Chapter 19: Secrets Of The King

Eria peeked her head into King James’ room when she realized the room was empty she went inside and shut the door behind her.

 She looked around it was very elegant but it was similar to the other rooms of the palace just bigger. She went to the bedside table a pile of empty potion bottles littered the table. “Is Jay sick? Why are there so many potions is it for healing or did he make these?” She asked as she went through them. “These many can’t be healthy…” she looked around. 

She soon realized nothing can be found in the room. She sighed and then noticed a closed door in the corner of the room. She made her way over to the door and she opened it revealing a large walk-in closet. 

She looked around there were many fancy and expensive-looking clothes stacked on each other. And many magically sealed boxes probably containing valuable jewelry. Her eyes looked around then she stopped and gazed at the back of the room there was a simple painting depicting James holding his signature sword. 

She stared at the painting and noticed a small bump that seemed out of place upon clicking it. The painting split in half and opened up to reveal a small room. In the center of the small room was a glass display case and inside it was a white and gold suit of armor and 2 golden bracelets. 

“Wow, that armor looks incredible … did Jay used to wear it?” She said then looked around her eyes widened when she saw another painting containing 3 people. 

James, Zaria, and a third person. They were fighting against a massive beast with 3 heads, 2 sets of wings, and 4 tails.. the beast itself made no sense. Almost like it was pure chaos. Nonetheless, excitement-filled Eria as she rushed over to the painting.

 “Yes! This is it!” She said then looked at the painting she could see James and Zaria fighting with their swords and the third person had a bow and arrow. “Wow James looks so young.. and even more handsome” her gaze then went to Zaria. “This is Zaria wow she’s so beautiful she’s nothing like the stories describe,” she said noticing how Zaria looked young and pretty with her black hair, unlike her final moments. Zaria didn’t have any eyebags and no longer had that rage-filled expression she looked focused but happy.. everyone in the portrait did… 

When Erias gaze went to the third person her expression dropped. The part of the painting where it showed his face was missing… no not missing… torn out… Eria placed her hands in the painting helplessly. 

“No!! I was so close!!!” She said she tried to make out what the person looked like but it was to no avail she couldn’t even catch a glimpse of their hair color the only thing she knew was that he was a boy and he carried a bow and arrow. Not much to go off of. She let out a sigh.

 “Well this didn’t tell me anything.. but what is clear is that James is definitely hiding something. I want to help him but I can’t help him if he doesn’t open up to me… maybe I’ve been too impatient... I should wait for him to come to me willingly instead of seeking answers behind his back…” She said in a defeated tone then made her way out of the closet and out of the room. 

“What was I thinking about sneaking in there? How could I forget sneaking into the king's room is treason?! Ugh, what were you thinking Eria?!” She scolded herself as she snuck out of James’ room she quickly made her way back to her room but when she got there the room was dark. “This wasn’t how I left it…”