CHAPTER 36
Grace's gaze lingered on Juliet. She looked broken, a woman who had barely held herself together and was now being ripped apart all over again.
Grace didn't know why she was so moved to help the Morphines. Perhaps it was the flicker of memories flashing before her eyes, the ghost of her younger self, helpless and beaten down, watching her mother suffer for little unsettled debts.No one had fought for her then, but now, she could fight for others.
She kept a steady voice. "Then it shall be granted."
She turned to Queen Jonah, tilting her head.
"You shall be given the tallest men, just as you requested."
Jonah's lips curled into a slow smile.
Grace snapped her fingers at Commander Robert. "Spread the word. By sunset, the men of Alagascar shall assemble in a straight line for selection."
The order spread quickly. Throughout the kingdom, households whispered in urgency, men preparing.
Jonah clapped her hands together, mock delight lighting her face. "Oh, Juliet," she cooed, "I never knew someone could love you so effortlessly." She sighed, feigning pity. "Well, good for you and your family."
Juliet clenched her fists.
Jonah turned back to Grace, her expression shifting into something almost sincere.
"King Quicke," she said smoothly, "I must say, I'm delighted. You truly are a blessing to Alagascar." She gasped, as if in admiration.
Silence stretched across the hall.
Then Jonah stood, adjusting her gown, with a single nod, she walked toward the doors.
Grace was now left alone with the Morphines and immediately, Lady Morphine fell to her knees the moment Jonah left.
"For saving my family from this bondage," she said, voice trembling, "what do you need from us? Anything, and we shall do it."
Grace exhaled.
"Just be good," she murmured. "You owe me nothing, rise up".
Before Lady Morphine could rise, a sudden force pulled her to her feet.
She staggered, eyes wide in shock , gasps filled the room as everyone stood, rushing to steady her.
Amidst the chaos, Grace stood confused, her had fingers twitched, and she hadn't touched Lady Morphine's hand, she only thought about her rising and she did.
Matthew Sterrn's gaze snapped to hers.He had seen the way her fingers had lingered in the air, the way her eyes had widened in realization.
Lady Morphine was ushered back to her seat, murmuring to herself, recounting what had happened.
But Grace turned and left abruptly, and Matthew followed. She walked blindly, her vision blurring, until her knees gave out.
Tears rolled down her face before she could stop them and without hesitation Matthew Sterrn knelt beside her.
"King" His voice was steady, but gentle. "You're breaking down."
Grace squeezed her eyes shut.
"This can't be hidden for long," he continued. "I saw how you looked at your fingers. You controlled Lady Morphine to rise." He exhaled. "You need to take time to understand yourself, King. You're changing."
Grace's breath hitched, she pushed herself upright, wiping at her face, before whispering, "What is happening to me, Sterrn?"
He hesitated.
"I don't know," he admitted. "But if you learn yourself, your powers, you can achieve more than you realize."
She swallowed hard."I don't have time for that, not when I am just about to send a few of my people away with Queen Jonah." Her voice trembled. "How do I know they'll be safe? That they won't be turned into something else?"
"Turned into something?"Matthew Sterrn raised an eyebrow. "Jonah may be manipulative, but she wouldn't go that far."
Grace turned to him, her eyes dark and unwavering. "You think?"
Matthew hesitated, then gave a slow nod.
Grace inhaled deeply. "Then let's figure out what I'm turning into," she murmured, glancing at her fingers.
Matthew nodded.
"But first," she added, straightening her crown, "we need to prepare for the selection. Once the men are chosen, the Morphines will finally be free."
She turned and strode toward the courtyard,
Matthew followed without another word.
The kingdom of Alagascar swelled with people.
Tall men stood in a perfect line, their broad shoulders casting shadows under the golden sunlight. Women and children gathered to the side, some clutching their loved ones, others holding infants close.
Even the buildings seemed to loom in the tense atmosphere.
Grace stood on the royal platform, her posture regal, but inside, her thoughts wavered, this was the first time she would address the entire kingdom and she had no idea what to say.
Her adoptive parents, King Charlenugo and Queen Judith, were at rest, leaving her to carry the weight of the kingdom alone.
She cleared her throat as she spoke, her voice was shaky but firm. "Good day, great people of Alagascar."
The crowd was stilled.
Grace inhaled, then continued.
"It is an honor to stand before the tallest, strongest men of our land."
A roar of cheers erupted.
She allowed them a moment before speaking again. "Today, we let a few of us go," she said, voice measured. "The kingdom calls for sacrifice but know this, those who leave are still one of us."
Another wave of chants filled the air.
"They will always have a home here," she declared. "A king to rely on."
As the cheers settled, Queen Jonah stepped forward. Dressed in elegant black, she exuded power and control.
Grace turned to her. "Go," she commanded, waving her hand. "Select your options."
Jonah's smirk widened, she moved with purpose, stepping into the crowd, her fingertips grazing chests as she examined the men. Some she dismissed instantly. Others, she ordered to step forward.
It was a slow, methodical process, one by one, she claimed them and when she was finished, they stood in a new line, ready to leave with her.
"While the men prepare,"Grace addressed the crowd, "I want every family, every child, to aid them. Let them leave with full hearts, with joy."
The crowd murmured in understanding.
Grace turned to Jonah. "Now," she said, her tone sharp, "declare the Morphines and Lady Juliet free. You will have no hold over them."
Jonah tilted her head, she met Juliet's gaze holding it. They stared long at each other. Then, smoothly, she turned back to Grace.
She exhaled."I declare the Morphines and Lady Juliet free from me."
The moment the words left her lips, the crowd erupted. Cheers, claps, roars of approval.
Grace allowed the noise to swell, then turned, stepping down from the platform. Her guards, her commanders, flanked her immediately.
She walked through the crowd, straight toward her chambers, and as soon as she got inside, she gave a single command.
"Leave me alone."
And the doors shut behind her.