Lennox sprinted down the corridors of the palace, his breath coming in short, frantic gasps. The news he bore was urgent, and it needed to reach King Oberon without delay.
It was the news of Elena’s death.
Elena’s death was not just a mere incident—it was a spark that could ignite a war in the Fae realm. He had to deliver the news personally, ensuring the King understood the gravity of the situation.
It wasn’t until he approached the kings chambers that he slowed, caught his breath and tried to compose himself. No matter what, he had to look in control in front of the king.
Done, Lennox pushed the doors open with a sense of dread, prepared to deliver the grim tidings, only to halt at the unexpected sight before him. Lennox found Theodore, the Spring Prince, already in the room.
He stood there rigid and pale-faced by the king’s side and from the way both sets of eyes turned towards him, it was clear they had already received the news.
The air in the room was thick with unspoken words. King Oberon sat at his desk, looking grave and concerned. Theodore, on the other hand, wore a mask of calm, though his clenched jaw showed his own unease.
"Lennox," King Oberon said, his voice controlled. "You bring news?"
Lennox nodded, Swallowing hard."Yes, Your Majesty. Elena... Elena is dead."
The room seemed to grow colder. King Oberon’s eyes let out a deep sigh. "This is not good."
"Indeed, it is a tragedy for us all." Lennox concurred.
"Aldric did it." Theodore said, his expression resolute.
Lennox glanced at him, "Don’t say it like that, we haven’t heard the news from Aldric’s mouth himself."
Theodore sneered at him. "I have my sources at the winter court. They confirmed that Elena indeed placed a spell on Aldric, he must have killed her out of anger. Not to mention, he vanished to the location to go find the human Islinda, only for Elena to turn up dead afterwards. Would Islinda, a mere human, kill Elena a Fae? That is impossible. Hence, Isn’t the answer obvious?"
"Who said she was Fae?" A voice echoed from behind and all three sets of eyes turned in that direction.
Prince Andre majestically stepped into the room, bowing before his father. "Greetings to you, your majesty."
"Andre." King Oberon seemed relive to see.
Andre gestured to his body, "Forgive me, father, for my appearance and untidiness. I had to hurry up to the palace before some things got out of here." He said, casting a knowing look at Theodore.
"What do you happen to know about this news, Prince Andre?" King Oberon asked him.
"I know plenty since I have been in the Winter realm even before Lady Elena’s ’unfortunate’ death occurred. Bless her soul." Andre did not mean it at all.
He added, grinning at Theodore, "I wonder if your sources told you that, brother."
Theodore let out a disgruntled sound before looking away, his fists clenching. Although he and Andre had a better relationship with each other as compared to Valerie and Aldric’s, they still were fiercely competitive when it came down to pleasing their father.
"Tell me what you know about this incident, Andre." King Oberon ordered him.
"It all started with Valerie," Andre began, his voice steady but respectful, "I embarked on this journey at Valerie’s behest. He requested that I travel to the Winter realm to return a cat and some servants he had purchased for his... for Islinda."
Oberon’s brow furrowed slightly, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. Though he said nothing, his expression conveyed his thoughts plainly: Valerie had sent his brother on a mission for a cat and some servants? How utterly ridiculous.
King Oberon remained silent, his stern face revealing his thoughts. He had always prided himself on his ability to discern people’s true natures, a skill that had served him well in his reign.
He did not disapprove of Islinda herself—indeed, he found her to be a remarkable human female. Her ability to have attracted two of his sons were admirable. However, on the other side, the notion that two of his sons were at each other’s throats over her was beyond infuriating. It was a shame, he thought, that he had sired such fools.
Andre told him everything that ensued up to the moment where he had been captured by Elena herself and how he had fought to set Aldric free. He did not miss a detail.
"I regret to inform you, Father," Andre said, "that Elena was lost to us long before this incident. She was nothing more than a puppet in the witch’s scheme."
He extended his hand, and a gust of wind billowed through the chamber, lifting the veil from the item he had arrived with. Not that any had noticed the package until now.
All eyes turned to the gruesome sight now revealed: Elena’s severed head, brutally lacerated.
Gasps echoed through the room, a mix of horror and disbelief painting the faces of those present. King Oberon’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he took in the macabre display.
"Her body will arrive shortly," Andre continued, his tone calm despite the grotesque scene before him. "I brought her head here to make a point. I trust you understand the necessity, Father."
Oberon remained silent, his gaze locked on Elena’s head, his mind clearly processing the implications. With a heavy sigh, he gestured for Andre to continue.
Andre nodded and resumed, "Elena aged rapidly, which is an anomaly for a Fae. The witch who controlled her drained her life source, exploiting her in ways that are...unimaginable. As you know, a Fae cannot wield witchcraft, nor can a witch become a Fae. Elena was transformed into something... other. A mere vessel for dark power."
The room was silent, the gravity of the revelation sinking in.
"Her transformation is clearly a violation of our laws, our very nature. Aldric cannot be held responsible for her death."