Bridging Worlds: Book 1 Celestoria's Time

In the opulent throne hall of the magnificent palace, Queen Melisandre sat on her majestic throne, her regal presence casting a commanding aura. Her gaze was stern, and her eyes held a sense of purpose as she peered out across the chamber, her fingers gently tapping on the ornate armrest of her throne. The grandeur of the hall was evident in every detail, from the rich tapestries that adorned the walls to the glistening chandeliers that bathed the room in a warm, golden glow.

The grand doors of the throne hall swung open, and General Oromon, a trusted and loyal figure in the queen’s court, entered with a graceful bow and a flourish of his richly adorned uniform. “Your Majesty,” he began, his voice steady and respectful, “as per your request, I have summoned the two princes.”

Queen Melisandre nodded approvingly, her deep emerald robes billowing as she moved. “Thank you, General,” she replied, her voice carrying the weight of authority. She watched as Oromon left the hall to fulfill her command.

Moments later, the heavy doors swung open once more, and in walked the two princes, Prince Oberon and Prince Draven. The brothers shared a striking resemblance, their princely attire highlighting their royal lineage. Confusion was etched on their faces as they made their way toward the queen.

Prince Oberon, the elder of the two, raised an inquisitive eyebrow. “Your Majesty, you called for us?,” he said, his voice tinged with curiosity.

Prince Draven, the younger brother, nodded in agreement. “Yes, Your Highness,” he added, “what is it that you require of us?”

Queen Melisandre’s gaze shifted from one prince to the other, and she cleared her throat, a touch of apprehension in her voice. “I have heard whispers of a young man named Kiryo,” she began, her eyes narrowing slightly. “It has come to my attention that he is being held in your custody, Prince Draven.”

Prince Draven shifted uncomfortably, his frustration evident as he replied, “Your Highness, Kiryo offended me with his insolence. I held him for the disrespect he showed.”

Rosche, a friend of Kiryo, stepped forward, her eyes filled with concern. She curtsied gracefully and spoke with a calm but firm voice, “Your Majesty, if I may, Kiryo is a newcomer to this land. He knows very little about customs and traditions of Celestoria. There must be a misunderstanding.”

Prince Oberon, smirking, decided to take advantage of the situation to annoy his brother further. “Indeed, perhaps his actions were due to his ignorance. It’s not unusual for newcomers to make mistakes.”

The tension in the room began to ease as the realization of a potential misunderstanding became apparent. Queen Melisandre nodded in agreement with Prince Oberon’s reasoning, acknowledging the possibility of a cultural gap. “Indeed,” she said, “we should give Kiryo the benefit of the doubt.”

With that, Prince Draven, though reluctantly, agreed to release Kiryo from custody, his irritation simmering beneath the surface. “Very well,” he conceded, his voice filled with frustration. “If it was a misunderstanding, I see no reason to hold him captive any longer.”

As the two princes exited the throne hall, Prince Draven muttered under his breath, “This is not the end of it, Oberon.”

Unbeknownst to the two princes, Queen Melisandre’s keen eyes didn’t miss a thing. She had observed the dynamics between her stepsons and the underlying rivalry between them. Her decision to call them to the throne hall had been more than just about Kiryo; it had revealed the tension within her family. In the grandeur of the throne hall, the queen knew that her role as both ruler and stepmother was far from simple, and the delicate balance of power and family loyalty would continue to be a challenge she must navigate.

As Rosche and Eamon made their way through the palace corridors, the sight of Eamon’s presence within the palace walls left Rosche understandably startled. She couldn’t help but inquire, her voice laced with a hint of confusion, “Eamon, what are you doing here in the palace? Weren’t you all supposed to wait for me outside?”

Eamon’s shadowy form shifted, returning to his normal appearance, and he regarded Rosche with a calm demeanor. “I thought you might be in danger,” he said, his voice carrying an air of concern. “Are you okay?”

Rosche nodded, a grateful smile on her face. “I’m fine, Eamon. It was a tense situation, but it’s resolved now. The queen helped me persuade the princes to pardon Kiryo. He’ll be released soon.”

Eamon’s expression remained impassive, his thoughts hidden behind his inscrutable exterior. “I see,” he replied. I’m glad everything worked out.”

Rosche chuckled softly, understanding Eamon’s reservations about Kiryo. “I know he can be a handful, but he’s still a good person at heart. Thank you for your concern, Eamon.”

As Rosche and Eamon continued their walk through the palace corridors, Rosche couldn’t help but wonder about the well-being of their companions. She turned to Eamon and asked, “Eamon, where are the others?

Eamon nodded reassuringly, his calm demeanor unwavering. “They are waiting at the palace gate, and they are fine,” he replied. “I made sure to check on them before coming to find you. They are safe and unharmed.”

Rosche let out a sigh of relief, her worry for their companions easing. “That’s good to hear. I’m glad they are safe.”

As they walked side by side, Rosche shared the news with Eamon. “I’m grateful to the queen for her support. She’s truly a wise and fair ruler.”

Eamon simply nodded, and they continued their journey toward the palace gates, where their companions were waiting.