Chapter 64 - FAMILY REGISTRY
The knight rushed off after the king, his armor clanking as he hurried to keep up. Kyle's eyes swept over the room, taking in every detail before landing on Daleyza.
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Daleyza stood rigid, her earlier composure completely shattered. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, knuckles white with tension. "THAT WENCH!" she exclaimed, bringing her thumb to her mouth and biting down on the nail. Her eyes, filled with unbridled fury, remained fixed on the door through which Hades had departed.
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Kyle looked over Daleyza with an air of superiority, though she remained oblivious to his gaze. As he turned to leave, Daleyza's voice rang out once more, filled with venom and determination. "IF I DON'T REMOVE HER FROM THE FAMILY REGISTRY, MY NAME WILL NO LONGER BE DALEYZA."
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A smirk played across Kyle's lips as he silently exited the room, leaving Daleyza to her rage and the trembling maids to their fear.
-The Next day, Royal Hereditary Examination Chamber in The Shrine of the Hidden Springs Temple; 7.23am-
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The ancient chamber of the Shrine of the Hidden Springs Temple buzzed with anticipation as nobles, servants, clergy, and knights filled every available space. Sunlight filtered through stained glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the polished marble floor. At the center stood King Hades, his regal bearing a stark contrast to the nervous energy permeating the room.
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"Today," he began, his voice resonating through the hall, "we embark on a journey of truth and transparency. All royal offspring shall undergo rigorous testing to confirm their lineage, ensuring the integrity and continuity of our royal house."
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The assembled crowd murmured, a mix of excitement and apprehension rippling through the gathering. The royal children were brought forth in groups, their young faces a mixture of confusion and nervousness.
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High Priest Aldric, a wizened man with a long white beard, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, we are prepared to begin the examination. Each child will undergo three tests: the Test of Blood, the Test of Spirit, and the Test of Essence."
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King Hades nodded solemnly. "Proceed."
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The Test of Blood began first. Court physicians, dressed in pristine white robes, approached each child with ornate golden needles. A hush fell over the crowd as the first drop of royal blood was drawn from Prince Fenris. The crimson liquid was carefully placed onto a crystal plate, where it swirled and danced of its own accord.
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Whispers erupted among the nobles.
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"Did you see that? The blood moved!"
"I heard it forms the shape of the royal crest for true-born heirs."
"Nonsense, it's the color that matters. Royal blood shimmers like rubies in sunlight."
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As each child underwent the blood test, the chamber filled with gasps and murmurs. The physicians worked methodically, their faces impassive as they collected and analyzed each sample.
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Next came the Test of Spirit. Clergy members in flowing silver robes formed a circle around the children. They began to chant in an ancient tongue, their voices rising and falling in haunting harmony. The air in the chamber grew thick with incense and an otherworldly energy that made the hairs on everyone's necks stand on end.
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One by one, each child stepped into the center of the circle. A soft glow emanated from within them, pulsing in rhythm with the chants. The colors varied - some shone with a golden light, others with a deep blue or vibrant green.
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"The colors represent different aspects of their royal lineage," an elderly noblewoman explained to her wide-eyed granddaughter. "Gold for leadership, blue for wisdom, green for prosperity."
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The Test of Essence was the final and most mysterious part of the examination. High Priest Aldric produced a small vial filled with a swirling, opalescent liquid. "This," he announced, "is the distilled essence of our kingdom's founding monarchs. It will recognize its own."
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A single drop was placed on each child's forehead. The crowd held its breath, waiting. Slowly, the liquid began to glow, growing brighter and brighter until it was almost blinding. Then, in a flash, it absorbed into the skin, leaving behind a faint, shimmering mark in the shape of a crown.
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Hours passed as each child underwent the tests. The chamber grew stuffy with the press of bodies and the weight of anticipation. Nobles fanned themselves with ornate fans, while servants discreetly wiped sweat from their brows. Theories and speculations flew wildly among the onlookers.
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As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the chamber floor, High Priest Aldric approached King Hades with a scroll. The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on the pair.
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King Hades unrolled the scroll, his eyes scanning its contents. His expression remained unreadable as he looked up to address the crowd.
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"My loyal subjects," he began, his voice steady and clear. "We have undertaken this unprecedented examination to put to rest any doubts about the legitimacy of our royal line. I am pleased to announce that all children tested today have been confirmed as true heirs of their respective bloodlines."
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A collective gasp of relief echoed through the chamber, followed by excited chatter and applause.
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"Each child has demonstrated the unique markers of their royal heritage," King Hades continued. "Their blood sang with the song of our ancestors, their spirits shone with the light of true nobility, and their essence was recognized by that of our kingdom's founders."
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The tension that had gripped the room for hours finally dissipated, replaced by a sense of joy and celebration. Nobles congratulated each other, servants shared relieved smiles, and the children, exhausted but happy, were embraced by their proud parents.
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As the gathering began to disperse, the air was filled with excited discussions about the future of the kingdom, now secure in the knowledge of its unbroken royal lineage. The Shrine of the Hidden Springs Temple, which had stood witness to this historic event, seemed to glow with an inner light, as if the very stones were pleased with the outcome.
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King Hades watched the scene with a mixture of relief and pride. The day's events had not only confirmed the legitimacy of the royal children but had also strengthened the faith of the kingdom in its ruling family. As he prepared to leave the chamber, he couldn't help but feel that a new era of stability and prosperity lay ahead for their realm.
-Helia Palace; King's Study; same day, around the time Cillian and Luxana were bickering-
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"YOUR MAJESTY!" exclaimed Sir Eldridge, the royal messenger, bursting through the heavy oak doors of King Hades' study. His face was flushed, and he was panting heavily, having clearly run the entire length of the palace to deliver his urgent news.
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King Hades looked up from the stack of parchments on his desk, his brow furrowing at the interruption. "What is the meaning of this, Sir Eldridge? Speak quickly."
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Sir Eldridge took a deep breath, his voice trembling as he delivered the grim news. "Your Majesty, I bring terrible tidings. Lady Vespera Thornfield's carriage... there's been a dreadful accident on the road to the Hunting Festival."
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The King's face paled, his quill slipping from his fingers and leaving an unsightly blot on the document before him. "An accident? What of Lady Vespera? And Prince Rowan?"
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"My liege, Lady Vespera... she did not survive the crash. Her body was found among the wreckage." Sir Eldridge's voice cracked as he continued, "But Prince Rowan, Your Majesty... the boy is missing."
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King Hades stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the stone floor. "Missing? How can a child simply vanish from a crash site?"
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"We don't know, Sire. The royal guards have scoured the area, but there's no trace of the young prince. It's as if he's disappeared into thin air."
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The King's face contorted with a mix of grief and fury. "Assemble a search party immediately. I want every available guard, knight, and able-bodied servant combing the countryside. Prince Rowan must be found!"
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"Yes, Your Majesty," Sir Eldridge bowed deeply. "Shall I inform the other members of the royal family?"
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King Hades paused, his mind racing. "No, not yet. I'll handle that personally. For now, focus all efforts on finding Prince Rowan. And Sir Eldridge?"
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"Yes, Sire?"
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"Ensure this news does not spread beyond those directly involved in the search. The last thing we need is panic or, worse, opportunists taking advantage of this tragedy."
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As Sir Eldridge hurried out to carry out his orders, King Hades sank back into his chair, the weight of his crown suddenly feeling unbearably heavy. He stared at the portrait of Lady Vespera and Prince Rowan hanging on the wall, their smiling faces now a painful reminder of what he had lost and what he desperately needed to find.
-A few minutes later; Helia Palace; Corridor-
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"How slow," Kyle exclaimed, his voice dripping with disdain as he walked past Sir Eldridge in the corridor. His eyes flickered towards the knight, a hint of superiority in his gaze.
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Sir Eldridge paused, turning to face Kyle. "Excuse me?" he asked, his tone neutral but with a hint of annoyance.
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Kyle stopped mid-stride and turned back to him. "I said how slow," he repeated, his smile cold and calculated. "News travels at a snail's pace around here."
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Sir Eldridge's expression hardened slightly. "If you're referring to the recent tragedy involving Lady Vespera and Prince Rowan, I assure you that every effort is being made to handle the situation swiftly."
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Kyle chuckled softly. "Effort? Ah yes, effort is what they call it when incompetence masquerades as diligence."
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Eldridge took a step closer to Kyle, his voice dropping low but firm. "I suggest you choose your words more carefully around here."
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Kyle raised an eyebrow but didn't back down. Instead, he leaned in slightly closer to Sir Eldridge before speaking again:
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"Or perhaps it would be wiser for some people not to get so defensive about their failures?"
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With that parting shot delivered with precision and venom, Kyle turned on his heel and continued down the corridor without another word.
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Sir Eldridge watched him go for a moment before shaking his head silently and continuing on his way.
-Konira Palace; Around the time Luxana pinned Cillian onto the ground-
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The opulent tea room of Konira Palace buzzed with renewed excitement as the nobles digested Lady Furia's shocking announcement. However, as the initial surprise wore off, skepticism began to creep into their conversations.
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"Lady Furia," one noble began, her brow furrowed in confusion, "I don't mean to question your sources, but wasn't Princess Luxana supposed to attend the royal lineage test recently? I heard she never showed up."
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A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd. Another guest chimed in, "Yes, and if she's truly engaged, why hasn't there been an official announcement from the palace?"
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Lady Furia's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "Well, my dears, perhaps the engagement is still being kept under wraps for political reasons."
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"But surely a princess of her age should be married by now," an elderly noblewoman huffed. "It's highly irregular for her to remain unwed, especially with her newfound power."
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"I agree," another noble nodded vigorously. "The Dragon Flame heir should be securing alliances through marriage. It's her duty to the kingdom!"
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The room filled with a chorus of concerned voices, each noble offering their own opinion on the matter.
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"What if she's refusing to marry?" someone suggested in a hushed tone.
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"Or perhaps no suitable matches have been found," another countered.
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Lady Furia, sensing the shift in mood, attempted to regain control of the conversation. "Now, now, let's not jump to conclusions. I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for everything."
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But the nobles were not so easily placated. One particularly bold guest addressed Lady Furia directly, "With all due respect, my lady, your information seems... inconsistent. First, an engagement, and now we learn the princess hasn't even completed the lineage test? What exactly is going on in the royal family?"
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The room fell silent, all eyes on Lady Furia as they awaited her response. The atmosphere crackled with tension, the earlier excitement replaced by a mix of suspicion and concern.
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Lady Furia's smile became strained as she realized her usual gossip had backfired, leaving her in a precarious position. The nobles' worried whispers filled the air, their questions about Princess Luxana's status and the stability of the royal family growing louder by the moment.
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"I've heard whispers," one noble leaned in conspiratorially, "that Princess Luxana might have a secret lover. Has anyone else caught wind of this?"
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The room erupted in excited murmurs as the nobles exchanged glances, each eager to contribute to this juicy piece of gossip.
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"A secret lover? How thrilling!" exclaimed another, eyes wide with intrigue. "But who could it be?"
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"Speaking of scandals," a third noble interjected, "do you all remember the incident during His Majesty's birthday banquet? I heard that Princess Luxana was kidnapped by a charming prince who had invaded the celebration!"
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Gasps of shock and disbelief echoed through the room. Lady Furia, sensing the opportunity to regain control of the conversation, cleared her throat.
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"Indeed, my dears. The princess's life seems to be full of excitement and mystery. But let us not forget that these are mere rumors and speculation. We must be careful not to spread unsubstantiated gossip about our beloved royal family."
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As the nobles continued to speculate about Princess Luxana's supposed secret lover and dramatic kidnapping, a bold voice cut through the chatter, silencing the room.
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"What in blazes are you all prattling on about?" Lady Amelia Blackthorn exclaimed, her piercing gaze sweeping across the gathered nobles. "Princess Luxana was removed from the Royal Family Registry. She's no longer part of the Royal Household!"
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The tea room fell into a stunned silence, all eyes turning to Lady Furia, whose face had drained of color. Her teacup clattered against its saucer as her hands began to tremble.
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"I...what?" Lady Furia stammered, her usual composure crumbling before their eyes. She blinked rapidly, as if trying to process this shocking revelation. "But... how... when?"
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The nobles exchanged worried glances, their earlier excitement replaced by confusion and concern. Lady Furia's reaction only served to fuel their anxiety, as they realized that even their usually well-informed hostess was caught off guard by this news.
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"Lady Furia," one of the guests ventured cautiously, "did you not know about this?"
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Lady Furia's mouth opened and closed wordlessly, her face a mask of shock and disbelief. It was clear that this information had blindsided her, shattering her carefully cultivated image of being always in the know.
To be Continued...
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