Chasing Royalty

7

Guards circle around me. They don’t grab me or try to force me back into the castle. Their bodies block the corpse and any other clues from my view.

We were the last ones to see her, weren’t we? No. Victor had mentioned how he had wanted to talk to her. Did he do this to her?

The kitchen staff knew we were talking to Sophie, too. If one of them were the murderer, he’d want to keep Sophie quiet.

A guard steps forward, “My lady, William wanted you to stay in the castle. We will escort you back to your quarters.”

Heat rises to my cheeks, “I’ll go myself.” I stride back to the entry with as much dignity as I can muster. A guard pulls the door open for me. Violette and Emilienne wait inside, both of them carefully watched by the guards.

I say, “Sophie. It was Sophie. She’s dead.”

Violette cries out and Emilienne’s hand flies to her mouth.

Victor pounds down the hall, his cheeks flushed. “Is it true? There was another murder?”

Three guards direct him out into the courtyard. How have we arrived here before him, if he’s the ‘best of the best’ investigator?

“Are you sure it was Sophie?” Emilienne asks.

I nod, “I’m certain.”

More footsteps echo down the halls. Each of our ladies in waiting arrives, accompanied by guards.Grace manages a small smile and murmurs something encouraging, but I barely hear it. There’s nothing left for us to do here, but we wait in the hall. We can’t leave without knowing all the information William will allow. Where is he? We stay in the hallway, trying to delay our escort back to our quarters as long as possible.

Grace begins to fix my windblown hair, just for something to do. Emilienne sits down, staring quietly off into space. Violette slowly walks up and down the halls, mumbling something under her breath. Alexanne must still be lying sick in her room. Does she know that any of this has even happened? She was already terrified at the thought of a murderer in the castle. Knowing that they’ve now killed two servants will only make it worse.

William finally pushes through the doors.

William bows to us and we curtsy in return, “There’ll be another meeting tomorrow, the same time as there was today. There are more things that need to be discussed. Victor, my investigator, will be there. I’ll see you in the morning.”

William turns and marches through the courtyard door. I don’t bother calling out my burning questions. I know he won’t answer. I’ll have to wait until tomorrow morning to attempt to get him to listen.

“Should we tell Alexanne about Sophie?” Violette asks, after he’s disappeared from the hall.

“I can tell her,” I offer quietly.

The others nod numbly. Sophie’s death is different from Evette’s. I’d never met Evette.

But Sophie, I’d just talked to her less than an hour ago.

I walk to Alexanne’s room, trying to clear my thoughts. Grace follows silently behind me, picking up on the fact that I’m not in the mood for light conversation.

I knock lightly on her door, not wanting to disturb here if she’s asleep.

Noelle opens the door a fraction of an inch. “Yes?” she whispers.

“Can I talk to Alexanne? It’s important.” I’m not sure whether I should break the news of another murder to Noelle. I have no idea how she’ll react and I’m not willing to take that risk.

Noelle hesitates and then says, “Please, do come in. I think she needs the support.”

I push past her, worried by her words. Alexanne lies in bed propped up with pillows, looking worse than before. Tears streak her cheeks.

“That’s it,” I say, “I’m going to get the doctor right now. If the pain’s that bad, Alexanne, you need him.”

“Please,” Alexanne begs me, her voice raw, “I’m fine, I promise, I’m fine. I’m just a little sick and I’ve never had a very high pain tolerance, you know me. I’ll get better soon.”

I shake my head. “You said that if you weren’t feeling better by tonight, we would get the doctor.”

“But I am feeling better.”

I tilt my head to the side. “Really? I’ll be back in a couple minutes as soon as I get the doctor.”

I run out into the corridor toward the nearest guard, “Could you find William and tell him that Alexanne needs the doctor? It’s urgent.”

He bows and marches down the hall. How long will it take?

I slip back into Alexanne’s room. She’s crying even harder now.

“Is the pain that bad? Where is it?” I ask.

She falls backwards, lying on her bed. “It’s not pain. I just need some time by myself. I definitely do not need the doctor.”

“He’s already on his way. You can’t pretend to be in perfect health when you’re not.”

I sit on her bed and wait.

I take a deep breath, “There’s another reason that I came here.”

Alexanne’s wide eyes fall on mine. “What?”

“Another servant was found dead in the courtyard. Her name was Sophie.”

She lays her head in her hands and cries even harder. Sobs rack her body. I lay my hand on shoulder. She’s shivering. “Alexanne, I know it upsets you. But I thought you should know.”

I turn to Noelle, “Would you get Alexanne some hot tea? It might help her. She’s so cold.”

Noelle nods and disappears from the room.

I tell Alexanne of our conversation with Sophie. I don’t tell her about Grace’s theory of William being the murderer or Victor’s constant appearances. It’s not that I don’t trust her. I don’t trust any ears that might overhear. Between guards, servants, and our ladies in waiting, we never have any privacy.

Noelle reappears with a cup of tea. Alexanne halfheartedly sips it, staring blankly ahead.

Someone knocks on the door. Noelle answers, and the young doctor stumbles in. He carries a black bag, his cheeks flushed from the cold outside air.

He bows to each of us and approaches Alexanne. “What appears to be your symptoms, your majesty?”

Alexanne says, “I don’t think I’m sick. I definitely don’t need a doctor. My sister just gets overly worried sometimes, and—”

He interrupts, “I don’t think your sister is over worrying. You certainly don’t appear to be feeling well. What are your symptoms?”

“I don’t think they’re really symptoms, but I guess I’m rather cold and I have trouble focusing on things.”

“Any pain or tightness?”

“I guess there’s a little bit in my chest, but I think that might be from the stress.”

The doctor smiles, “What could be stressing you? You’re a princess, my lady.”

The doctor sifts through his black bag. Another knock on the door interrupts him.

Noelle frowns and goes to open the door. A guard waits in the doorway. He asks, “Are both Princess Alexandra and Princess Admira here?”

Noelle hesitantly nods.

“Sir William hereby notifies you that you may celebrate. Your attendance at the meeting tomorrow morning is still required. However it won’t carry so much seriousness. In fact, it should be a celebration. The murderer has been found.”