Hearing the sound of the doors at the grand staircase was always alarming, that's what he was told. Tossing his anger to the side, he switched his focus to Ophelia, walking over to her then looking up to the man up at the top of the grand staircase.
Jasper's eyes widened at hearing the announcer's words. Unbelievable. Holding his hand up, he snapped his fingers then motioned for another guard to come over to him. Never would he imagine the Queen to pass away in such a terrible manner, it's unexpected and shocking, but he can't stand there surprised for too long. When the other guard was finally there, he leaned over and whispered some things to him before watching the other nod and leave.
He stole a quick glimpse for the man close by. Something about him was rubbing Jasper the wrong way. Although it could just be a bad first impression, his suspicions were a bit raised. Then there's the late Queen's bodyguard too, he hasn't seen that man in awhile. Still, who would ever do such a thing? Without her, he wouldn't have been able to have the honor of protecting the mesmerizing princess. How terrible this is.
Facing Princess, no, Queen Ophelia, he let out a sigh with his head down. He got down on his knee for a quick second, giving a head bow then got up. "Your High-….Your Majesty, I am very sorry for you loss. It is procedure to close all entrances in the palace and capital while keeping them under our surveillance till the culprit has been rightfully caught," he explained, "Some of our men while be participating with the soldiers to catch them as well. We can take you somewhere safe for the time being or you may do as you please. What are you going to do my queen?"
Ophelia's heart raced at the announcement. Her? Queen? She couldn't be Queen. She wasn't ready to rule a whole kingdom. Her heart was pounding and her breathing was quick. Everyone was staring at her, looking for her to address them as their new Queen. She saw Jasper bend on one knee in her peripheral visio, and could tell he was talking, but she couldn't register what he was saying or why he was kneeling.
Ophelia began to push through the crowd, almost in tears. Bodies pushed against her and hundreds of pairs of eyes were watching her. She felt trapped. "Let me through," She whimpered, struggling to get past a small group of people. "Please let me through." She just wanted to get out of that ballroom.
"Excuse me? Your Majesty?" Jasper could have sworn that he saw her eyes begin to water. Not much time went by when he watched her try to get away. He dashed from one side of the ballroom to get his cloak from a guard, and then bolted to the other. While it is his job to physically protect Ophelia, he eventually learned that there's more to it. Going through the crowds of people, he managed to find the queen and draped the cloak over her. After lifting the hood up, he wrapped one arm around her while using the other to get people out of the way.
Reaching an exit, he opened the door. "Please wait a second, Your Majesty," he whispered while ushering her into the hallway. Jasper closed the door a bit and turned to everyone else in the room. Sensing how many people were there gave him a chill down his spine at seeing their eyes on him. He bowed to the people, "Please excuse Her Majesty. We will not stop till we find whoever killed our late Queen Artemis. If you know or have seen anything, please tell one of the guards. Refusing to cooperate or leaving will result in immediate arrest." Once again, he gave another bow to the guests before disappearing behind the door.
Right as it shut, he bolted to the queen's side. "Your Majesty, what's the matter?" he asked. "I assure you that we will take care of everything. I am going to do my utmost best to protect you. Everything is going to be fine." Jasper wanted to comfort Ophelia to the best of his abilities, but he was a bit hesitant to even lay a hand on her. Carefully, he lowered the hood of the cloak then took a step back.
(hi. i know it seems that i have forgotten this. that is not the case. at the moment, i am very busy. ive just come back from my grade's camp and we're starting shows for our musical tonight. after this i have to get into the swing of grade 12 because i already have 2 assignments and havent had time to start on them. i havent forgotten this, but i dont know when ill be able to reply)
(Ah, thank you so much for letting me know. I understand, reply whenever it is best to do so, no rush. If it's alright, I'll bump this just in case.)
Ophelia dropped to the floor, her skirt billowing out below her. She hid her face in her hands, thoughts running through her head a million times a minute. She wasn't ready to be Queen. She wasn't ready to rule a whole country. She wasn't ready to be hounded even more to become married and give the kingdom an heir. She wasn't ready to wear her mother's crown.
Nothing about any of it seemed right. Everyone loved Artemis. She was the daughter of the previous rulers. She'd grown up in Bardonia and had been loved by the kingdom for as long as she lived. Ophelia was the only one who didn't like her mother. Why would anyone kill her? She didn't deserve it, even if she wasn't the best mother out there.
Jasper stood still for a few seconds before getting down on one knee. His hand almost touched her back before it immediately stopped. Will he be breaking any rules if he went through with this? Will Her Majesty not like it? For a few moments, he was frozen, unsure of what to do. Yet the sight of seeing Queen Ophelia in tears is leading him to wipe the corners of his eyes.
Hesitantly, he moved a bit closer so he could wrap his arm around her. Everything is happening so quickly, he is at loss for words. Anything that came to mind were things he's already said in the past more than once. "Although it all is very tragic and troubling right now, everything will end up being okay," He reassured while patting her shoulder, "Nothing bad will ever happen to you, Your Majesty, I am going to make sure of it. Promise me to keep that wonderful head of yours up, please?"
Ophelia barely registered anything Jasper said, caught up in her own thoughts and feelings. She jumped when he patted her shoulder, but didn't realise that it was Jasper. She stood up and started walking out of the room, having a purpose in her mind. It may have seemed like she was ignoring Jasper entirely but that wasn't the case - she has simply forgotten he was there.
The path to the Throne Room was long and windy, but it was a path Ophelia knew well. Very few people had actually seen the Throne Room, or the thrones inside. Whenever the royals had appearances and listened to commoners, it was always done in the Banquet Hall. The tables and chairs were removed from the room, with makeshift thrones being placed at the far end of the room. Few people knew that those thrones weren't real.
It was all for a reason, of course. The castle had gotten bigger over time, with new wings being built to accommodate new servants and the large growth of the royal family about a century earlier. The thrones were heavy, being made of pure gold and silver, and very few people were willing to lift and move them a long way. The royal crowns and tiaras were also stored in there, kept away from the public eye when not worn by royalty.
Jasper ended up jumping too. He was so focused on trying to console Her Majesty that he attempted to get a bit closer before he got himself a bit startled. At first, he thought that it was because he did something, but came to the conclusion it was something else. His head tilted with confusion as he watched her get up and walk away. Instantly, he got up and followed.
As much as he wanted to pay his full attention to the situation, he could not help but worry a bit. Mostly it was because he is concerned for Queen Ophelia. It surprised him a bit to see how quickly she got up and began walking, like she planned something. He wanted to ask her where they were going, or why, or even how she is feeling. So many questions floated around his mind.
Whatever the reason may be, he is sure that it is good. And wherever they were going is so far away from everything else. His eyes kept glancing around with every step he took. He wondered where they were going, there were only a few places he knew that were this far from the ballroom. Rarely does he ever have to go over though. Really all he knows that is this far along is the Throne Room, but he never stepped inside it ever. Anytime Jasper had to be there, he was told to stand outside till Her Majesty was to leave.
"May I ask if we are heading to the Throne Room?" He questioned, trying to make sure he was walking a few steps behind her. "Would you like me to open the door when we get there?"
(sorry ive been trying to get on top of schoolwork)
"Well, the crowns are stored in the Throne Room. And I know that Mother wasn't going to be wearing her official crown tonight. So it should be in the Throne Room. And, now, I'm the Queen. So I should start wearing it."
Ophelia continued to walk, unsure if she even wanted to do this. In all honestly, she'd have to do it eventually. The girl was coming to terms with the fact that she now had a kingdom to rule, even though she didn't feel nearly ready. Ophelia wasn't sure she would even be able to get to the Throne Room and put her mother's crown on. It felt wrong.
(No worries, good luck!)
"Very direct and swift to action, impressive. I'm sure everyone is going to be very proud of you as their queen, Your Majesty," He assured.
Keeping his eyes forward, he continued to follow behind Queen Ophelia. Jasper couldn't help but let the corners of his lips curve up into a smile as he glimpse over at her. While he is still struck with the shock and grief from moments ago, he knows that everything will be alright. Her Majesty is seems to be unsure of something, yet she is already taking action, he couldn't be any more prouder.
"If I may say, it is alright to be worried. No one can ever be truly prepared for whatever battle they may face, but honestly Your Majesty, you are doing a wonderful job."
