CHAPTER 32
"You said you moved something?" Matthew finally spoke, his voice slow and measured.
Grace exhaled, pressing her palm against her forehead. "Not just something,my phone. It came to me without me touching it. I thought it was a trick at first, but when I tried again, nothing happened." She looked up at him, searching for an answer in his expression. "What's happening to me, Matthew?"
He glanced at his cup gently. "It's not the crown. It's not just the crimson liquid either. Those were only catalysts. Whatever's inside you, Grace, it's old, older than this kingdom."
Grace shifted uneasily. "Older than the kingdom?" She echoed, crossing her arms. "What does that mean?"
Matthew leaned forward. "The ritual of kingship was meant to transfer power, to anoint a ruler, but what happened to you was something else entirely. You didn't just inherit authority, you awakened something."
A chill ran down Grace's spine. "Awakened what?"
Matthew's gaze was unreadable. "That's what we need to find out."
Outside the chamber, Juliet sneaked back to the window, pressing herself against the cool stone wall, listening intently. Her breath was steady, her mind calculating. She had delivered Matthew Sterrn as planned, but she had not expected to overhear this. Although she struggled to hear the whispers, she was certain king Quicke now had powers.
She turned swiftly and disappeared down the hallway, making her way toward Queen Jonah's quarters.
The moment she entered, Jonah was already waiting, dressed in black, her eyes cold as steel. "Well?" Jonah said asked.
Juliet knelt briefly before rising again. "They were talking about some powers he got as a result of the coronation but he doesn't understand them yet, but Matthew Sterrn does."
Jonah's expression darkened. "Then Sterrn must be eliminated before he guides him."
Juliet hesitated, then spoke again. "There's something else. Robert is completely loyal. He will never betray King Quicke."
Jonah's lips curled into a small smile. "That is where you come in, dear cousin. You must get closer to your husband closer than ever. Make him trust you, make him need you." She stepped closer, her voice lowering. "And when the time comes, you will strike her."
Juliet swallowed but nodded. She had always known her place in this game.
Meanwhile, Robert received troubling news. He returned to the chamber in a hurry, his face grim.
"We have a problem."
Grace and Matthew both turned to him.
"Rumors are spreading," Robert continued. "Some nobles say your coronation wasn't natural. They whisper about your elevation, how you floated. Some even call it a curse."
Grace's stomach twisted. "A curse?"
Robert nodded. "They say a true king does not rise above the ground, that it's a sign of an unholy force."
Matthew cursed under his breath. "This is worse than I thought."
Grace stood abruptly, her emotions a storm. "So now they doubt me? After everything?" She turned to Matthew. "How do I stop this?"
Matthew hesitated. "You don't stop it, you control it. But right now, Quicke, you don't even know what you're wielding."
The frustration boiled inside her. The betrayal, the fear, the uncertainty, as everything crashed together in her mind like a violent tide.
The room trembled,the air thickened, charged with an unseen force. The lights flickered wildly.
Then, without warning, the entire table shot across the room, shattering against the wall.
Robert jumped back. Matthew barely moved, his gaze locked on her.
Grace was breathing heavily, her hands trembling as a strange golden glow pulsed from her fingertips. The very air around her seemed to bend and warp.
Then, as suddenly as it started, it stopped.
There was great silence in the room, both of them staring widely at Grace.
The table lay in pieces. The air was still heavy with power, lingering like an echo of something ancient, Grace stared at her hands. "What what was that?"
Matthew exhaled. "That, King Quicke, is only the beginning.
Robert didn't say a word, he's worked with the king long enough to know whatsoever that King Quicke is going through isn't ordinary.
Mathew studied Grace for a while before proceeding to speak, "I think you should take some rest, I don't just mean go to bed, I mean you should rest from kingdom duties for now, the executives are already doubting your leadership, they fear you aren't true".
Grace didn't respond, she's still bewildered by her performance.
Mathew continued, "Your father, King Charlenugo would make the final decision, but it's best you do not wear the crown for now".
"I totally agree" Robert's words cut through,
"Pardon me, king Quicke, Mathew Sterrn is right, the weight of the crown is too much on you". He said with his arms at his back.
"I cannot pause my duties, whatever is happening should catch with me being king" She paused, "My loyalty to the kingdom is at stake and sooner or later the people of Alagascar would have their doubts and I do not want that to happen". Grace exhaled.
Without hesitation Mathew responded, "very well then, I can tell you what to do but certainly not force you, King, I just hope you make a decision that's best for you as well".
"Thank you, Sterrn, you may take your leave, a commander would see you off and make sure of your safety, Robert needs to run some errands". Grace replied in a soft but dismissive note.
"Okay Quicke, I shall be one dial away, do not hesitate to reach out whenever you break down" Sterrn said making his way through the door.
Grace was startled by his response, "Stop! What do you mean by whenever I break down?"
Mathew gave a small smirk, "you would, King Quicke"
Grace didn't say a word, she watched him leave and right after turned to the ornate mirror. There was a shift in her reflection, she looked perplexed, as though someone who just arrived from a hectic farm duty.
"I have never seen Quicke, looked this tired and defeated". She whispered under her breath.