In the realm of Eldrida, a kingdom renowned for its breathtaking diversity of landscapes, from the lush verdure of its forests to the majestic grandeur of its mountains and the gentle undulations of its hills, a great King once ruled with unwavering dedication and unshakeable compassion. His leadership, guided by the principles of justice and equality, had earned him the admiration and reverence of his subjects, and his name had become synonymous with wisdom, courage, and strength.

The King's impressive record of victories in battle and his ability to forge lasting alliances had cemented Eldrida's position as a formidable power, respected and feared by neighboring kingdoms. He was, in every sense, a selfless leader, beloved by his people and honored by his peers.

But fate, it seemed, had other plans. The King's health began to decline, and despite the best efforts of his physicians, he eventually succumbed to the ravages of time. Before his passing, however, he made a declaration that would have far-reaching consequences: only the son of his beloved second Queen, Sofia, would be the rightful heir to the throne.

Months later, the kingdom of Eldrida was plunged into darkness and uncertainty. A perpetual gloom seemed to have settled over the land, and the skies were perpetually shrouded in a deep, foreboding haze. But on this particular day, the atmosphere was even more oppressive than usual. The sky seemed to have grown darker still, and an eerie, unsettling energy seemed to permeate every corner of the kingdom.

It was not the threat of war that hung over the kingdom, however, but something far more significant: Queen Sofia was in labor, and the fate of the entire realm hung precariously in the balance. While the majority of the kingdom's subjects were praying fervently for the safe delivery of the Queen's child, there were those who harbored far more sinister intentions.

In a distant wing of the castle, a scene of tense drama was unfolding. Queen Lillian, the King's third wife, stood in her chambers, her eyes blazing with a fierce determination as she confronted the castle's priest. "You!" she spat, her voice venomous as she pointed a trembling finger at the hapless cleric. "You assured me that Sofia would not bear a child. How dare you deceive me?"

The priest, visibly shaken, stuttered out a feeble apology, but Queen Lillian would not be placated. "You will pay for your treachery," she hissed, her hand flashing out to strike the priest across the cheek. The sound of the slap echoed through the chamber, and the priest stumbled backward, his face contorted in pain.

As the guards moved to drag the priest away, Queen Lillian turned to her co-wife, Queen Evie, her eyes flashing with anger. "Can you not see, Evie, that our worst nightmare is on the verge of coming to pass? We must act swiftly to prevent it."

Queen Evie's expression was uncertain, her voice barely above a whisper. "Must we truly resort to such drastic measures, Lillian?"

But Queen Lillian was undeterred. "We have no choice," she snapped, her eyes glinting with determination. "Our very future depends on it."

As she paced back and forth across the chamber, a servant spoke up, her voice hesitant. "If I may, Your Majesty, I know of a woman who lives in a remote cottage on the North Coast. She is said to possess certain...abilities, and is known to create potent herbs and potions from the rarest flowers."

Queen Lillian's eyes snapped toward the servant, her expression intense. "Tell me more."

The servant swallowed hard before continuing. "Some say she is a witch, forbidden to practice her craft within the kingdom. But others claim she is a healer, a woman of great power and wisdom."

Queen Lillian's face lit up with excitement as she turned to the guard stationed at the door. "Bring me this woman," she commanded, her voice low and urgent. "I care not what the cost may be. Bring her to me, and let us see if she can help us prevent this disaster from occurring."

As the guard bowed and hastened to obey, Queen Lillian turned to Queen Evie, her eyes glinting with determination.

But Queen Evie's expression remained uncertain, her eyes clouded with doubt. "Must we truly resort to such darkness, Lillian? Is there not another way?"

Queen Lillian's laughter was cold and mirthless. "You are weak, Evie. You do not possess the stomach for what must be done. But I will not be swayed. I will stop at nothing to ensure that Sofia's child never claims the throne."

As the shadows deepened within the castle, it became clear that the fate of Eldrida hung precariously in the balance, threatened by the very darkness that lurked within the hearts of those who sought to rule.

"We will stop at nothing to prevent Sofia's child from claiming the throne," she hissed, her voice dripping with malice. "Nothing, do you hear me?"

As the horses thundered across the rolling hills, their riders urged them onward, driven by the Queen's imperative. The witch's cottage, nestled deep within the forest, was their destination, and they had been commanded to arrive with all haste.

The thatched roof of the cottage came into view, and the guards reined in their mounts, surrounding the small dwelling. They waited for the signal from their superior, their eyes fixed on the door, anticipating the moment when they would be summoned to enter.

Inside the cottage, a sense of foreboding had settled over its occupant. Rebecca, the witch, stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest. She had foreseen this moment, and she knew that her time was running out. With a sense of desperation, she gathered her infant son and a small bag, her hands shaking as she fastened a cloak around her shoulders.

As the guards received their signal, they burst through the door, their swords drawn. But Rebecca was long gone, vanished into the secret passage that lay hidden beneath her cottage. She emerged on the other side of the forest, gasping for air as she gazed back at the cottage, now swarming with guards.

A sense of sorrow washed over her as she turned away, her eyes welling up with tears. She forced herself to smile, her gaze falling upon her son, who cooed softly in her arms. "Oh, little one," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'll miss you." she said softly

"There she is!" a guard yelled from afar she turned back in horror dashing with her legs and her baby in her arms she took a corner swiftly. Using her bare hands she dug on the ground bringing out a buried basket she placed her baby in it using a cloth to cover him from the eyes of human, she took a flower from her bag said a soft saying and placed beside the basket and just then the baby went to slumber, she pecked his head gently, pushing him in a small cave, she gently took steps back and pretended she was going the other when she heard the horses getting closer, a guard came out of no where shocking her, she fell backwards springing her ankle, she winced at the pain

"You are needed at the palace at once" She looked down knowing the time has come and nodded

"Took you long enough" Queen Lillian snapped at the guards who brought her in her room, Queen Lillian eyes scanned the lady. Her dress was mudy, her hair ugly, her skin dark, her eyes green and was the only thing pleasant in the eyes of Queen Lillian.

"What is your name?"

"My name is Rebecca, your majesty"

"hmm, Rebecca, I've heard of your marvelous works and fortunately we're in need of it at the moment" The Queen smiled scaring the lady in front of her but she didn't show it

"Your Majesty, I know what you want me to do, and I want to tell you that you're making a grave mistake, this is fate he is meant to be born or this Kingdom will know no peace" the Queen chuckled at the warning

"Let me worry about my Kingdom Rebecca and just do what you're assigned to do, got it?" The Queen said with all seriousness and Rebecca knew she meant business.

"Yes you're majesty"

Rebecca stood with her back to the royal family, her hands moving with precision as she concocted a poisonous draught from the delicate petals of a rare flower. The first Queen, Evie, had dismissed the doctor, citing the need for a specialized medicine to aid the second Queen, Sofia, in her delivery. The doctor's reluctance was palpable, but he departed nonetheless, leaving the Queens to their sinister intentions.

As Rebecca finished her task, she turned to face the royal family, her eyes locking onto the two Queens. Queen Evie's countenance was serene, her brown hair styled in an elegant coiffure, her eyes downcast in a pose of demure submission. But Rebecca was not fooled – she saw the calculating glint in Evie's eye, the subtle tension in her shoulders.

Queen Sofia, on the other hand, lay abed, her pale complexion a stark contrast to her usual radiant glow. Her dark blonde hair was scattered about the pillow, her deep blue eyes closed as if in surrender to the fever that racked her body.

And then, of course, there was Queen Lillian, her black hair pulled into a severe knot, her eyes glinting like sharpened steel. Her lips, painted a deep crimson, curled into a cruel smile as she gazed upon Rebecca.

"It is done," Rebecca announced, her voice low and even.

Queen Lillian's eyes lit upon the potion, and she strode forward, her hand closing around the vial like a vice. "Finally," she breathed, her voice dripping with malice. She turned to Queen Sofia, her eyes flashing with triumph, and poured the potion down the helpless woman's throat.

As the liquid was swallowed, Queen Lillian's smile grew, her eyes glinting with malevolence. "Guard, summon the doctor. We are ready for him... and see Rebecca out. Pay her handsomely for her services."

The guard bowed, his eyes flicking to Rebecca before he escorted her from the room. Minutes later, he returned with the doctor, who promptly ordered everyone to leave.

Queen Lillian retired to her chambers, where her children, Richard and his sister, awaited her. "Richard, what are you doing up so late?" she asked, a hint of concern creeping into her voice.

"We smelled something burning, Mother," Richard replied, his eyes wide with worry.

Queen Lillian's expression smoothed, her voice taking on a soothing tone. "Nothing is burning, dear. Now, off to bed with you both."

As her children departed, Queen Lillian made her way to her bath, where she indulged in a leisurely soak, her hair flowing down her back like a river of night. She donned a silken nightgown, its fabric clinging to her curves like a lover's caress, and settled onto a cushioned stool, a glass of wine cradled in her hand.

As she gazed out the window, a sense of triumph swelled within her. She had won, and her victory was sweet indeed.

But her reverie was short-lived. A guard burst into her chambers, his face pale and drawn. "Your Majesty, Rebecca has been found dead."

Queen Lillian's glass slipped from her fingers, shattering on the stone floor as she spun to face the guard. "What?" she breathed, her eyes wide with shock.

And then, as if fate itself was twisting the knife, another guard appeared, his face grim. "The second Queen is dead."

For an instant, Queen Lillian's face froze, her eyes locked onto the guard's. And then, a slow smile spread across her face, her eyes glinting with malevolence. "And the child?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The guard's response was like a blow to her gut. "Lives."

Queen Lillian's face contorted in rage, her eyes blazing with fury. But before she could respond, a faint cry pierced the night air, the sound of a baby's wail echoing through the castle corridors.

The darkness outside seemed to recoil, the clouds parting as if to make way for the newborn's cry. And Queen Lillian's face, twisted in a snarl, as if the child's cry mocks the second Queen of her sudden predicament.