"Is that Prouz?" Yohana inquired.
Prouz was a rare and highly coveted stone from the distant lands of Greifswaldia. Renowned for its scarcity and the arduous process of extraction and refinement, Prouz held great value.
While Reichwein maintained a cordial relationship with Greifswaldia, it wasn't the kind of association that would easily grant access to the esteemed gem.
Queen Emma, her voice tinged with pride, responded, "Yes, Lady Runa, you have a keen eye for exquisite gems. This Prouz was a precious gift bestowed upon me by a dear friend."
The extravagant necklace stood as a testament to Queen Emma's privileged status and her connection to the world of rare treasures.
As Yohana gazed upon its splendor, a thought crossed her mind: was the queen showcasing her wealth to gain recognition from Yohana, or was it a subtle display of power, meant to intimidate her?
"Isn't it beautiful?" Queen Emma's voice was filled with pride as she delicately brushed her fingertips across the luminous gem and the shimmering diamonds that surrounded it. "You should try it on," she offered, her gaze fixed on Yohana.
"Pardon me? Oh, Your Majesty, I wouldn't dare," Yohana replied quickly, taken aback by the queen's unexpected invitation to wear such a precious necklace.
While Yohana contemplated the queen's motives, Lady Heidi, ever eager to please, stepped forward and took it upon herself to adorn Yohana with the exquisite piece. With gentle hands, Lady Heidi carefully fastened the necklace around Yohana's neck, ensuring it rested perfectly on her collarbone.
To complete the experience, Lady Heidi provided a mirror, allowing Yohana to witness the magnificent jewelry complementing her beauty.
"It looks lovely on you," Queen Emma remarked.
As Yohana reluctantly observed her reflection, her mind filled with questions. What was the significance of this gesture?
"Your Majesty, if you'll excuse me, this necklace is quite heavy. May I please remove it now?" Yohana hurriedly requested, still unable to discern the queen's intentions behind this spectacle.
Queen Emma waved her hand, her arrogant smile unwavering, and Lady Heidi took off the necklace from Yohana's neck. "I thought you would like it," the queen commented.
"I find the necklace beautiful, but it doesn't quite align with my personal taste," Yohana replied, anticipating if the queen wanted her to beg for it.
"Is that so?" The queen didn't appear convinced.
However, Yohana couldn't care less. She took another sip of her tea, rose from her seat, and sensed that this meeting had yielded no benefits for either of them. "If there is nothing further you require of me, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."
***
After Lady Runa left the chamber with her personal maid, Lady Rafaela contemplated how to prevent the queen from framing an innocent person.
"Your Majesty, it seems that Lady Runa was not particularly enchanted by the jewelry. Should we attempt a different approach?" she suggested.
Lady Heidi promptly scolded her. "Why are you so narrow-minded, Lady Rafaela? We don't actually need her to take anything, do we? Zara, you will be responsible for placing the necklace in Lady Runa's chamber. Tuck it under her pillow. We must create the illusion that she is so consumed by greed that she takes it to bed."
"But there will be witnesses who can testify that Lady Runa did no such thing," Lady Rafaela persisted.
Lady Heidi glared at Lady Rafaela for being unhelpful and seemingly sabotaging the queen's plan.
Fed up with the bickering, Queen Emma commanded, "Lady Rafaela, you will provide false testimony during the trial, claiming that you witnessed Lady Runa entering my room and taking the necklace."
***
During the royal family dinner, Zara seized the opportunity to take the necklace and bring it to Lady Runa's chamber. She knew the chamber would be vacant at that time since Thea would be accompanying Lady Runa to the dining room, and there were no other maids or ladies-in-waiting present.
Following Lady Heidi's instructions, Zara carefully slipped the necklace under Lady Runa's pillow. She carried a basket of laundry in her hands as a cover, ready with a plausible excuse if questioned about her presence on the first floor.
Fortunately, no one caught sight of her.
After dinner, Queen Emma promptly returned to her chamber and inquired about Zara's task. Zara informed the queen of her success.
Queen Emma was satisfied and decided that if no one came to her chamber to return the necklace by tonight, they could proceed with their plan as early as the next morning.
"Even if she does return the necklace tonight, we can still accuse her of theft and claim that she changed her mind out of fear of getting caught. Though she may not face a trial, it will still tarnish her reputation," Lady Heidi suggested.
"Yes, you are correct, Lady Heidi. But I would much prefer to see her imprisoned, or at the very least, whipped," Queen Emma sneered.
She turned to Lady Rafaela, her voice stern as she issued her command. "Lady Rafaela, you must prepare the witness testimony."
"But... the trial hasn't even started. Moreover, the theft itself..." Lady Rafaela stammered, uncomfortable with the prospect of fabricating stories that would unjustly punish someone.
"It will happen, and you will be ready," Queen Emma dismissed Lady Rafaela's objections. She retired to bed early, eager for the showdown that awaited her the next day. After dismissing the ladies-in-waiting and maids, the queen fell asleep instantly, the anticipation of her plan consuming her thoughts.
***
Queen Emma woke up exceptionally early, urging Zara to assist her in getting dressed and summoning her ladies-in-waiting to launch their surprise attack on Lady Runa while she was still unprepared. The mere thought of humiliating Lady Runa while she was in her nightgown filled the queen with immense satisfaction.
With her entourage assembled and ready for battle, Queen Emma descended the stairs to the corridor that led to the princesses' chambers.
They came to a halt in front of Lady Runa's door, with high anticipation. Lady Heidi, wearing a wide grin, knocked on the door. "Lady Runa, Her Majesty is here to see you."
Thea opened the door, revealing Lady Runa already dressed and standing behind her. Queen Emma was taken aback by this unexpected sight. Lady Runa bowed.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. May I inquire as to the reason behind the honor of your presence in this humble room of mine?" she politely questioned, maintaining her composure despite the tense atmosphere.
The queen inwardly suppressed her anger at the subtle derogatory remark about her palace being referred to as 'humble'. She consoled herself with the belief that she would bring Yohana down once she caught her stealing the necklace.
Queen Emma cleared her throat and commenced her act, convinced of her exceptional performance. Lady Rafaela, however, doubted her acting skills, as she could immediately sense the queen's scheming nature merely by observing her expression.
"Lady Runa, by any chance, have you taken my necklace? Do you recall it? The precious necklace adorned with the exquisite Prouz, a cherished gift from a dear friend," Queen Emma deliberately spoke loudly, ensuring everyone could hear her words.
Onlookers, including the palace servants, had begun to gather to witness the unfolding spectacle. The queen surveyed the crowd, wearing a pitiable expression to evoke sympathy.
"Please pardon me, Lady Runa. I do not mean to accuse you of anything. I am aware of the necklace's beauty, and it is possible that you became so enthralled by its allure that you forgot to remove it," the queen continued, skillfully attempting to soften her accusatory tone.
Murmurs permeated the corridor, but the queen was far from finished. "It may be impolite of me to visit you so early in the morning to address this matter, but I must inform you, Lady Runa, that you were the last person seen with the necklace."
Queen Emma turned to Lady Rafaela, who trembled with her head lowered. "Lady Rafaela witnessed your visit to my chamber late yesterday," the queen proclaimed, playing her trump card.
"I understand your concern, Your Majesty, but I did not see the jewelry since Lady Heidi removed it from my neck yesterday. Lady Rafaela may have mistaken someone else for me, as it was late and she was tired," Lady Runa calmly replied, patiently waiting for the queen to finish her statement.
Lady Runa gracefully stepped aside, gesturing, "But if it will put your mind at ease, Your Majesty, you may search my chamber. Although you will not find the necklace there."
Queen Emma's ladies-in-waiting, including Lady Rafaela, commenced the search. Meanwhile, Henrie appeared, timing his arrival quite well.
"Your Highness," Lady Runa greeted with a respectful bow as Henrie appeared.
Queen Emma thought, "What a fortunate coincidence."
She embraced her son and complained about the situation. "The value of the necklace itself is not what concerns me, my prince. It holds great sentimental meaning as it was a gift. I would feel ashamed to face my friend if I were to lose it."
"I will not let that happen, Mother," Henrie declared, and he ordered the royal knights to join in the search.