After clearing away some of the roses and even more dirt he exposes a stone with writing carved into it. It reads "In time of great crisis royal blood must be shed.". After reading it I grab Mercy's hand and force a drop of blood to fall onto the stone.

Her hands already had multiple wounds from the roses so I didn't need to hurt her. When her blood touches the stone it starts glowing and then it disappears. Below it is another stone that also has writing carved into it saying "Only magic pure can open this door."

"Zamart, channel some mana into the stone."

Zamart says "Huh? Alright."

As soon as Zamart's mana touches the stone it starts glowing and then disappears. When it is gone there is once again a new stone under it, it makes me wonder how many locks there are. The new stone simply says "Might makes right!" so I lean over and flick the stone with a finger.

After it glows and disappears, instead of a new stone there is a small open space. Inside that space is a delicate looking box that Mercy lifts out and opens. Inside the box there are three ornate keys, each with a different color gemstone.

Zamart says "Wait, there are only two doors, so why three keys?"

"Obviously, it means there is something else hidden away that can be unlocked."

Mercy says "Where can we find it?"

"Why are you asking me? This is your palace!"

Zamart says "Maybe something inside the two sealed rooms needs the third key?"

"That is easy enough to figure out, let's go look."

Mercy says "Yes, let's!"

So the three of us quickly retrace our steps and return to the treasury which Zamart unlocks. Once inside Mercy moves to the door on the left and compares the lock to the keys. The lock has a gemstone in it that matches one of the keys, a small emerald.

Mercy says "Here goes!"

She inserts the key, gives it a twist, and with a click the door unlocks and swings open. As soon as the door opens we are all blinded by golden light, the room is filled floor to ceiling with gold coins. Once their eyes adjust and they can see inside both Mercy and Zamart are in shock.

"Well, I would say that your money problems are solved."

Zamart says "Yes, with this we can rebuild the capital however we want!"

Mercy says "Not just the capital, with this I can rebuild and improve the entire kingdom!"

"That's probably not a bad idea. If nothing else you need better roads and protection for the villages."

Mercy says "Agreed."

Zamart says "Quick, open the other door!"

"Curiosity eating at you?"

Zamart says "Yes!"

"Now you know how I feel, all the time!"

Mercy laughs and says "Alright, I'll open it!"

Mercy quickly moves over and after finding the right key opens the other door. Inside is one hundred sets of armor and weapons of ancient design. At a glance I can tell they are all decent quality with good enchantments.

Mercy says "I wonder what all this is meant for?"

"From its look and the level of enchantments, I would guess it is meant for the royal guard."

Zamart says "These rooms were meant for emergencies. If the emergency was a war then boosting the royal guard would make a huge difference."

Mercy says "The war is over, and I don't have many royal guards at the moment. I think we can leave this room as it is."

Zamart says "I agree. Unless we end up in another war I don't think we need this power."

Mercy closes the door then starts talking about plans for the kingdom with Zamart. Since I am not involved I don't pay much attention, but I do keep looking around the treasury. A strange glint on the back wall catches my eye and when I look closer I notice a hole beneath it.

"Mercy, what color is the key for that door?"

Mercy says "Red, it is a ruby. Why?"

"Does the last key have a diamond on it?"

Mercy says "Yes. Why?"

"Let me see it please."

With a sigh Mercy hands over the key, as she does she seems annoyed with me. When I take the key I insert it into the hole I noticed and give it a turn. First I hear a click and then a rumble as the wall I am facing splits down the middle.

As the rumbling continues the two parts of the wall move away from each other revealing another room. The room isn't too big, maybe half the size of the treasury, but its contents are worth more. Inside is the most beautiful set of armor I have ever seen, only outclassed by the sword with it.

Zamart says "That can only be the first queen's armor and sword!!"

Mercy says "I thought it was lost ages ago?"

Zamart says "It hasn't been seen since the first queen died, now we know why."

Mercy says "This is also something I don't think we need right now."

"I disagree."

Mercy says "What? Why?"

"Think about it, this armor is a symbol. Right now, with a civil war just ending, wouldn't this reassure people? It would also discourage any of the nobles who might be thinking about trying something similar to the king."

Zamart says "Mercy, I agree with Ash. Even if it is just for your coronation, you should wear it."

Mercy says "Alright, fine!"

Zamart helps Mercy take the armor of its stand and try it on, while I sit in the treasury. As I sit there waiting for Mercy to finish getting dressed I idly play with the key. It is due to that, I accidentally find a hidden catch on the key, when opened it reveals a latch.

Quickly I ask Mercy to throw me the other two keys and once she does I find the same thing on them. Once all three are opened the latches match up and allow the keys to be combined. They make one big triangular key, which strikes me as somewhat familiar.

Recently I remember seeing an odd crack somewhere that was similar. I remember it because it was made of straight lines which was odd, but now I can't think of where it was. It was definitely somewhere in the palace, I know that much, but that's it.

Since my memory has failed me again, I enter into my meditation and go back over the past few days. It isn't hard to find where I saw the crack since it was earlier today. It was actually in the gazebo in the garden but I didn't pay any attention to it because of the stones.

"Mercy, Zamart, we need to go back to the queen's garden!"

Mercy says "What? Why?"

"Because, there is one more secret hidden there!"

Zamart says "Are you sure?"

In response I show them the merged key, they both examine it and exclaim about it. Finally I badger them into leading me back to the queen's garden. I could have found my own way but that would just be rude and I like Mercy and Zamart.