A Magical Evening (Chapter 12)
Sprite Heartfilia had suggested to me that it would be nice to see Princess Maya support Sofia and Lucinda, and I'm including that in this chapter. Meanwhile, I'll warn you that this chapter is going to take a dark turn.
Fourteen months had passed since Cedric and Nettle had attempted to attack Enchancia Castle. During the past fourteen months, things had changed. Sofia and Lucinda had become heroines of the kingdom. Though there were still some in the kingdom who didn't agree with their relationship, Sofia and Lucinda had proven their bravery in battle, and even those against their relationship treated them with some respect because of their bravery.
Sofia had spent the past fourteen months learning to use Cedric's powers. To Sofia's surprise, Cedric's powers themself were very powerful - it was Cedric's low opinion of himself that had held him back. Sofia vowed to use Cedric's powers for good, and after a while, Sofia became a powerful sorceress in her own right. It wasn't long before Roland and Lucinda granted Sofia a special title - Princess Enchantress. The title allowed Sofia to work alongside Lucinda.
Outside of Enchancia during the past fourteen months, one thing had changed - Princess Maya had married Prince Paul of the Kingdom of Harroney. Paul was much more socially tolerant than Maya's father, King Nasir. Paul's parents, the King and Queen of Harroney, were also very socially tolerant. Once Maya had moved to Harroney, she asked Paul and his parents for permission to renew her friendship with Sofia and Lucinda. Paul and his parents happily agreed. Nasir was none too happy that Maya had renewed her friendship with Sofia and Lucinda, but since Maya was no longer living under his roof, there wasn't much Nasir could do about it.
Elsewhere outside of Enchancia, Hildegard and Cleo were forced to continue to have nothing to do with the Enchancian royal family. However, in a tragic way, things would soon change.
In Friezenburg Castle, Hildegard was having tea with Cleo. Hildegard's parents, as well as Cleo's parents, were enjoying a carriage ride together in the Friezenburg countryside. As Hildegard and Cleo were having tea, a man burst into the room where Hildegard and Cleo were. The man was Garth, the royal advisor to Hildegard's father, the King of Friezenburg.
"What is the matter, Garth?" Hildegard asked, concerned.
"As you know, your parents, as well as Princess Cleo's parents, were taking a carriage ride together this afternoon" Garth started, with tears streaming down his face. "I wish there was an easier way to tell you this ...".
"Tell me ... what?" Hildegard asked, becoming nervous.
"Your parents, and Princess Cleo's parents, were on their way back to Friezenburg Castle" Garth reported. "When the carriage they were on rounded a curve, the horses suddenly broke free ... sending the carriage over a cliff. It is my sad duty to tell you that nobody aboard the carriage survived".
Hildegard fainted in shock. Cleo stood there, frozen in place.
"Nobody ... survived?" Cleo asked in shock.
"Nobody" Garth sadly answered.
In the Kingdom of Corinthia, and in the Kingdom of Friezenburg, an official period of mourning began. In Corinthia, Cleo's older brother, Michael, would become King of Corinthia. In Friezenburg, since Hildegard was an only child, she would become Queen of Friezenburg.
At Friezenburg Castle, Hildegard would soon be appointed Queen. As she sat in what had been her father's office, a man stepped into the room. It was Dion, the Friezenburg Master of Coin.
"Might I have a moment of your time, Princess Hildegard?" Dion asked.
"Please, sit down, Lord Dion" Hildegard answered.
Dion closed the door to the office, and had a seat. "With you becoming Queen, there is something I would like to discuss with you".
"You may proceed" Hildegard directed.
"What I have to discuss is quite frankly a delicate matter" Dion started. "The truth of the matter is I know about you, Princess Cleo, and the romantic relationship that the two of you have. I would be willing to keep quiet about your relationship, in exchange for certain considerations".
"So, your going to blackmail me?!" Hildegard asked in disgust.
"Blackmail is such an ugly word, Princess" Dion pointed out with a wicked smile. "I prefer to think of it as an opportunity to increase my fortunes".
"As if you haven't already been skimming off the books?!" Hildegard snapped. "Don't look so surprised! I've been going over the kingdom's finances, and in doing so I've discovered a number of discrepancies going back many years. It would certainly explain how you were able to afford to buy an expensive villa in the southern part of the kingdom".
"So, you know about my activities then?" Dion pointed out. "My proposal then is simple. You keep your mouth shut, and I'll keep my mouth shut".
"And if I don't keep my mouth shut?" Hildegard challenged Dion.
"Then I'll be forced to reveal to the people your sickening relationship with Princess Cleo" Dion threatened.
As Dion was talking to Hildegard, Garth managed to sneak into the office, and slowly came up behind Dion with a sword drawn.
"How dare you threaten the Princess?!" Garth snapped at Dion.
At that point, Dion pulled out his sword, and he and Garth started sword fighting. Soon, the fight moved out into the hallway. As Dion and Garth fought down the hallway, they soon came across a long stairway. Garth managed to grab Dion, and threw Dion down the stairs. Dion landed at the bottom of the stairs, dead. In a few moments, two guards arrived on the scene.
"Explain yourself, Minister Garth!" one of the guards demanded.
"Princess Hildegard discovered that Lord Dion had been skimming off the books for years" Garth started. "When she confronted Lord Dion about it, he pulled out his sword and threatened the Princess. I was forced to defend her. A sword fight ensued. When Lord Dion and I came to the stairs, he lost his balance and fell down the stairs to his death".
At that point, Hildegard walked up.
"Is this true, my Princess?" one of the guards asked Hildegard.
"It is" Hildegard replied. "Every word. Minister Garth came to my defense, and I will be forever grateful to him. He performed a great service for the kingdom today, and he is not to be punished. He is to be honored for performing above and beyond the call of duty".
"Yes, my Princess" the other guard agreed. "Meanwhile, we'll take care of Lord Dion's body".
Hildegard and Garth walked back to the office. Once inside the office, Hildegard closed the door.
"I suppose now that you'll want to blackmail me?" Hildegard quietly asked Garth.
"No, my Princess" Garth replied.
"But you heard what Lord Dion said" Hildegard pointed out.
"Yes, I did" Garth answered. "I am much more tolerant than some others in the royal court. Please do not worry. Yours and Princess Cleo's secret is safe with me. I will never reveal it, nor will I damn the two of you. All I ask is that I be allowed to serve you as I served your father. Allow me to be your advisor ... and a confidant you may trust. I promise you my full loyalty".
"Thank you ... for everything" Hildegard said gratefully. "I will be honored to have you as my advisor, and my friend".
This story to be continued in Chapter 13.