Fumes of the suppressed

The Mother Queen's eyes widened upon hearing the news. Even though this was something that would have happened eventually, she hadn't expected the news to be dropped on them this suddenly. She turned to look at Dante, who stood beside her with a shocked expression on his face. 

"Dante?" 

"I will be leaving for the old palace," Dante turned in the direction of where Oasis was tethered so that he could reach the place quickly. 

The old woman pressed her lips together before she demanded,

"Are you absolutely certain this news is accurate?! How is it possible we did not hear a word or murmur about it?" 

The servant continued to bow, his words faltering as he stammered, "The news about Lady Lucretia's deteriorating health was dispatched yesterday, but Lady Sophia received no response and sent me to relay it today."

"Yesterday?" The Mother Queen exclaimed, baffled. "When did Lucretia pass away?"