Syn
1 Week Later

One week. An entire fucking week of radio silence and failed searches from Queen. All of us tried calling her, but we were blocked. The only ones who weren't were Mia and Cain, but Cain hadn't been back to the palace and Queen didn't answer Mia's calls for some reason.

Adam was the only one in the palace who firstly had no contact with Queen and secondly wasn't worried at all. He spent his days lounging around the palace without a care in the world and I for one, couldn't figure out how he did it.

Every time I questioned him, all he said was. "A dad always knows..." Knows fucking what?! His riddles were beginning to drive me fucking insane.

If a dad "knew" and was able to live worry-free, why did I stay up nights thinking about my kids?

If a dad "KNEW", why didn't my father seem to worry that he was ripping me apart by not letting me see James? Today would mark almost two weeks since I've seen James. He called me often, but it wasn't the same as seeing him or watching our shows together.

Mia let us know that Queen was going to be on some show tonight and we were all waiting in the living room to watch it. I looked towards Cleo who had finally managed to drag herself out of bed for the first time in a week since Queen left and I sighed.

Xavier and Cas were both distraught as well, but they were worried about Cleo and the baby. Queen was her best friend and I couldn't imagine that this entire situation didn't stress her out.

"Umm," Mia bummed as she looked at her watch. "I think it should be starting in a couple of minutes."

She took a seat in the far corner of one of the couches and I relaxed. The only reason I hadn't already kicked her ass out was that she was Queen's friend.

"Do you guys think she's okay?" Cleo asked softly.

"Hopefully," Xavier answered as he kissed the top of her head.

"I mean we'll see right now, won't we?" Caspian asked as he gestured towards the television. He turned to me after eyeing Cleo and he gave me a small smile. "Are you ready to see her?"

I shrugged in response to his question. Truthfully, I was beyond ecstatic to see her. In my angry state, I had her things burned and after I found out she didn't cheat, I immediately regretted it. I tried to salvage what hadn't turned into ashes, but it was completely useless.

The only thing in the palace that was left of her was her lingering scent in her room. For that reason, I spent my nights there. I wouldn't have been able to fall asleep if I didn't. The only downside to it was I'd wake up in the morning to reach out for her and find her side of the bed empty. That was the most painful thing. Having that small hope in the morning that she'd be next to me...then have it completely crushed my the cool sheets where she used to lay.

"This is delicious," Adam said with a full mouth from the kitchen. "You're an amazing cook, Syn."

"Are you going to watch your daughter?" I said as I gestured towards the TV.

"No," he said as he waved his hand. "She's perfectly fine. I'm going to go to my room. You kids have fun."

We all watched him in bewilderment as he took his plate and walked up the stairs to go to his room. "How is he so calm?" Xavier asked.

"That's what I'm saying," I muttered.

"She probably told him she was leaving," Caspian said. "Have you guys asked him?"

"No, he said that he hasn't heard from her," I said.

"Shhh! Guys, it's starting!" Mia said.

We all turned to the television as the theme song for the talk show turned on and I took a deep breath as I prepared myself.

"Good evening my loves, it's your host Michelle Landry and tonight we'll be discussing the biggest hot topic of the month, Queen SinClaire. With her announcement about entering into the Queenz Competition, her name has skyrocketed in the charts."

The crowd behind the screen cheered and screamed and Michelle laughed before continued. "Well I knew we'd be getting a good reaction, but I didn't think it would just be at the mention of her name," she said with a giggle. "Luckily for you guys and the lot of you at home who couldn't make it, I've managed to get in contact with the Queen of Hell."

The audience screamed once again and I was taken aback. I knew Queen was popular, but I didn't know it had amounted to having a fan base.

"After some wonderful discussion, the Queen herself...has decided to grace us with her presence tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, Queen SinClaire..."
The camera turned and landed on Queen who flashed a swoon-worthy grin and waved at everyone.

I smiled as I saw her on the television and I had to remind myself to keep breathing multiple times. Even though I was feeling like shit, I was happy and proud to see that she wasn't as miserable as I was. Even if we weren't together, she deserved the best.

"Oh my gosh, she looks so pretty," Cleo said as her voice broke. She wiped the tears from her eyes and Xavier wrapped an arm around her before they turned back to the television.

Queen sat down on the chair where the guests sat and crossed her legs as she looked at Michelle. "Okay okay, let's all calm down." The audience was still going crazy and Queen giggled as Michelle tried to get a grip on them. "Y'all, this is the Queen of Hell and y'all are acting like some fools. Let's calm down so we can get messy."

"Oh gosh," Queen smiled as she adjusted the strap on her black fitted bodysuit.

The crowd managed to quiet down after a few requests and Michelle let out an exhausted breath as she turned to Queen. Queen laughed softly at the expression on her face and I smiled once again. I loved every part of Queen and I didn't even realize how I had taken advantage of her laugh, her smile, her touch...until she was gone.

"Well hello, your highness," Michelle said in a flirty voice. "You look good tonight."

"So do you," Queen reciprocated.

"Oh wow guys, she's flirting with me. I can't believe it," Michelle teased.

"If I was flirting, you'd know," Queen said. There was a resounding "ooooh" in the audience and Michelle bit her lip and tapped her flashcards against the table as she looked at the camera.

"Well damn," she said as her cheeks turned a rose tint. "Let's hope my husband isn't watching right now."

They laughed together once again before Michelle cleared her throat and sat up. "Queen, we hear that you're in the competition. You've never participated before, so what's different about this year?"

"Well," Queen nodded slowly. "This year, my sister came to me. She motivated me to join since I never have before and I thought, why not?"

"Oh, she's good," Mia said.

"Love the sisterly love, but I'm messy so I'm going to ask. Your sudden interest wouldn't have anything to do with the reemergence of the love of your life, would it?" Michelle asked slyly as she covered her mouth with the cards.

"It wouldn't, actually," Queen answered. "Granted I was beyond happy that he was back, but he wasn't the reason that I entered."

"Well is there a chance for a rekindling?" Michelle asked. "Sorry if we're intruding. It's just that after the video of Dimitri circulated the internet, the realms SAT in their homes and saw Syn save you. Not to mention the both of you evading police until you proved his innocence. It's so romantic. One of the best love stories I've heard in...forever."

"Yeah," Queen said slowly as her smile dimmed. "He's great."

"I didn't know how you were going to win the competition alone, but then I saw pictures of the two of you on social media and they went viral. The two of you together should have no problem winning," she said. "People love the two of you together and they love your story. People is me included, I'd die to have a romance like that..." She turned to the camera. "Sorry babe."

The audience laughed once again and Michelle turned back to Queen. "Should we look forward to hearing wedding bells in the Underworld any time soon?"

"I'm not getting married anytime soon," Queen said with a radiant smile.

"That's actually very understandable," Michelle said. "I just hope that the two of you are still together and thriving."

"Umm yeah, we're doing great," Queen lied and my mouth dropped.

"Can we expect the both of you on the show sometime?" Michelle asked as she clasped her hands together. "That would be quite the spectacle."

"I'm sure we could arrange that," Queen said with a nod. The crowd cheered and I slowly turned to everyone in the room who looked just as shocked as I was.

"She was pressured," Cleo said. "I would've lied my ass off too."

"Can you tell us more about the first time you and Syn met?" Michelle asked. "Your sister told us all that it was an affair..."

"An affair?" Queen asked in surprise. "It wasn't an affair."

"Well, tell us about it."

꧁꧂

Author's Note
Ma'am? Ma'am?! Y'all are not together!👀

Why do you guys think Queen lied? Wasn't she supposed to tell everyone they broke up?👀
She said her and Syn would come on the show...so what does this mean for them?....Here we fucking go y'alll...😤
Lmk your thoughts ✨