I released a shaky breath as detective Adams exited through the open door. My frozen remained frozen in its place as a chill ran down my spine. My heart racing a mile away.
The click of expensive shoes on tiled floors drew my attention to the approaching prince. His strong arms wrapped around me, hugging me from behind. His chin rested on top of my head.
"Are you alright? You're shivering like a leaf in a summer breeze." He said. My bottom lip trembled at the reality I had just discovered. My throat closed up with each attempt I made to tell him the truth about the earring the detective had shown us.
Taking a deep breath, I swallowed the lump in my throat. Leaning against his broad chest I closed my eyes as I said the words that would break my heart.
"I think my mother might have killed my sister," I whispered. A stray tear slid down my cheek.
"What makes you think that your mother would kill her daughter?" He asked. Untangling myself from his arms I voiced the thoughts that crossed my mind.
"Think about it. My mother had convinced Scarlet that she is the most suitable candidate for the position of crown princess. Grooming her into the perfect puppet she could use at will. Telling her that she was destined for greatness. The pride of our family. She even convinced her that ridding the kingdom of the current royal family would secure the Northwest family's right to the throne." I paused to look at him. His warm blue eyes filled with worry as he listened to the pointless rambling passing through my lips. But he remained silent. Waiting for the conclusion I would come to on my own. Proving that the image of my family I had engraved into my mind was a lie. A perfect façade. And I had fallen victim to its beautiful web of deception.
I paced the room anxiously as I tried to guess what reason my mother would have to kill Lizzy.
"What if Lizzy heard something she shouldn't have, and our mother found out? Maybe Lizzy discovered the root of their operations and had seen the mystery man backing my mother's desperate need for power. What if he was the one who wanted her dead and used my mother to get the job done? It wouldn't be far off to assume she would do it in the name of power. Or to stop Lizzy from telling our father the truth about their plots to commit treason. And in a moment of panic, our mother knocks her out and had her transported to district 3 where she is tortured to get her to reveal what she knew but she refused and was given the punishment of death to maintain their agenda. Leaving our mother with no other choice but to have someone clean up her mess and justify her actions by convincing herself that Lizzy's death was for a greater cause. She even tried to blackmail me into helping her put an end to the royal family. So, why wouldn't she sacrifice Lizzy to achieve her goal?" I rambled on.
I stared at my trembling hands in fear as I took long ragged breaths. Reality settled in as I realized that if prince Marcus hadn't overheard my conversation with Scarlet and my mother it could have been me sitting in a prison cell for committing treason against the crown. That they could have framed me for everything. Using me as their scapegoat in the end.
"While your mother has proven that she isn't the ideal image of a mother, those thoughts are only theories at this point. Without any solid evidence or a confession from her or your sister, there is no way to prove that they were there during the period your sister was missing and later found dead. Without those, it would be written off as mere coincidence or evidence transferred to the victim before their demise." He explained. His brows scrunched together in concentration.
Turning around to face him I quietly asked. "What if I told you there might be evidence found at the crime scene that could be used against my mother?"
"And what would that be?"
"The pearl earring detective Adams showed us before he left. It belongs to my mother." I said.
"While I do not doubt your words, Rebekah. What makes you believe that this specific earring belongs to your mother and not another woman of noble status? A pair of earrings can be easily bought in the capital and be worn by any woman in the kingdom. What makes this one special?" He questioned.
"That may be true. But I know it does not belong to another because there is only one pair in the entire kingdom that was ever made, and it is owned by my mother. In her need to be the envy of the kingdom, she had found a talented jeweler in the capital and paid him a hefty price to have that earring made exclusively for her. Its unique design and rare materials used were handpicked by her. And she only wears it when she feels the need to show the other women her wealth and status outrank theirs. As for the jeweler who created it, he was forbidden from making another pair like it for anyone in the kingdom. Not even your mother was able to get it."
"If that is the case, how do you know if she had worn it anytime recently? Or if there is a chance that your mother had grown tired of the piece of jewelry and had given it to Lizzy as a gift?"
I shook my head no. "As much as I would like to believe she had worn it during my last visit to the manor, I would not be able to say. I was otherwise preoccupied during my short time there to carefully examine her attire that afternoon. But there is one thing I'm certain of, and that is my mother's love for that earring. She values it more than any other piece of jewelry that she owns. And is unlikely to have given it to Lizzy. Because I remember Scarlet asking to wear said earring and my mother had lost it at the thought of anyone but her wearing it."
Pinching the bridge of his nose he tiredly sighed. "I see... Then is there any way you can prove that they belong to her? Maybe a written statement stating that she has full ownership over the item. Or do you know where the missing half might be kept? If not, we will need to confront your mother and get a confession out of her before we can bring closure to this case?"
"I may have an idea where the other earring is being kept. There is a small safe in the wall of my mother's room that is covered with a painting she bought at an auction. It's where she keeps all her jewelry due to fear of them being stolen by the maids. But I'm afraid I do not know the code to open the safe. She's the only one who knows what it is." I replied. The hope had held onto was smashed into tiny pieces at the thought of being back at square one.
The memory of Lizzy's cold, mutilated body flashed before my eyes. My mind conjured up the sight of my mother standing over her as she sliced and stabbed Lizzy's pale skin with a small knife. Blood oozing from her wounds while she screamed in agony. Her cries for help fell on deaf ears as my mother showed no mercy. Standing and watching as Lizzy was defiled and disfigured to the point of being unidentifiable. Leaving her to rot in the slums of District 3.
I covered my mouth as I felt the bile rise in my throat. My stomach churned in protest. The thought of what might have happened was frightening. My imagination running wild.
A hand tipping my chin upward had disrupted my train of thought. Looking into the eyes of the man I love I felt the tears I held back come rushing forward. His blurred face held a small smile as he wiped away the stream of tears going down my cheeks.
"Shh...my love. There is no need to worry. My men will search the Northwest manor and locate the missing earring. Everything will be fine. And while I assume you have already thought of every worst-case scenario. I must ask you to steel yourself for what is to come if your mother is found guilty of murder. There will be no second chances if her crimes go deeper than we anticipated. She will receive a punishment befitting the criminal offense." He slowly explained. I nodded my head in understanding.
"Does this make me a bad person? Will it be my fault my family is ruined? What will my father believe when he hears the news of their arrest? Will he hate me? Blame me for their arrest? Will he side with them for power? Is anything I know of my family even real? W-" I felt his finger press against my parted lips cutting my frantic questioning short.
His blue eyes looked into mine with determination.
"You are Rebekah Amelia Northwest. The youngest daughter of a great man and an even greater household. Your father will be nothing but proud of the daughter he has raised. For you are stronger than you know. Even when You've been betrayed, humiliated, shunned, and accused of acts you've never committed you kept moving forward. You've seen the good and the bad of this world. And yet you still choose to see the good in others. Even the ones who have wronged you. You've stood tall when in the presence of your bullies and grew stronger with each encounter. Where many women would be driven to madness, you prevailed. You kept moving forward. And you'll continue to do the same in the future. I know it will be hard. You will want to cry and blame your misfortunes on those who have harmed you. But you will not let it break and bend you to its will. You will overcome it and be stronger than ever. You will not suffer in silence. I will be here with you every step of the way. So, if doing the right thing makes you a bad person. Then I say it is better to be the villain in their story than to perish alongside the wolf hiding in sheep's clothing." His words warmed my heart. His sincerity and confidence in me gave comfort to my broken soul.
Shining a new ray of hope inside me as I tried to remind myself that it was not my duty to protect them. To save them from the consequences of their actions.
For once it was alright to choose me...
"As much as it breaks my heart to interrupt such a touching moment between a newly engaged couple, I must insist that you keep your affections in check while the palace is filled with hungry gossipers. We do not need more rumors circulating the kingdom, now do we?" The sound of Arthur's voice brought me out of my trance.
I looked at the entrance of the library to see Arthur leaning against the frame of the door with a mischievous grin on his face.
Prince Marcus's hand on my cheek disappeared as he tilted his head in his brother's direction. The dim light of the room hid my tear-streaked appearance.
"Arthur, state your business or leave." Prince Marcus grumbled in annoyance.
"You need to relax brother, or your new fiancée may think you're a bully and a bore," Arthur said in mock pity.
"Arthur behave..." He warned as Arthur raised his hand in defense. The small movement behind him drew my attention as the figure peeked out from behind him.
"Who is that behind you?" I asked.
"No one special just a palace maid wondering the amongst the guests looking for her master. Luckily for her, I found her before Lord James and his sons could notice an innocent maid roaming without her owner. She said she had an urgent message to relay to you on behalf of your father." He said. Grabbing the woman's wrist and dragging her in front of him. With a small squeal, the woman was launched into me. The trembling woman in front of me was none other than Rachel.
My brow twitched in irritation at how roughly he had handled her. Reminding myself that there were guests in the palace I kept my compose as Prince Marcus held my hand giving it a soft squeeze.
"While I appreciate you helping her find me, I feel it necessary to remind you that she is not a dog off its leash. She may be a maid of the palace, but she is not a toy to be flung at your demand. I suggest you treat your people more kindly soon prince Arthur." I gritted out.
With fake remorse and a mocking bow he said. "I apologize your majesty. Thank you for pointing out my wrongdoings. I will take your words to heart and fix my behavior to suit the crown princess."
Ignoring his child-like behavior I examined Rachel's wrist for any bruising as Arthur snickered behind me.
"You don't honestly believe I would harm a woman now, do you? I hardly applied any pressure on the hand of your precious maid." Arthur's whining did nothing to stop me from making sure she was alright. While he was a good person at heart, he lacked the proper manners to interact with others.
"Are you alright Rachel?" She stiffly nodded yes.
"What message do you have from my father? Did his business trip get delayed?" I genuinely asked. Hoping that she would say he had arrived and was waiting to see me.
"I'm afraid not princess. The lord's message is as follows: Rebekah, my darling daughter, I'm sorry that I cannot be there for your engagement ceremony, but I would like to congratulate you on taking one more step on a new journey. I will be returning to the palace tomorrow. We have much to discuss." Rachel finished as she relayed the small message he had sent.
Did word of their arrest reach him?