Lost Royalty, Kaitlyn Barnett [libby ebook reader txt] 📗

bigtyua wera. Guardians will be solely found.

I wonder when I'll be able to use it. Guardians, or dragons, have yet to be found and Guards are to slay them. Maybe they are extinct? Not sure.

I lay down, looking at the ceiling. I grab the book next to me and I resume it. This is a book on how to be the Perfect Queen. Evelyn got it for me on my birthday not too long ago. I love it.

I read until high noon, learning about how to treat the request of the citizens when they come to The Palace of The Royal Guardians; and I love it.

 

Chapter Two: The Queen's Light

The time had already passed and it was dinnertime. I had spent the whole day reading and talking to Evelyn along with fantasizing about myself being queen and ruling happily with the citizens in a great Golden Era. Time really flies by, doesn't it?

I was on my way downstairs as Evelyn told me it was dinnertime. I happily sat at the table. Father was sitting up straight, normally.

"Father, I'm so happy you're feeling okay!" I said, immediately sitting down. He smiles faintly and nods. Mother smiles.

"You sound really cheerful, Lyrosa. Anything good happen?" Mother asked me. I told her about what I did today, excluding learning Crushah of course. She was delighted that I, myself, was delighted.

We all chatted among ourselves, having a pretty good day today. I know I definitely was, surely nothing could ruin this.

Evelyn was picking up our plates, looking at me the whole time. I could read her facial expression that I did a good job. I could tell by her smiling and raising her eyebrows. She did a half-wink, probably so Mother doesn't seem dubious of us. I smiled at her, handing her my plate, nodding. I saw Mother was looking at me, but immediately looked away the second I made eye contact with her. My heart sank a bit, wondering if she actually is dubious. I clear my throat.

Dessert came, and we were having the Palace's favorite, 18 layers of rich chocolate cake. Chocolate, in general, was another thing that was popular among those Iprellian high-classed citizens. It could be affordable to lower classes, of course, but it was way more pricey, just not tempting enough to buy.

I finished it pretty quickly as I have a big appetite. I clapped my hands together in delight at the rich taste. I look around to see that Father wasn't talking, like always, and Mother was chatting with Evelyn, but her cake was barely touched. A bit strange. It does happen sometimes. I didn't question her, she can become hostile at times; so I asked her if I could be excused. She said yes, yet in a slightly stern tone. She and Evelyn were speaking Crushah, but they were whispering so I didn't hear a lot. I was too happy to even listen. I obey my mother, of course, and I go to my room, shutting the door behind me.

***

My eyes opened. I woke up to view my ceiling fan above me, not in motion. I wait for my vision to let me fully see and I sit up in bed, looking around. It was dark in my room and from the corner of my eye, I saw the window was bringing a dark blue color, resembling the moon. It was nighttime.

My throat was feeling dry. I woke up because I need water. I doubt that Evelyn is up. I wouldn't want to disturb her even so. After a few seconds, I get out of bed, my eyes feeling droopy. I open the door slightly, to make sure no one is in my way. I walk downstairs and at the bottom of the staircase, I see a light on in the basement. Mother said the basement isn't for use, it is dirty and can only be used just in case the Palace is invaded. I never felt a need to go down there, but the light was on brightly. I have always wanted to view everything in my dwelling. All I could do was stare at the light. The nighttime made it look like I had to do so, like in a movie.

I look around to make sure nobody is here. I walk slowly toward the light that was calling me. Slowly, not to make a sound. Halfway. More steps. Quiet. Mother would be so hostile if she finds me disobeying her. Just a few more steps. So close. No.

I see someone coming up the stairs, I panic, not knowing who it is. It could be mother, father, or Evelyn, or maybe a guard. I could not move, the eerie feeling made me stand in place.

As I saw the shadow, I felt relief. I could tell that it was only Mother. I take a few steps back, so she never could have suspected the calling of the basement. I shake my head and make my way to the kitchen. Suddenly:

"Lyrosa!"

I turn around, slightly startled at the loud voice. I turn around instantly to see Mother, looking over me. She was hovering almost.

"Yes, mother?" I say, acting like I noticed nothing.

"What in Iprellis are you doing?" Asked she, squinting her eyes as if she was interrogating me.

"Nothing, Mother. I was getting a glass of water, I woke up because my throat was dry, honest." I said in an innocent tone that would usually work. I felt guilty for lying, but maybe it was best for her not to know?

She shakes her head and sighs, "Yes, Lyrosa, I'm sorry if I startled you." She fixed her dress and closed her eyes for a second. I nodded and got my glass of water.

On my way back, I could see her walking back in the basement only for a split second. She turned off the light behind her, shutting the iron basement door behind her, making a loud noise as if she was slamming it almost.

She must have been skeptical after all. I should keep a low profile, ignore those callings or maybe I should act more innocent. Mother's basement light had a tone to it that just lured me in almost.

I went back to bed, remembering the look of it. The color tone was different. It seemed yellow, almost like shimmering gold. There is something eerie about it, but so curious too.

I thought about that scenario until I went to sleep.

***

That morning, after breakfast, Evelyn and I were studying another lesson about Crushah. She sat in the same spot as yesterday, opening the exact book.

"Wait, before we start, I have a question," I asked in a serious tone. She looked over to me, a bit strange as I never talk in a very serious tone.

"Yes, Princess Lyrosa, what is it?"

I was reluctant, but I eventually asked the question: "Do you know anything regarding the basement or the light?"

Her eyes widened as if I told her a deep dark secret. She bites her lips before shaking her head instantly. "No no."

"Please do not lie to me." I said, crossing my arms, impersonating my mother.

She opened her mouth, but in the best timing ever, my Father was calling her. She responded instantly, putting the book up and leaving as fast as she could.

"Evelyn-" I tried to call, but she already left the room.

I sat there, staring at my door. Why was she acting like this? Where could she tell me? What is so bad about the basement that I can't be told?

This is not a: 'wait until your queen' situation. I sigh heavily, feeling angry for some reason, remembering the light.

I was thinking about Evelyn's actions the whole day along with the light. I have a bad feeling, but I wouldn't know what it is.

 

Chapter Three: Spectral Secrets

The rest of today was eerie, spectral, ghostly, chilling. Ever since last night, Evelyn has been silent around me, almost as if she was scared. I sure hope it isn't because of me. I must be like my mother, suspicious. Nobody talked much. I was a bit scared of Evelyn telling my Mother. I sure didn't want to be lectured by her; she's scary along with being very barbarous. Nobody would want to face the wrath of her.

Whenever I would speak, I would either be ignored or just a slight nod or a 'yes' or 'no' to go with it. I'm starting to feel like someone is hiding something from me. Tomorrow, if everyone is acting the same, I'm gonna risk getting caught by entering the basement. I want to know and prove them wrong that I'm smart and as a future Queen, I should be allowed to know everything about this.

It is currently nighttime and I lay in bed, thinking about how I plan to sneak into the basement. Maybe I will wait for my Mother and or Father to leave for whatever reason? Maybe I could sadly force Evelyn since I am in a more higher class than her? Possibly make up a story about how I lost something and I feel like it is in there? I feel like I would have to go for the second option, it seems the less riskiest to me. If not, I would just have to go with whatever fate gives to me. Fate is something I should start practicing. I'm fully convinced that Mother, Father, and even loyal Evelyn are hiding things from me about the basement. My instinct is telling me so. I sense something else doing so, but I wouldn't know.

I would have to do this slowly, though. My Mother has always been smart, and she is good at guiding him. I never thought this would apply to me, the nervousness with discrete planning. I am at the age where I'm curious too. All of these factors made me have to do so. My Mother is sweet and kind, but even those people hide things for the ones they loved, whether it is for the good or bad reason. For this, it is for bad reasons. I know how smart she is. Once I discover the basement, everything should be okay. I don't think anything too bad is in there.

Hopefully.

***

That morning, Evelyn didn't even wake me up like usual. Already making me wonder. At breakfast, the family was normal. Mother was back to her usual nice self, Father was always the same. Dull, tired, and didn't speak that much. Even yesterday he was the same, but even quieter. I can't really say if he knows about