The wind howled in her ears, weaving through the strands of her hair as it swept across the high stone terrace.
It made the leaves and branches of the trees sway in restless waves, as it circled through the trees in the meadow.
Lydia seemed to remain motionless, her hands began to quiver, her breath became shaky.
It was only after a few seconds later, she seemed to have realized the gravity of what she had done.
"I killed her…I actually.."
She paused, swallowing hard, feeling the saliva drag painfully down her throat.
She buckled, her legs giving way as she slowly collapsed to her knees. Her red hair clung to her face, matted by tears, and her trembling lips parted,
"I have finally avenged my husband… my children!"
The pitch of her voice wavered, rising sharply.
She tried to force out more words, something meaningful, something whole, but they broke apart before reaching her lips.
The wind tore at her hair, whipping fiery strands across her face. She tried to tuck them behind her ears with trembling fingers.
Her eyes blinked rapidly against the cold, her breath hitching as she sniffed, yet still, no words formed on her lips. So with that….she screamed.
A throat tearing scream, more like a desperate cry. She broke down completely, her voice echoing.
She remained in that state for a while, before a realization hit her that she might have attracted attention.
With a sudden jolt, she rose to her feet, then raced down the staircase leading to the tower ledge, her red hair swerving behind her..
Using her svvvvgvvvvggvhe tried to wipe her tears, but the more she did, the more tears rolled down her cheeks. So she gave up and continued to run, but just as she reached the last step she bumped into a guard armed with a sword.
"I heard screaming."
He says breathlessly, he had run all the way there, and there were more men coming from behind him. He focused his gaze on Lydia and saw dried tears on her cheeks.
He opened his mouth to say something, but Lydia quickly intervened.
"They were brutal… barbarians!
She shrilled, then pointed in the direction she had just come from.
"Who are you talking about?"
The guard asked impatiently, while glancing over her shoulders to see if anyone was coming.
"I do not know them, but I heard whispers; they murmured among themselves about fulfilling King Ragaleon's request. They murdered the queen!
Lydia cried out, falling on her knees. The guard froze, then turned to glance at the men behind him.
"I couldn't save her; I heard her screams, her voice calling out for help. Immediately after they executed her, they fled, using high ropes to climb down the tower!
Lydia continued, sniffing uncontrollably.
"They couldn't have gone too far; quickly go after them!
The guard commanded in a loud voice. Lydia remained in the position she was, palming her face with her hand as she wept.
When she heard the sound of footsteps fading away, she slowly raised her gaze and saw that the guards were gone.
She rises to her feet, stumbles the first time, feeling a slight headache from crying too much, then finally steadies herself before making her way to her chamber to celebrate her accomplishment.
Soon the entire castle fell into disarray.
Servants cried out in confusion, their voices echoing through the corridors, while guards hurried to secure their posts, unsure of what danger might follow.
Footsteps thundered across the stone floors, rushing, stumbling, clashing… as everyone sought answers.
Outside the gates, chariots and horses tore across the courtyard, messengers racing to carry word beyond the kingdom's borders.
The queen is dead?"
"How did she die?"
"Who killed her?"
"I do not think it is anyone at all… Maybe she just couldn't bear the pressure anymore. The king was seen with Lydia. The queen must have been devastated!"
The servants huddled together in corners, their voices hushed yet trembling with fear.
No one knew the truth, but rumors spread through the castle like wildfire, each tale more twisted than the last.
When Kyron heard the news, he stormed out of his chamber, his cloak whipping behind him.
"Nonsense!" he snapped, his voice carrying through the hall.
"I saw her with my own eyes this evening. You must be mistaken."
But the trembling servants stood their ground, exchanging nervous glances. One tried to speak, but he lifted a hand, silencing her before a word escaped.
"I will not entertain foolish rumors," he declared, jaw clenched.
He brushed past them, refusing to listen, refusing to believe that the world he controlled so fiercely had shifted beneath him.
As he marched into the courtyard, he found the servants clustered together like startled birds. Their whispers died instantly when they saw him, and they stepped aside, creating a narrow path for their king.
A guard stood at the center of the crowd, holding a woman in his arms. Her posture was limp, her head resting against the guard's shoulder, her hair falling over her face like a dark veil.
Yet Kyron's expression did not falter.
His face remained composed, too composed.
"Push the hair on her face aside," he said calmly.
At first no one took the initiative, then slowly a maid stepped forward; she was Wimma's personal maid.
Her eyes were red from weeping, and her cherry cheeks were as red as a tomato.
Carefully, she brushed the strands of the hair aside, revealing Wimma's facial features for all to see.
A few covered their mouths. The guard holding her stiffened slightly, braced for Kyron's reaction.
But all of a sudden, Kyron fell silent and then shut his eyes painfully.
He looked away, as though the sight of it would blind his eyes.
"Take her away," the king said, the bitterness in his voice sharp enough to silence the nearest servants.
"Your Highness… should we begin preparations for her funeral?" a guard asked cautiously.
"I said take her away!"
His voice cracked through the courtyard like a whip. The outburst startled everyone; his face tightened, and the strain in his expression made the muscles along his neck stand out.
The servants scrambled into motion, terrified of provoking him further.
Kyron remained rooted to where he was, breathing hard, refusing to look back at the body again.
"Does anyone know who did this?"
He said after taking a deep breath, trying to contain the emotions bubbling through him.
One of the guards stepped forward.
"Your Highness… Lady Lydia claims she witnessed it. She was the one who raised the alarm."
A murmur spread through the courtyard. Lydia's name alone was enough to send eyes darting.
Kyron's jaw clenched.
"Lydia?" he repeated, his tone darkening.
The knight nodded. "Yes, sire."
"Summon her to my chamber, now!