Chapter 24 - Being punished

Lyn asks him to come closer to her. Jetaime did as she said. 'She must be frightened by then. I wonder what they did to her. I won't spare any of them. This is the last draw,' Jetaime folded his fist drawing closer to her.

"I think I have seen enough scarier stuff for today. Could you take off your mask," Lyn teases him with a smile, Jetaime pulls away from her. He was been serious yet she was playing around. "Will you tell me if I pull my mask down?" she is just scared Jetaime thought.

"Maybe," Lyn hissed with a soft smile. Jetaime quickly takes off his mask per her request. "Now tell me what happens?" Jetaime pays close attention as every word that comes out of her mouth was important.

"I was going to see the princess royal but she was not in her quarters. I went to look for her in the old palace. I saw two maids that directed me. I got lost and found myself in a secret room. It was dark. I tried to light the candles, one thing led to another, and the next thing I know the room was on fire and I was trapped," Lyn had narrated. Not what Jetaime was expecting from her.

There was no way she found herself there because she was lost. She knew she was hiding something but yet doesn't know how to force it out of her. "You could have died in there if I hadn't found you in time. Who are you trying to protect?" Jetaime grumbles, he wants them to pay. He wants the bastards that hurt her to pay for it.

"I will be doing you a great service that way it will be easy to make her your queen. And I'm not protecting anyone for the records," Lyn said convincingly.

"You are been impossible right now; she can never be…. Never mind. There is no point arguing with you. I will find out what happens on my own. Stay here and rest," Jetaime orders, he could tell something was preventing her from speaking the truth besides she still doesn't trust him and he is to be blamed for that.

"As you can see I'm fine," Lyn tries to get out of bed to show him just how fine she was but Jetaime pin her back on the bed. "Get out of bed and I will have all your maids killed for letting the queen get hurt. I will start with Moesha," Jetaime threatens and he was damn serious.

"What! You can't keep me locked up here and leave Moesha and the rest out of this, they have nothing to do with this," Lyn protested. "Yes, I can and they are all guilty of a capital crime so just stay in bed," Jetaime mumbled walking to the door. Lyn had a sad face; she couldn't stand the idea of not being able to go out as she wishes.

"Please have some rest," Jetaime turns to look at her one last time, put back on his mask, and walks out.

"The queen was careless enough to destroy valuable historical artifacts. She is being punished under no circumstance is she allowed to come out of her chamber without my permission nor is she allowed to meet anyone without my approval. is that clear!" Jetaime orders as soon as he stepped out and Lyn could hear him from inside.

She didn't know what to feel, was he protecting her or just punishing her for the lie since he believes it? Which is which? She wonders. He confuses her.

"Yes, your highness!' all the maids replied going on their knees with the exception of Moesha who was furious, she was bold enough to make eye contact with the king. Jetaime ignores her because she was looking out for the queen. He admires her courage instead and is glad the queen has her.

"And double the securities," he told Byron, Madam Yina was there in time to hear the king's command as always, she felt disappointed. She bows her head with the tray in her hand as the king walks away. Jetaime stares at her and wishes he could explain his reasons to him but he wasn't someone that likes to explain himself.

On their way to the King's chamber, they run into Consort Suva, "Your Highness," she gives a gentle bow, Byron greets with a bow too while Jetaime looks the other way.

"What happens is so sad the queen…." Consort Suva sobs, as her fake tears drip down her cheeks. Jetaime looks at her suspiciously. Was she so sure of the queen's death? Could she know what happen 18 years ago?

"Yes it's sad but the queen is fine and back in her chambers. You don't have to worry about her no more," Jetaime mumbled paying special attention to her reaction.

"Well, she is? I mean that's great. We prevented a disaster such a relief," she said burning in the side. Jetaime had already confirmed her involvement with what happened to the queen. He walks away while Byron tugs behind him.

"Your suspicion was correct, do you want me to take action now?" Byron said as soon as they were alone. "Not yet, I want to catch them red-handed. Make sure the guards you send to guard the queen are your trusted men," Jetaime specifically requested. The safety of the queen was his top priority. The days ahead were going to be bloody.

He needs to make sure she will be safe. Jetaime holds a small piece of curved rabbit in his hand. "Are you thinking of your little angel again?" Byron asked.

"Yes, I just thought of her all of a sudden. Never mind," Jetaime hissed putting the curved rabbit back into his pockets. He carries it with him everywhere he goes. "Any action from the prime minister?"

"No," Byron replies. "What of the mysterious commander Lander, any news of his real identity or where about?" Jetaime questioned hoping to get a piece of positive news this time around.

"Yes, after investigating once again, someone claim he saw him entering Prince Dewey's estate," Byron informed alerting Jetaime. "Could they be friends?" he asked curiously. "That I can't tell but I will keep investigating," Byron said.

"Great and keep an eye on Prince Dewey will you? That guy is a psycho. I wonder how he is related to that Lander," Jetaime wonders.

Consort Suva couldn't hold back her anger. "How could she have escaped that fire and come out without a scratch? This is not possible," she complains. "Relax Mother, how hard it will be to get rid of her. If we failed this time, she won't be lucky the next time," Prince Danyon smirks.

"Right Mother, I still need to get my way with her before," Princes Dewey added. "Both of you are right, I don't have to worry about her being alive. I won't fail next time," she assured herself fidgeting with her hands.