(LOCKE)
The first report about the surge of monster attacks on the villages near the Veil lands on my desk two days later. I dispatch a squadron of my soldiers to assist the two units that are already stationed around the Veil.
The second report arrives three days later.
Derrick paces in front of me as I read the hastily written report. "We had it under control. I think we will have to go ourselves, Locke."
I frown. "This isn't a typical time of the year for attacks to increase. It's still winter. Considering the extreme temperatures around the Veil, the monsters should be in hibernation. Why are they getting worked up?"
Edgar shoots me a sharp look. "You think somebody crossed the Veil?"
"It could be a reason why they've ventured out of hiding," I muse, my brows knitted together. When the Veil is crossed, it draws out the monsters that are affected. That's why the North Kingdom is in charge of monitoring who crosses the Veil and when.
"But nobody saw any movement within it," Rothan points out.
"The Veil is vast and covers a large amount of territory. Part of it is in the Misty Forest. Even our kind doesn't venture in there," I say thoughtfully. "We have no one guarding the Veil in that area."
"But that's because nobody has ever been able to exit the Misty Forest," Edgar responds.
"What about the rebels in the Eastern Kingdom?" Derrick stops pacing and turns to face me, and I set down the report in my hand.
We share a quiet look. There's not much information about the individuals who murdered our families. Now that we have seized some control over the East, we have begun our preliminary investigations into the assassinations.
The previous king, Ravenna's father, refused to look into the matter. After nearly two decades now, it's hard to find much information.
About half a century ago, various factions rose within the North and East Kingdoms, attempting to overthrow the monarchies.
The people had initially sided with them till they realized how important the existence of the royal families is. Royal bloodlines are stronger than any other, which means we are able to control and manage the ruthlessness within the wolf packs. When the monarchy was on the verge of being displaced, the other wolf packs realized that they were being used, and they turned on the rebels. While the North was able to squash the rebellion entirely, the East was not so fortunate.
They were unsuccessful in completely wiping out the rebels, and they refused to accept help from the North. As a result, a few factions still exist in the East. It was one of those rebel groups that attacked my mother and father.
My parents' bodies were discovered two months after their kidnapping. "Mutilated" is a kind word to use to describe the state they were in.
I know my parents were horribly tortured for those two months, and that fact continues to eat at me to this day. They were the strongest people I knew, warriors of incredible strength. I still don't understand how they could have been captured.
Lately, there has been extra activity within the Veil, which leads me to consider Derrick's theory. What if the rebels have managed to enter the North and are using the Misty Forest to access the Veil and go to the human side? There will be fewer checks and balances on them within that world. If this is what is happening, we will have to increase security around the Misty Forest.
I get to my feet. "Derrick, you take your squadron and head to the Veil by the Misty Forest. If there has been no change, send word, and I'll come to deal with this myself."
My friend nods, but as everyone else piles out of the room, he lingers behind.
"What is it?" I ask him, seeing the troubled look in his eyes. "Bella."
I sigh in irritation. "Not this again. I'm not reinstating her, Derrick. Your feelings for her aside, what she did—"
"I understand that." Derrick gestures with his hands in a pacifying manner. "She crossed the line. I'll be the first to acknowledge it."
"Did she send you here to talk to me?" I demand, and he shakes his head.
"You know she has too much pride to do that. But she's been upset, Locke, and rightfully so. You know how loyal she is to you. I don't think it's fair to punish her like this. At least don't humiliate her. Everyone, even the noble families, knows that you removed her from her position and took away all her privileges because of the queen. She has been a good friend to you. She managed the castle when you were not here. You trust her. So she's arrogant. We all know that. She knows she messed up."
"She still doesn't accept Corrine as queen," I say darkly.
"Can you blame her?" Derrick argues. "Consider the family she's from. They are some of the most extreme supporters of maintaining pure blood within the royal line."
I consider his words. The Ashers were one of the two noble families that fought alongside the royal family during the attack of the rebels. They were determined to preserve the royal bloodline and are some of the most loyal members of the kingdom.
"I'll talk to her," I finally relent. "But Corrine is the queen. If Bella refuses to acknowledge her, it is going to cause issues among the elders. I cannot have that."
"I know. I've had a discussion with her. She's going to try to overlook her bias. Even she can't deny how much work Corrine is putting into the kingdom. Just talk to her, please. I've never seen her this upset."
He leaves after saying that, and I ponder his words. Even as a child, Bella was proud to a fault. She was never one to admit her mistakes and always wanted everybody else around her to placate her. We all grew out of doing that except for Derrick, mostly because of how infatuated he has been with her.
I don't want to talk to Bella. We're not kids anymore, and this sort of behavior has no place in the castle, given our statuses. However, I can't deny Derrick's words. She has been very loyal to me.
I get to my feet. I'll give her one last chance.
Finding Bella isn't hard because she's always cooped up in her office. When I enter the room, she's sitting hunched in her armchair, a book in her hands and a scowl on her face. Her hair looks disheveled, as if she hasn't combed it for a few days. There's also a certain smell in the room that has me reluctant to go inside any further than I have to.
"When was the last time you cleaned this place?"
She looks up from her book, and I see the surprise in her eyes. "Locke."
She gets to her feet as I say, "I'm here because of Derrick." I tell her this to make sure I prevent any ideas in her head that she has gotten her way. "He pointed out that you have been loyal to me for a long time."
"Some reward I get for that loyalty." She crosses her arms over her chest.
"Don't even try it, Bella," I say harshly. "We aren't children. Throwing a temper tantrum is not going to work in your favor."
Her face flushes with anger, but she falls silent.
"I'm not going to reinstate you," I inform her. "Understand that much. You clearly don't respect Corrine, and I can't have anybody picking up on that. If the elders realize that I'm letting one of my most trusted people mistreat the queen, it will cause a problem for me."
"It was just a prank!"
I give her a long look. "It was not a prank. We both know that you intended to humiliate her, and you succeeded to quite an extent. What would've happened if I had not stepped in? How much further would you have gone to harass her? You let the maids mock her. She trusts no one in the castle because of your stunt. Even when the staff wants to cater to her, she declines. How am I supposed to handle that? She is the queen, a queen who doesn't trust the people around her."
"She's not of pure blood—"
"That doesn't matter!" I roar. "The real Princess Ravenna is dead. The whole purpose of marrying Corrine was so that we could control the East. Princess Ravenna was a symbol of the Eastern Kingdom. As long as they think she's in the North, they will not retaliate against us. This is our only chance to crush the remaining rebel factions. Your pride is destroying our chances. That is why I do not want you in that position anymore."
She snaps her mouth shut. "Fine. But if I'm not the royal advisor, then what am I?"
"I will be putting you in a new position. I might be leaving for the border soon, and you will be my delegate. You will not be able to interfere in the queen's matters, but you will deal with the elders in my absence. Corrine is going to be managing the castle and doing her normal duties. You will be handling my commands from the border. I will explain it to her before I leave."
"What about Rothan?"
Rothan is usually the one I leave behind in the position of delegate. "He'll continue serving as royal advisor to Corrine."
"When did you stop calling her Ravenna?" Bella asks after a beat.
I pause, suddenly realizing what I have been doing. If anyone were to overhear me—
"Don't worry about that. Do you understand your new role?" A smile stretches across Bella's lips before I give her a stern warning. "None of your decisions will impact Corrine. You are only to coordinate with the elders and me. If I find out that you are trying to interfere in the queen's matters, I will remove you from the castle permanently. That will be the end of our friendship."
She nods, solemn now. "I understand."
I hope she does, I muse to myself as I exit her office. But just in case, I plan to have Rothan keep an eye on her.
Because my trust has already been broken once. And Bella isn't one to give up easily.