It was dark. The blue haze of day lifted to reveal the twinkling stars. Rihannan and the Queens reminiscent talks came to an end and she said her farewells to the Queen, but a brewing thunder and heavy rain fell. The roads would be muddy and dangerous to thread on at this time of the hour.

The Queen dissuaded Rihannan from leaving.

She nodded and stayed overnight.

The Queen guided Rihannan to the guest room shed sleep in. The maids were attentive to her every need. After a fresh bath, she slumped on the bed and tossed and turned unable to sleep. Time had taken on a different form, more plentiful than it ever was. Her mind was alight with forms of darkness, but eventually, sleep overtook her and dreamt of heavy blackness.

She awoke from the strange noise outside the palace.

The pitter-patter rain had long ceased to be. A silhouette light seeped through from the gaps on the window curtain.

She looked around.

The door burst open a second later.

Rihannan stepped out of the comfort of her bed and identified the unknown figure.

Your Majesty?

It was Igor. Purple eyes swept through the bed then fixed onto her face. A sigh of relief crossed his face before it hardened.

Rihannan grew nervous at the sight of his coldness.

The black cape he wore was wet. Droplets of water dropped onto the floor. A black sword slung over his waist.

Rihannan pursed her lips. What are you

Igor jerked his head and turned around.

Put some clothes on. Ill give you a minute, he spat out quickly.

Rihannan wore nothing but a thin layer of pajamas.

Igor closed the door and left while she hurriedly covered herself subconsciously.

She did not know what had occurred. The current air was thick and unusual. She hurriedly put on a set of clothing over her thin layers and a coat before walking out of the door.

A hand snatched her wrist abruptly.

Your Majesty!

She did not have a chance to protest. Igor held her hand and began to walk. She had difficulty keeping up with his wide strides and above all, his face looked like itd explode at any moment.

Stop right now at this instant, Igor!

A loud clamoring voice rang from behind. Igor stopped and turned around, pulling Rihannan behind him.

It was the Queen. She was in her pajamas and a wide shawl. She mustve been sleeping not too long ago.

How rude of you? How dare you make a fuss in the middle of the night?

Her face was wrought with anger. Shed never experienced an ordeal of her son nor anyone trespass her residence in such manner.

Igors action showed contempt toward her.

It was natural that she felt angry, but Igor paid it no mind.

Dont call for my wife without my permission in the future. I wont allow this to happen again, Igor said coldly.

Must I be treated like this for wanting to see my goddaughter?

She was hurt.

She is my wife before she is your goddaughter, mother. Or are you mistaking this as a time when every little thing was wrapped around your fingers?

Rihannan covered her mouth, amazed at the intensity of Igors words. Shed never seen his ruthlessness toward his mother. Though his words were sharp, he always kept his basic courtesy at hand.

The Queen was left speechless. She looked at her own son and could not hold back her rising anger but her eyes spoke much sadness. Is this the sort of thing you say to your mother? Do you have nothing kind to say to me? To the person who youve not seen for a long time?

I wouldnt have to say such harsh things if you hadnt dragged my wife away.

Why would I think of doing such a thing? Ask Rihannan. Did I, like he said, drag you here to be locked up?!

Rihannan was once again caught in the middle, and once again she had no choice but to intrude.

And what she would do was clarify the truth.

Your Majesty, I

Ill hear you out when we get back to the palace.

Igor interrupted her words. He looked at Rihannan; his gaze was soft and courteous, but it told her not to speak a single word out loud.

This is a matter between me and my mother. Please dont intervene

Rihannan sighed and nodded.

Fine.

Shell let it be and hold her breath for his sake.

Why do you do this to me, Igor? Why do you treat me like this?

Words full of sorrow seeped out from the Queens lips.

Her heart cracked open.