The Legend of the ruthless Empress Freya-Chapter 289: The day I lost everything [Interlude II]

- POV General -

The preparations were complete. The day had finally arrived when the Church and the Crown would join forces for the good of the Kingdom. Thanks to the unquestionable efforts of Queen Selene, the appointment of the new Supreme, known as Razal, could finally take place. For the first time in history, such an important role was to be entrusted to a close friend of the Royal Family, thereby dispelling any tensions between the two powers.

Razal Gris was not the favorite simply because he was friends with Selene, but because he was also a very intelligent young man, always smiling, loved and respected by all. He loved the Kingdom of Zal more than himself, and his desire to make it better was as great as the Queen’s. Together, he was sure they could bring about changes for the inhabitants in order to protect them and keep the peace for decades to come.

Of course, a radical faction of the Church did not agree with his plans at all, considering them childish and based on love, respect, and peace. Indeed, some Protectors of Humanity believed that the extermination of demi-humans and other creatures was a necessity. The fear that a catastrophe like the horrible era of the Liberator would happen again prevented them from considering any option other than hatred and fear.

Fortunately, thanks to the Queen’s help and his undeniable talent, Razal had gradually risen to the top of the Church. The day of his appointment had arrived, and for the first time in his life, he felt that he could actually accomplish anything with unwavering positivity. The pensive young man stood there on the balcony of the Royal Salon, his eyes fixed on the blue sky, a very gentle smile playing on his lips.

Razal was not very tall, but that was only what was visible of him, as he was always dressed in a toga from head to toe and a veil hiding his face. No one knew what he looked like, but it was not uncommon for Protectors of Humanity to dress this way. Physical appearance was of little importance as long as the soul was pure and faith in God and the human race was, in a way, the only reason for living. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The young man was happy this way, knowing that it couldn’t change his plans anyway. As he gently closed his eyes and savored the moment, the glass door leading to the balcony opened behind him. Not reacting and listening, the slow footsteps grew closer and closer, and the closer they got, the more he smiled. Suddenly, a soft, faint voice rang out to his right as he finally opened his eyes.

"Am I perhaps disturbing the mysterious thoughts of the future Supreme?"

Beside Razal stood the Queen of Zal, her blond hair dulled by illness, her innocent blue eyes filled with fatigue but unaffected by her natural radiance. She was very ill, as always, and although she smiled, the day when she would no longer be of this world was approaching. The young man, overcome by a sudden sadness, finally turned to her before responding with a voice full of tenderness, respect, and teasing.

"Oh, Your Majesty, you would never do such a thing as disturb me in my thoughts, I assure you. Your company is always a pleasure. Thank you for giving me your time as always. I am honored."

After uttering these words while bowing as deeply as he could, Razal and Selene suddenly began to giggle softly like children. The two had been friends since childhood, and although at the time those around them thought they would marry one day, they had taken different paths. They had remained in brief contact and eventually crossed paths again, one having become Protector of Humanity and the other Queen of the Kingdom.

Standing beside Selene was Marie, her maid, trying to make herself as small as possible, her gray hair tied back in a bun and her amber eyes avoiding contact. Razal had met the young woman before, but only to exchange information; she had never stayed by his side for more than a few seconds. Intrigued and sensing something different, the young man straightened up before questioning the Queen with curiosity and amusement.

"Oh? For once, your charming servant isn’t running outside the room to guard the door. Is there a reason for that?"

"Well, it’s to talk to you about that that I asked you to come here despite the very busy day ahead of you. It’s no secret that I don’t have much time, and I really think today is perfect."

"Mmm, very well. That’s good, because I wanted to talk to you about something very important as well. Let’s sit down, you should save your strength, Selene~"

Entering the living room quietly through the glass door, the three people connected by fate sat down on one of the luxurious sofas in the room. Razal faced Selene and Marie as a heavy silence settled in, reflecting the serious nature of the conversation. It was only after a few long seconds that the Queen, her brow furrowed, almost whispering, finally opened her mouth without the slightest hesitation.

"Razal."

"..."

"You can take off your toga and reveal yourself."

Selene did not stutter, did not cough, and held her friend’s gaze with eyes burning with determination. The young man had never thought he would hear those words come out of his friend’s mouth... it was so sudden. Pausing for several seconds, he finally stood up, his tone of voice changing to become serious as his eyes, hidden under his toga, stared intently at the dying Queen.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I have complete confidence in Marie. She is the only person in this palace who shares my vision of the world and my desire to bring a better future to the Kingdom. Soon I will be gone, but I want you to have someone to lean on in times of doubt."

Once again, the room fell silent as everyone weighed the significance of Selene’s words. Seconds passed, and only the sound of curtains fluttering in the wind could be heard, as if time had stopped for the three of them. Marie was completely lost, not knowing where to look, torn between her love for the Queen and the familiar sadness that grew stronger with each passing day.

_____________

– Marie’s POV —

What were my kind Queen and her friend talking about? I didn’t understand anything, but I could feel my fingers gripping my dress tightly in a sign of stress. I didn’t understand, but the words my benefactor had spoken had filled my chest with an incomparable warmth. She trusted me? But why? I was far too stupid to know, but despite that, I couldn’t help smiling like a child.

"Selene, I..."

"Y-You don’t have to, of course! I... it’s just that... the idea that you can trust each other and rely on each other is quite... comforting."

I could feel my Queen trembling beside me, and once again, as every day, I couldn’t help but curse myself for my uselessness. If only I could give my life for her, if only she weren’t doomed to die... such a beautiful person like her. This world was unfair. Assholes could spend their lives doing evil, and Her Majesty couldn’t be saved?

*I don’t want to! I can’t! Why? Why, why, why, why, why, WHY?!*

As I let despair wash over me, forgetting everything around me, a trickle of warm liquid seemed to flow from my palm. I didn’t feel any pain; my body was far too accustomed to it after the childhood I had endured, but I knew. As always, my nails had dug into my flesh from clenching my fist, and as I hid my hand in my pocket, a voice suddenly snapped me out of my stupor.

"You’ll never change, will you? Very well, very well. I trust you, if that is your wish, then I can’t refuse you anything."

Breaking the silence first, Mister Razal stood up, determined for the first time to remove his toga in the presence of another person, when suddenly...