CHAPTER 30
The weight of the crown still lingered on Grace's head, even after she had removed it. She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling a strange emptiness despite the grandeur of her coronation.
Parkston knew, that was why he had given up searching for Grace Johnson. That was why he had finally settled down with Jonah. He had put the pieces together Prince Quicke and Grace Johnson were one and the same.
The realization made her stomach churn.
She closed her eyes, trying to process it all, but something felt off.
A shift.
The air around her grew heavy. The silence of the room wasn't just silence, it was filled with something else. A presence.
Then, the whispers started.
Soft. Elusive. As though the walls themselves were speaking.
Grace sat up abruptly, her pulse quickening.
She reached out to grab her phone, intending to call Matthew Sterrn, but before her fingers even touched it—
It moved.
Her phone slid across the table, stopping neatly in her outstretched hand.
She gasped, nearly dropping it.
Her hands trembled as she stared at the device.
She hadn't touched it.
She hadn't willed it.
Then what had?
A rush of cold spread through her chest. Slowly, she set the phone back down. Heart pounding, she twisted her fingers, mimicking the movement, trying to call it to her again.
Nothing.
She tried again.
Still nothing.
Had it been a fluke? Or was something inside her waking up?
A knock on the door snapped her from her thoughts.
Grace turned, inhaling sharply. The unease of the moment hadn't left her.
She hesitated before answering.
Juliet stood at the threshold, sobbing.
Grace frowned but stepped aside. "Come in."
Juliet rushed inside, her face stained with tears. Grace led her to a chair, sitting opposite her.
"What's wrong, Lady Juliet?" she asked. "Why do you cry?"
Juliet took a few moments to compose herself before speaking.
"My parents," she whispered, "they aren't acting like themselves. Queen Jonah has done something to them."
Grace stiffened.
Juliet continued, voice shaking. "They won't talk to me. They won't move without her permission. I watched them they asked for her approval before they even freshened up." She gripped her hands together, her nails digging into her palms. "It's like they're under a spell. I don't understand it, but I know one thing, I'm scared, Prince Quicke."
Grace clenched her jaw.
Jonah.
She should have expected this.
"What does she gain from controlling them?" Grace asked, her voice colder now.
Juliet shook her head. "I don't know."
"Have you asked her?"
"I tried. But every time I bring it up, she says she owes me no explanation."
Grace exhaled through her nose.
"She owes me one," she said firmly. "This is my kingdom, and I will not allow my people to be turned into puppets."
Juliet wiped her tears. "What will you do?"
"I will speak to her. And after that, a meeting will be held."
Juliet nodded, standing up.
She turned to leave but then hesitated at the door.
"When do we start staying together?" she asked softly. "The both of us… in one chamber?"
Grace felt a strange tightness in her chest.
She wasn't ready for that.
Not now.
Not ever.
But she couldn't say that.
"Soon enough," she answered instead.
Juliet gave a small smile before leaving.
Grace let out a long breath.
She needed to get to Jonah before this spiraled further.
She was about to step out, then there was, another knock.
Irritated, she called out, "Lady Juliet, I've already told you I'll handle it"
The knock persisted.
Grace sighed and opened the door, expecting Juliet.
Instead, she found Robert.
He was panting.
Her irritation faded into concern. "Robert? What is it?"
He exhaled sharply, catching his breath.
"King," he said, "Juliet's tears they were fake."
Grace's stomach turned. "What?"
"I followed her after she left your chamber. She went straight to Queen Jonah."
Grace felt ice creep into her veins.
"She lied to me?"
Robert nodded. "I overheard them talking. Juliet told Jonah that you know about Grace Johnson. And Jonah—" he paused, shaking his head. "Jonah has resolved to destroy you. They're planning to make you fall so deeply in love with Juliet that you become vulnerable."
Grace's hands curled into fists, she had been played. Again.
The rage inside her simmered, but she forced herself to stay composed.
"If Juliet's tears were an act, then why are the Morphines so obedient to Jonah?" she asked.
Robert shook his head. "I don't know. But it's not normal."
Grace's mind raced.
She had expected Jonah to be a problem, but not like this. Controlling the Morphines? Manipulating her with Juliet?
Grace straightened. "Forget Juliet for now. I need you to find Matthew Sterrn. Tell him I sent for him and that it's urgent."
Robert hesitated. "Yes, King. But before I go, tell me" he looked at her carefully, "how do you feel? You elevated during your coronation. That's not normal. Do you know what caused it?"
Grace studied him, after a moment, she finally spoke. "I don't know what caused it," she admitted. "But, Robert" she met his eyes, "I moved my phone without touching it."
Robert's face shifted into a mix of shock and unease. "You what?"
Grace nodded. "It came to me. Without me willing it. I don't know what's happening, but I need answers. That's why you need to bring Sterrn to me immediately."
Robert's expression hardened, "I'll get him," he promised.
As he stepped outside, Lady Juliet stopped him, it appears that she had seen him spying on them, "Hello Commander," she called out.
Robert stood, his hands placed at his back, "Yes, Queen Juliet, do you need me to do anything?"
Juliet smiling heartily responded, "Oh Commander , of course I need you to do something for me, I can see you are headed out, come to my chamber when you're back, I've got something for you" She said moving close to him.
Robert hesitated before responding
"Noted Queen Juliet"
He didn't move, he watched her disappear into the hallway.