❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ Five ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆

The Last Supper

The family dining room had a plethora of servers whose trays of steaming food danced and swirled around the table. Everything from chicken, vegetables, greens, and potatoes was served. The elegant table was set and was ready to seat up to twenty chairs. However, only five chairs were arranged. Gravis, Lussuria, and Lilly were sitting. The head chair, as well as Snow’s seat, was empty.

“Where is Snow at?” Lilly innocently questioned, looking at the empty chair, nearest the head.

Gravis shrugged, “Maybe she’s training or something.”

“That is very much unlike Snow,” Lussuria commented.

“What do you mean? She’s been trying hard recently. She’s just fed up with having no luck with the frost.”

“Snow is not a fighter. I learned the sword faster, and I am a mage. Combat isn’t her thing; it’s like putting a block in a circular hole.” Lussuria joked.

“Like my puzzle toy?!” Lilly asked.

“Yes, Lilly.”

“You are wrong, Lussuria,” Gravis said in Snow’s defense. “Snow is incredibly clever. She even picks up other weapons quickly. The issue is that she has no discipline or the will to fight people. I bet she would beat you if she put her heart into it. You should know firsthand what Snow is capable of, considering she saved your hide in Vulcas.”

“I suppose you may have a point.”

A tea cart rolled in, being pushed by Lamille.

“Snow will be here soon,” Lamille answered for Snow’s empty chair, not before muttering something under her breath.

The doors of the dining room opened. The Queen entered, backed by her butler Brutus. Their mother approached the head chair of the table, to which Brutus pulled out the seat for her. All the girls rose from their seats and allowed their mother to sit first.

“Where is Snow?” The Queen looked to Lamille. Lamille looked nervous.

“She should be in her room. I will fetch her-”

“I’m here.” Snow entered with her formal outfit and quickly slipped into her seat, “Sorry I’m late. I was just… meditating.” Snow gave her mother a smile.

“I understand. After weighing the gravity of our conversation, I suppose meditation would be required.”

“What conversation?” Lilly asked.

“A private one. Now, moving on. I have to tell you girls something.”

Lamille began serving everyone’s personal plates, starting with the Queen.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“I am leaving on a trip tomorrow.”

Snow’s eyes flicked towards her mother’s lips. This ‘trip’ must be the thing Randal mentioned about going to the elven capitol. Snow wondered why.

“A trip, where?” Snow asked.

“The elven capitol. Elf Queen Lourissa has declared a regional emergency.”

“Regional emergency?” Lamille questioned instinctively as she served Lilly her plate. The sudden outburst was unlike Lamille, “Sorry, Your highness.” She resumed her serving duties and returned to the cart.

“It’s okay, Lamille. You can speak freely.” Queen Deamonia leaned back against her chair, looking right at Lamille. “You are the main person that I am speaking to. I don’t know why but Queen Lourissa has called forth every leader of Lucredia to make attendance. She claims that the great forest is in imminent danger. Do you have any idea why that is? None of my Mages can figure out what the problem is. Albeit we can’t go into their deeper forests without a guide.”

Lamille turned her head in thought, her violet eyes focused on the space in front of her.

“The only issue that would merit such a call would be if a sage tree was in danger or the great tree itself.”

A subtle smirk appeared on the Queen’s face.

“Do you believe that is the case? You used to be a guardian of a sage tree.”

“Hard to say. I no longer have a connection to my sage tree anymore. So telling from here is impossible. Dea, please, let me go with you.”

“No.”

“I used to be a sage. I can help!” Lamille’s concern with her homeland was reasonable but dismissed by the Queen.

“Taking you with me is unnecessary.”

“But!”

“Warden Flora will come and cover my absence, but there will be a window of time before she arrives back from her duties. So, I need you here, on watch for that period of time.” The Queen took a sip of wine before sparring Lamille a pressing glance, to which Lamille surrendered.

“Very well, I understand…So, do you think Lourissa is lying?”

“I don’t know. I will learn once I arrive.”

Once the grand meal had been served and eaten, their mother looked upon her four daughters.

“When I am gone, there are new rules.”

The sisters all looked at each other and then at their mother.

“Rule, number one. Do not call upon the frost while I am absent.”

Lussuria and Gravis nearly jumped at the same time.

“What?!” They harmoniously said together.

“Mom, that is unfair. How will I be able to practice my new spells?” Lussuria questioned in objection.

“Yeah, Mom, I’m getting a good handle on mine. I will be delaying good practice!” Gravis piggybacked off Lussuria’s point.

Snow glanced at her two standing sisters. Gravis and Lussuria seemed to agree on something for once.

“Do not question why. Just do not use it while I’m gone. I will not repeat myself.”

Lussuria and Gravis sighed.

“Well, what of Lilly, mother. Lilly can not control her activation.” Lussuria questioned with her arms open. Lilly was already playing with her cup of juice, which was freezing with each swirl.

“Lilly is fine. That rule was for you and Gravis.”

Lussuria and Gravis sat back down in sullen harmony.

“Fine.” - “Fine.”

Their mother looked at Snow.

“Snow. You may continue to train on yours. However, no sneaking out from the castle grounds. I can not guarantee your safety when I am not present during your cloaked adventures.”

Snow gave a surprised look that she only ended up shaking her head.

“Alright, mother.”

“I would like each of you to look out for each other, and don’t forget our values. Lastly, assume the order of the crown’s succession is that of age.” The Queen said while spinning her fork against the plate.

“Succession? Mom, where is this coming from?” Gravis questioned.

“Just a precaution, that’s all.” The Queen looked away for a moment.

Snow caught it, her mother’s eyes, eyes that had more to tell but no voice to do so. Then, finally, the Queen finished her topic with:

“That’s all I have to say. The trip will last just a few days.”