[color=lightgray][center][color=a187be]Queen Alibeth[/color], [color=E77298]Princess Anastasia[/color], [color=ab274f]Prince Wulfric[/color], [color=00F8FE]Prince Callum[/color] and [color=peru]Stratya Durmand[/color][/center]

[center]Part 1[/center]

[color=a187be]Time:[/color] 8am
[color=ab274f]Location:[/color] A Tea Room in the Castle

[right][sub]Mention: [@TPartywithzombi] Ariella [@JJ Doe] Riona[/sub][/right]
[hr]


The ticking of a clock permeated the air as Alibeth sipped at her morning tea. She and her daughter were seated in the upstairs tea room, awaiting her two sons’ arrival. A small crystal chandelier hung overhead, its crystals twinkling in the morning sun and the air was fragrant with the smell of the hot raspberry herbal tea. 

[color=a187be]“Tavern again?”[/color] Her tone was calm but carried an unmistakable edge as she observed Anastasia, who rested her head on her forearm sprawled across the table. With a resigned sigh, Alibeth swept a few stray blonde strands from the tabletop. Alibeth brushed her blonde hair off the table with a sigh.

There was no retort from the princess. [color=a187be]“Do lift your head and sit up. I need you to pay attention to this conversation.”[/color] With a groan, Anastasia pulled herself up to lean her elbow on the table and her chin in her palm.

Callum arrived surprisingly punctually but looked expectedly unpresentable. The scent of the dungeon clung to his close, wine clung to his breath, and he had clearly not slept. 

[color=00F8FE]“Good morning, Ana, fun night?”[/color] He asked with a forced overly pleasant tone but a sincere smile. [color=00F8FE]“And good morning, Your Highness.”[/color] He added without emotion or a glance towards Alibeth. He took a seat next to Ana and lightly kicked her to get her attention. [color=00F8FE]“Elbows on the table? Problem child.”[/color] He teased. 

[color=E77298]“Good morning Callum. I’m happy to see you.”[/color] Anastasia turned her head to smile sincerely at her brother, but there was no hiding the sadness within her gaze. [color=E77298]“... Cannot fault me for fulfilling my role in the family.”[/color] She teased back and reached out to touch his hand, leaning in as she whispered, [color=E77298]“Are you okay? Did something happen last night?”[/color] 

[color=00F8FE]“Last night Edin and his infinite wisdom sent Ari to the dungeon for [i]artistic expression[/i]-”[/color] Callum looked up as footsteps approached the tearoom. Anastasia had scowled immediately upon Callum’s words.

The sting was a sharp pain in Alibeth’s chest. Callum’s deliberate avoidance of a more familial greeting sliced through the composed atmosphere. As Anastasia spoke, Alibeth’s gaze lingered over her son. She swallowed the reprimand rising in her throat, choosing her battles wisely in a moment already thick with unspoken grievances. 

[color=ab274f]“Good morning,”[/color] Wulfric arrived shortly after, impeccable as ever. He studied his siblings closely; both were in an awful state. [color=ab274f]“Why were you in the dungeon, Callum?”[/color] he questioned, recognizing that scent and finding it odder than if his younger brother had also been in a tavern.

[color=00F8FE]“So I spent the night in the dungeon too.”[/color] Cal glanced at Ana with a shrug. [color=00F8FE]“Am I not allowed to visit with [i]wrongfully imprisoned[/i] friends?”[/color] He asked, turning to Wulfric. 

[color=ab274f]“Who?”[/color] his older brother sought clarification on who had been imprisoned.

[color=00F8FE]“Ariella.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“Ah…”[/color] he acknowledged as he settled into his chair, recognizing Edin’s involvement in the imprisonment. He decided to move onto the next topic, however, and gave his mother a deep nod. [color=ab274f]“What is today’s business? The Black Rose?”[/color] That was certainly the subject he wished to discuss, so it was convenient that three of the people he wished to speak to were present.

[color=a187be]“Good morning, gentlemen. I apologize for the early summoning.”[/color] Alibeth glanced at Wulfric and nodded. [color=a187be]“I would very much like to speak about The Black Rose, however, there is another grim topic I wanted to speak with you all about as well… We are just waiting for-”[/color] The doors opened at that moment.

Stratya arrived next with a wicker basket on her arm, a plaid cloth laid over its top. She'd made sure to wake up early enough to prepare, though this meeting wasn't something she'd planned on. The servant that had brought her summons to her had caught her on her fife, sitting outside her house, waiting for the muffins to cool.

Conveniently, the princess was here, too, as the knight had hoped she might be. She and her basket smelled of sweet bread as her voice chimed softly, [color=peru]“A good morrning to The Rroyal Family. I jus’ finished baking, this morning, as luck would ‘ave it.”[/color] She lifted the cloth to reveal her banana bread had taken on a muffin shape, this morning. Her eyes settled briefly on the disheveled half of the room, [color=peru]“T’is a popular rremedy for bot’le ache in the region around my ‘ome village. Verry sough’ after durring ‘is week's festival.”[/color]

[color=a187be]“Good morning, Captain Durmand. Your kindness is appreciated. Please help yourself to freshly brewed tea.“[/color] Alibeth greeted her and gestured to the empty seat. Allowing a brief pause for her words to settle, her gaze swept across the room [color=a187be]“I called you all here with bad news. However, I want to first acknowledge something. Callum, Anastasia—I am aware that there are times when you feel distanced from me, perhaps even distrustful. I regret the shadows that my decisions might cast on our relationship, especially concerning recent events…”[/color] Her gaze settled on Callum, [color=a187be]“However, my hope is that Wulfric would have you two at his side when he becomes king and I’m no longer here…  Please, all of you, continue to love and trust each other. My decisions are rooted in my desire to keep you safe, and for you all to have each other for support. Going forward, I would like the two of you present for serious deliberations, so that you are not kept out of the loop.”[/color]

She closed her eyes and sighed. [color=a187be]“With that said, I fear you may blame me for the next thing I say, however, I wanted to be candid and tell you all as soon as I can… “[/color] Alibeth opened her eyes and finally announced, [color=a187be]“Darryn was murdered.”[/color] 

Her gaze slid to Stratya, [color=a187be]“Captain Durmand found his head behind the stables. I've summoned her to provide further details as we have initiated an investigation. Considering that a murderer may be at large and capable of breaching castle grounds, we must treat this with the utmost seriousness. Callum, Anastasia—if either of you spoke to Darryn, saw him, or know anything that could be relevant, I need you to share it here in Captain Durmand's presence.”[/color]

[color=E77298]“I saw him the other day…”[/color] The words felt numb on her tongue. Anastasia looked at Callum, a tear streaking her cheek. [color=E77298]“Before I went into the tavern we both went to… Him and I had an argument. He was mad at me for what happened… And he gave me some drugs.”[/color] She paused, her brows furrowing as she added, [color=E77298]“His eyes were glowing red by the end of the conversation.”[/color] She could tell by the look on her mother’s face that she wasn’t surprised at all by such a thing.

Callum put an arm around his sister, who leaned into his shoulder, and tried not to react to the last thing she said. [color=00F8FE][i]His eyes were glowing red,[/i][/color] only meant one thing. He’d have to tell Riona that, oh gods, he’d have to tell her Darryn’s head was found in the stables. [color=00F8FE][i]Just his head? Where was the rest of him?[/i][/color] He suddenly felt very sick and acutely aware that Alibeth and the Captain seemed to think this was a good time for tea and banana bread. 

[color=00F8FE]“Last time I talked to Darryn, you were the one that wanted him dead.”[/color] Cal’s head gestured towards Alibeth but he didn’t look at her. Instead he watched Wulfric’s reaction, unsure if he’d be able to tell if his brother had anything to do with the murder but not wanting to miss anything. [color=00F8FE]“Guess I should’ve specified how long I wanted Darryn kept safe for, huh?”[/color] He gave an equally bitter response to Wulfric. 

[color=ab274f]“Fletcher was…?”[/color] Wulfric had initially responded to the revelation with surprise, then fell deep into thought. Upon being referred to by Callum, he turned towards his younger brother with a nod. [color=ab274f]“I should have never let him out of my sight.”[/color] That had been one of his many mistakes, to let Darryn run free without confirming for himself what he had seen at the after party, and how he had been involved. [color=ab274f]“Since I made that promise to you, I should have made damn sure I could keep it. Moreover, by now I do wish I had handled that matter entirely differently,”[/color] he confessed. [color=ab274f]“I was wrong.”[/color] As he said so, he met Callum’s gaze head on, calm and with genuine intent.

[color=ab274f]“I understand you suspect our mother, Callum, but if she had insisted on killing Darryn, it would have happened in the form of a public execution. Not a murder such as this,”[/color] he reasoned. [color=ab274f]“While you two may blame her, I believe the one behind this case was Marek Delronzo and his [i]organization,[/i]”[/color] he sneered at that last word. [color=ab274f]“In case you three do not know,”[/color] he nodded at his siblings and the captain, [color=ab274f]“Prior to when he was brought out to be executed in the morning of the 21st, Darryn had been questioned. He revealed he had been working for someone else, that he had taken you to the party on another’s orders. Whose else but Marek’s then, whose party it had been?”[/color] he questioned rhetorically. Callum said nothing but made no effort to hide his eye roll at the mention of Marek and his evil plans to host parties. 

[color=ab274f]“However, let us forgo our suspicions for the moment, and focus on the facts. Captain Durmand, if you will?”[/color]

Stratya had set her basket on the table, poured herself some tea and grabbed a muffin. She waited patiently as the royals discussed, and learned some very interesting things as she did. The identity of the party host was known, which certainly did cast a suspicious light on the man. She could see why Prince Wulfric didn't tell her previously. Still, though, having a name to put to all this helped her mind orient itself and find good footing.

When the Crown Prince addressed her, she set the tea cup she'd just been sipping from down and nodded, [color=peru]“Of course, Your ‘ighness.”[/color]

She took a breath and began, [color=peru]“As sta’ed, I found Darryn's ‘ead behind the stables. I found i’ with an executioner's blade nearby. The poor lad ‘ad been bea’en before ‘e’d been done in, too.”[/color] She shook her head, [color=peru]“I ‘ad an ‘ound follow the scen’ from t’ scene. It led me through town and intae t’ woods, where I foun’ wha’.. remained o’ the poor lad.”[/color]

The next part was going to be rough. She glanced between the two younger siblings and then to Wulfric. This was causing a lot of drama among the Royal Family. [color=peru]“I found ‘is body, to pu’ i’ briefly, melted. There was an inorganic substance foun’ in wha’ remained tha’ coulnae be identified.”[/color] She thought about having more muffin, but found her appetite lacking, just then.

While his mother turned to address his siblings, Wulfric engaged the captain in a private discussion regarding the murder’s details. [color=ab274f]“When did you find him? When is the estimated time of death? Have you assembled an investigative team already, or are you going at it alone?”[/color] He paused.

[color=peru]“Yesterday morrnin’, ser. Folks were complainin’ about a stench, and it led me rright to ‘im. Due to unfavorable conditions, time of death will be ‘ard to determine. The ‘ead is with the corroner, which woul’ be the best be’. The body, as you may guess, ser, is limi’ed in use. I ‘ave recrui’ed Riona, for the analysis.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“Riona…?”[/color] he prompted. There was a sense of vague familiarity at the name, but he was uncertain who she was referring to.

[color=peru]“Oh, apologies. A castle servant with apothecary skills.”[/color]

After she answered his initial questions, he continued. [color=ab274f]“Has the sword been dusted for fingerprints? Was the scent the only tangible track which could be followed? Exactly which streets did the hound lead you through?”[/color] It was mystifying that the perpetrator had gone through the city. Then again, this was someone who had been able to enter and leave the castle’s premises undisturbed.

[color=peru]“Aye. Nae prints, and the rain had washed much evidence away. I was lucky to find anythin’ left of the body. The route, though, [I]was[/I] quite bold. Right through town. Flora to Priscilla and right into the woods. Right past the enforcement centers. Insultingly bold.”[/color]

[color=ab274f]“By inorganic substance, do you mean that it was an unknown synthesized one? Or…”[/color] he trailed off, but did not mention magic.

[color=peru]“Unknown, and synthesized. Otherwise inconclusive. I've brough’ the report.”[/color] Wulfric extended a hand, and once she passed it over, read through the document detailing the analysis with rapt attention.

[color=a187be]“Thank you, Stratya.”[/color] Alibeth began, and let her gaze slide to Callum. [color=a187be]“I did want him to die.”[/color] She confirmed. [color=a187be]“After he was interrogated, it became clear that his presence was very dangerous, and that he was betraying us to someone else, as Wulfric explained.”[/color] 

[color=a187be]“I will always prioritize the safety of the kingdom and our family… However…”[/color] Her gaze softened. [color=a187be]“When you and Wulfric requested that I spare him, I fully intended to keep that promise. You may doubt my words, and I understand that. But if you truly care about Darryn, then you will acknowledge that gathering all the facts is the only way to reveal the truth. Evidence will clear my name more effectively than anything I say, though I want the focus to remain on finding the killer.”[/color]

[color=E77298]“... You swear you had nothing to do with it, mother?”[/color] Alibeth glanced at her teary-eyed daughter. 

Alibeth said sincerely, her gaze fixed, [color=a187be]“I swear on all of your lives, and my own, that I did not kill Darryn.”[/color] Then something dawned on her. [color=a187be]“You did not seem as surprised by the news as I thought you might. Did you know?”[/color]

Anastasia nodded. [color=E77298]“Riona told me last night… She was really angry with me as I’m the one who asked him to take us to the party.”[/color] Her gaze saddened, [color=E77298]“If I hadn’t done that, he’d still be here.”[/color] Callum glanced at Ana, a concerned look in his eyes but he didn’t say anything. 

Alibeth stared at her a moment, and though perhaps there was sympathy in her eyes, she kept her voice firm as she spoke, [color=a187be]“Your actions were impulsive and you did not think your choice through, Anastasia. A lot of important individuals followed you, trusting you to lead them somewhere they would be safe.”[/color] She told her. [color=a187be]“Things could have ended much worse, for you, for your brother, for all those young women and men who made the choice to follow you… As a princess, you may not feel you are important, but to many you are. People look up to you. I think perhaps even Darryn did as well… However.”[/color] She reached out to touch her hand briefly. [color=a187be]“We have reason to believe that Darryn would have led many to the party regardless. No one expects you to have foreseen that your decision would result in everything that followed, including Darryn’s death… No one could have predicted that… I’m certain Riona is just pained by the loss as you are. Grief often leads to a phase of anger.”[/color]  

Anastasia lowered her gaze and a brief silence followed, before Alibeth’s gaze found Wulfric, as if to indicate she wanted to address his concerns now. [color=a187be]“I take it everyone here is aware of the existence of magic?”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]“Darryn’s gone and you want to talk about superstitious nonsense?”[/color] Cal mumbled, studying a single spot on the floor. There was no reason to admit to anything he knew about magic. [color=00F8FE]“This meeting is a sick joke. Neither of you cared about Darryn, you just want to find a way to pin this all on Marek.”[/color] He kept his voice quiet, waited for Alibeth to tell him he was wrong about magic being nonsense, waited to get a glimpse of how much they knew. 

Anastasia’s gaze darkened and she said to Callum softly, [color=E77298]“Magic is real, Callum. I have seen it. ”[/color] Unease filled her expression as she quietly declared, [color=E77298]“It’s… It’s evil.”[/color] Callum froze, his chest tightened. She’d said with such resolve, and it felt she was calling him evil in that same breath. 

[color=ab274f]“A way to pin this all on him?”[/color] Wulfric’s laugh was as abrupt as it was dark. [color=ab274f]“Brother, you know as well as I do that if it were that simple, we wouldn’t bother with evidence, we would simply do away with him,”[/color] a mocking smile twisted his lips. [color=ab274f]“Do you know what the sickest joke is?”[/color] There was a strange glint in his eyes as he leaned closer to Callum. 

[color=ab274f]“I spoke to Edin yesterday morning, and managed to drag out a kernel of truth from him. He told me I should leave your [i]dear friend[/i] Marek well alone…”[/color] he sneered. [color=ab274f]“Because Delronzo and his Black Rose are an entrenched part of the criminal underworld. People forced to fight for the amusement of others, drugged out of their senses willingly or not, abducted, abused, enslaved, all of it for his sake,”[/color] he laughed again, a tad unhinged. [color=ab274f]“He believes your precious criminal lord of a friend is useful, [i]helpful[/i] even.”[/color] As if an unknown switch were flipped, all expression leached from him. [color=ab274f]“So, if Edin finds him as someone good to keep on your side, [i]and so do you[/i], what does that tell you, [i]hmm?[/i]”[/color]

Callum flinched. [color=00F8FE]“Like I believe anything [i]Edin[/i] says. Prove it.”[/color] He mumbled, not looking at Wulfric now either. 

[color=ab274f]“Would that I could,”[/color] he shook his head. [color=ab274f]“But ask yourself this: What kind of evidence would you even believe? What reason would Edin have to lie to me?”[/color] Callum wouldn’t see it, but Wulfric was looking at him with a rare emotion: pity. [color=ab274f]“If you are so convinced in your own right, how could you ever see past your own preconceived notions?”[/color]

Anastasia couldn’t believe Wulfric’s words. If any of them had met Marek, they’d have seen how nice he was. Nothing made sense and at this point, she did not know what was true. Still, for some reason, she felt sorry for, and even a little protective of Callum, so she pulled him into a side hug. 

Callum pulled his arm away and crossed both of them over his chest. [color=00F8FE]“So what you’re saying is, you’ve got no proof? Got it.”[/color] 

Stratya nodded to the Queen’s question to the room, and despite Callum’s apparent ignorance (feigned or otherwise), she would answer, [color=peru]“I am.”[/color]

Somehow, the knight’s mind had been dancing around the deeds they were looking at. Murder was just the tip of the iceberg, and she knew that. And she remembered why. To hear the misdeeds of their quarry laid before her set her into a thoughtful mood.

Alibeth’s eyes widened with genuine shock and she gripped her knees a moment. She had suspected something was very wrong in the way Edin turned a blind eye to so much. The more she considered it, the more she realized that it made a lot of sense. However, she had a feeling Edin wouldn’t be in cahoots with Marek just for the fun of it; there had to be something Marek had on Edin, and there was no telling if that would affect the rest of them as well. 

There was also no telling what would happen if the information left this room.

Alibeth looked to Stratya suddenly, [color=a187be]“...Captain, please confirm that you are insinuating that all that was left of Darryn Fletcher was a puddle… Because if that’s all that was left, then I doubt there is any way other than magic to reduce someone to such a state...“[/color] She said firmly and looked to Wulfric, [color=a187be]“Let Callum be. I want to divulge into your statements further with you, Wulfric, but for now keep the focus on Fletcher.”[/color] She held Wulfric’s gaze as if to warn him to be careful of what he spoke about in front of the company they had. Her son, who had already said what he had meant to, merely gave a curt nod.

Stratya considered the question just briefly, [color=peru]“Aye, tha's accurrate.”[/color]

[color=a187be]“This is not the first time that I have caught little spies teetering on the brink of insanity with glowing eyes. Someone is sending them and it is evidently clear that someone is Marek.”[/color]
[/color]