Turning to the warrior, she issued her orders. “Inform the Grand General to withdraw the troops. Do not attack the larks unless provoked. Defend, but do not initiate.”
The warrior, perplexed, nodded and left.
“You all heard about the spell to control the larks,” Eugene explained. “It seems that spell is now in effect.”
Confusion spread among the officials. Many had doubted the existence of such a spell, but none had dared to voice their skepticism. The reality of the situation was slowly sinking in, except for Verus, who immediately recognized the gravity of the threat.
“Your Highness, I will raise the emergency alert to ‘Critical’,” he declared.
“Do so,” Eugene agreed.
The other officials were stunned. A ‘Critical’ alert was unprecedented, especially so early in the season. The realization of the danger they faced was dawning upon them.
Every household in the capital had a basement shelter, a necessity during emergencies. A ‘Critical’ alert signified a severe threat to the city, demanding immediate shelter-in-place. While such alerts were common during the active season, a ‘Critical’ alert required a strict lockdown until the all-clear signal.
A clerk left to ignite the emergency signal flare. Verus, admiring Eugene’s swift action, commented, “Since Your Highness has already issued the containment order, everyone should be indoors, ready for evacuation.”
The other officials echoed his praise. “Your foresight is truly remarkable, Your Highness.” “Had you not acted preemptively, the situation would have descended into chaos.”
Eugene smiled faintly, her heart heavy with guilt. She blamed herself for the current crisis, for her decision to keep the desert sigil and for delaying reconciliation with Flora.
A new warrior burst into the room. “Your Highness, the larks that crossed the wall are behaving strangely. They’re moving in a disciplined manner, like soldiers marching.”
Eugene and the officials exchanged knowing glances. Such unnatural behavior could only be explained by a powerful spell.
“Your Highness, please take shelter in the underground bunker,” Verus urged, his mind racing with strategies for a potential siege. Could they hold out until the Fourth King’s return? In the worst-case scenario, the fortified bunker would provide safety for the Queen. As long as she and the Crown Prince remained unharmed…
“No. I’m not going,” Eugene declared firmly, her voice steady despite the chaos surrounding them. “With His Majesty absent, I am the commanding authority. In wartime, a leader does not hide.”
Verus’s jaw dropped in disbelief, and the other officials exchanged stunned glances.
“You said the larks are moving slowly,” Eugene continued, her gaze intense. “The lack of immediate aggression reflects the spellcaster’s intent. In other words, the spellcaster is demonstrating their power. This means they have demands.”
As if to confirm her words, a scout burst into the room, breathless with urgency. “There is someone riding atop one of the larks,” he reported.
Eugene’s eyes narrowed, and she seemed to understand immediately. “Is it Anika?” she asked.
“Yes, Your Highness,” the scout replied, his voice strained.
“I assume there’s a message for me,” Eugene said.
The scout hesitated, struggling to contain his frustration and confusion. “She wants me to come out, doesn’t she?” Eugene concluded, her voice low.
The scout nodded, suppressing a mix of anger and fear.
“No, Your Highness! You mustn’t!” Verus and the officials exclaimed in near-unison, their voices filled with urgency.
“If all those larks, especially under control, begin attacking, the capital will be in ruins within moments. With His Majesty away and many warriors absent, what could we possibly do to stop them? What’s the point of surviving alone? If this were a battle between people, then perhaps stepping back would be wise. But with the larks closing in, I am the safest one here.”
Verus, who prided himself on his persuasive skills, found himself speechless. He realized that nothing he said would sway the Queen’s resolve. With a heavy heart, he called for reinforcements.
Marianne rushed in immediately, tears streaming down her cheeks as she desperately tried to dissuade Eugene. “Your Highness, you’re not alone right now. You’re carrying a life. Even if the larks won’t harm you, a shock could still be dangerous.”
Eugene smiled gently, resting a hand over her belly. “This is the King’s child. There’s no way this child is fragile. They are destined to face larks all their life. Enduring this is just the beginning.”
“Your Highness—”
Marianne turned to Dana, her eyes pleading, silently begging for her to help reason with her daughter.
Dana looked at Eugene with a conflicted expression, letting out a soft sigh. She could see from her daughter’s resolute face that no amount of persuasion would work. As a mother, she longed to wrap her daughter in protective arms. But as the head of her family, she understood the weight of responsibility that came with protecting others. Eugene was not only her daughter; she was the Queen of this kingdom.
“You are in a position where you cannot turn your back. Go and do what you must,” Dana urged, her voice steady. Marianne stared at her in disbelief, as if she might faint.
Eugene smiled softly. “Yes, Mother. Don’t worry too much.” She glanced around, her expression firm as she gave a final instruction. “Escort my mother to the bunker.”
Watching her daughter’s figure disappear with a calmness others might describe as cold, Dana clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white. When a soldier offered to lead her to the bunker, she shook her head firmly.
“A mother who flees alone to survive? I will wait here.”
