As Days Passed… 😈
As the days moved quickly, one thing moved even faster.
GOSSIP.
In Lupesia, rumours travelled faster than horses, magic, and common sense combined. 😌
Village Side 🌾
Workers were finishing their tasks before sunset when Person 2 suddenly rushed over.
Person 2: "DID YOU HEAR?! The dangerous Queen Elda has been reborn! 😱"
Person 7: "WHAT?! REALLY?! 😨"
Person 5: "Forget talking! Finish your work before she curses us with overtime! 😤"
Everyone immediately started working faster.
Person 3 dramatically looked left and right.
Person 3: "Wait… what if she's standing here already? 😶"
Everyone instantly turned left.
Then right.
Then behind themselves.
One worker even checked inside an empty basket.
Person 1: "STOP LOOKING AROUND AND HARVEST FASTER! 😤"
Person 6 leaned closer to Person 3 and whispered.
Person 6: "What if YOU are Queen Elda? 😱"
Person 3: "WHAT NONSENSE—WAIT… WHAT?! 😨"
Person 3 immediately stepped away from everyone.
Person 3: "I SWEAR I'M INNOCENT! 😭"
And just like that, the entire village descended into chaos for absolutely no reason. 😂
Campbell Mansion 👑
Meanwhile, Richard was sitting peacefully in the mansion's grand hall.
Unfortunately, peace was about to become a distant memory.
Several ministers rushed inside, looking as though the kingdom had already ended.
Minister 4: "MY LORD! A dangerous rumour is spreading throughout Lupesia! 😱"
Richard: "What now? 😑"
Minister 4: "They say Queen Elda has returned! 😱"
Richard slowly lowered his cup.
Richard: "...What? 😶"
Minister 5 stepped forward dramatically.
Minister 5: "And Lord Adam's second daughter, Miss Kristen, has started searching for Lupesia's hidden history! 😨"
Minister 2: "My lord, she disappeared for three hours yesterday and returned to the exact same spot! 😱"
Minister 1: "And she wears a pendant that looks exactly like the Witch Queen's pendant! 😶"
Richard stood up slowly.
Richard: "...WHAT? 😳"
Minister 3: "Yes, my lord!"
Richard stared at them for several seconds.
Richard: "Or… hear me out… perhaps it's just jewellery? 😑"
The ministers fell silent.
Minister 4: "That sounds too reasonable, my lord. 😶"
Richard pressed his fingers against his forehead.
Richard (thinking): "Why do I even employ these people? 😭"
Ramrizz House 🏠
Meanwhile, Adam was pacing around the living room.
Adam: "Kristen has been acting very strangely lately! 😤"
Tiffany nodded dramatically.
Tiffany: "And these rumours are spreading like wildfire, hubby! 😱"
Laura entered, carrying books and enough gossip to fill another library.
Laura: "It all started after Kristen returned from disappearing! 😶"
Natalie folded her arms.
Natalie: "Yes, Father. Where did she go for three hours? 😑"
Rachel suddenly jumped into the conversation.
Rachel: "What if she visited the ghost world? 😊"
Adam: "NO. 😤"
Laura: "What if she met a cursed prince? 😍"
Natalie: "NO. 😑"
Tiffany gasped so loudly that everyone turned toward her.
Tiffany: "WHAT IF KRISTEN IS QUEEN ELDA REBORN?! 😱"
Silence filled the room.
Slowly, everyone turned toward the staircase.
At that exact moment, Kristen walked downstairs, wearing the mysterious pendant and looking half-asleep. 😶
Everyone: "😱"
Kristen: "Why are you all staring at me? 😤"
Laura pointed at her dramatically.
Laura: "SHE ASKS LIKE A VILLAIN! 😱"
Kristen: "I JUST WOKE UP! 😤"
Natalie: "Suspicious timing. 😌"
Adam slowly sat down, looking exhausted.
Adam: "I need peace."
Kristen casually picked up a piece of fruit from the table.
Kristen: "You won't get it here. 😤"
Everyone silently nodded.
Unfortunately, nobody noticed that the pendant around Kristen's neck had begun glowing faintly. 😈
To be continued....