Page 25 of Royal Lies

Of course, I could as well... but I don't know the words to the spell. Idoknow a lot of other things such as any creature's weak points.

Aside from the few necessary charms and spells I've learned as a kid, I-I didn't bother to learn new ones, which included teleportation, especially not when my father's second-hand man could just do it for us. I mean why else would my father have kept him around? Teleportation magic was rather rare after all, only a few knew the spell and could correctly speak it without getting cursed. If you chanted a spell wrong or lacked the necessary magic for it the spell could turn against you or do something completely different. Hence why very few bothered to make or mess around with spells.

"Wait! We need her!" I hurried over to grip the witch’s squirming waist as she struggled against my arms.

"I am going to kill you!" The witch bellowed towards Everetta who just stood there still smiling like a loony.

Despite the witch's fragile state, I am regrettably impressed by her strength.

"I understand, but think for a moment! She’s the only bloody fae who can cast the spell!” I gritted my teeth against the effort of holding her back before eyeing Everetta to hurry the bloody hell up and say the damn spell before I kill her too.

Everetta shrugged, humming under her breath, seemingly unfazed as she took her time to cast the spell in the howling winds. Chanting some activation words before a glow lit up beneath us as we fell through. I was too busy to remember the spell but from what I could hear over the witch's screech of rage it was something about moving through space and time.

Clothes disheveled and hair a mess, I frowned. Casting some cleaning magic over myself, I fixed the frazzled waves of my golden locks and Everetta's as well, regrettably thatwitchtoo. I needed to transform them into a style more befitting for a royal court. Closing my eyes I made it so that their uniforms fit their bodies better and no longer appeared as the rags of peasant clothes. With glamour magic, I cast an illusion of an elegantsilky blue dress with sapphire leaves as decorations along the edges of the skirt for Everetta and a nice form-fitting tunic for myself. A nice less ragged blue dress for the witch with just enough elegance to show she's of some noble descent. We'll have to change as soon as we get inside the castle. After all, glamour magic can only fool the eye. With one bare touch of skin to our itchy clothing, any fae would know the truth.

I cleared my throat as I tilted my head to the guard stationed not twelve feet away. It was a good thing we were hidden near a bush. Luna was still staring daggers at Everetta as she seemed all too oblivious to what she had done wrong. I cleared my throat once more to catch their attention, which should have been on me, as I was clearly the only one fit enough to lead us. As both girls turned their gazes on me I tilted my head towards the silver armored guards with pointy spears and shining swords at their waist.

In a hushed voice, I laid out our plans to invade the Winter Court castle, "We'll enter the castle as messengers from the lost kingdom of Dracool, the once-known Dragon Court of the Dragons. Claim an audience with the king and announce that Dracool wishes to return to the Fae Realm. He sent us here as messengers as he is still managing the welcome party for all future allies. The reason he wants to rejoin now is because there is an upcoming war in his kingdom, and he wishes to have allies, for this enemy will also be targeting the Fae Realm in general. Everetta, could you please create a replica of these badges used by the Dracools for their ambassadors." I explained, handing her a badge from the Dracool kingdom I had obtained from the bartendress in that shady bar a few weeks back. A green-colored background with two dragons standing on their hindquarters facing one another, as if in a duel. The whole thing was then framed in spirals of claws and the long tails of the ruling family's dragon species. The golden glimmer of theembroidered scales made it seem as if they were real. They also helped provide a sharp contrast to the royal green of the dragon. Although the background was also the same color as the dragons the shade was slightly different. The background color seemed almost dimmed compared to the color of the dragons and their glistening scales.

I'll have to find out how they made this. The craftsmanship was simply divine.

Everetta nodded as she took the drawing. Turning I faced the bright purple-blue irises of the witch, "You, just keep your mouth shut and don't say anything about the Summer court. For all we know My fath- I mean the king might want you as his prisoner too. " I ordered as I straightened, ready to make our appearance known.

Once Everetta was done I needed her to do one last thing. When the guards catch us I’ll need her to implant a memory of us arriving in a glamourous carriage. After all, it would be suspicious if we just walked up to the gate without any memories of expected guests. We'd be thrown in jail. But before we could make any moves the fucking guards were on us like hounds. They must have sensed the magic of the spell.

Great, so much for my entrance.

All spears were raised, pointed ends towards our necks, blocking our entrance into the castle.

Well, shit.

We might have very well been carted off into the dungeons at that moment if Everetta hadn’t used her magic. But I can’t say our current predicament was any better. With the constant jabbings and rude comments trailing behind us to the throne room from the servants and guards, it was hard not to feel like a circus group.

The guards had decided to escort us there after noticing our little badges and Imighthave had Everetta implant the thoughtof sending us to the king. I couldn't very well just be carted off to the dungeons.

But what was more troubling was how much Everetta seemed to have advanced. I was fully ready to provide her with the spell she needed but she never asked. If anything she seemed like she already knew. She’s learning more magic than I thought from that book. I've seen her reading it instead of sleeping at times. This is indeed rather worrisome.

That book is proving to be ratherproblematic.

I'll have to get rid of it soon.

There he stood, his elegant and formidable presence known to all.

I wanted it.

The jewels, the court, the throne, everything. I stared at the almost transparent blue crystal-like throne, the shimmering crown made of winter itself, its pale white snowflake-like points aiming at the ceiling above. The fine cobalt-colored leather and silk, the dazzling sapphire jewels along his neck, the white furs sewn onto his clothing, the badges upon badges reflecting so much light on its gold surfaces that each one looked like a mini sun.

I want it.

The wealth, the luxury, the money, thecontrol, all thatpower, it should belong tome. Then I’ll show everyone that I was worthy. Once I overthrow my father, as much as it hurts me to do so, I would finally be deemed good enough. I could still remember those days when the hunters had raided my village and I couldn't do anything about it. Once I was king I would prove to them all that a male cubcanbe strong. Because I would finally be incontrol. I could finally change the way things are done in this court. I would have enough strength to command my army to gain back the winter outlands, and then my mother would have no choice but to acknowledge me. Dead or not I wassure she would be watching over me. Once she sees how muchcontrolI have over everything as king she’d finally call me her son.

"My dear king-" I addressed, bowing low. Dashing glances across my sides to ensure both my followers did as well.

To get what I want I must dethrone my dear father. He's had a fair run, but now it'smyturn. And if my brother in this life changes his mind without his distraction, well, that's unfortunate. Hopefully, a few years in a dungeon cell would help change his mind. Of course, I would make the stay as pleasant as possible. However, I highly doubt he wanted the throne even if he couldn't have Everetta by his side. My brother was a strange creature, to say the least. By no means did he not want power but I believe what my brother wanted wasn't the power of the throne but something else, besides Everetta of course. I could never figure it out but I didn't need to. So long as it didn't hinder my ruling.

Now that I think about it. I never did figure out when those two met but once they did she became his only desire, his obsession, and an unhealthy one at that. Which was why it was up to me to help guide them on their right paths. And what better way than if I just withheld those memories? If I could make Everetta forget about Flynn then, her feelings for him would never develop and I wouldn't have to worry aboutthoseevents reoccurring. Yes, it was for the better. I was just looking out for her. For the entire realm. If she doesn't remember my dear younger brother then everything would be perfect. I would be able to live a better, happier life if she only relied on me instead of my brother. If she never remembers, she would never grow so close to him that she started to depend onhim too, that she started listening to his suggestions as well.Yes, that's the answer and I’ll make sure she and Flynn never reignite anything. Because I was no fool, I knew the kinds of powerEveretta held, with her gift of light and ability to create. If I was her only confident just like before she had met my brother then think of the things I couldcontrol. I could even rule the entire realm. Everetta's always told me no, and lords only know why she hasn't done so, what with her gifts. Perhaps with my ability I could finally. No, get a hold of yourself Eli, this is madness we are speaking of. Everetta's mentioned it before and you've seen the evidence of what it truly means to rule over the realm.

It wasimpossible.

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