The banquet hall glowed with candlelight and golden chandeliers. Knights in full armor stood guard along the long tables where lords and ladies dined.
A small, barefoot boy in a torn brown tunic came running from the shadows. His face was bruised and dirty, hair wild. He ran straight between two armored knights who tried to block him with crossed swords. He slipped right through.
He stopped at the foot of the great golden throne.
On the throne sat a beautiful queen with long golden hair and striking emerald-green eyes. She wore pearls and heavy gold jewelry.
The boy lifted his dirty hand. Resting in his palm was a magnificent gold ring set with a large diamond. Intricate engraving ran along the inner band.
The queen leaned forward. Her eyes locked on the ring. Her confident expression shattered.
“No… this can’t be.”
Tears welled in her glowing green eyes and began to fall. She stared at the boy as if seeing a ghost.
Her voice trembled. “Where did you get this?”
The entire hall had gone completely silent. Only the sound of the queen’s quiet sobs remained.