***

The entire court officials had convened at the palace. They had been banned by the king from coming in for regular court except when invited, for a while now. That meant a lot of issues had to be decided on and resolved today. The king sat in a sickly yet bored manner. He seemed to sigh every time something was brought up.

“Anything else to report?” the king said tiredly, as though he could not wait for them to leave. Seeing this, no one dared to talk. They thought it best to come back instead of angering him. That was when the minister for finance rose. He bowed to the king and let loose a worried expression.

“There is still something I need to report, my king. I wish you grant me permission to do so,” the elderly man said.

“Go ahead,” the king sighed in a frustrated manner; yet unknown to all, he was excited for this part. This was the part he had been waiting for since his son was born.

The minister immediately went on his knees before his peers causing some people to stiffen. Something is wrong here.

“My king, I deserve to be punished! I have sinned greatly!” the minister said.

“What have you done?” the king asked with a frown.

“Royal money has been misplaced and it was passed through my office to do so, I have failed, my king. I only discovered this recently,” the minister said sorrowfully.

“What? What are you talking about?” the king asked sitting up. Everyone in the room seemed to feel the temperature drop drastically. This was bad.

“Money from the royal treasury was stolen and some of the subordinates from my ministry had a hand in aiding this. I only just stumbled upon the evidence. Your Majesty, I am faithful, but I have failed you! Please hand out punishment!” the minister said.

“Who? You would not come so clean in hope of clearing your mistake if you did not have a name. Who?” the king raged!

“The...Her Majesty, Queen Lilith,” the minister said with caution. The room fell into deep silence. Before the king could react, an official stood in outrage.

“Watch your tongue, Official Yrum. How can you.....” before the Official could finish, the king exploded.

“Shut up! Did this king ask you to speak for him?” the official shrunk back at the king's anger. Many could tell he was really angry.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty,” he begged.

“Official Yrum! Do you know the punishment for defaming one from the royal family? Think well before you speak again,” the king's voice lowered dangerously.

“I know, Your Majesty. But this is too troublesome for me to keep quiet. The amount of gold taken is enough to buy a third-rate kingdom! I come to present evidence before you. Please, Your Majesty, allow me to present it!” the minister kowtowed, his head kissing the marble floors. He took out a scroll and showed it to the crowd.

Immediately, a division took place in the hall. Many decided that if the evidence was strong enough, they would abandon the queen immediately. The

other half had sneered instead. They had not forgotten the queen's background. So what if she stole some money? This was not enough to bring her down.

“Bring it,” the king said and everyone tensed. This was not the meeting they expected to have this morning. One of the officials signalled a royal guard loyal to him, to sneak out and inform the queen. If this was a plot to bring her down, she would be the only one to help herself out.

A maid rushed towards the queen's palace but was stopped by guards.

“I am the queen's personal maid; you must at me pass!” she insisted. She was still far from the queen's palace and she was scared of the increased guards on her way. She had been informed by Official Ghuil's man of what was happening in the throne room. She rushed all the way only to be blocked.

“No one is allowed through to the queen's palace,” the guard said. She froze; she knew something was wrong with this situation. Serving the queen as a personal maid, meant she was well educated; so, she walked away. But, her determination had not lessened. She changed direction towards the prince's palace; she was luckily not stopped.

She soon requested an audience and was granted. She walked in and did a full bow before the prince.

“Speak! You said mother was in danger. What is happening?” the prince asked.

“Your Highness, I was told by Official Ghuil's man that the minister of finance is presenting evidence before His Majesty against Her Majesty. He says I must get to her; but, guards have blocked the way. No one is allowed into her palace,” she explained with her head down.

“What?” Prince Thelmus stood abruptly. He understood what was going on; some faction wishes to get rid of his mother. They wanted to make sure that she does not get there to defend herself. Of all the people he wondered could have done this, his father; the king never crossed his mind.

He must not appear before the court; it will seem suspicious, he thought. If this situation was unmanageable, it would not do him good to try and stop

this proceeding. After all twenty years since his birth, his father was still to name him crown prince. He could not be rash. Still, his mother was his only supporter. He needed her in her position. This was also an attack aimed at him.

“Go and announce to the court that I have collapsed and am not breathing. Request for my royal father to come see me,” he instructed her and she left in haste.

On the other side of the palace, Lady Raine stood. She was grandly dressed and sitting in the king's study when a shadow suddenly appeared before her. She looked at her maid; Ria, garbed in black.

“My lady, the prince was informed by a maid about the proceedings. The prince instructed her to tell His Majesty that he is not breathing and His Majesty should visit,” Ria said and her lady laughed.

“Brilliant,” she said.

“I already had her stopped. She is now unconscious. If you had not ordered we spill no blood, she would have already been pouring ciere for her ancestors,”