A Magical Evening (Chapter 14)
Blossom2019 suggested that I bring Ruby and Jade back into the story. You'll find Ruby and Jade in this chapter (Ruby and Jade's positions in this chapter were inspired by "Sofia the First: The Absurd Love Triangle" by CartoonNerd12).
A few months had passed, and Garth had found a baby boy in an orphanage who fit the bill nicely. Hildegard adopted the baby boy, and named him Darren. A room in the castle had been set up as a nursery for Darren, and Hildegard and Cleo were watching Darren sleep.
"He's a little angel" Cleo smiled.
"Yes, he is" Hildegard smiled back. Hildegard then reached down and gave Darren a gentle kiss on the forehead. "Your going to make a fine king someday, my precious Darren".
Over the next few months, Hildegard started going out among her people on a regular basis. As she got to know them, she got to know their hopes, their fears, and what they wanted out of government. It was then that Hildegard started making changes to the way that the kingdom was run, giving it's citizens more of a say in how the kingdom functioned. The people of Friezenburg welcomed the changes, and in the process, Hildegard became a much beloved queen.
Not everybody was happy with Hildegard's changes. Many members of the Friezenburg royal council were part of the old guard as it were, and were use to being totally in charge. Hildegard's changes threatened them, with the people now having more say on how the government was run.
One night, Lady Ellamay was in her quarters getting ready for bed. She looked at an jade amulet that she wore around her neck. It had been passed down through her family from generation to generation. Suddenly, her amulet started to glow. Lady Ellamay was taken off guard, since the amulet had never done that before. She then looked up to see a raven sitting on her windowsill.
"Good evening, my lady" the raven spoke.
"You can ... speak?" Ellamay asked in shock.
"Your amulet is allowing you to understand me" the raven answered.
"Who are you?" Ellamay wanted to know. "And what do you want?".
"My name is Wormwood" the raven introduced himself. "Since my master is now in prison for life, I have nobody to serve. I am looking to serve you. You would find me quite useful".
"Your Cedric's raven!" Ellamay exclaimed.
"I was Cedric's raven" Wormwood corrected. "Since he is now in prison for life, I find myself without anybody to serve. I offer my services to you. I understand that you and many on the Friezenburg royal council are uncomfortable with Queen Hildegard's changes".
"Uncomfortable is an understatement" Ellamay pointed out. "We are alarmed by the Queen's changes".
"Then, I offer my services to you" Wormwood said.
"What can you offer me?" Ellamay asked.
"I can be a spy for you" Wormwood answered. "I can fly into places without being detected".
"And what do you want in return?" Ellamay asked.
"Simply to be looked after" Wormwood replied. "Provide me with food and water on a daily basis, give me a place to live, and I will be your loyal servant".
"You have a deal, Wormwood" Ellamay said with a wicked grin.
A few weeks later, in Enchancia Castle, Queen Miranda was walking down a hall when she came across Ruby and Jade. The two had been working at the castle for about seven months. Ruby was Lucinda's personal secretary, and Jade was Sofia's personal secretary.
"Ah! Ruby, Jade" Miranda smiled. "Have you seen Sofia or Lucinda?".
"Sofia went on vacation to the southern palace for a week" Jade answered.
"And Lucinda's off at a meeting of the Witches Council" Ruby answered.
"I see" Miranda acknowledged. "How are the two of you doing?".
"Quite well" Jade answered.
"Doing nicely" Ruby answered.
"If the two of you aren't doing anything, would you like to have some tea with me?" Miranda asked.
"We'd love to" Ruby smiled.
"Sounds nice" Jade added.
At that same moment, at Friezenburg Castle, the Friezenburg royal council was meeting with Hildegard and Cleo.
"This meeting is now in session" Lady Ellamay announced.
"What is this meeting about?" Hildegard asked, curious.
"This meeting is about you and Princess Cleo" Ellamay answered. "The simple fact is that we on the council now know about yours and Princess Cleo's relationship - your lesbian relationship".
Hildegard and Cleo were shocked at the revelation.
"I'll take it by the looks on your faces that your not bothering to deny it?" Ellamay asked Hildegard and Cleo.
"I could ask how you found out?" Hildegard wanted to know.
"Lets just say I have a pair of eyes that does my bidding" Ellamay answered.
"So, what now?" Cleo asked.
"As repugnant as the council finds yours and Queen Hildegard's relationship, we would be willing to keep quiet about it in exchange for a certain consideration" Ellamay responded.
"And what consideration would that be?" Hildegard asked.
"We'll keep quiet if you roll back your policy changes" Ellamay answered. "Otherwise, this council will be forced to inform the public about your unnatural relationship with Princess Cleo".
"I will not be blackmailed into rolling back policies that are in the best interests of the people!" Hildegard exclaimed. "Go ahead! Do your worst! Tell the people about Cleo and I!".
"This could have been so simple" Ellamay remarked. "But, since your being defiant, you force this council to take drastic measures. Send in Royal Sorcerer Orrin".
The Friezenburg royal sorcerer, Orrin, walked in.
"So, your involved in this too, Orrin" Hildegard observed in disgust.
"Orrin" Ellamay started. "Queen Hildegard will not see reason. It has become necessary to kill Queen Hildegard and Princess Cleo".
"Yes, Lady Ellamay" Orrin responded as he raised his wand and pointed it at Hildegard and Cleo.
To be continued in Chapter 15.