Chapter 59: Back to Service

That morning, silence lay thick over the palace-a silence humming with tension. Reika sat by the window and stared out onto manicured gardens. In her head, the incidents of the dungeons played in replay-blood, note, the chilling message that would not budge, now fastening itself in the face of a stormy threat, though she must clear it from her thoughts right now. She had a number of pressing concerns, one of them being about Daisy. Her loyal servant, small but clinging precariously to her life. A week ago, she had lain in the hospital, her doctors baffled without an explanation. Daisy sat now in the corner of Reika's room, crunching noisily on an apple and humming some bright tune. Reika regarded her, one eyebrow quirking. "I thought you were too weak to do anything." Daisy shrugged, her cheeks puffed like a chipmunk's. 'I'm only weak when I'm bored, my queen. Lying in a bed for days was torture." Reika smirked, though relief softened her expression. 'You're insufferable." 'And proud of it," Daisy quipped, throwing the apple core into a small waste bin with practiced precision. --- They'd spent the rest of the morning in the throne room: Reika sweeping in, elegant and poised, Daisy at her heels like some species of guard dog; attendants and advisors snapping to attention, their murmurs dying away as the queen sat. Always-serious Lord Darius came forward, a serious expression etched in his features. "Your Majesty, we have had word from the northern provinces; there is unrest there, and it would seem word of Riftan's demise spread beyond the reaches that were predicted." Reika suppressed another groan. It appeared even in death her brother could cause more problems. "And what, exactly, do they say?" she asked curtly. "Unnatural, that it was by witchcraft are the claims," he stated somberly. Witchcraft?" Daisy cut in, horror-stricken, in the most dramatic of voices. "Oh no, Lord Darius, do I look like the type that would sacrifice chickens at the rising of the dawn?" One of the younger advisors actually coughed a chuckle. Reika bit back a laugh, her lips twitching. "Daisy," Reika warned, though full of amusement, "let the council discuss serious matters. Daisy rolled her eyes and bowed over the top. "Whatever my queen commands, of course. I go back to being the normal servant and definitely not delving in the dark arts." With that, she made for the door and out, a few more muffled laughs escaping the council. By afternoon, Reika was taking a walk through the gardens. She had needed fresh air in order to shake off the residual uneasiness left behind by what had happened in the dungeon. Daisy tagged along, skipping ahead and peering over the flowerbeds. "You should rest more," she called back. Daisy turned, grinning. "I slept enough to last me a lifetime, Your Majesty. Besides, the palace would fall to pieces without me." Reika raised an eyebrow. "It's actually been strangely quiet. "Oh, please," Daisy scoffed, dusting her hands against her skirt. "You know how many servants have been sneaking extra desserts now that I'm not there to glare at them? The kitchen staff practically threw a party when I fainted." Reika couldn't help but chuckle. "I will say, things were never as dull without you around, at least." "Of course they weren't," Daisy said, puffing her chest out proudly. "I am the heart of this palace. The laughter faded from Reika's voice, her mind sobering with darker thoughts. "I'm glad you're back, Daisy. Truly." Daisy's grin gentled, and she took another step closer. "And I'm glad you didn't give up on me. Whatever's weighing you down, my queen, we'll face it together." Reika nodded, but inside she knew some battles were hers alone, ones even Daisy could never stand by her side against. --- End The morning's joy was burned off by nightfall. Reika sat in her chambers once more, staring at the black feather and note. She hadn't found out where they came from, nor what they really meant, and it really bothered her. Daisy came in carrying a tray with a steaming cup of tea. "Chamomile," she said, setting it down. "I figured you'd need it, considering the bags under your eyes are heavier than usual." "Thanks for the nice observation," Reika grumbled, reaching for the cup. Daisy sat opposite her, leaning forward with curiosity. "So, what's up with the spooky feather? You keep staring at it as if it is going to explode." Reika stammers; Daisy has always been her confidant, but there are secrets that are too dangerous to show. "It's nothing," she says at last, putting the cup aside. "Just trifling. Daisy scowled, not saying a word. Lean back, crossing her arms, she said, "Seriously, though-if someone is trying to spook you, they are wasting their time. You survived some crazy curses, like half a dozen assassination attempts, and all the drama with a palace. A feather? Please." Reika smiled faintly. "I do appreciate your faith in me." "Faith?" Daisy beamed. "Oh, no, my queen-just stating facts. You're tougher than you give yourself credit for." --- The plot twist came about midnight. Reika was having her sleep disturbed by furious knocking on her door. She tossed a robe on and opened the door, showing Lyra pale and panic-stricken. "My queen," Lyra gasped, "there's been an incident." Reika's stomach dropped. "What kind of incident? Lyra hesitated, then whispered, "The guards found another note. It was nailed to the gate." Reika followed Lyra down the darkened corridors, her heart pounding. They reached the palace gates, and there it was-a piece of parchment pinned with a dagger. She pulled it free and read the jagged handwriting: "The debt grows. Innocence cannot shield you forever." Her blood ran cold. The implications were clear: whoever was behind this wasn't done. She turned to go but Daisy entered the room-the mirth of a minute past erased from her features, "I am so sorry, but I was under the desk and-" Another black feather. Reika had stared at it as another layer of dread curdled in her stomach. Frowning a lot more gravely than her character held, Daisy nudged all the joking aside. "What is going on, Reika? Reika clutched the feather tightly. Threats everywhere, she wouldn't know whom to trust. "I don't know," she said in her soft tone. "But I will find out." --- The night drew longer, sleep fled Reika while she paced up and down within her chambers. Warnings, mysterious figure in dungeons, unrest in growth-it all must connect somehow, and pieces didn't fit together yet. Daisy, ever the loyal companion, sat nearby with a determined look on her face. 'Whatever this is," she said firmly, 'we'll figure it out. Together." Reika nodded, her resolve hardening. She didn't know who was behind the threats, but she wouldn't let them win. For now, the shadows could whisper their warnings. But Reika was no stranger to darkness—and she intended to fight it with every ounce of strength she had.