Chapter 10 ROYAL RUMORS
The next morning, Athalia began her strategy to get Prince Eric out of the way.
Her first targets were the nobles closest to the queen.
She invited a small group of them to a private tea gathering. It was simple but elegant, yet comfortable enough that people would relax and quiet enough for sensitive topics. She wore a pale blue gown that enhanced the faint glow sorcery had given her.
The nobles arrived cheerfully, unaware of her intentions.
“A pleasure to see all of you,” Athalia said warmly. “It has been quite long.”
They exchanged polite greetings and settled with their tea. Athalia guided early conversation toward harmless topics of festivals, weather and the queen’s latest charitable event until the moment felt right.
Then, casually, she nudged the door open.
“I passed the King's corridor this morning,” she said softly. “It reminded me of the tragedy that befell our Kingdom.”
The nobles bowed their heads respectfully.
Lady Maris sighed. “A tragedy. The kingdom still feels the absence of the unconscious King.”
Athalia stirred her tea slowly. “Yes… especially when the truth of that night remains uncertain.”
Lord Desmond glanced at her. “Uncertain? The king was attacked, was he not?”
She gave a small, thoughtful pause. “That is what was announced.”
Lady Maris frowned. “Is there more to it?”
Athalia lowered her gaze as if she regretted speaking. “I shouldn’t say anything for it’s not my place. However, i know Prince Eric was found at the scene… confused and unable to explain what happened.”
The nobles exchanged startled glances.
Athalia continued gently, almost reluctantly, “He told the queen that his father tried to save him. But someone later claimed they witnessed something very different.”
She did not elaborate for she didn’t need to.
Silence fell in a tense, heavy and uncertain way.
Athalia gave a small, apologetic smile. “Forgive me. I only spoke because I worry. When such questions linger, they can weaken the unity of the royal family. And Adrian works so hard to maintain stability.”
The nobles murmured among themselves with an uneasy, curious and unsure way of not knowing what to believe.
A seed had been planted.
Over the next days, Athalia visited different groups of young nobles, elder advisors and even junior officers in training. She never repeated the story the same way. Sometimes she expressed sympathy for Eric’s “confusion” that night. Sometimes she mentioned an “eye witness.” Other times she wondered aloud if Eric’s memory had gaps.
Always soft, hesitant and careful.
She never presented an accusation but simply allowed people to reach one and with her sorcery-enhanced charm, they did.
Questions began drifting through the palace:
“Why was Eric the only one found with the king?”
“He claims he doesn’t remember but is that believable?”
“Who was the witness who was killed afterward?”
“Why did the council close the investigation so quickly?”
None of these questions had originated from Athalia’s lips but they grew from the doubts she nurtured.
By the end of the second week, the whispers spread like smoke.
One evening, Athalia accompanied Adrian to a meeting with several senior nobles.
Throughout the meeting, Adrain spoke clearly and respectfully as he offered reasonable suggestions.
When the meeting ended, Athalia approached Lady Helena, one of the queen’s trusted advisors.
“A productive discussion tonight,” Athalia said pleasantly.
Lady Helena nodded. “Yes. Though… I felt some tension in the room.”
Athalia lowered her eyes. “It’s only natural. After all, people still worry about the night His Majesty was attacked.”
Helena stiffened slightly.
Athalia added gently, “Adrain tries so hard to act as though everything is normal. But it’s difficult for some to forget that Eric was the last person seen with the king well.”
The advisor hesitated. “What if it was a setup?.”
“No,” Athalia replied softly. “That is the official report. Who sees someone with a dagger with a murdered person and claims he didnt kill him?. Besides there was a eye witness.”
She said nothing more for she didn’t have to.
Lady Helena walked away unsettled, and Athalia walked in the opposite direction with quiet satisfaction.
Her focus was on Eric.
She watched him carefully assigning guards to watch him.
"He shouldn’t be admired after what people believe he did" she thought. He should be questioned and banished.
Adrian noticed the rising tension long before he understood it.
“Athalia,” he murmured one afternoon, “people are whispering about Eric. Asking strange questions.”
She looked up from her book with a soft smile. “Are they?”
“Yes. Some think he was involved in Father’s death. But that’s absurd.”
“Is it?” she asked quietly.
Adrian froze. “…What are you suggesting?”
“I’m suggesting nothing.” She closed her book. “I only say what others are thinking. They remember that Eric was at the scene. And that he has no memory of how the king was injured.”
“That doesn’t make him guilty,” Adrian whispered.
“No,” she agreed softly. “But uncertainty is dangerous in a kingdom. Doubt grows when answers are missing.”
His shoulders sagged with conflict.
“I don’t want this,” he said. “He’s my brother.”
Athalia stepped closer. “And that is why you must protect yourself and your name. If people suspect Eric had motives… you must stand clear of the shadows.”
“I don’t believe he would hurt our father.”
“You don’t need to believe it,” she said gently. “Other people do.”
Adrian looked away, tormented.
And thus, the ground beneath the brothers began to crack.
The rumors roamed further.
A late-night meeting? Proof of secrecy.
Eric in confinement? Signs of guilt.
His silence on the matter? Evidence he had something to hide.
Every action twisted into suspicion and Athalia only needed to give small, careful nudges.
In the hallways, the gardens and the quiet corners of council chambers, she fed doubts and they grew into flames.
Soon, some nobles openly questioned whether Eric had wanted the throne enough to remove the one man standing above him. They also asked if he was planning to remove Prince Adrain.
Athalia never said those words herself but she had created the path for others to walk.
One night, Lira rushed into her chamber.
“Your Highness, some nobles gathered tonight. They discussed Eric and many believe he is dangerous.”
Athalia’s breath slowed. “Did they say why?”
“They think the witness who was killed back then… must have really said the truth. Something the council didn’t want revealed.”
Athalia’s lips curved slowly.
“Good,” she whispered.
She dismissed Lira and stood before her mirror. Her reflection glowed faintly in the candlelight as beautiful, persuasive and powerful.
“I will reshape this kingdom,” she murmured. “And Eric will not stand in our way.”
Behind her reflection, the faintest flicker of darkness shimmered.
But Athalia did not look away and her path was set.
And the kingdom was already bending to her will.