The Cursed Prince

Chapter 948: The Queen's Murder

King Draco's plans were quite simple in a sense, because all he needed to do was ensure that Raphael revealed his true identity to Rowena. If Rowena chose not to seduce him because of some stupid reason, then King Draco had a backup plan called Prince... ahem, King Liam of Verona.

While the young man was nothing more but a pawn in his hand, Liam was still a powerful pawn to use that might force Raphael into action.

More than that, Liam was also important in obtaining that stupid thief's body without any issues.

So, it was with great surprise to the carefully constructed plans of King Draco when he and the rest of the invited guests suddenly heard a shrill cry ring out loudly. It left many of the guests confused, they all glanced at each other and exchanged looks of confusion and worry.

They were not sure of what actually happened or if it was some part of the crowning ceremony. However, King Draco recognized the cry and became alert. Especially when a number of guards breathlessly arrived at the palace's courtyard and shouted.

"Your Majesty! Queen Serena has been attacked by none other than the Princess of Ashland."

"What?" Prince Jadeith gasped for a moment and then looked at the guards. "There has to be some mistake—"

"Mother!" Liam who was just crowned as king suddenly staggered back for a moment. But then he leaped off the stage and started to run.

King Draco's eyes widened and he gritted his teeth before he pushed back from the rest of the guests and outpaced the boy king. Rowena's father was visibly seething. His eyes twitched as he clambered past the guards and then made his way up the palace to the tower prison.

Things weren't supposed to go this way. Dammit!

"All she needed to do was stand still like a doll and I would handle the rest!" King Draco exclaimed. "How could she mess up a simple—"

When the man arrived at the prison tower, he'd witnessed the scene of his daughter, Rowena, being surrounded by a group of armed knights and guards.

The only weapon she had in her hand was a knife, lunging and feinting whoever dared come close. There was a look in Rowena's eyes that made King Draco realize that her mind was far away.

"You! Stop this instant you insolent brat!" King Draco's voice boomed in the tower.

While he did not care for Queen Serena in any way, if he did not reprimand his daughter for causing a scene then it would give him consequences to deal with.

"No!" Rowena shouted. "She deserved it! I had to do it—she wasn't even a good queen!"

Justifications were thrown in the air, but they did not appeal to any of the guards because of Rowena's appearance. There was blood splattered on her hands and even the dress she had worn.

Before King Draco or any of the knights could do another thing to stop the mess or recover Queen Serena's body, the boy

king finally arrived. Liam's heart stopped pounding and he let out a cry. "NO! Mother!"

"Your Majesty, please stand aside—"

Unfortunately, King Liam didn't listen to their pleas and foolishly ran toward Rowena and Queen Serena, uncaring of the danger it posed to him.

King Draco shot a heavy glare in Rowena's direction. He hissed, "Don't you dare."

It was going to be an even bigger problem if Rowena suddenly stabbed Liam and also killed their newly crowned king.

"I..." Rowena's gaze fell on Liam and for a moment, she snapped out of it as she took in the sound of Liam's wails. He held his mother's corpse and simply wept.

He turned to the knights pitifully. "Get a doctor! Doctor Gerald—Mother is..."

"Rowena, come here." King Draco sharply said.

A terrible chill ran down Rowena's spine as she looked up at him.

"What do you think you're doing? You heard what I said, step closer and drop that knife NOW."

Involuntarily, Rowena took a step back away from her father. She retreated without another word, the adrenaline and energy rushed out of her as she looked at him in fear.

"Rowena, do you really need to make me come there to get you myself?" King Draco hissed and took a step forward.

The princess matched the king's step as she went back in the opposite direction.

This was the same tone that her father used when he was livid with her—when he had killed Leia, when he promised to kill Julian, and when he tried to hurt Lucent.

After more than two years of being separated from King Draco, Rowena thought that she had grown up, that she was no longer afraid of him.

Rowena could stand up to him and yet she backed away from his withering gaze until, finally, her back touched the window frame.

"Do you want me to repeat myself and restrict you myself?" King Draco said. "I'm giving you one last chance to step up and confess to your crimes. You've struck the royal family of Verona."

As he looked at Rowena, he was already trying to make a story spin in his mind.

The easiest reasoning was that Rowena went insane, and she seemed to be.

Especially when Rowena slowly glanced behind her, the window was left slightly ajar. Her thoughts stirred slightly and she wondered if Queen Serena wanted to watch her son's coronation?

It was incredibly funny that even a woman like her actually had someone she cared about.

Once again, Rowena felt like it was a sick and twisted joke that a snake like Queen Serena cared—and yet she felt no ounce of affection, only barely restrained hostility from her father.

However, since she finally achieved what she wanted to and killed Queen Serena... it meant that Julian was happy, right? &nb

sp;

Rowena's gaze lingered down once more and she saw Julian atop Cinna, with Hades waiting for her. Her dearest best friend called out to her from below.

There was the same old mischievous grin on his face as he beckoned her over. "Rowena, it's time to run away! Let's go!"

King Draco watched an eerie smile creep over Rowena's face and his eyes widened. He reached out to her slowly. "Rowena. Whatever you do—"

It was too late, his daughter fell from the tower.

Rowena laughed aloud, spread her arms back, and closed her eyes—she felt the wind blowing through her face.

Happiness awaited her.