Chương 41: Felicity, the future Queen?

The underground cell was damp and freezing. Water seeped through the ancient stones and the silence was broken only by the breathing of the two prisoners. Leah ran a hand through her hair, visibly nervous.

"If they don't get us out of here by tomorrow, we'll end up without our hands". Felicity, sitting against the wall, remained surprisingly calm.

"Maybe they'll find us innocent". Leah stared at her in disbelief.

"I don't understand how you can be so calm…and where the hell did Xia disappear to? Why isn't she coming to rescue us?" Felicity raised her eyes.

"Stop relying on her. We can get out of this on our own". A few moments later, footsteps echoed through the corridor. A torch illuminated the bars, then the door opened with a metallic creak. A soldier pointed at Felicity.

"You. Come with me". Felicity stood up.

"Why?"

"His Majesty's orders". She turned toward Leah.

"Stay calm. I'll be back as soon as I can". The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Leah swallowed and nodded. Felicity followed the soldier through the palace corridors until they reached the throne room. Oscar sat motionless, as if he had been waiting for her. The soldier bowed and withdrew, leaving them alone. Felicity examined the hall, then the king.

"Come closer", Oscar ordered. With slow, controlled steps, Felicity obeyed.

"What do you want from me?" she asked without lowering her gaze.

"I only want to talk".

"With a prisoner?"

"I'm not yet convinced that you're guilty".

"Then why did you imprison me?"

"As a precaution". Oscar studied her carefully.

"May I know your name?" Felicity hesitated for a moment.

"Felicity".

"Just Felicity?" She nodded. Oscar gave a faint smile.

"I don't believe introductions are necessary on my side". He paused, then the next question fell like a blade.

"Are you fertile, Felicity?" She stared at him coldly.

"Why would you ask me something so personal?" Oscar rose from his throne and slowly circled around her.

"I am looking for a wife. So far, I have rejected them all, too feminine, too emotional, too ordinary". He stopped behind her.

"The only woman who has ever met my expectations was my mother…but I can hardly marry her, can I?" Felicity turned around.

"Why are you telling me this?" Oscar looked directly into her eyes.

"Because you impressed me". He took a step forward.

"You are young and beautiful, yet you behave and fight like a warrior. Look at yourself, you stand before the most powerful man in the world and you do not tremble. You do not waver. You are confident". He took a deep breath.

"That is what obsesses me about women". Then he declared without hesitation:"I want you to become the future queen of this kingdom". Felicity's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"Are you serious? Out of all the noblewomen, you choose a commoner like me?"

"I choose a real woman". Oscar turned toward the throne.

"I do not need an answer immediately. Think about it. In the meantime, you and your friend will be given food and lodging in the finest rooms of the palace". Felicity remained silent. Meanwhile, elsewhere in Virelia, Xia walked with her usual elegant stride and entered a weapons shop. Behind the counter stood a man in his fifties, bald, with large white mustaches.

"Madam, how may I help you?" he asked. Xia smiled.

"By giving me your legendary sword". The man smiled back.