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Chapter 60: A Meeting in the Dark
Chapter 60: A Meeting in the Dark
The royal chamber was dimly lit, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows along the walls. Queen Alice stood by the window, the white raven insignia on the amulet in her palm glowing faintly as she imbued it with mana.
A second later, a soft tap echoed against the glass.
Alice turned.
There, crouched on the stone railing outside, was her.
The White Raven.
The woman was dressed in her usual dark attire, her white hair almost silver under the moonlight. A smirk tugged at her lips as she pushed the window open with ease and stepped inside.
"You're quicker than I thought," Alice remarked, crossing her arms.
"Well," White Raven shrugged, "I’ve been around. Doesn’t take long to get here."
She took a seat on the edge of Alice’s desk, legs crossed, fingers idly flipping a metal playing card.
Alice studied her carefully. The assassin looked relaxed—too relaxed. As if she had no concerns about being in the most guarded part of the capital, inside the Queen’s private chambers.
"Let’s have a talk."
White Raven tilted her head. "Alright."
Alice walked over to her desk, picking up the letter she had received just hours ago. She held it up between two fingers.
"I hope you liked my letter." White Raven’s tone was amused. "It was a nice surprise when you became too… distracted and found everything waiting for you."
Alice narrowed her eyes.
"You knew I’d follow the lead."
"Of course," White Raven said, tossing the playing card in the air and catching it effortlessly. "You’re predictable, my dear Queen."
Alice ignored the comment. "You want me to ask the real question, don’t you?"
White Raven smirked. "Go on, then. Indulge me."
Alice took a breath.
"Why?"
A flicker of something unreadable passed through White Raven’s eyes.
Alice continued, stepping closer. "Why help me? Why now? I took the throne. The game is over. You could’ve disappeared, but instead, you left a trail. You’re still here."
Silence stretched between them.
Then, White Raven leaned forward, resting her chin against her fist.
"And if I said I just enjoy watching things unfold?"
Alice’s expression didn’t waver. "I wouldn’t believe you."
A grin. "Good. Then let’s say… I just wanted to see if you'd still be the Queen you promised to be."
Alice clenched the letter in her hand. "You’re testing me."
"Observing," White Raven corrected. "You’ve cut down the corrupt, rebuilt what was lost. But the kingdom is far from safe. There are still threats, Alice. Some that don’t show their faces until the right moment."
She tossed the playing card onto Alice’s desk. It landed with precision, its sharp edge embedding slightly into the wood.
"And those threats? They’re watching too."
Alice held her gaze. "Then tell me what you know."
White Raven exhaled, standing to her feet. She took a slow step forward, until they were just inches apart.
"There’s something coming. Something bigger than corrupt nobles and council meetings."
She reached into her coat and pulled out a second letter.
She handed it to Alice.
The Queen took it, but before she could read it, White Raven grabbed her wrist.
Alice stiffened.
"Before you open it," White Raven murmured, "know this—once you step into this, there’s no turning back. You might not like what you find."
Alice didn’t hesitate. She tore the seal open.
Her eyes scanned the contents.
Her blood ran cold.
She looked up, only to find—
White Raven was already gone.
The window was left slightly ajar, the curtains swaying from the night breeze.
Alice clenched the letter in her fist, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.
The words on the page repeated over and over in her mind.
A name.
A name she had hoped to never see again.
And just like that, she realized—
The real game had only just begun.