Back in his study, Lucas leaned against the cold marble window frame when his personal guard, Thomas Fletcher, entered.
"Your Majesty," Thomas said, holding a scroll.
"This was found in the Queen's room. It bears the name Jurua… written in blood."
Lucas's jaw tighteneded.
He stared at the blood-stained scroll. The word Jurua is scrawled across it in a trembling hand—blood-red.
"It is similar with the ones found on the other Queens and has the same handwriting." Thomas informs him.
"It is the same culprit." Lucas noted and Thomas nodded in agreement.
"Someone is really trying to cause an uproar with the issue of the Queen's death."
Lucas narrowed his eyes, furious and restless.
The last two Queens were also murdered in cold blood like Henrietta and it was rage filled. If he didn't know better, he would truly believe it's really the curse of the priest from eight years ago.
But one thing is clear, and that is, whoever is responsible lives in his palace or knows his way quite well and wants to cause an uproar with the issue of the dragon curse.
"Your Majesty, I would begin investigation with everyone that attended the banquet." Thomas said, but Lucas stopped him.
Everyone already believes it's the curse and many are living in fear. Investigating would only make things worse.
"Rather than that," Lucas replied,
"Investigate those in the palace first, including all the maids and servants." he instructed and Thomas bowed and turned to leave immediately.
"Do it quietly." Lucas added before he exit the room.
Alone, Lucas leaned back in his chair, eyes locked on the scroll. His face unreadable.
He tapped the table, mind reeling and pondered on who dared to continue to use the dragon's name to stir up trouble.
If the Queens are the only ones dying then it would make sense, but the families of the Queens get into one mishap or the other before or after getting crowned.
He suspected nothing when the issue of Queen Helen happened, and there were no rumors but after the second Queen died, rumors starts speculating and the issue with Henrietta's family before she could enter the palace makes it even more suspicious.
The decree concerning his marriage was made by his late father long before he died and only four families were included in the list. All of them are families with no political influence in the court and retired noblemen.
Henrietta's family had been soldiers, wiped out by bandits days after her coronation. The previous Queen hailed from a family of horse traders. The first was the granddaughter of an ex-general. The family is known to have the best weapons.
After the three of them, there is only one family left, the Markham.
"Someone there!"
Lucas called and Robert, the commander of the armies, rushed in and bowed in front of him.
"Before the Queen is buried tonight, have the physician check to see if there is anything else aside the wound from the blade." he said flatly.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Robert said and left immediately.
As the door shut behind him, Lucas folds his hands and exhaled. The fire in his eyes burned hotter than ever.
~
Markham's manor.
The Markham mansion stood like a monument carved from wealth and history. Towering archways crowned with phoenix filigree frame windows draped in velvet the color of crushed rubies. White marble lions guard the staircases at the entrance, and ivy snakes up pillars that line the expansive estate. The air smells of roses and ancient coins.
The walls are etched with phoenix-leaf murals telling tales of valor and wealth, and chandeliers hang like frozen galaxies from every ceiling. The Markhams are not just noble, they are untouchable, the richest family in Eldrid.
One can say they are the Kingdom's royalty in all but name.
In the eastern wing of the mansion, Emilia Markham stirred from her slumber. Sunlight filtered through her velvet curtains. Pooling like molten phoenix across her bed.
She stretched lazily, her silken sheets falling away from her shoulders as phoenixen sunlight filtered through the diamond-cut glass windows.
She blinked groggily, shielding her eyes, then cleared her throat.
"June! Alice!" she called lazily.
Still sleepy, Emilia moved away from the bed and sat in a phoenixen chair with carved lion heads on the arms, she closed her eyes briefly, the breeze brushing against her delicate skin.
She reached her hand out and poured herself a glass of water from a gilded pitcher then blew gently on it before taking a sip and crossed her legs, revealing flawless porcelain skin kissed with the sun.
June and Alice rushed in moments later, dropping to their knees in perfect sync with their heads bowed.
Emilia nodded once, and Alice immediately moved behind her to begin massaging her shoulders, while June remained kneeling in front of her, nervous.
"What time is it?" Emilia asked, her voice still coated in sleep.
"Almost one in the afternoon, my lady," June replied, taking the empty glass and filling it anew.
June hesitated, her eyes cast low.
"My lady…"
Emilia sighed.
"Just say it."
"We've received word... the discussion of your marriage to the King has been finalized in court today."
The glass nearly slipped from Emilia's fingers.
"What?!" she breathed, rising to her feet, her voice echoing in the high-ceiling chamber.
"How could that happen?"
Neither maid had an answer for her.
Of course, they all knew this marriage was a possibility. Ever since Queen Henrietta's mysterious death four months ago, everyone has been whispering that she is to become the next Queen.
Her family, among others is the only one left who hadn't honored the decree.
But Emilia had begged her father, demanded even that he do everything in his power to break off the promise with their family but it didn't work.
"Where did you hear this?" Emilia demanded.
"The servants were whispering," Alice replied.
"And... the Queen Mother had invited her and the matriarch to the palace for a banquet tonight." June added.
Emilia sank back into her chair, horror spreading across her face. Her heart pounded.
This cannot be happening.