The Castle Guard

12) Spies

Contrary to the Queen King Ayden was floating on a sea of joy ‘that girl’s interruption has actually brought a better idea to mind, seeing how Walren stared at Adriana confirmed it finally we might have magic in the family allowing for more power than my initial plan the prince marrying some rich girl would increase influence and wealth, marrying a rich girl mage would allow for complete control on both sides.’ The plan had formed itself from the moment Adriana blasted that girl raising so much more possibilities for the kingdom and most of all the Mickan royal bloodline securing for them almost infinite power for generations ‘other plans be damned! But I have to play this carefully mages rarely involve in politics involving royals they like to keep to themselves. She has to want to marry him not coercion is useless’ After the prince was taken to his chambers the ball continued flawlessly though it took a minute for the guests to recover from the shock of the previous event that being more about Adriana possessing magical abilities than the attempt on their prince’s life, the ladies were racked with jealousy and envy, some men had grown even more attracted to her while others saw an opportunity to form ties with Nickleshton whom they had previously disregarded due to him being a lesser noble. The whole room was buzzing with murmurs of Germaine’s unexpected reckless actions and Adriana’s abilities raising their hype level to a seven more than when they had arriving at the party, by rights the party should have ended the moment prince Walren was taken but King Ayden had to strike while the iron was hot, his mind too buzzed yet he kept a calm demeanor and stepped onto the steps in front of the thrones and faced the crowd, standing above them all he started “My dear guests…” the room went quiet the place where the prince was attacked was uninhibited everyone circling around as if they were afraid they would be attacked too when they passed it “I give you my at most apologies for the sudden intrusion…” he spoke calmly his lips spread into a grin as if to show that the attempt on the prince had no effect whatsoever “…rest assured no such action will happen ever, Germaine and anyone else responsible will be punished accordingly if not executed immediately!” he said in a cold menacing tone his eyes swooped throughout the room sending a clear message to whoever may have been an accomplice or may get an idea similar to Germaine “the prince is fine and will join us shortly, Let the ball continue!” he grabbed a glass of wine from a nearby waiter and raised it gleefully the guests quickly followed suit then continued their conversations, ‘continuing the ball nonetheless is more strategic stopping it immediately is an indication of weakness let whoever may try something try away I’ll mope the floor with their gushing blood!’ his eyes fell on the servants serving drinks. Unbeknownst to everyone but the King the servants serving the drinks and appetizers had steadily decreased being replaced unknown persons that had been summoned immediately pending the attack on the prince the castle servant personnel were swiftly dismissed out of the blue and sent away after being thoroughly searched replacing them were elite spies who served the crown. Knowledge of them was kept strictly secret limited to the ‘Special secret council’ and even them with exception of the king and queen didn’t know who they really were or how they were formed only that they existed gathering Intel within and outside the castle alerting of any possible threat to the safety of the royals upon which would be dealt as silently and earnestly as possible they weren’t really assassins rather were more providers of information and occasionally a swift small “accident” to potentially extreme enemies to the kingdom before becoming an actual threat. Protection of the royals from the shadows was their most major duty, the prince wasn’t in any real danger Adriana had simply aided in securing the secrecy of their existence from the people at the party, they were people no one would notice without really focusing to nobles they might as well be invisible. They were to blend in and make sure no other ‘problem’ would arise while at the same time scour for anyone whom may have been Germaine’s accomplice present at the ball. Giving them a name would acknowledge their existence hence they were strictly nameless, regularly they lived as servants, guards, peasants and other unnoticeable persons who wouldn’t be given a second look secrecy was their best advantage against the world hence being unnoticeable was a part of their job description. That night they had been instructed to find any other accomplice of Germaine’s along with other possible assailants against the throne they walked listening to every possible word that came out of came from the guests’ lips and the guests chattered like parrots.

King Ayden made his way towards Adriana with a calculating smile forming every word in he would say before reaching her, “Your majesty!” Adriana bowed respectfully when King Ayden got in proximity “Please rise my lady you saved the prince and most of all, my son the kingdom owes you a great debt and so much more personally as a father.”

“My king you flatter me beyond measure, I did what any one would do I am but a loyal servant of the kingdom” she said humbly while slowly rising, king Ayden grinned ‘Modest and gracious! I am liking you even more with each passing moment Kayla’ King Ayden almost doubled back memories flooded his mind drowning any plan he’d concocted Adriana was a perfect reflection of her mother and those eyes reminded him of someone very familiar him! He felt like someone had forced a stone in his throat “are you alright my king?” Adriana asked at the sudden silence exhibited by the king “Your majesty!” Count Desderius joined his daughter noticed the king’s weird expression “Are you feeling okay?”

“I…I am fine, please excuse me!” King Ayden exclaimed then left. The guests stared in confusion many of the ones near him had seen his sudden change in mood they wondered if it was related to the attempt on prince Walren’s life “maybe its worse than they let on!” they murmured amongst themselves, The prince as if on cue appeared on the stairs heading down towards the ball, everyone turned staring at him then exploded into a loud applause congratulating him on his “survival”. The prince however didn’t notice any of it his eyes probed the crowd looking for one person only: the lady who’d saved his life.

Adriana was locked in a conversation with her father when the prince came turning her attention towards the incoming royal,

Suddenly a strong force from behind her center at the center of her back shoves her forward pushing her off balance “What the…!” as she fell down but before her knees even touched the floor two hands caught her,

“We have to stop meeting like this!”

The women near them were steaming with jealousy.