Chapter 5 - The Queen Behind the Throne

# Chapter 5 - The Queen Behind the Throne

"That is what the kingdom was ordered to believe."

Ser Kaelen's words echoed through the royal crypt.

Toby stared at the ancient knight, struggling to understand what he had just heard.

His grandmother.

Queen Seraphine Aurelian.

A woman who had supposedly died before he was born.

A woman who had ordered Mara imprisoned for twelve years.

And, according to Kaelen, a woman who might still be alive.

"You're lying," Elara whispered.

Kaelen turned toward her.

"Your family helped bury the truth, Lady Voss."

Elara stiffened.

"My family has served the crown for generations."

"Yes," Kaelen replied. "That is precisely the problem."

High Inquisitor Malrec stepped between them.

"Enough riddles. If Queen Seraphine survived, where is she?"

Kaelen did not answer immediately.

Instead, he looked toward the seven stone coffins surrounding the altar.

"Closer than you think."

A cold silence settled over the chamber.

Brother Alden gripped Mara's shoulders, but she pulled away from him.

"Don't touch me," she said.

"Mara, please—"

"You knew I was alive."

Alden's face twisted with grief.

"I didn't."

"Then why did you never return to the crypt?"

The old monk opened his mouth.

No words came.

Mara laughed bitterly.

"Because you were afraid of what you might find."

Alden lowered his head.

Toby watched them, his chest tightening.

The man who had raised him had betrayed his mother. The knight who claimed to protect him had abandoned an innocent woman. And the inquisitor who called himself the kingdom's guardian had ordered soldiers to seize him.

Every adult in the chamber seemed to possess a different version of the truth.

And every version had left someone suffering.

"Stop," Toby said.

Nobody listened.

"Father, you cannot understand what they did to me!" Mara shouted.

"I would have given my life to save you!"

"But you didn't!"

"STOP!"

Golden fire burst from Toby's silver ring.

The chamber shook.

Everyone turned toward him.

Toby stood beside the central altar, his face flushed with anger.

"I don't care who was supposed to be dead. I don't care who served which queen. I want to know where my mother is."

The flames flickered around his fingers.

"And I want someone to tell me the truth."

Kaelen slowly lowered his head.

"Then you must understand what happened twelve years ago."

Twelve years earlier, the royal palace of Aurelian had celebrated the birth of a prince.

The child was named Tobias.

His mother, Princess Lysandra Aurelian, had been the only daughter of Queen Seraphine.

The royal court announced that the child would someday inherit the throne.

Bells rang across the capital.

Nobles offered gifts.

Priests blessed the infant.

But beneath the palace, preparations had already begun for his death.

"The royal covenant demanded a sacrifice," Kaelen explained. "A child carrying the direct blood of the First Dynasty."

Toby felt his stomach tighten.

"Me."

"Yes."

Elara folded her arms.

"But why would the royal family sacrifice its own heir?"

Kaelen looked toward the faded mural of Queen Aurelia.

"Because the covenant was never meant to preserve the royal family. It was meant to preserve the prison beneath the kingdom."

Malrec frowned.

"The prison of the first queen?"

"No. The prison of the thing that took her name."

Kaelen continued.

"Every generation, royal blood was used to renew seven ancient bindings. Without those bindings, the entity beneath Saint Valerius could reach beyond its prison."

Toby remembered the crimson smoke that had possessed the guard.

"Like the thing that attacked us?"

"That was only a fragment of its will."

Mara shuddered.

"I heard it whispering while I was trapped. It promised to free me if I would give it the prince's name."

Alden looked at his daughter in horror.

"Did you?"

She met his eyes.

"No."

Kaelen nodded.

"Princess Lysandra discovered the covenant before Tobias's first birthday. She tried to destroy the ritual chamber, but the royal council stopped her."

"And my grandmother?" Toby asked.

Kaelen hesitated.

"Queen Seraphine ordered the sacrifice to proceed."

Toby looked down.

His own grandmother had wanted him dead.

The thought felt impossible.

"Why?"

"Because she believed the kingdom would fall if the covenant failed."

"Did she hate me?"

The question was so quiet that Kaelen almost missed it.

The knight's expression softened.

"No, Tobias."

"Then why would she kill me?"

Kaelen remained silent for several seconds.

"Because she loved her kingdom more than she loved her family."

Toby looked away.

He did not know whether that answer was better or worse.

Elara approached the nearest coffin.

"Something still doesn't make sense."

Malrec turned toward her.

"What?"

"If Seraphine ordered the sacrifice twelve years ago, why does everyone believe she died before Toby was born?"

Kaelen's jaw tightened.

"Because she had already surrendered her throne."

"To whom?"

"King Edric IV."

Elara frowned.

"Edric was her brother."

"Yes."

"Then why did he announce her death?"

Kaelen looked toward Malrec.

"Ask the inquisitor."

Malrec's expression hardened.

"I was not yet High Inquisitor when Seraphine disappeared."

"But you inherited her records."

"Records that were sealed by royal decree."

Kaelen took one step toward him.

"And you never questioned why?"

Malrec's hand moved toward his dagger.

"I question everything."

"Except the people who give you orders."

The two men stared at each other.

Toby noticed something strange.

Malrec was angry, but beneath his anger was uncertainty.

For the first time, the inquisitor seemed to realize that he might not know as much as he believed.

Elara examined the coffin beside Mara's.

Its inscription was partially concealed beneath dust.

She brushed the stone clean.

A royal crest emerged.

Seven stars surrounding a black crown.

"Kaelen," she said slowly, "whose coffin is this?"

The knight turned.

His expression changed.

"Do not open it."

Elara looked at him.

"Why?"

"Because some things were buried for a reason."

Mara gave a bitter laugh.

"That was what they told my father about me."

She stepped toward the coffin.

Kaelen raised his sword.

"Mara."

She stopped.

"Are you threatening me?"

"No."

"Then move."

Kaelen hesitated.

Toby approached.

"What's inside?"

The knight looked at him.

For a long moment, he said nothing.

Then he whispered, "A mistake I have regretted for twelve years."

Above the crypt, Lord Cassian Voss stood before the awakened Seal of Kings.

The basilica was nearly empty now.

Most of the nobles had been escorted into guarded chambers, while soldiers secured every entrance.

Cassian examined the golden symbols with growing concern.

A man in black armor approached.

"Your lordship."

Cassian did not turn.

"Report."

"The prince has disappeared beneath the western wing."

"And my daughter?"

"She was last seen accompanying him."

Cassian closed his eyes.

For several seconds, his carefully controlled expression cracked.

"Foolish girl."

"Shall we send men into the crypt?"

"No."

The officer hesitated.

"My lord?"

Cassian turned.

"Nobody enters the lower chambers without my permission."

"But the prince—"

"Is not our greatest concern."

The officer lowered his head.

Cassian looked toward the crimson seal.

A faint woman's voice whispered from within the stone.

"Cassian..."

He went still.

The voice was soft.

Almost affectionate.

"Cassian, my faithful servant."

The officer stepped backward.

"My lord, did you hear—"

"Leave us."

The officer hesitated.

"Now."

He hurried away.

Cassian approached the wall.

"Your Majesty."

The crimson symbols brightened.

"You have failed me."

Cassian bowed his head.

"The boy awakened the seal sooner than expected."

"And my granddaughter?"

"She remains hidden."

A low laugh echoed through the sanctuary.

"Hidden from whom, Cassian?"

He did not answer.

The voice became colder.

"You promised me Lysandra would never reach her son."

Cassian clenched his fists.

"I kept that promise."

"Then why has her blood awakened the Crownfire?"

Cassian looked toward the western staircase.

"Because someone gave the boy the ring."

Silence.

Then the voice whispered, "Find the traitor."

Cassian bowed.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"And Cassian?"

He froze.

"Do not allow your daughter to discover what happened to her mother."

Cassian's face drained of color.

The crimson light faded.

He remained motionless for several seconds.

Then he whispered into the darkness, "I have already lost one woman to your secrets. You will not take Elara."

Back in the crypt, Toby stood beside the sealed coffin.

The silver ring on his finger had begun to glow again.

Kaelen watched him carefully.

"Do not touch the stone."

Toby looked up.

"Why?"

"Because the coffin is bound to royal blood."

"Then it will open for me."

"Yes."

"Who's inside?"

Kaelen's face hardened.

"Someone who should never have been imprisoned."

Mara stepped closer.

"Then why did you put them there?"

The knight lowered his gaze.

"Because I was ordered to."

Alden suddenly spoke.

"Kaelen, tell them."

The guardian turned.

The old monk's voice trembled.

"Tell the boy what happened to his grandmother."

Kaelen remained silent.

Alden took another step.

"You have hidden behind your oath for twelve years. Enough."

Malrec watched them both.

"What are you concealing?"

Alden pointed toward the coffin.

"Open it."

Kaelen shook his head.

"No."

Toby stepped forward.

"I'm opening it."

The knight moved to stop him.

But Toby raised his hand.

Golden fire surged from the ring.

Kaelen froze.

For a moment, the boy and the ancient guardian stared at each other.

Then Kaelen slowly stepped aside.

"Forgive me," he whispered.

Toby placed his palm against the coffin.

The royal crest ignited.

A deep mechanical sound echoed beneath the floor.

The stone lid began sliding aside.

Cold mist spilled from the opening.

Elara lifted her lantern.

Inside lay a woman.

She wore a black velvet gown embroidered with silver stars. A thin golden crown rested upon her dark hair.

Her face was pale.

Her eyes were closed.

And although she appeared no older than forty, there was something unnaturally ancient about her stillness.

Toby stared.

"Who is she?"

Kaelen lowered his head.

"Queen Seraphine Aurelian."

Elara gasped.

Mara staggered backward.

Malrec whispered a prayer.

Toby stared at the woman who had supposedly ordered his death.

His grandmother.

She looked almost peaceful.

"Is she dead?"

Kaelen shook his head.

"No."

Toby swallowed.

"Then why is she here?"

"Because she was imprisoned after the failed sacrifice."

"By whom?"

Kaelen's expression darkened.

"By the person who took her place."

Before Toby could ask another question, the woman's eyes opened.

They were silver.

The same color as Kaelen's.

She inhaled sharply.

Then she sat upright.

Mara screamed.

Alden stumbled backward.

Queen Seraphine looked around the chamber, confused and frightened.

"Where is Lysandra?"

Nobody answered.

Her gaze fell upon Toby.

She froze.

For several seconds, she simply stared.

Then her lips began trembling.

"Tobias?"

Toby stepped backward.

She reached toward him.

"My grandson..."

He looked at Kaelen.

"You said she wanted to kill me."

Seraphine's expression changed.

"What?"

Toby's voice cracked.

"You ordered them to sacrifice me."

The queen stared at him.

Then she turned toward Kaelen.

"You told him that?"

Kaelen remained motionless.

Seraphine's face twisted with rage.

"You told my grandson I ordered his death?"

"Your Majesty—"

"ANSWER ME!"

The chamber shook beneath her voice.

Kaelen lowered his head.

"Yes."

Seraphine looked at Toby.

Tears filled her eyes.

"Oh, child..."

She reached toward him again.

"I spent twelve years trying to save you."

Toby shook his head.

"That's not what they said."

"Because they have lied to you."

She turned toward Alden.

"And you."

The monk lowered his gaze.

Seraphine's voice became deadly quiet.

"You promised to protect him."

"I did."

"You promised he would never return to this place."

Alden said nothing.

The queen looked around the chamber.

Then she noticed the seven coffins.

Her expression transformed into horror.

"No..."

She seized the edge of her own coffin.

"How many?"

Nobody answered.

"HOW MANY CHILDREN?"

Mara stepped forward.

"Seven guardians. Seven sacrifices."

Seraphine covered her mouth.

For the first time, she looked truly afraid.

"They completed the covenant."

Kaelen nodded.

"Yes."

The queen closed her eyes.

"Then the prison is already failing."

Toby stepped closer.

"What prison?"

Seraphine looked at him.

"The one beneath the basilica."

"I know about the first queen."

Her expression sharpened.

"What do you know?"

"That Queen Aurelia is still alive."

Seraphine shook her head.

"No."

"Then what's down there?"

The queen's voice dropped to a whisper.

"Something that has worn the faces of our queens for four hundred years."

Toby felt the ring grow hot.

Seraphine seized his wrist.

"Listen carefully. The Crownfire has awakened because the seven bindings are breaking. Once the final seal opens, the creature will be free."

"Then we have to stop it."

Seraphine looked at the ring.

"Yes."

"How?"

Her eyes filled with grief.

"By destroying the Crown of Ashes."

Toby remembered his mother's apparition.

"She told me to find it."

Seraphine froze.

"Who?"

"My mother."

The queen stared at him.

"You saw Lysandra?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"Here. In the light above the altar."

Seraphine's face drained of color.

She slowly released his wrist.

"That wasn't Lysandra."

Toby's heart sank.

"How do you know?"

The queen looked toward the empty coffin beside her.

"Because my daughter cannot appear through the royal altar."

"Why not?"

Seraphine's voice trembled.

"Because she is not dead."

Toby stepped forward.

"Then where is she?"

The queen hesitated.

Kaelen looked away.

Alden closed his eyes.

Toby felt panic rising.

"Tell me!"

Seraphine reached beneath her gown and withdrew a small golden key.

"Your mother is being held in the northern tower of Blackthorn Palace."

Toby stared at the key.

"She's alive?"

"Yes."

"Then we can rescue her!"

Seraphine did not smile.

"Perhaps."

Elara frowned.

"Why perhaps?"

The queen looked toward the staircase.

"Because Blackthorn Palace is guarded by the Royal Intelligence Office."

Elara's face changed.

"My father's men."

Seraphine nodded.

"Yes."

Toby looked at Elara.

She swallowed.

"My father never told me."

Seraphine's expression became strangely sad.

"Your father has kept many secrets from you, child."

Elara stiffened.

"What secrets?"

The queen studied her face.

Then she whispered, "You have your mother's eyes."

Elara went still.

"My mother died when I was six."

Seraphine looked toward Kaelen.

"Is that what Cassian told her?"

The knight did not answer.

Elara stepped forward.

"What are you talking about?"

The queen closed her eyes.

"Your mother did not die, Elara."

A terrible silence filled the crypt.

Elara shook her head.

"No."

Seraphine opened her eyes.

"She was imprisoned in Blackthorn Palace."

Elara's voice trembled.

"Why?"

The queen looked at Toby.

Then back at Elara.

"Because she discovered who the true heir to the throne was."

Toby frowned.

"Me?"

Seraphine shook her head.

"No."

She reached for Elara's hand.

The girl recoiled.

"Don't touch me."

But the queen's next words froze everyone in the chamber.

"Elara Voss, you are not Lord Cassian's daughter by blood. You are Princess Lysandra's firstborn child."

Toby stared at Elara.

Elara stared at the queen.

And Seraphine whispered the truth that neither child was prepared to hear.

"Tobias... Elara is your older sister."