Chapter 49 THE JOURNEY OF A MONSTER
At first the kingdom had ignored because they were small.
Then a village complained taxes had doubled unexpectedly a noble family lamented that their trade rights had been reassigned without explanation, and a soldier whispered that Athalia’s advisors were growing too bold. All of this angered Athalia and they were the best punishments for those who spoke against the Royal household.
But the anger festered, leaving her with no option than to hurt those against her.
That was when the second strange disappearances occurred, raising concerns about anyone that spoke against the Queen and the throne.
"They said he had simply vanished after a meeting." One of the ministers said.
King Adrian was troubled. “This cannot be coincidence,” he murmured as he paced the council chamber. “Six people do not vanish without cause.”
The advisors exchanged uneasy looks as the air felt heavy while Queen Athalia sat beside him at the council table, serene as always.
“Perhaps,” she said gently, “they simply traveled or fled because of guilt.”
“Guilt?” Adrian looked at her.
“Yes,” Athalia replied. “People who gossip about the throne often fear their own words.”
A minister cleared his throat. “Your Majesty… it is unlikely they all left voluntarily.”
Adrian turned toward Athalia. “Do you know anything about this?”
He held her stare for a moment, searching for something like doubt, fear, or truth but he found nothing.
Athalia lowered her eyes demurely. “Perhaps they simply wandered too close to trouble outside the city walls.”
Lira, who stood near the door, felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew what the Dark Guards were capable of. She knew their queen.
But she kept her silence.
A week later, another steward disappeared.
Whispers spread:
“They probably spoke against the queen.”
“No, they spoke against new taxation.”
The rumors multiplied.
Adrain heard some of them but brushed them aside, believing them to be exaggerations or political fearmongering. He trusted Athalia, trusted her counsel, and trusted the progress they were making.
Since, the Kingdom was concerned, she instructed the Dark guards to thread carefully.
First person POV-Selene
From the moment Queen Athalia’s condition became known, I did not leave her side. I watched the child grow, not through joy, but through endurance. Pregnancy did not soften her but thinned her and each month took something from her including the color from her skin, steadiness from her hands, and light from her eyes.
And still, she ruled.
Lira helped as best she could as she brought meals, warmed cloths, fresh linens, and quiet words when the nights stretched too long. But it was I who listened to the child and understood what the others could not.
By the fifth month, Athalia no longer walked the palace halls freely. She moved carefully, slowly, and always supported by cushions and silence. The court was told she was resting for the sake of the child and some applauded her devotion.
If they had known the truth, they would have prayed instead.
“You are watching me again,” Athalia said one afternoon, her voice thin but sharp.
I looked up from my notes. “I always watch.”
She exhaled. “You look as though you are counting something.”
“I am.”
“What?”
“Time.”
She frowned slightly but said nothing more because she had learned not to press me. Trust, once given, does not require explanation.
Lira entered with a tray. “Your tea, Your Majesty.”
Athalia took it, but her hands trembled. I stepped forward at once.
“Let me help,” I said.
She allowed me to guide the cup to her lips.
“It drains me faster now,” she whispered when Lira stepped away. “At night especially.”
I nodded. “I know. The child grows stronger every passing month.”
Athalia’s fingers tightened around the fabric of her gown. “Stronger than even me, i guess?”
“Yes,” I answered honestly.
She closed her eyes.
The signs became clearer as the months passed.
Athalia began responding to things before they happened. She would stiffen moments before bad news arrived and she would fall quiet before arguments in court. Once, she asked a servant to leave the room seconds before he confessed a mistake.
Even King Adrain noticed.
“She has changed,” he said to me one evening when Athalia slept. “She is… now distant.”
“She is just being focused on the pregnancy,” I replied calmly.
He studied me. “You always have a way with words.”
“I am careful,” I said.
He nodded, satisfied.
By the seventh month, Athalia’s pain was no longer something herbs could fully calm.
She woke screaming one night, clutching her stomach.
“It hurts,” she gasped. “It is pulling.”
I placed the globe against her skin at once, whispering softly. The pressure eased, but did not vanish.
“This will not be enough soon,” I said quietly.
She looked at me with fear she no longer hid. “What will happen then?”
I did not answer for i had none yet.
It was near the eighth month when I felt a shock of wave clearly. The air changed.
The child’s presence pressed outward, no longer contained only within Athalia’s body. I sensed it before dawn, as i stood alone in her chamber while she slept.
“It’s time”. I mumbled.
That morning, I had to request a private audience with the King.
King Adrian received me in his study. The Queen Mother, Elizabeth, was already there.
“You asked for this meeting,” Elizabeth said gently.
“Yes, \`your majesty,” I replied, bowing my head. “Because time is no longer generous.”
Adrain straightened. “What do you mean?”
“The Queen’s birth approaches,” I said plainly but lying. “What I'm doing now is to stabilize her for delivery”
Elizabeth’s face tightened. “Can she survive the birth?”
“Yes,” I said. “But not without help.”
Adrain leaned forward. “Then what do you propose?”
I met his eyes calmly. “I ask for permission to seek a permanent solution.”
Elizabeth hesitated. “What kind of solution?”
“One that requires privacy and care from two of my kind,” I said. “My master cannot leave his hut, but he has assured me we would be able to find a solution faster with two hands.”
She searched their eyes as if aware of doubts.
“I do realize this is distance from the court but i will take full authority over her care and ensure your majesty’s safety. Else, i be beheaded on the spot.”
Silence followed.
Adrain exchanged a glance with his mother.
“You have kept her better,” Elizabeth said slowly.
“Since you have never once asked for anything and you show true loyalty to the throne, I'll grant your wish,” Adrain added. " Since she's the mother of the heir, I'll build her a house for comfortability."
" A tower would be lovely, your highness. So, she can look out the castle if she misses you." I said
"Excellent point. Even though ill be visiting, there's nothing like seeing missing the warmth of the palace. I want her to find comfort until she's perfectly stable." Adrian smiled.
“It shall be so, Your highness,” I said. “I surely will find results.”
Elizabeth exhaled. “I hope it will help her?”
“Yes, your majesty. It will” I said.
It was not a lie, just incomplete details for something big was happen.