Hazel’s horse thundered through the gates of Mazi Kingdom, hooves striking the cobbled streets with an urgency that vibrated through the air. The golden sunset painted the sky in fiery hues, casting long, ominous shadows that stretched across the town, mocking the serenity of the kingdom’s towering gates. The horse skidded to an abrupt halt, a cloud of dust swirling in the fading light, as Hazel leapt from the saddle, gasping for air. Her wide, frantic eyes locked onto the guards, who stood frozen in shock.

“Your Majesty!” they gasped, their voices trembling with disbelief as they dropped to their knees.

Inside the palace, Julius and Queen Lucida, standing in tense silence with the king, turned at the sound of cheers echoing through the halls.

“What’s happening?” Queen Lucida asked, her brows knitting in concern.

Julius strode to the door, cracking it open just as Maxwell, breathless and flushed with excitement, came sprinting toward him.

“The queen is back, Julius! She’s brought the antidote!” Maxwell panted, bending over to catch his breath.

“What?” Julius’s voice was a whisper, shock flooding his face.

Queen Lucida surged to her feet, her heart hammering in her chest. She rushed to the door, her eyes sharp with a mix of hope and suspicion. But the sight of Hazel approaching left her frozen in place.

Hazel’s appearance was a testament to the trials she had endured—her hair was wild, her dress torn, and her skin streaked with blood. She clutched the bottle containing the antidote in trembling hands, her eyes bloodshot from tears.

“Mother…” Hazel’s voice cracked as tears spilt down her face.

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Queen Lucida’s gaze fixed on Hazel, her eyes growing wider with each passing second. Her lips parted, but no words escaped. A knot tightened in her chest, cold and unfamiliar. Her mind raced, struggling to align her thoughts. Happy—was she supposed to feel happy? A bitter laugh curled at the corners of her mouth. Relief flooded her—her son would be safe, but Hazel… The thought of her left a sour taste in her mouth.

“Take the bottle, Julius,” Queen Lucida commanded, her voice cold and tight. “Maxwell, fetch Mason immediately.”

Julius hesitated but obeyed, reaching for the bottle. Maxwell dashed off, his footsteps echoing in the distance.

Hazel’s eyes darted to the door. “How is Robert? Can I see him now?”

Before she could take another step, a sharp slap echoed through the room, sending Hazel stumbling to the ground. The sting of the blow burned across her cheek, but the accusation in Queen Lucida’s eyes cut deeper.

“You think I’ll forgive you for poisoning my son just because you brought the antidote?” Queen Lucida spat, her voice low and laced with venom.

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Hazel’s hands shook as she clutched her cheek, her eyes wide with disbelief. “I didn’t! I could never hurt Robert! He’s my husband!” she cried.

“Sophie confessed!” Queen Lucida’s words were like daggers. “She said you ordered the poison.”

Hazel’s voice wavered. “No, that’s a lie! I need to see her—I need to prove it!”

“Lock her up!” Queen Lucida barked. “She’ll be executed tomorrow, alongside Sophie. Guards, take her away!”

“No! No!” Hazel screamed, her hands clawing at the air as the guards seized her. “Let me go! Julius, help me! Robert, please!”

Julius stood frozen, unable to move. His heart pounded in his chest, torn between his duty and his own growing dread as he watched Hazel dragged away, her cries fading into the halls.

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Later that night, Maxwell approached Julius outside the treatment room. Casting a wary glance around, he leaned in to whisper.

“Hazel has asked to see you,” Maxwell said quietly.

Julius sighed deeply, his concern etched on his face. He had secretly instructed Maxwell to provide Hazel with food and water after Queen Lucida had denied her any. Now, he had to face her.

Julius entered the prison, his steps heavy. Hazel rose from the cold, damp floor as he approached her cell.

“Your Majesty,” Julius said, bowing his head.

“You came.” Hazel offered him a bitter smile, her eyes red-rimmed from crying.

“I’m sorry I can’t free you,” Julius said, his voice thick with emotion. “The guards outside are too many, and Queen Lucida has tightened security.”

“It’s not your fault,” Hazel replied, tears slipping down her cheeks. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded letter. “I wrote this for Robert. Please give it to him when he wakes up.” She extended the letter to Julius, along with her wedding ring. “He should have this too. Tell him I love him.”

“Your Majesty…” Julius’s voice cracked as tears threatened to spill.

“I have one more request,” Hazel interrupted, her tone steady despite her sorrow. “I need you to go to the Forest Land.”

Julius’s eyes widened in alarm. “The Forest Land? But it’s dangerous! How can I ensure I’ll return to deliver your message?”

“My mother is the queen of the Forest Land,” Hazel revealed, her voice firm. “You’ll be safe if you follow my instructions.”

Julius stared at her, stunned. “Your mother? Is that why you’re different from the rest of us?”

Hazel nodded. “Take this,” she said, handing him a necklace. “Wear it at all times in the Forest Land. It will protect you from the spirits. And remember: don’t eat or drink anything you find there, and don’t rest under the trees—they attract snakes.”

Julius repeated the rules, committing them to memory. Hazel gave him a map and urged him to leave that very night, ensuring he took enough provisions for Lailack, who was still alive but gravely ill.

“I’ll do as you ask,” Julius promised, his determination evident.

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“How is Robert?” Queen Lucida asked as Mason joined her on the balcony, her voice tinged with quiet urgency. Her furrowed brow and the faint tremble in her fingers betrayed the storm of emotions she struggled to suppress.

“He’s improving, Your Majesty. He should wake in three days,” Mason assured her.

Noticing the distant look in the Queen’s eyes, Mason gave a slight bow and quietly left the room, leaving her to her thoughts.

Lucida sighed in relief, though her thoughts remained restless. How had Hazel survived when so many strong men had perished?

“Surprised she’s back?” a voice interrupted her musings.

Lucida turned to see Stacy, her expression sharp. “You must be the most surprised of all, considering you prayed for my son’s death.”

“Yes, I remember you begging for Robert’s life,” Stacy sneered. “You even promised to love Hazel as a daughter if she succeeded. Was that a lie?”

Lucida’s face darkened, her fists clenching. “How dare you?”

“I’m just reminding you, Lucida,” Stacy replied coolly. “You can’t erase your sins so easily.”

Lucida stepped closer, her voice low and threatening. “You should be careful, Stacy. Do you want to die?”

Stacy smirked. “I know your secrets, Lucida. And no memory eraser can take them from me.” With that, she walked away, leaving Lucida seething with rage.