A Day with the Queens
Once every twenty-one days, the king's queens gathered at the Magic Pool for a sacred bath.
According to ancient legend, the enchanted waters were the source of the queens' everlasting beauty, vitality, and youth.
The Magic Pool lay hidden deep within the Green Room, the palace's royal garden. Concealed behind a magical entrance, it was accessible only to the king's wives. No guard, servant, or even the king himself was permitted to enter.
Today was one of those sacred days.
Elizabeth could barely contain her excitement.
It wasn't because she would see the other queens again, especially Queen Bianca, the king's first and most influential wife. In truth, Elizabeth dreaded that encounter.
No.
She was excited to see the fairies.
Fairies were ancient magical beings believed to have vanished centuries ago after the Great Wall separated the Three Realms. Few people had ever seen one since then, except in places overflowing with ancient magic, such as the Magic Pool.
"My Queen, please slow down before you trip," Kira pleaded as she hurried after Elizabeth. Even Cristal, Elizabeth's personal guard, struggled to match her pace.
"Where exactly is the Magic Pool again?" Elizabeth asked eagerly.
"It's inside the Green Room," Kira explained between breaths. "Behind the blooming peach tree is what appears to be an ordinary stone wall. But it isn't a wall… it's a magical doorway."
Elizabeth smiled.
"I'll take it from here."
She stopped at the entrance to the Green Room and turned toward Kira and Cristal.
"My Queen…" Kira called softly.
Elizabeth looked back.
"Please be careful."
The concern in her maid's voice made Elizabeth smile warmly.
"I will. Don't worry."
Reluctantly, Kira and Cristal bowed before leaving.
Even after Elizabeth disappeared into the garden, Kira couldn't shake the uneasy feeling weighing on her heart.
As she and Cristal walked toward the palace, her worried expression became increasingly obvious.
Cristal finally broke the silence.
"Are you still worried about Her Majesty?"
"You don't understand."
Kira sighed.
"I've served in this palace far longer than you. I know when something feels wrong."
Cristal frowned.
"The queen is meeting the other queens alone."
"So?"
Kira stopped walking.
"Haven't you heard the rumors?"
Cristal shook his head.
"Queen Bianca deliberately refused to welcome Queen Elizabeth when she first arrived. Today they'll finally meet… without maids or guards present."
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"What if something happens?"
Cristal smiled reassuringly.
"You're worrying too much."
Seeing her trembling, he instinctively placed a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"Queen Elizabeth can take care of herself."
For a brief moment, Kira froze.
The unexpected warmth of Cristal's embrace made her heartbeat quicken.
Before she understood what she was feeling, she quickly stepped away.
Cristal blinked.
"What happened?"
"N-Nothing."
Avoiding his eyes, Kira hurried away before he noticed the blush spreading across her cheeks.
Cristal watched her leave, completely bewildered.
Did I say something wrong?
Meanwhile…
Elizabeth wandered deeper into the Green Room, searching for the blooming peach tree.
The royal garden was far larger than she had imagined.
Several minutes later, she finally spotted it standing proudly at the far end of the garden.
Behind it stood an ordinary stone wall.
Elizabeth approached cautiously.
"There isn't even a door…" She searched for a handle, a keyhole, or anything that might reveal an entrance.
Nothing.
Curious, she reached out and placed a hand against the wall.
To her surprise…
Her hand passed straight through it.
Elizabeth gasped.
"So it's an illusion…" She lifted her other hand to test it. Before she could react—
Someone grabbed her wrist and pulled her through.
"Huh?!"
Elizabeth squeezed her eyes shut. When she opened them again, she found herself standing inside another garden.
It was far more beautiful than the one outside.
Crystal-clear water shimmered beneath the sunlight, while countless glowing flowers surrounded a magnificent pool.
Queen Anna, Queen Luna, and Queen Jasmine were already waiting.
"There you are," Anna laughed.
"We were beginning to think you weren't coming."
"We've been waiting forever," Luna teased.
Jasmine smiled mischievously.
"I decided to help."
Elizabeth looked at her in surprise.
"So… you were the one who pulled me inside?"
Jasmine nodded proudly.
"I couldn't let our newest sister get lost."
All four queens wore simple white robes made of soft cotton, tied loosely around their waists.
"Come on," Jasmine said, taking Elizabeth's hand.
"The water is wonderful."
Without waiting for an answer, she led Elizabeth toward the pool.
The moment Elizabeth stepped into the water, she gasped.
"It's freezing!"
Anna laughed.
"Allow me."
She gently placed her fingers on the water's surface and whispered a short incantation.
Golden ripples spread across the pool.
Within seconds, the icy water became pleasantly warm.
Elizabeth's eyes widened.
"You warmed the entire pool?"
Anna giggled.
"It's one of my favorite spells."
Elizabeth smiled in amazement.
"So that's your magic…"
The four queens laughed together as they settled into the enchanted water.
Then—
A soft chuckle echoed across the garden.
"My, my…"
The voice was elegant… yet filled with contempt.
"So you're Elizabeth."
The laughter grew colder.
"The king's newest toy."
Elizabeth turned immediately toward the voice.
Standing beneath the shade of a flowering tree was a woman whose beauty was almost overwhelming.
She wore a deep crimson robe embroidered with silver thread, and a jeweled crown rested upon her long black hair.
Her sharp violet eyes looked down on Elizabeth with open disdain.
Elizabeth didn't need an introduction.
There was only one woman in the palace who carried such an overwhelming presence.
Queen Bianca.