章節 24: Corpses [Part 3]

"Imperial Grandmother!"

Rosella came running towards an older lady with white hair covering her head. Above her head a small crown. The lady was walking out the back door of the Throne Hall.

Rosana Cullen, Rosana Milestone, is her maiden name. She is the Old Queen Mother. She gave birth to Joseph Cullen when she was 20 years old. And her second child when she turned 30 years old. Currently, she's 69 years old.

The difference in age between the brothers is high because the deceased Cullen King was a candy lover, and had many mistresses and several illegitimate children, not giving Rosana much time. Nonetheless, only Joseph and his younger brother were born to the Oldest Queen Mother, Rosana.

When her husband, the Old Cullen King, died, Joseph Cullen has only was 20 years old. And she became his backer. And because the sudden death was unknown, the fight for the throne was heavy. Everyone suspected each other, and a war between them broke out.

Rossana had been behind his son's back, teaching him and making him grow stronger.

Because the laws in the Cullen Kingdom did not allow an illegitimate child to inherit the throne, it was a fruitless fight for them. And many of them did not have the ability to cast magic.

No one remembers what really happened back then when King Joseph took the crown as the only legitimate heir to the throne.

Now, King Joseph is 49 years old, and he still lets his mother sitting beside him in every event the Royalties reunite, or the Kingdom needs the King's audience.

…

"Oh, my dear. You are here! Be careful, don't run!" Reprimanded the Oldest Queen Mother Rosana.

"Sorry Grandma, I saw no one was around and forgot~" Rosella stuck out her mouth looking cute at the Oldest Queen Mother Rosana's eyes.

"Alas, you missed the drama inside the Throne Hall." Sighed in regret the old lady.

Rosella always knew that her grandmother was a bit weird.

She had always treated Rosella with care and love, but she was indifferent to others.

Rosella sometimes thought her care was fake, but her radiant smile made her regret her thoughts.

Dismissing her own thoughts, her grandmother is ecstatic. Her eccentricity made Rosella feel different.

A chill went down Rosella's spine. And could only light up a candle for the one who made her angry.

"By the way, how's the investigation ongoing?" The Oldest Queen Mother Rosana changed the topic.

"Oh, well… I discovered that the servant on her brother's side was possible having an affair with her." Answered Rosella.

"Oh? Interesting. And she called herself Prince Julian's fiancée?" The oldest Queen Mother Rosana raised her eyebrow.

Her playful smile made Rosella feel something different in her grandmother.

"And here I thought, Prince Julian, making a good grandson-in-law with this old queen…" muttered Rosana.

Rosella did not know whenever to laugh or cry.

Looking at her surroundings, as if she will do something in secret, "Granny, don't joke with me. Imperial Father will not acknowledge a non-caster for my marriage partner. He already has a plan, so we can't meddle with my lifelong affairs." Rosella sighed with regret.

"Oh, look at me. I forgot… Yes, our cherished one can't marry a weak human being." The oldest Queen Mother Rosana hit softly, her head playfully.

Rosella shakes her head at the sight of her action.

"Well, continue to investigate. These people need to be taught a lesson for their rude behavior. If it wasn't for Prince Julian's sudden arrival, they would've been sent to the dungeons together."

Rosella felt that her grandmother is ruthless. But what she did not know is that… for the Oldest Queen Mother Rosana to reach where she is, and to let King Joseph sit on the throne today, she does make choices.

She had to be ruthless enough to take a life with her own hands, hard-hearted to send a small child to his death.

Late at night, Rosella did not know if her feelings were playing with her because the investigation did not have any leads or evidence of the murder. She felt her chest stuffy; she did not know what is the uncomfortable feeling she had was. But remembering her dream from last night, she thought that maybe… maybe she will have another dream.

She just hopes that… this dream will be better.

.****.

"Hurry run" gasped a voice trying to get some air

"You go first, I'll distract them" another voice was gasping but not like the first voice.

"NO! It was my fault that we failed. You go!" the first voice.

"I'm faster than you. Let me lead them to another place. Later we can reunite in a safe place." the second voice.

"Bu… but… no, I can't let you go alone," the first voice shook his head.

"LISTEN TO MY ORDERS FOR ONCE!" impatience and anger aroused in the second voice.

The first voice a young boy cowered in fear, facing the second voice a young lady.

"Catch them." Ordered an unkempt man that was leading to pursue.

The knights speeded their steps and tried to take them down, but the lady was a knight too. How can they catch her so easily? But what she did not expect was that some of them have a sorcerer's wooden staff.

She was the worst at handling casters with a wooden staff.

The youngster got scared, and his body froze for a second. And then the lady, who is responsible to his life, can't leave him behind.

The lady approached the youngster from behind and took down one of the non-caster knights, taking down his sword. The knights chocked face at her swiftness, handling one knight on her own and the unkempt man to take advantage of the commotion that she created for a way out to get rid of the youngster.

But the lady discovered his actions and saw an opportunity. She had low magic, and her tiredness made it almost impossible for her to cast something.

"They're this way. Come on, catch them!" the leader knight said as he keeps running.

When she saw that they almost reached her, she changed directions with the youngster.

The unkempt man continues chasing after her, and many others chased after the youngster.