Zephren's Rumor (Book of Laraganus)

Slander was no surprise for Laraganus, but the worst ones came from her sister, Zephren. Once at a party, Zephren got drunk and while talking to some nobles said "I recently stumbled upon an interesting thing. My sister is sleeping with an enemy spy. Can you believe it? As if that was not enough, I believe the spy is a female. Of what race I don't know, or I've forgotten, but I now know nothing is safe from her." she asked several other nobles. "Alright, Zephren, I think you've had enough to drink," said King Shreo, Zephren's husband. He was eavesdropping on her conversation. "You know good and well that Laraganus is invaluable to the kingdom, to insult her in this way is to take her sacrifice for granted." he continued. Zephren rolled her eyes. "What? Are you saying you're the enemy spy?" asked Zephren. "I knew you drunk, but not this drunk. You can't even think through what you're saying anymore," said Shreo. "That didn't answer my question," said Zephren as she smiled drunkenly. "Come, why don't we take you to your sister. I bet she's dying to see you."

King Shreo and Zephren were weaving through the crowd. One noble came to the couple and said "Sorry about your sister. I hope she hasn't exchanged important documents." King Shreo looked at the noble and said "That is just a lie. In fact, I'm on my way to confront her about it. Goodnight." King Shreo moved past the nobles. He had Zephren's hand and again weaved through the crowd. Zephren was drunkenly staggering behind, even grabbing wine glasses from servants as she passed them, but couldn't ever get one the entire time. Another group of nobles got in their way. One asked "Why the rush? Is it true that a spy is here?" another asked "Is the spy an assassin trying to kill the both of you?" a third asked, "Who is Laraganus sleeping with?" Many of the questions were repeated but King Shreo either said "No" or ignored them.

Until they surprised Laraganus, who was talking to a group of people. Zephren couldn't tell if they were nobles or soldiers. "Laraganus. Good to see you. Tell me since when do you sleep with female spies?" asked King Shreo. "What? Never. Even when drunk which also never. Why you ask?" asked Laraganus. "Because your sister would argue otherwise if her mind wasn't so poisoned. I want you two to sort this out somehow. Or I'll have to do something I know I'll regret." said King Shreo, he then left to talk to other nobles and dispel the wildfire of Zephren's rumor. Laraganus turned to her people and said "This may get ugly, so please bear with me for the time being." she then turned to Zephren. "Why did you say I was sleeping with a female spy?" asked Laraganus. "Don't you remember? Every time I get drunk. A monster in my head takes over. The poison gives it strength as I grow weaker. Because that is my role in the grand scheme of things. You on the other hand are just a good little soldier girl. Who also happens to switch between villain, monster, knight, and princess so much I don't which one you are. I don't know your role in all of this. I don't know how this story ends. I don't know anything going on. So I have to make things in my head just so I can feel involved. Like I matter and not just some pretty GREEN ELF FACE! " shouted Zephren. The whole room went silent. Everyone stared at the two sisters. Laraganus took a deep breath "Zephren, stop this and go to sleep before I make you." she said in the most threatening tone Zephren ever heard. "AND WHAT YOU GOING TO DO? I AM YOUR QUEEN!" shouted Zephren, she started to tear up and even dropped the wine glass in her hand. It shattered into a million pieces. Servants came to clean up the mess. While the two sisters stared at each other. "You've always lied about me, for the most petty of reasons. This is no different. However, this is your most devastating one yet. My king, your husband is trying his best to stomp out the rumors, but once they leave this castle and when other Houses are told this, they will want answers. And do you know what I'll do? I'll point to you and say "Sorry to disappoint you, but my sister lied about everything because she wants to feel important." and then the whole country is going to want your head because this is not the first time you pulled something like this and now everyone will know that you wasted their time for nothing." said Laraganus, and she walked away, to the doors and went to her room to cry. The nobles looked at Zephren. She was embarrassed and felt alone and cold. Until King Shreo came and hugged her. "I take it you and your sister didn't make up?" he asked. "No, and that is not a rumor," Zephren answered. "Then let's go to bed. Have a good time, and put all of this behind us," he said. "That sounds good my king, my love." The two left as all eyes stared at the couple. "You never answered my question from earlier," said Zephren. "What do you mean?" asked King Shreo. "When I asked if you were the enemy spy. I don't think you ever answered it," she said. "You're right, I didn't because I couldn't believe what you were accusing me of and it hurt me. It made me feel like you didn't trust me anymore. That is why I was so angry and dumped you on your sister. I had to restrain myself because I love you more than you can possibly know." he said. "Thank you for never leaving me. I've been a terrible wife." she started crying. "Don't worry. I'll get you to bed and by tomorrow things will be better, and that is not a rumor."