Henry Valestom was fixing his collar for the 5th time in two minutes. 

"Stop that", his wife Jen Valestrom said swatting his hand away. "It looks fine".

" I sorry my darling. It's just an important day. " Henry said.

" Why does that mean you have to be nervous?" Jen inquired.

" That's because the royal family will be here in our town", Henry replied.

" Oh and aren't you part of the royal family?" Jen asked teasingly.

" Yes but I'm only 182nd in line and not in the main family," Henry said seriously. " Otherwise they would not have let me marry you, my dear".

" I didn't think they let you do anything. They just couldn't stop us." Jen replied kissing Henry.

Even a decade later Henry did not regret marrying Jen. Even after he had been sent to manage the town of Arn at the far borders of the kingdom.

Jen thought Henry looked handsome in his black suit with golden cuffs. She thought is brought out the character of his face and the small streak of grey on his goatee. Although Henry was a noble, he was more well known for being more social with commoners and as such dressed in common clothes more often.

Jen and the girls wore black dresses with lots of white lace. Violet could be seen playing with the tassels, while the tassels seemed to make Poe itch. 

This border was known for two things. The terrifying beasts that lived in the Mountains and the man who was so strong that guarded it that no nation would invade from this side.

The greatest warrior of the kingdom of Annoh. A great swordsman said to have been very close to the king and queen. He was an elemental conjurer. His gift was the element of shadow. At the age of 30, it was said that he mastered the twelfth level of his shadow magic. Unlocking all twelve forms. He was the first to do so in nearly a hundred years.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The abilities he had were not the best among all shadow masters but with his superb swordsmanship, he was a force to be reckoned with. Also, most shadow masters only reached the 6th level in their lifetime. He was a genius taken far too soon.

Five months ago, Raylin Brook, the shadow master died. Henry wanted to curse the fact he died near their town. Now he would have to deal with his stuck-up relatives. After months of investigation and retrieving his ashes from the crematorium, the royal family was finally having his funeral. The even commissioned a huge statue of him in the town square, where his funeral would be held.

Also since this matter was of such importance he would have to bring his whole family. Luckily  Violet was no longer ill. Otherwise they would receive a lot of scrutiny and rumor from the other nobles. 

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       Violet sat in a velvet chair next to her mother. She would swing her legs back and forth every so often obviously unaware of the depressed atmosphere around her. Poe sat next to Violet perturbed by the nearby occupants that would tell Jen how cute her daughters were. Most of which were old women and would give Poe a pinch on the cheek.

I hate everything about my existence, Poe thought to herself.

Trumpets sounded off as the royal family entered. King Rolf Vinson entered the town square. The king had a long grey beard but even though he looked sad he still gave off a kingly aura. Behind him followed the crown prince. Prince Argent Vinson also appeared sad but there was a hint of anger in there. Then entered Queen Valerie Vinson. 

Unlike King Rolf and prince Argent, Queen Valerie was clearly distraught. She clearly had not slept much or eaten recently.

A nearby voice whispered, " The Queen does not look healthy".

"What do you expect? The Queen and King took Raylin in as a child and raised him as their own", another voiced replied.

"I heard in all but blood he was their son and that he was even godbrother to the crown prince", a third voice whispered.

Poe seemed to be trying to say something. "........ Mom.....".

" Big sis Poe why are you crying", Violet asked.