Abandoned (Born From Shadows #2)
Chapter Thirty-Nine

The news of the King and Queen’s imprisonment spread like wildfire throughout the kingdom. Rumours and whispers are being sent through the winds from town to town. Upon her arrival in Avalla, all Sophia could hear were the people’s judgement…but also satisfaction.

The benevolent rulers were gone…now it was her turn. She would see the kingdom to greatness, expand its borders and let the humans roam free. No longer in fear of any other higher creature. Did that not seem like the perfect world?

“My Queen, welcome home,” the Lord Herrliva said upon her return. She was surprised by his fondness considering her actions against her parents. He was previously one of their primary advisers and close to the throne.

“Thank you Lord Herrliva. May I ask how has the city been in my departure?” I questioned as we walked together into the palace.

“There is much unrest and turmoil in the citizens’ minds, some questioning the future of our kingdom and your actions against your parents.”

“Has anyone tried to do anything foolish or reckless?” She asked.

“No,” he said.

She nodded her head, “good.” She haltered their walk and turned to the old man. “May I ask why you, a man loyal to my mother and father, is being so kind to myself?”

“Because the crown was always going to pass down to you. You did not usurp the power, it is your right to carry it even if it is a bit earlier than planned.” Sophia smiled at his answer.

“Then this is where we part. I was wondering if you could find out who is leading this so-called Hunt and bring them to the palace for a meeting.”

“Of course, is that all my Queen?”

“Yes,” she replied and dismissed the Lord. She walked up the many stairs, entering the royal Chamber noting all of her parent’s stuff within the room. She turned to a young red-haired maid who was dusting some of the furniture within the room.

“Maid, please get rid of all this,” she stated gesturing to her parent’s possessions.

“Where would you like me to put them, your majesty?” the maid wondered.

“In one of the storage rooms downstairs for now,” Sophia replied. “Do that when I am gone, for now, make yourself scarce.”

“Yes, my Queen.”

Sophia sighed once the young girl left and sat down on her bed, exhausted after the day’s ride. She was so very tired, yet she still had things to do. An entire kingdom to run. She looked briefly around the large Chamber and noted that the lights above her head flickered every few minutes. She would have to check on that later on.

Sophia stood up from the bed and made her way towards a desk on the other side of the room. She looked at the papers scattered on top, messages about financial matters and food supply. Then something peculiar caught her attention. There was the outline of a door behind the desk, it was faint but the lining of the crack in the wall was to fit a human’s height and width. With a grunt and multiple attempts, she eventually pushed the wooden desk to the side and revealed a keyhole. She tried to push the door open but had no luck, it was locked. Key. She needed to find the key.

Ripped apart the bed, emptied the desk draws contents, she went through every inch of the closet finding nothing. She needed to know what was behind that door, why hide something so well?

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