QUEEN CHRISELDA
“If the Queen says Alpha Allen was under a dark spell placed by the enemies, then that means Evolet is neither our enemy nor a traitor.”
“YES!” They all chorused in agreement, standing their ground!
Their behavior was annoying to the core. I couldn’t stand this nonsense any more.
If not for my people who’s watching, I would have done something to make these ungrateful girls pay for…
“You all are ungrateful!” Fiona busted out in rage, picking the exact same word from my mind.
“The Queen is sacrificing all her strength to keep this pack and the people safe, and just because you didn’t get the justice you wanted so badly, you have decided to make fun of her by declaring that Omega clean? NO! You will get nothing from her!”
Such power!
I made the right choice by selecting her.
She gave the girls a piece of her mind, the same way I’d have done if I wasn’t feel tied down by the people’s gaze.
“Fine then, you can believe what you want. But the truth about that traitor will not change. She is a backstabber,” Fiona stamped, glared angrily at them.
I was expecting these women to feel a bit ashamed that their plans didn’t work as they expected it to, but these girls… THESE GIRLS!!
“Oh, don’t think we are defending Evolet because of the tale of the Alpha and you being under a spell while carrying out your dirty business in secret.”
“How dare you?!” Fiona gasped, growling at the damsel who just spoke ill to her.
“We meant it with all of our heart. There’s no way Evolet would stab us all in the back out of the blue. I smell a game being played here,” The damsel said, looking straight at me!
She wasn’t the only one, but all the maidens!
“Why are you staring at me like that? Are… Are you implying that your Queen is lying?” I questioned, understanding the meaning behind their expressions.
To my surprise… “We aren’t implying but stating the truth, your majesty,” Another replied, stunning the pack members present.
They all maundered around, wondering why the girls would accuse me of such.
They have openly said what they actually believe to be the truth!
They want to ruin my image in my people’s eyes!
“This has nothing to do with the Alpha or you, Fiona. This is what we’ve all seen with our eyes while living in the mansion with the Royal family.”
“Indeed. Only those who have dwelled within that wall during our so-called Luna hunt, will understand what we’re saying.” The girls spoke with confidence, ready to blast out whatever it is they had to say about me.
Getting uncomfortable, I decided to intervene by siding with Fiona and calling them all ungrateful.
“After all the things I did for you ladies, you’ve decided to gang up against me as your way of seeking revenge?! No, I won’t stand for this. GUARDS!!” I yelled out, getting the guards around gathered at once.
“Drag them to the cell and lock them up! Once this battle is over, I’ll give them the punishment they deserve.”
“Yes, Queen Chriselda.” The guards bowed and turned to face them.
The moment the damsels saw this, one of them shouted, “This is what we’re talking about!”
“What is she saying?”
“Talking about like how?” I heard whispers from the people, spreading from one area to another.
It was at this moment I wished Thelma would appear and shun these women up with any kind of spell in her palms, but she’s busy inside her chamber with her plans against Evolet!
“You did this same thing to Evolet and Derby when they proved you wrong! This is exactly what we’re talking about!”
“I SAID TAKE THEM AWAY!” I roared, expecting a quick work from the guards.
But they were stopped by the elders, who stepped forward and ordered my men to leave the girls.
“Explain yourselves.”
“What are you doing?! Can’t you hear the nonsense they are blabbering out about me?!” I sparked out at the elders, making my anger known to them.
Still, they didn’t listen to me.
“I believe they have the right to say whatever they want, Queen Chriselda. Why are you trying to keep them shut?” One of them asked with his eyes shutting halfway.
My mouth came open a bit, but no words fell out.
That’s when Fiona stepped in to help me by speaking on my behalf. “She’s not stopping them from saying what they want to, Elders. It’s just that these girls only want to satisfy their anger by speaking ill of the Queen.”
“That’s a big lie!” A girl yelled out, opposing Fiona’s words.
“No one is speaking ill of anyone here. We’re only telling the truth.”
“Please, tell us. We are all ears,” The elders said, giving them the go ahead to speak.
My heart was pumping with heat. I didn’t know what to say except to hope for Thelma’s intervention.
She’s the only one who can save me.
“Goddess! These girls no longer see me as an idol because of my pervert son! This is all his fault!” I vented from within, playing with my fingers shakily.
“We have stayed in the mansion to understand everyone’s character, from the Royal family to we the maidens. And in those days, we got to see a different side of the Queen, which baffled us all.”
“Like on the day we all came back for the second hunt, she was so mean to Evolet because she found her unfit for her son, despite all the qualities that girl displayed, and great things she did for our pack.”
“She always looked for so many ways to find fault in Evolet, so that the poor girl can face her wrath.”
“That’s how she orchestrated a plan by claiming her pendant went missing. You need to see how she embarrassed that poor girl, calling her a thief.”
“Evolet was bold enough to stand her ground and defend herself, but the Queen was so desperate to get her punished!” One of the girls said, pointing right at me.
I gazed at them in fear, regretting all the words and actions I made in front of these animals without using my senses!
Now they are picking out all the things I have done and presenting it to the people!
What of the free food and clothes I showered them with?!
That hunt was a very big mistake.
If I had seen the future back then, I would have stayed away from my plan and found a much better solution in building Allen’s future.
I made a terrible mistake by bringing them into my home. They are nothing but monsters!
“When the truth was exposed, she refused to admit to her crime. It’s always the sorceress who’d step in and come up with an excuse to make us think she’s struggling. No! We weren’t dumb. We were taking notes!” “If Fiona was labeled the traitor, I would have believed it in a heartbeat because I have seen how cruel and mean she can be. But saying Evolet is a traitor? Then that means the Queen has cooked up a scheme to get back at that poor girl,” Another said, stirring the people’s take towards me.
I could see the changes in their gazes.
They were slowly drifting away from my side to these damsels!
“Thelma, where are you?” I groaned silently, looking for a way to reach out to her.
I didn’t even take my phone along!
Curse my luck!
Just as I was thinking of a way to reach out to my sorceress, one of the girls startled me with her own observation.
She accused me of being obsessed about my position and always comparing myself to Violet and Evolet!
But that discussion was never uttered in their presence, so how… Damn it! Did those foolish maids tell them?!
“Luna Violet and Evolet?” I heard the elders gasp before turning to face me.
I immediately avoided their eye contact and gazed at the girls, pretending to be blown by the claim that particular girl made.
“Excuse me? Me, compare myself to them? It’s fine if I idolize the late Luna, but that traitor?!” I spoke out, acting surprised.
Fiona laughed at this in mockery and asked everyone, “Can’t you see that they are making this up to satisfy their rage? Why will a great Queen who is known by all werewolves, as the strongest and our savior… compare herself to a weak Omega like Evolet? Come on, Why?!”
No one had an answer to that, not even the elders.
I was feeling proud with the question Fiona threw until… “Probably because she saw something in her that reminds her of the past,” A voice responded from the midst of the girls.
Her reply affected me in a way i didn’t expect. I found myself thinking about Violet and Evolet, seeing the traces and similarities between them.
“Who said that?!” I questioned, trying to fish out the one who made that answer.
There was a sudden movement coming from the midst of the girls. The damsels were clearing the path, almost as if they had planned and were waiting for this moment.
“It is always Evolet, Evolet… Evolet. The news of her achievement makes you angry. Even when she’s portrayed as a symbol of perfection like the late Luna, you are always annoyed,” The voice said, coming closer.
“Why the intense rage for that girl? Why are you always against her even when she did nothing to you? Her name alone takes away your sleep. Or is it because…”
Suddenly, I was left shocked when the damsels in front cleared the path, revealing this person to everyone!
“Is it because she reminds you of someone?”
“EVOLET!” Fiona and I chorused, staring at a bold Omega, who glared back at us with a smirk across her face!
“It’s Evolet!”
“She’s here? I thought they said she ran away with the enemies?”
Everyone murmured while gazing at her.
The audacity of this girl. She came back despite knowing the danger?
“Goodness, where’s Thelma?!” My body was shaking with so much desire running through my blood.
She’s here!
But she’s not alone. That Dark Blood is here with her, pretending to be a pet wolf!
This doesn’t feel right. Why are they back?
Still… “It’s the TRAITOR! Arrest her!!” I ordered my guards, so they’d take action quickly and tackle Eve down.
To my greatest surprise, the damsels stood in the way and dared them to take another step. “Then you’ll see what we can do when we’re mad,” They challenged without fear!
Their behavior baffled the people of Wolf Fall, including me.
It was as if they now had a new form of strength embodied within like… Shoot! If they are protecting Evolet, that means this girl has sweet talked them to her side!
But when?!
“Are you deaf? The Queen has ordered you to arrest this backstabber!” Fiona yelled at the guards, pointing at Evolet.
When she did that, Eve chuckled and said to me, “Now I know why you found her worthy to be your son’s bride, Christy. The attitude are so similar.”
“Christy?” My heart skipped when I heard that name.
It’s been long I heard that nickname. The only one who ever calls me that was… “Violet,” I muffled, feeling my whole body shivering.
I lifted my eyes at Evolet and saw how she stared into my gaze with a sign of delight, almost as if she saw the fear that overwhelmed me.
“No, there’s no way she knows that name by herself. Was it Cadell that told her? Yes, she must have heard it from him,” I believed, calming my racing heart.
But I was far from getting myself.
“I heard all what you and Thelma said about me to the people, Christy. How I used dark magic in tarnishing your family’s name by siding with the enemies. You labeled me a tool used to bring down the entire Werewolf packs in exchange for… for what?” Evolet questioned, lifting her brow.
With a louder voice, she threw the question to everyone, asking them, “Ask your Queen, why will I go against my kind to please the enemies? Surely you have a reason for this accusation you made against me in my absence, Christy. Why don’t you share it to everyone?”
Her words brought a sudden gush of fear into my heart. It wasn’t about the words alone but… but her voice.
It sounded nothing like Evolet’s but someone I’ve heard use that tune before.
Someone like… like Violet!
“The Queen doesn’t need to tell you when it’s clear, Eve,” Fiona spoke out in my defense, challenging Evolet.
“You have always been envious of me after you discovered how good I was for Alpha Allen. You got so jealous and decided to join hands with the enemies to take the throne from the Queen. Even the way you’re disrespecting her by calling her some pet name, shows how devious you can be!”
Cadell growled, showing his hunger to pounce on us without any warning.
“Fiona,” Eve called, directing her attention towards her.
With her brow narrowed down, she said, rubbing her chin lightly,”If I were you… I’ll stay shut. But if you still feel like running your mouth to prove something that will never end well for you… then I dare you to take that step and see what happens.”
When she made that threat, Cadell stepped forward, growling louder than before.
Fiona was ready for a fight.
“You and your dog don’t scare me one bit!” She bragged, almost stepping forward to face Eve.
“No!” Quickly, I pulled her back, stopping her from making a big mistake.
“My Queen, why did you…”
“I said No!” I shunned her loudly, leaving her astonished.
My action gave Evolet more advancement over me. She made fun of us and asked me, “Why did you stop her? Are you afraid?”
Her grin was… terrifying!
This can’t be Evolet. She behaves nothing like that Omega!
Now that she was present, the elders took the step of asking Evolet to answer their questions.
“As the elders, we are giving you the chance to tell us your side of the story, and that’s because we can’t look pass the things you’ve done for our pack, Child. We believe both sides deserves an opportunity to speak.”
“The Queen and sorceress have accused you of making use of dark spells from the enemies to spread false rumors about her home. You have been seen helping the Vampires to cause havoc on our land as well. So… what do you have to say in your defense?”
“Elders, why asking these questions?! We have told you already that…”
“Queen Chriselda!” An elderly lady raised her voice to keep me shut.
“You had your chance, now it’s Evolet’s turn. Let the girl speak!”
“But… She…” I stammered but gave in, looking for something to use against her.
“Thank you very much for that. Both sides have every right to share their tale,” Evolet said, dropping her gaze at me.
As I stared back at her, I realized something that I didn’t take note of sooner.
Her necklace! Where’s the bead around her neck?!
“She had a necklace before. Thelma said it was the tool used by Cadell to keep her… Goddess!” I panicked from within, hoping this girl hasn’t learnt how to control the powers of the spirit wolf!
“Why is Thelma taking so long? If the necklace isn’t on Evolet, doesn’t that mean she can pick her scent?”
Lost in my confusion and worries, my mind was immediately brought back to earth when Evolet said, “The videos, I took them. But there was no dark magic involved. That was the real thing.”
On hearing this, eyes began to fall back at my point again, with murmurs echoing all around me.
I felt my skin boiling with fear. I had to interrupt immediately, blocking Evolet from saying anything else that would prove my lies to everyone.
“You have admitted to your crime, so don’t try to act smart by saying you didn’t use magic, because Thelma and I found traces of Vampire scents at the crime scene.”
“Don’t make things worst for yourself Christy, because we’re getting to the most interesting part,” Evolet said, frightening me with her words.
What… what does she mean by that?