Elinora’s lips tightened into a taut line when she heard those words. She clenched the handle of the fan so tightly in her hand that it threatened to snap in two. Her eyes weren’t even trying to scan the crowd to confirm the maid’s words― she already had a feeling that Rafael was gone from the mont she lost sight of him.
"My Lady..." the maid said, trembling. "What shall we do..."
"What else but to fix your incompetence?" Elinora said with a snap.
She brushed past the maid and stord out of the funeral procession. There had to be a way for her to get rid of Soleia’s child without Rafael Biroumand obstructing her every step. Elinora would need to work quickly as well. The very second Rafael healed Soleia, he would’ve already guessed that Elinora had a part to play in this.
As she walked past a group of chattering noblewon, sothing caught her attention, causing Elinora to halt in her steps.
"The town was absolutely destroyed," one woman gossiped. "I was about to head over to shop the other day, only to find out that everything within that stretch was ruined."
"How?"
"Buildings were toppled," the first woman replied. "I spoke with one of the residents. It seems like Prince Ricard and Prince Rafael had quite a fight before Prince Ricard was slain."
"How... grueso..." the second woman replied. "But the royal family’s magic was never this destructive."
"It was quite out of the ordinary," the first woman said. "But from what the locals described, they had never seen Prince Rafael so powerful before― or any man, for that matter! Princess Soleia was with him during the fight, touching him. They were held together the entire ti."
In a hushed tone, she continued, "Rumors say that she might’ve done sothing to alter Prince Rafael’s powers. Soone caught a white glow of crystals around her during the fight. Otherwise, why would the King bend to a half-blood prince?"
"He fears his son?"
"Why else? King Recaldo could always just have another son. He’s still young, strapping. There are plenty of won who would love a chance to beco the new queen before he―" the woman made a slicing motion across her neck and stuck out her tongue.
The second giggled. "Does that include you?"
"Hey!" the first said, shrugging. "If Edward continues to displease in bed, who knows? The King was once a young man, and rumors say that he visited many courtesans in his youth." She covered her mouth, but Elinora could still pick up the words. "The retired courtesans all said that he was huge."
The two won burst out laughing, almost a little too boisterous for a funeral.
Elinora sneered before walking away. She had heard enough. While she didn’t need the information about her father-in-law’s prowess in bed, what she did find interesting were the recounts provided by the locals who witnessed the battle.
Was Rafael a strong fighter with high magical potential? Yes. Was he stronger than his brothers? Debatable.
Prince Rafael didn’t have the experience nor training that Prince Ricard did. While the forr had a stronger skill set, his lack of knowledge often placed him at a disadvantage. By all ans, Prince Rafael shouldn’t have won the fight so easily.
That was what made what the won said interesting.
If Princess Soleia was using magic, she would’ve been nullifying, and that would’ve been the opposite of helpful in a fight, considering she was only touching Prince Rafael, and not their opponent, Ricard.
Elinora pursed her lips. If only Prince Raziel were still alive. She passed the coffin, turning to look at the bodies of the two princes. Prince Raziel had always been a brilliant mind. If she had passed him this information, surely he would be able to figure it out in a re day or two.
But Prince Raziel was dead, and fortunately, so was Prince Ricard, his insufferable older brother. And Elinora was alone.
With one last glance at the coffin, Elinora turned and left. She needed to find King Recaldo. Never mind being Prince Rafael’s bride. What Elinora wanted now was to be queen, and to have Soleia buried six feet under, along with that brat that was growing in her belly.
Princess Soleia had taken too much from her, and everything was starting to add up to the last straw.
With anger in her eyes, she crossed the distance and stopped in front of the King. He was speaking with so noblen who had co to pay their respects, and Elinora politely waited for them to finish before she stepped forward.
"Your Majesty," she said. "I have so things to report."
King Recaldo glanced at her for a split second before he nodded. They stepped back into the palace before finding a private room. Shutting the door, he sat down on the armchair while Elinora remained on her feet.
"Speak."
"It’s about Princess Soleia," Elinora said. "Her baby may be unstable."
"But not dead?"
"Sothing cropped up," Elinora said.
Under her collar, her purple stone pulsed softly. Perspiration beaded across her forehead as she tried to control the little traces of magic she had in the King, but with how she had only grazed him, it was taxing. However, the anger on King Recaldo’s face quickly disappeared into indifference, and Elinora exhaled in relief.
"Continue."
"But I heard sothing awfully interesting just now at the funeral," Elinora said, her eyes glinting. "I think it may be useful for Your Majesty. Perhaps... it may be a way to finally get rid of Prince Rafael once and for all."
This caused King Recaldo’s eyebrow to rise.
"Is that so?" he asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Elinora said. "I heard that there were local witnesses to the fight that had transpired between Prince Rafael and Prince Raziel. There was no way Prince Rafael should’ve won."
"Ricard’s pride had always threatened to be his downfall," Recaldo said with a scoff.
"But that’s not all," Elinora said. "I have a theory that Princess Soleia’s skillset isn’t limited to re nullification of magic."
A small smirk curved her lips. Soleia would beco Rafael’s downfall.
"She may have the ability to amplify."
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