"We greet his royal highness, crown prince of the great Awaian Kingdom, Prince Marcus." The women a few feet away from me said as my body grew rigid in Prince Marcus's hold.
Releasing a nervous breath, I felt his chest vibrate as he addressed them. "Why were there no guards stationed inside the room or at the door? I believe all royals and visiting nobles were informed that they must be escorted by their guards and attendants while in the palace." He angrily asked as my legs buckled under the weight of my body. The fear and exhaustion took control of me.
His panicked eyes looked into mine as he held me closer. Clinging onto his white shirt he examined my body for signs of any injuries. "Rebekah, are you hurt? Have you injured your legs? Why are you shaking?" He inquired while placing the back of his hand against my forehead, checking my temperature. My face heated up in embarrassment as he cared for me as if I were a sick child unable to take care of myself.
His concern and kind gestures warmed y heart yet they made me feel guilty for my recent behavior toward him. Caring blue eyes stirred the feelings hidden deep inside of me. "I'm fine your majesty. The dance practice took more energy out of me than I had thought." I lied. My mind and heart fighting the desire to tell him the truth right here, right now. The words stuck in my throat as I felt the burning gaze of the women -at the center of my misery- at the back of my head. Their threat rang in my ears as my eyes softened at the man frantically checking to make sure that I was fine. Had I met with him first I would have spilled everything to him. But with them in the room, I could not muster the courage to risk it all at this moment. My guilt eating away at me while a part of me hoped he had somehow heard our conversation beyond the enclosed walls.
Burying my head into his shirt to hide my distressed expression I felt him run his hand over my hair while his hold tightened ever so slightly. Inhaling the calming scent of his cologne I let myself enjoy the comfort of his embrace. Disregarding the fact that Scarlet and my mother stood watching.
"If that is the case, do you wish to return to your chambers and rest?" His gentle voice drifted to my ears. Too embarrassed to look at him I mumbled a simple 'no' into his shirt. No doubt amused at my childlike behavior he chuckled.
"That is fine."
Remaining in the doorway with me in his arms I peeked through my hiding spot to see Scarlet glaring daggers at me as anger flashed in her eyes. My close proximity to Prince Marcus was an unpleasant sight to her eyes. Weighing my options now I preferred to stay in the arms of the man who brought me peace than in the destructive path of my sister. Although I knew she would misunderstand the situation as confirmation that I had willfully taken away her fiancée.
"Now, Madam Rosalie, lady Scarlet care to explain why no guards were present when I arrived or why the door was locked?" Looking up at Prince Marcus I saw his jaw was set in a firm line. Gritting his teeth in anger he waited for their response.
"Please have a seat, your majesty. I will answer all your questions once you and my daughter are comfortably settled in." My mother said. Her voice was calm and collected.
"Forgive me, Rebekah." Prince Marcus stated before I could ask what he meant. I gasped in surprise as he scooped me into his arms bridal style carrying me to the chair that I was in before he arrived. Gently placing me onto the cushion my cheeks flushed red once more.
Taking a seat in the small chair next to me he gestured to them to join us. "Please have a seat."
"Thank you, your majesty." They replied as they sat on the couch opposite us. Fidgeting in my seat I avoided Scarlet's discreet attempt to display her hatred of me. Shrinking back into the cushion of the couch I looked at Prince Marcus's hand encircled around mine. Rubbing small circles as I released a shaky breath. Heart hammering in my chest.
"Would like some refreshments before I begin? Rebekah, darling do need anything? Are you cold? Why were you shaking like a leaf in the wind?" Startled by my mother's questioning I removed my hand from Prince Marcus's hold.
Forcing a smile, I replied. "I'm fine mother. There is no need to worry." I said, hiding the small squeak in my voice. Prince Marcus drummed his fingers on the arms of the leather chair with a small smile on his lips. As quickly as it came it disappeared as he focused his attention on my mother.
"Madam Rosalie, are you perhaps trying to delay this conversation by involving Rebekah? You are aware I'm a busy man with many tasks to complete." Prince Marcus rests his chin on the back of his hand. Sharp eyes displeased with my mother's attempt to distract him.
"Not at all, your majesty. I was simply ensuring that my daughter is well and would not collapse from exhaustion. Her schedule for the day is yet to be completed. As her mother her health is my priority." She reasoned as he exhaled a frustrated breath.
"Nevertheless, I do not have the patience for small talk. I would suggest you do not waste any more of my time."
"As you wish my prince." Pausing she glanced in my direction before continuing. "We were unaware that the lock on the door had been used. And in no way was it intentionally locked. The Northwest guards were meant to be stationed outside the room door while I spoke to my daughters in private away from prying eyes and ears. But it seems that my orders were not carried out and the guards expected to be here will be severely punished."
"I see... so the door had miraculously been locked from the inside while your absent guards had abandoned their duties?" He rhetorically asked. Knowing that what she was implying made no sense, still he chose to follow her through with her lies.
"Yes, your royal highness. It seems it may have been accidentally bolted shut when Scarlet or Rebekah entered the room. It could have been a coincidence or the result of a faulty lock." She continued to lie with a straight face. Her face was void of all emotions. Giving nothing away as she remained composed.
"Madam Rosalie, do you take me for a fool? All locks in the palace are regularly checked and changed, if necessary, to protect the various items and guests within the building. Are you implying that I may have misunderstood the situation?" He further probed.
"I am in no way implying anything of that sort your majesty nor do I know what answers you wish to hear but I speak merely of what I assume to be the case." She quickly justified.
"Be it the case you as one of the heads of your family should have been aware of these unfortunate incidents. Furthermore, what explanation do you have for Rebekah's frightened state when I arrived?" He raised a brow.
Grabbing a nearby napkin my mother released a strangled breath. Her eyes brimmed with tears while choking back a sob. "My darling child was frightened by the news we received on a possible suspect in Lizzy's case. I'm afraid Rebekah was scared that the person in question would attempt to harm her or our beloved family once more. We received the news while we were here spending time together as I fear losing yet another one of my precious daughters." She wiped a stray tear away. "The poor child was overcome by emotions and proceeded to flee the room in need of fresh air. I was unable to control her reaction." She looked at me with tear-filled eyes, concern swimming in them.
I sat there speechless at her cover story. My mind could not comprehend her excuse. Reviewing the known information in the case as of late I could not find a clue that had stated there was a suspect in mind. All witnesses interviewed had only provided one lead- the type of vehicle seen that night-which had turned out to be a dead-end in finding someone involved in Lizzy's death. So, why was my mother bringing this information into the conversation? Did she plan to use her daughter's death to cease all questioning? Being the pitiful mother in the eyes of a chosen few?
"Is that so...Then you must have received that curial piece of information before I had arrived at the palace. Seeing as the name of a suspect had yet to reach the royal family. I must commend the Northwest for their exceptional investigating skills." He clapped his hands in applause as he stood from his seat next to me. Trailing his way to stand behind Scarlet. Bracing against the back of the couch neither Scarlet nor my mother made any attempts to acknowledge his presence behind them. Their bodies were as stiff as aboard. Their eyes focused on the wall beyond me.
The tension in the air grew as my mother chose her next words carefully. Still dabbing at her fake tears. "As I mentioned before your majesty, I speak only the truth. If you so desire, you can verify my words with Rebekah. I'm sure she will not lie to you."
He smirked at her words as he lowered his head to their level. "The truth you say..." he drawled.
His determined eyes met with mine across the room as he spoke, "Then I guess the truth you speak of has nothing to do with Scarlet demanding that Rebekah assassinate my family and me?"