Chloe tried her best to distract Lucas, but the screams drew his attention to what was happening.
"Oh my God, oh my God", Aurora screamed, her voice was shaky. She ran from one end to the other looking for water, but everywhere it seemed like a dessert.
Lucas ran into the kitchen and wrapped his coat around her to put off the fire, but it did not work. Aurora was beginning to cough continuously. Lucas turned and all he saw was a large bowl filled with soup and he poured it on her.
"Quick, call the physician. She has fainted", Lucas yelled, holding onto Aurora. He was on his knees and Aurora lay lifeless on his thighs.
"I'll take her to her room", Lucas told Chloe, who had just walked in.
"Let the guards do it, you are the king, you should not be seen doing things like that", Chloe said, calling one of the guards.
Reluctantly, Lucas handed Aurora back to the guard and he picked her up and placed her on his shoulder. Lucas followed them closely.
"You, follow me", Chloe said to the cook who called Aurora into the kitchen.
She followed Chloe quietly to the corridors.
"You did a good job burning that bitch", Chloe said with a mischievous smile, pressing something into her hands.
"Your pay was very attractive, how could I say no?", the cook replied, counting the money she was given, she quickly shoved it into her clothes.
"I will see you around. You know how Lucas is, he won't let this go. So, be prepared to come up with a good story", Chloe whispered to the cook.
"I will think of something", the cook replied.
************
"Where is the physician? Why is everyone suddenly becoming incompetent", Lucas asked, pacing around the room. He looked at Aurora and noticed that her skin was getting pale.
"He is on the way", one of the guards replied.
Lucas rushed over to the wardrobe, picked up a blanket and wrapped it around her. He walked from one end of the room to another. He was so lost in thought, that he did not notice when the physician walked in.
"Your Majesty", the Physician said with a bow.
"Go ahead", Lucas replied calmly.
The physician went over to the bedside and examined her. He checked for burns but only noticed a little burn on her ankle. He checked her temperature and pulse and nodded in satisfaction.
" What is wrong with her?", Lucas asked. He was no longer comfortable with the silence.
"Her ankle, she sustained a burn. The good thing is, that it is superficial with no blisters. She should be able to recover soon.
"That is good news", Lucas said, heaving a huge sigh of relief. He went over and held her hands.
" She is quite fragile, I must say, she fainted even when she had a little burn. I wonder why", the physician said.
"She was probably scared, no need to run any unnecessary tests, let her rest now", Lucas replied firmly.
"I will take my leave", the physician said as he exited the room.
Lucas stood at the foot of the bed wondering what had happened. He felt overwhelmed with guilt for leaving her alone. He walked slowly to his room and sat on his bed. He called one of the guards who stood by his door.
" Call all the workers from the royal kitchen for me, tell them to meet me in the courtroom", Lucas said, clenching his fists.
"But my king, they are still cooking for the feast", the guard replied, bowing.
"Are you questioning my orders?", Lucas yelled.
"No, my King, I will do as you wish", the guard responded as he exited the room and headed to the kitchen.
Lucas went downstairs to the courtroom where all the kitchen workers gathered discussing in small groups and murmuring amongst themselves.
" Silence!", Lucas thundered as he sat on his chair.
"Yes your majesty", they chorused.
" You all know why you are here. I will be asking all of you questions. I expect nothing but the truth.
"Yes your majesty", they chorus again.
"Something isn't right, why was there no water in the kitchen when this ugly incident occurred?", Lucas asked.
"The pipes tampered with your Majesty", one of the cooks replied.
"Are you suggesting that this was a deliberate act?", Lucas queried.
"No, but the pipes were leaking and all the water leaked out."
"So why was I not informed about this"? Lucas asked.
"You just started your tour with the strange lady."
" Her name is Aurora and she is a guest here", Lucas replied firmly.
"That is all I know about the incident, Your Majesty. "
"You, come here, what do you know about the fire?", Lucas asked, pointing to an elderly cook who stood by the wall.
"I was not there when the fire started, I went to the market", she replied.
"Then why are you here!", Lucas growled. He was becoming impatient.
"I am sorry your majesty", she replied, quivering.
"We were told all the cooks were wanted by the king", she added.
" My king, her dress got caught up in the cooking fire, that is all I know", another cook said.
"She was by the door, how did she find herself there!", Lucas yelled uncontrollably as he slammed his hand on the wall.
"I...I don't know", she stuttered.
" Is there anyone here that can at least be useful to me? How did Aurora enter the kitchen", Lucas asked as his eyes widened and he searched through the gathering.
"I can, your majesty", a teenage girl said. She was the youngest cook.
"What is your name child", Lucas asked.
"Gianna", she replied.
"If you can tell me all I need to know, I will reward you handsomely", Lucas said.
"It was the chief cook that called the young woman into the kitchen to help her get something from the cupboard, she was reaching for the glass cup when the end of her clothes somehow managed to enter the fire", Gianna narrated.
"Okay, where is this chief Cook?", Lucas asked.
"I saw her leave hurriedly some moments ago", Gianna said, pointing at the gate.
"Gianna, call the guards, tell them to search the whole town if they have to, and bring that woman to me now!", Lucas ordered.