Chapter 102-Preparation (2)
(ROSEMARY'S P.O.V)
After leaving Duke Winter's office, Sage and I headed to the dining room for lunch. I could see the steam coming off of Sage as she was walking in front of me. Something about that letter that Nashi sent had totally pissed her off.
"What a bastard", I heard Sage say for the third time.
"Sage, calm down before you walk into a pillar or something", I said.
Sage turned around with a pouting expression.
"What kind of person sends a love letter with an invitation to their engagement banquet attached to it", Sage said, with a mad expression.
I couldn't help but laugh, I wondered how she would react when she finds out about his obsessive portraits that are plastered throughout one of his rooms, I thought.
"Don't forget you're technically engaged as well", I said.
Sage scoffed and turned around.
"I'll punch him if I see him again", I could hear her mumbling.
"Enough of that", I said and placed my arm around Sage. "Let's get some food, I'm starving." I said.
We continued to walk towards the dining room.
"What are you planning to do after lunch?"Sage asked, as we entered the dining room.
"I plan to spend some time with Yeshiva before our lesson. He and Cena have been training with the knights. I wanted to watch them spar", I said.
"A spar sounds nice, how about we join them. I could use the distraction." Sage said.
After agreeing that we would head to the training grounds after lunch. Sage and I sat down at the table. I noticed Queen Malaysia, Duchess Mary and Lady Victoria were sitting at the table as well.
"Your Majesty, are you feeling better?", I asked Queen Malaysia.
"I've been feeling much better since Doctor William and Na'mah have been treating me. I shall award them generously" Queen Malaysia said.
Suddenly, the butlers and maids started to bring the food in and had begun setting the food onto the table.
"I will be observing your debutante lessons today." Queen Malaysia said.
All of a sudden, I felt a little nervousness come over me.
We began eating and I could hear Queen Malaysia and Duchess Mary conversing amongst themselves. After twenty minutes had passed, we were finished with lunch and the butlers started to clean off the tables.
While I was getting up from the table, Queen Malaysia suddenly called out to me.
"Rosemary, followed me to Doctor Williams lab. It would only take a moment" she said.
After we left the dining room, Sage and I agreed to meet at the training grounds before going our separate ways. I followed behind Queen Malaysia and we walked towards the left wing of the castle. Queen Malaysia suddenly turned around towards me.
"Na'mah and Doctor Williams mentioned that you may have been poisoned with the same poison that I had been consuming.", Queen Malaysia suddenly said.
Wait, the same poison?, I questioned myself.
"Can you explain to me how it made you feel?", She asked.
"I was unconscious the majority of the time I was poisoned but it caused extreme pain whenever I was awake." I replied.
"How are you feeling now?" she asked with a curious expression.
I haven't told anyone but I can still feel the pain sometimes. I decided to tell Queen Malaysia and she nodded her head. She turned around and we continued to walk towards Doctor Williams lab. A few minutes later, we entered the lab, and I noticed Na'mah and Doctor Williams were holding some weird looking flowers and herbs in their hands as they looked over at us. The weird flower immediately caught my attention. It was a bright silver color with multiple layers of petals on it. Na'mah and Doctor Williams suddenly bowed after seeing Queen Malaysia and I.
"Your majesty", Doctor Williams said as he approached us.
"Those flowers", Queen Malaysia said, "I can't believe my mother is still growing them." She added.
I watched Na'mah rushed over towards us, "Pardon my rudeness, Your Majesty", Na'mah said. "These flowers, there's something magical about them", Na'mah added.
I kept glancing back and forth at Queen Malaysia and Na'mah.
"I remembered my mother describing such a flower, is this one of the legendary herbs" Na'mah asked and I could see her eyes twinkling.
Queen Malaysia looked taken aback.
Legendary herb,I thought.
"You would have to ask my mother. She has grown these flowers for as long as I can remember." Queen Malaysia said.
(NATALIE'S P.O.V)
Before we left the village, Moises and Nathan decided that they would bring Macy Livens to the town of Cassini near the western border. Nathan and Saul agreed to escort Macy Livens to one of Nathan's acquaintances' villas. When I heard that the same acquaintance was also one of Prince Morgan's aides. I knew Macy would be in good hands. Macy had decided to testify in the trial that Prince Morgan had set to prove Moises innocence amongst other things.
"I'll gather the supplies, I'll be returning to the palace", Ella said.
I turned towards Moises, "I'll also head to the palace as agreed", I said.
Moises kissed my lips and a few minutes later, we parted ways. Moises left with my father and the others and I remained standing beside Ella.
"We have another horse you can use that one after I gather the supplies", Ella said.
We walked back towards the village, and the thoughts that had been buried in the back of my mind for years, were finally going to be answered.
"Ella", I called out to her as she walked in front of me.
She turned around and faced my direction.
"That night I gave birth, what caused you to run into the cabin?" I asked, curiously. "If you hadn't been there, I would've definitely died that night." I said.
Ella looked at me with a serious expression.
"I helped Macy escape from the palace and decided to travel west to get the palace guards off of my trail. I could hear the sounds of babies crying in the distance and went to check it out. Unexpectedly, I saw someone fleeing from the cabin and decided to enter it. That's when I saw you clinging on to the little strength you had left.", Ella replied.
So she was the one who helped Macy escape, I thought to myself.
"I can't express how grateful I am to have met you that night", I said.
Ella suddenly smiled, "I'm grateful that you survived" she said and turned back around in the direction of the clinic.
"I've known Macy for years, after all, she was engaged to the late Prince Lance. I took care of her because she was a very timid woman. Although Queen Malaysia never showed her emotions towards Macy. She still ordered me to serve her appropriately and to watch over her since she had also dealt with the cruelness of the aristocratic faction. Even though I retired from the headmaid position. I would still visit Macy from time to time", Ella explained as we entered the clinic.
A thought suddenly crossed my mind.
"What caused Prince Lance's death? I asked, curiously.
I heard his name being mentioned multiple times whenever I visited the palace but never paid enough attention towards it.
"I don't believe his death was an accident.", Ella said, "I believe someone murdered him during the hunting festival. By the way, It wasn't King Lincoln if you're thinking it was. King Lincoln adored his older brother. Honestly, I believe he never wanted to be king.", Ella said.
I was surprised by her statement.
Ella had begun gathering the many items that Paige had previously sat out for her.
"Now we just have to find the flower." Ella mumbled but I could hear her.
"Do you have a description of the flower?", I asked.
Ella began to describe the flower's features and the description seemed a little familiar but I couldn't think of where I had seen it.
My thoughts were interrupted when Ella turned towards me.
"Shall we head to the palace now?" Ella asked and I nodded my head as I responded.
(PRINCE MORGAN'S P.O.V)
I was sitting in my office, when the door to the room opened. I watched as Marquess Lombard and Count Vaughan entered the office.
"Your highness", they both bowed their heads before approaching my desk.
"I've looked into the auction house that you had mentioned in the letter. I've sent some of my knights to monitor it until further instructions.", Count Vaughan said as he sat in one of the chairs.
"Great", I said, "Now I just have to find a way to tie the auction house to Count Livens. I can arrest him for his involvement. We'll be able to charge him with treason as well" I said.
"What about the groups, since the meetings have been halted for now. How will the members exchange their information with each other?"Count Vaughan asked.
"They shall only meet privately, no huge groups with only short meeting times and have someone mediate between the groups." I said.
Marquess Lombard bowed his head before leaving the office.
After he left, Count Vaughan cleared his throat.
"Are you still suspicious of Marquess Lombard?", he asked.
I shook my head, "I have confirmed that he isn't involved with Prince Marshall unless it involves palace circumstances." I replied. "There is someone else we should be investigating in the meantime." I added.
"Who shall I investigate, your highness?", Count Vaughan asked.
"Marquess Radisson, I want to know everything he's doing. From the time he wakes up to the time he sleeps" I said.
Count Vaughan stood up and bowed, "As you wish, your highness. I'll have my men look into the Chancellor." He said.
Unexpectedly, someone knocked on the door and I told them to come in. A second later, Sir Daniel, the captain of my royal knights, entered the office.
"Your highness, Prince Marshall and Count Livens have returned to the main palace." He reported. "They're on their way to meet the king," he added.
I stood up from my seat and walked around the desk.
"Let's find out what those bastards are up too", I said as we left the office.
(UNKNOWN P.O.V)
Whoa, this is my first time ever being in the palace, I thought to myself as I followed behind Count Livens and Prince Marshall.
I discreetly glanced around and was in awe as I looked around the palace.
Let's focus, don't forget your mission, I thought to myself as I tried not to be distracted by the luxury of the palace.
While following between Count Livens and Prince Marshall. I could feel the intensity around Prince Marshall as we approached a large door.
"I was told my father was in his office", I heard Prince Marshall say.
I watched as Count Livens turned towards me.
"Stand guard", he said.
"Yes, my lord", I responded.
Count Livens and Prince Marshall entered the office. I stood beside the door and the time continued to pass by.
After ten minutes had passed, I noticed an older man walking towards the office holding onto a tray. I recognized him as one of the butlers as he approached the office door. When he entered the office, I could hear the commotion inside of the room. The king was shouting and the door suddenly shut again.
Suddenly, Prince Marshall and Count Livens came rushing out of the office. I heard the shattering of glass as it crashed into the wall.
Prince Marshall had an angry expression on his face.
"Just fucking die already you fucking bastard", I heard Prince Marshall mumbled and watched as he stormed down the hall.
Interesting, I mumbled and started to follow behind Count Livens. Looks like the relationship between the King and Prince Marshall isn't that great like the nobles society have believed it to be.
I could see that Count Livens and Prince Marshall were fuming with anger.
I should report this back to the Chief, I thought to myself as we walked through the hallway.