temple. I was in complete awe!

"What is this place grandmother and grandfather?"

But they remained quiet… It was so silent I could only hear our footsteps. However, it was not long until we reached our destination.

But then I realised… It is no normal building or temple. This place is a mausoleum… I looked straight forward and the stained glass windows shined upon this large marble coffin. The top of the coffin is carved of a woman who looks like she is sleeping. She is so detailed you can see all the details of the long dress she is wearing. The details of her face could be so lifelike that if it was painted you could mistake her as real. Her long marble hair which had flowers decorated all through is carved down to the floor.

Then I had a moment of thought… In our culture in the Light Blue Empire, we send our deceased into the sea. Royalty and priests however do get statues carved. But it is nothing like this. It looks like the body is preserved inside… The coffin is sealed shut. Nothing can get in or out.

"This is your mothers' grave Iolene…"

My mind stopped. This… This… This… Is my mothers' grave?

I looked agape at this. My mind went blank. I never knew my mother… Only what I heard from the priests and family. I heard she was kind, loving, supportive, and smart. Those conversations though were very short… In a way, I felt a part of me ripped away when people tried to avoid the conversation with me. I have always wanted to know more about my family… I know it pained them… But it pains me too.

I looked at my grandparents. I had no idea what to say… This should be the time when I should be asking the questions. Like why they never brought me here? But nothing could come out. Grandmother then took out a match and lit the black metal candle stands. Even though we had the draconium lights. The warmth of the candle fire added a light that is needed…

"This is the resting place of your mother Laelia Sabina Rufinia-Ovideus".

And as I saw the candlelit up I could see a painting of her hanging in between the stained glass artworks of her. She looked beautiful and looked exactly like the marble carving. But seeing her in colour made me feel teary-eyed. I had to try not to cry. This is the only way I can see her… She had long wavy blue hair that could easily reach her feet. Large with light blue piercing eyes a trademark of the Rufinia royal family. Round Feminine face with soft light olive skin. People were not lying when people said she was beautiful.

I laid a hand onto my mothers' sarcophagus. Placing my hand onto her marble hands… The marble is so cold… I would give anything to feel her warm hands. But there is one thing that is plaguing my mind… Even though I do not hear much of my mother. I still hear about her more than my father…

"Please tell me, grandfather and grandmother… Please tell me about how mother and father met… And not just that tell me everything about what happened. No one has really spoken of it to me."

Grandfather and grandmother then guide me to sit on the stairs just next to the coffin. Grandmother then grabs my hand once and smiles softly.

"Your mother first met your father in Dragon City. The Gold Empire at the time was being ruled by Emperor Odysseus and Empress Mariana. Who are your grandparents Laelia traveled all the way south-west to dragon city not only to travel but to learn politics. Dragon City back then was the heart of the world… Everyone commuted there. Most of the main world politics resided there. Since Laelia was not in immediate line for the throne she wanted to be useful in other ways. So she commuted to become an ambassador over there. I came with her on this long journey. Since your grandfather had to help King Marlowe rule Aquarius City."

Even though I should be sad about hearing this… I didn't. I felt strangely happy. I have never had a long conversation about my mother. I needed to listen, I need to know what she was like… And not just her… My father. What was he like?

"When we reached the city. We were greeted by the family, Emperor Odysseus, Empress Mariana along with their two sons. Grand Prince David and the younger Prince Aelius. Laelia was sixteen and so was Aelius. On the contrary to what you would think… Their first meeting did not go well. As a fact, Prince Aelius did not care… He shrugged us off and wanted to go back to battle training."

I honestly did not expect that… My father was a spoilt snob?

"But your father apparently had a reputation for being a prankster. Your father pranked Laelia on a few occasions as she tried to work. Making fake spiders and throwing it on her head. Cutting of a part of a leg of a table so it will never sit evenly. Now that would have driven anyone mad… He would rather play around all day annoying everyone else, than doing actual prince duties. I would not lie that I did not like him at first."

My grandmother and grandfather just looked at my face and chuckled. I had no idea what to think…

"However your mum got him back though. She gave him wonderful karma by colouring his hair oils. His pretty blonde hair turned into a horrible green colour. Stayed in his hair for weeks. From then on it became a bit of a pranking competition. I got so mad at her because she was too busy thinking of plans of pranking the prince. Instead of focusing on her political contacts."

I could not help but smile… This is making me happy. I have not felt happiness like this…

"But there was a day when Laelia wanted to go down to the slums. Every few days a week she always paid a visit to the people. She would go to the hospitals, orphanages, or visit the soldiers. Even though she was not yet a high valued politician she started to gain the love of the people. Prince Aelius was nearby one day and she asked if he would like to go with her. He accepted and with a few guards they traveled to the slums together. I was not present to witness what happened that day. But I knew as soon as they got back. Their relationship started to change."

I laid my head onto my grandmothers' lap as she started to stroke my head and played with my hair.

"The months they knew each other turned into a few years. Laelia joined the royal cabinet and became popular with the people of Dragon-City. Aelius began to mature and with Laelias help he wanted to start learning politics. It was a long while until Laelia told us that their relationship was official. She was afraid of how we were going to react… Understandably. I did tell her multiple times in private that I didn't like him. But I eventually accepted their relationship. I have seen how they have grown and changed over the past few years."

"I invited him to dinner with Laelia. It was that night I truly saw what a young man he has become. He was good and at that dinner, I saw how much in love they were. And of course, it was inevitable that I heard that Aelius proposed to her. Aelius took Laelia to the temple of the stars and proposed to her there."

I have heard of the temple of the stars. It was built when the city was first constructed. It was where all of the astronomers studied the stars. I presume it was destroyed by the Black Draconium Empire.

"So a wedding was planned and it was glorious. Took almost a year to plan but it was a very happy day! Everyone traveled from near and far to join in the festivities. King Marlowe and your grandfather. Even the other country leaders! I mean everyone!"

"Including the Black and Green Empires?" I quickly put in. I knew I killed the moment. But it was a harsh reality of now that is so different. I cannot even imagine how anyone from those countries could even be in the same room?

"Yes, my dear… Them too…" She sighed. I bet she wished many things could have gone differently.

"But back to the wedding. The party lasted a whole week! Your mother wore a traditional water royal wedding dress. And had her long beautiful hair braided and decorated with golden flowers. Your grandfather cried when he first saw her… Our only child. She looked so beautiful that day… It does not matter how many years I will always keep that memory in my mind… But soon after the wedding, I was beginning to feel ill. I had to return home… Dragon-City is cold. So I was instructed to go home to a warmer country. It was the last time I saw my daughter alive." She started to cry and wiped tears from her eyes.

I still remained on her lap. It was like she was telling me of a fairytale… A prince and a princess meet. Even though I know my mother is not a princess. They fell in love and they live happily ever after… Oh, how I wish this story could end like that. But I know in real life… Things will not turn out as much as you hope.

"A year after the wedding. A tragedy struck that would change the course of history forever… Emperor Odysseus and Grand Prince David were assassinated by dragon separatists. One of their dragon guards rigged their carriage with explosives as they traveled to meet with another lord… It devastated the world. Empress Mariana as Emperor Odysseus's wife was next in line. Had a coronation two weeks after their funerals. Aelius name title changed during the coronation to Grand Prince. The dragon separatist war began… Queen Mariana prepared for war against the terrorists. However, her plans for war did not last as she herself was assassinated… Her closest dragon friend and ally Marigold poisoned her."

I tried to hold back my tears… This is where everything started to fall apart for my family.

"Was Marigold executed?" I asked… I was so angry. Why did she betray her friend?

"She was a pure gold draconium dragon… I only heard that she wanted freedom for her kind. But since there was so little of them left. It was hard to delegate what to do with her. But by Emperor Aelius's demand, she was put to death and not just that… He did it with one swing with his gold draconium sword."

Grandmother kept on stroking my head as she tried to keep her composure. As my grandfather sat next to me. He was just letting grandmother tell the whole story. He has been silent this whole time… But he decided to take over.

"This made the dragon matters so much worse… They wanted to keep her alive… But he made the decision out of revenge… For you see Iolene Aelius was not trained to be an Emperor… He was known as the heir to spare. They all lived comfortable lives. They did not fear any assassinations since there hasn't been one for decades. They knew they were loved by their citizens. Grand Prince David was taught all of the politics. He went to all of the meetings. He is the family treasure. The way he spoke during the wedding feast was phenomenal. He was the Emperor Dragon-City was meant to have. He was an amazing man like his mother and father. Whereas Aelius is just not good as them… And it became clear that he will never be as good as them. He never cared about anything until he met your mother. He was lazy and loved to fight. Diplomacy was his weakest subject."

As they kept on discussing my father. I could not help but think that they still hated him… Even though my father changed. It sounds like they still resented him. What did my father do to make them resent him so?

"The newly appointed Emperor Aelius. He relied too heavily on his advisers… Laelia, Stein, Nero, Falco, Cassia, and Tulia. He had so many of them. But the problem became that he favoured some advisors more than others… And they were the ones he should not have trusted... Thanks to him it is up to us and his own daughter to restore his mistakes."

I admit I was getting upset about how they spoke of him. It was getting so hard to bear. I know he would have made mistakes… But I feel that with everything that happened. It was due to some circumstances out of his control.

"I know it is hard to hear sweetheart. But we did try to make sure you are not caught in that trap like your father. The world of royal ignorance is what got him in the end. This is why we gave you to the priesthood. To hope they will educate you as their priests did for Grand Prince David."

Here we go again about how me being kept in the priesthood like a prisoner was supposed to be good for me… But at least they rectified the situation. But the situations differ. The Gold priests are very different from light blue priests in power and knowledge. The Gold priests are immensely powerful and are known to have many secrets that many other sects could not master. Gold draconium is the most powerful of all metals and energies. It was my lucky chance that I could use the gold energy to help heal scars and injuries… They had no idea how I could potentially get stronger with it. So my power of using gold draconium is very limited…

Grandmother sighed as she is going to continue on with the story. "Lord Nero was Emperor Odysseus's closest friend and ally. So your father trusted him with his life… Nero is from Inclementia. He was Dragon-City's Black Draconium Empire Ambassador. Like many others, he is trained in the priesthood and has great knowledge. However unknown to most of us at the time… He will be the main key to Dragon-City downfall. The Shadow Emperor… Someone that no has any information on. Apparently has returned to bring his Empire back to their original glory. Lord Nero used teleportation gates that connected to inclementia to bring in their soldiers to take over the city."

I clenched my hand onto my grandmothers' dress. Grandfather then sat next to me and grandmother.

"Lord Nero did this without warning… I do not know much of the details of how they escaped the city. But I know they survived it… Once they left the city. I got one letter from your mother. And it was only asked to prepare our armies. Which we did… We knew they were going to try and take back Dragon-City. But nothing came of it. Marlowe sent many soldiers to scout into different countries to find the royal couple. But were not found in time…"

I believe my father and mother would have tried many things to get their city back…

"When grandfather and I heard about the destruction of Dragon-City. King Marlowe ordered all of our politicians who lived there to evacuate. So we have no political power in Dragon-City anymore as it is far too dangerous to even try living there since Gold is our closest ally. Lord Nero made it no secret that he was killing politicians who tried to oppose them. As for the Dragon Separatists. They were played as fools by the Black Draconium Empire. Many of them willfully joined when asked. It was believed they didn't know that it was a human leading them. So many were not so benevolent… The Black Empire went back into their old ways and used mind control gear and magic to enslave those who couldn't escape."

The dragon separatists wanted to fight for their world free of humans. It is true much of their rights have started to vanish over the thousands of years… In many other cities, they have no rights at all… Obviously, the Shadow Emperor took advantage of this and manipulated the whole lot of them to destroy villages, cities, and lives.

Grandfather looked at me as I still lied my head on my grandmothers' lap. Her massaging my head felt so nice. It is so relaxing… But I knew what they were going to tell next. Grandmother sniffled as she tried to remain composed. She then continued on with the story. "Then one day… We got a letter from a messenger… A letter that I never wished to read… Our daughter… Your mother was murdered."

"Mother…" I whispered under my breath.

Grandmother smiled down at me when she started the next part of the story. "But we did not know the full extent of the story until Misty her loyal dragon companion came back to us. She went on a mission to find your mother and to bring her home. For many years after Laelia's death Misty thought, she had failed..."

I barely remember Misty… But she was a beautiful dragon. Intelligent and funny. I was only little when she passed away… Many people believed that she suffered from a broken heart for many years and could not heal from it. As grandmother said she felt like she had failed… I know this part of this story all too well.

"With such great sadness to us all… The Black Empire returned Laelias' body back to us. They called it a gesture of goodwill… Monsters. Sadly we never knew what became of Aelius… We all believe he is dead. But no one received his body. So who knows? We were planning to build him a memorial along with his family and gold dragon legacy. But the Black ambassadors condoned it to being an offense to the worlds' new sovereigns. With everything being so fragile now that the war is over. Marlowe had to leave it and just built it for his niece. But as a homage, they buried Laelia in the same fashion as they do in the Gold Empire. She would have wanted it."

Grandfather turned around and stroked the marble sarcophagus. "When your mothers' body was bought back to us. Soon after we were reunited with Misty and she was carrying precious cargo."

"Can I guess as to who that is?" I jested.

"When Misty came over with a little bag wrapped around her neck. We looked down and saw this beautiful little baby. The most piercing gold eyes that are unmistakable. She failed at saving your mother… But she saved you!"

I felt tears coming down from my eyes. I wish I knew my mother and father! And I never will! I sat up as I needed to get off my grandmother's lap. Her legs must have been so numb. Grandfather passed me his handkerchief as I was crying uncontrollably again.

"So after my mother and father. What happened to Lord Nero?"

I was curious. I have enemies who murdered my family and destroyed my home. If I am to reclaim my home. I need to know these things.

Grandmother and held my hand once again. "After the purge of the city and your family fled. Lord Nero changed his identity. As is the custom in the Black Draconium Empire if have proven your worth you can have a special name assigned to you. This name you can keep as the main name if you so desire. If not you can use it in battle circumstances. Lord Nero is no longer called Nero Mendax. His new identity is called Armageddon and he rules Dragon-City as its Chancellor."

"Armaggeddon? I will not give him the satisfaction of calling him that." I looked at them with a weird look. The Shadow Emperor renamed him Armaggeddon for destroying my home? Either way, after hearing all of this I hope one day that he gets his karma. I will make sure my family is avenged. I feel angry!

"Thank you, grandmother and grandfather." Everything to me is in perspective now. It is clearer to me now as to what events transpired

I stood up and looked at my mothers' sarcophagus once again. I hope to make you proud one day mother and father. Tomorrow morning I will go to Macdan. There is still hope… If you can hear me. Please help give me strength for this journey ahead. I do not know who or what I will find. But I will try my best to get back what is lost to us. I have to push forward…