Prince Marcus P.O.V
I glanced in the direction of the women seated before me, observing the changes in their expressions. My eyes focused on my young bride-to-be as her eyes widened ever so slightly in surprise. Her dumbfounded expression mirrored that of her sister and mother.
Making eye contact with me she quickly looked away. She downed her head as she tried to hide her face. Scarlet straightened her shoulders as her fingers folded into fists on her lap. The smirk on my face grew at the discomfort it brought her. The fear and pain she had inflicted on Rebekah would be returned in full force.
Moving around the sturdy couch I watched in amusement as Madam Rosalie tried to hide her emotions. No doubt ranging from shock to anger. Like rubbing salt into a fresh wound, I repeated my question once more. "The truth you speak of has nothing to do with Scarlet demanding that Rebekah assassinate my family and me right lady Scarlet?" I paused as I returned to my seat. Brow raised in question as I rest my chin on the back of my hand. Head tilted in curiosity. Feigning ignorance.
"I beg your pardon your majesty, but I do not know what you speak of. Such a serious topic should not be lightly mentioned. The Northwest family has and always will be loyal to the royal family. Why would we want to kill the pride of our lands?" She replied, looking at me with innocent eyes.
"I see..." I drawled. "Then the conversation I overheard must have been a mistake. A misunderstanding." I said as she nodded in agreement.
"Yes, your majesty, I fear you may have misunderstood what we were discussing. Our family holds no grudges against the royal family. Our discussion was -as my mother said- about Lizzy's investigation. I do not know why you would assume that we would want my fragile younger sister to kill you and your family. She can't harm small rodents much less spill human blood." She shook her head.
"I'm certain that you might have heard incorrectly or confused what u thought was said with another conversation you may have had." She justified. But I knew she was lying. Her reasoning could fool anyone -myself included- had I not overheard their conversation. Luckily, I had received word that Rebekah had followed her sister and mother without her guards or Arthur while I was on my way back to the palace and had tracked her to the music room. Only to discover the room was locked. Discovering the hidden speaker and recorder near the door I overheard their conversation. Confirming my suspicions that Madam Rosalie and Scarlet had an accomplice matching the report I had received with several transactions being conducted between her and an unidentifiable man within the kingdom.
Not to mention the confirmation I needed that they had physically harmed Rebekah causing the swollen cheek and disheveled state I saw the day she returned from visiting the northwest manor. Their threat to harm an innocent woman for their own benefit was sickening. Yet all I could think of was the pain Rebekah must have felt when backed into a corner unable to confide in anyone. Her kind and caring nature had unintentionally brought trouble to her. Though I knew she would not physically harm anyone.
Glancing in her direction I noticed she kept her head down. Her hair blocked all views of the expression she wore. The only sign of her discomfort was the slight tremble of her hand and the frozen state as she no doubt processed what was happening. My gaze softened as the need to comfort her grew. The desire to hold her in my arms and assure her that she would be fine from here on had become difficult. Reminding myself that there would be time for me to comfort her later. And to finally clear all our misunderstandings.
Pulling the recorder from earlier out of my pant pocket I held it between my fingers as I made eye contact with Scarlet. Her eyes daring me to question her further. Silently pleading for me to accept her justification of what happened here.
"Now then Scarlet if what u said was true what is this?" I asked before pressing the play button on the recorder as Scarlet's voice filled the air
"All you have to do is help us kill the royal family." Scarlet
"What-t?"- Rebekah
"No. No, I won't do."- Rebekah
"Ah. I see you're under the impression that you have a choice in the matter."- Scarlet
"Whether you agree or not you will do as we say. You've been chosen to carry out my part of the plan since you stole my fiancée. My throne. And the life I wanted. As a result, you will fulfill my end of our mission if you want your maid to have a mother who isn't dead. Who knows how many can be harmed to persuade you, dear sister? What are the lives of a few royals when compared to creating a better future for our family and people?"-Scarlet
"Is that so? What makes you think you can force me to comply? Did you bring these plans to father's attention? Did he agree with your reasoning? Why do you want to kill the royals? Do you hate being in the mansion so much that you would kill for a golden chair? Is this even your idea? Or are you being tricked into helping someone else?"- Rebekah
"I'm sure you're being forced into this. If you are then it's not too late for you to end this. The consequences if you fail are not worth being shunned by society and branded traitors throughout the kingdom. You could even be executed."- Rebekah
"I would advise you to not ask questions you do not need answers to and only do as you're told."- Scarlet
"As for father, I'm sure he will come around and realize we are doing this for the family. We deserve to be the ruling family instead of hiding in the shadows and being their shields. Our family is better suited for the role of royalty."- Scarlet
"And how do you intend for me to take the lives of the people I consider as my family? Do you not feel repulsed at the thought of committing murder after what happened to Lizzy?"-Rebekah
The recording ended.
Madam Rosalie struggled to keep an indifferent expression as Scarlet angrily stood from her seat. "That proves nothing. That is not what happened." She said through clenched teeth. Denying the truth.
"That recording could have been altered and handed to you. Our family will not tolerate false accusations being made against us, your majesty." Madam Rosalie said. Standing beside Scarlet I blocked their view of Rebekah.
"That might have been true had I not recorded this conversation myself before I entered this room." I stood to the full length of my height. My anger rose at the thought of their treatment toward Rebekah. I could not believe her mother and sister were willing to sacrifice her like a pawn in a game of chess. Seeing her as Expendable and to be thrown away like rotten goods that could no longer be used.
"I find it quite intriguing that you still find it necessary to lie to me even though you are aware that I know the truth." I angrily stated. "The evidence is here, yet you continue to sprout nonsense from your mouths. Even going as far as threatening and forcing your youngest daughter to agree to your despicable plans to steal what rightfully belongs to my family. Years of loyalty and friendship thrown away for your selfish greed for power." Shaking my head in disbelief.
"Years of loyalty and friendship? Steal what is rightfully yours? Forcing my daughter to kill your family?" Madam Rosalie scoffed as she crossed her arms in front of her. "We intend to do no such thing. With the advance in technology that recording could still be fake. I was present here and I did not hear any conversation of that nature. Did you think I would simply sit by and let such a ludicrous plan be carried out?"
"Yet you were present during the length of the recorded conversation. Not once had you exited the room. A disturbing thought. Though it became less disturbing once I realized you were one of the persons pulling the strings from behind the scenes. I wonder how your accomplice in this ordeal would react to having you and Scarlet taken to the southern prison of the palace?" I inquired. Chuckling in response Madam Rosalie smiled at my attempt to scare her.
"It seems you have all the answers already your majesty. Not that you can prove our involvement in such a plan without any evidence. I'm sure it will be difficult to make His Majesty King Damon Believe we were planning to execute his family. Your word as the crown prince won't be enough to get the information you seek."
"That may be the case but I will find the evidence I need to stop your scheming. And I'm sure once Lord Edward returns, we can discuss this matter further." The smile faded from her face at the mention of Lord Edward.
"Until then you will remain in the southern prison," I said as my guards entered the room.
"Lock them away in the southern prison until further instructions are given. Do not let them out of your sight." I said as the sound of glass shattering against the floor caught my attention. Rebekah who had remained quiet throughout the conversation had knocked over a small vase, grabbing onto the edge of the small table panting for breath. Turning her head in my direction her tearful eyes pleaded with me to help her before they closed. Her body went limp as I tried to catch her.
"Rebekah!"