TOGETHER APART

AMONG US

Valtheria POV

Theren was right. I decided to take it easy and go horse riding.

Flash had always been my favorite horse. I still remembered the countless times Theren and I had raced around the courtyard, laughing like we had no responsibilities in the world.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

I turned at the sound of hurried footsteps.

A guard came running toward me, sweat dripping from his forehead, looking as though he'd seen a ghost.

"What is it?"

"T-t... the treasury."

My body tensed.

That tingling sensation crawled down my spine-the same feeling that always seemed to warn me when something was about to go terribly wrong.

"What happened?"

"The treasury, Your Majesty. It was broken into."

Silence.

"What?"

"The treasury, Your Majesty."

"I heard you."

I tightened my grip on Flash's reins.

"Lead me there. Now."

As we rode toward the treasury, I prayed it wasn't as bad as I imagined.

A few days into my reign, and everything was already falling apart.

~The Treasury~

Every official from my earlier meeting was already there.

I frowned as I dismounted.

Who had summoned them?

I walked toward Lucien, the Royal Treasurer.

"How bad is it?"

"Y-Your Majesty..."

"How bad, Lucien?"

He swallowed.

"We only have enough to last us two weeks, Your Majesty."

My stomach dropped.

"Two weeks?"

No one answered.

"How did this happen?" I demanded. "The treasury is guarded twenty-four hours a day. How was someone able to break into it? And who did this?"

Aldric stepped forward.

"Looks like we have a mole in our midst, Your Majesty."

I turned toward him.

"And you know this because?"

"The treasury keys are only held by members of the royal family and the Royal Treasurer."

My eyes shifted toward Lucien.

Somehow, I couldn't believe Lucien was behind this.

He had served this kingdom for years.

But then again...

I could trust no one.

"This will be discussed this evening," I said. "Everyone, return to your posts."

~Later That Evening~

I stood before the throne, staring at it.

Was this what it meant to rule?

Enemies disguised as friends. Friends who could become enemies.

Everyone wanted something.

Everyone had a reason to betray you.

My shoulders slumped as I sighed.

What if I left?

What if I simply ran?

The thought was tempting.

"Your Majesty."

I turned.

Two guards entered the throne room, dragging Lucien between them. One of them held a small red pouch.

"We found him in his room counting these, Your Majesty. We searched the room and found a box of treasures hidden beneath his bed."

I slowly sat on my throne.

Lucien wouldn't look at me.

His eyes remained fixed on the floor, but I noticed the stray tear that slipped down his cheek.

"Those could be his personal coins," I said. "Tell me the real reason you brought him here."

The guard hesitated.

"The gold scepter has the mark of Vandria on it, My Queen. Along with several pieces of gold jewelry."

My eyes moved to Lucien.

"Lucien?"

He finally looked at me.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Are you guilty of the crime you are accused of?"

"I am not, Your Majesty."

His voice was quiet, but steady.

"I have served this kingdom for years. Why would I betray it now?"

"Even the most trusted friends can backstab you when their greatest desires are placed in front of them."

His expression hardened with hurt.

"Your father was a good man. I would never betray his kingdom."

He didn't waver.

He didn't beg.

He was a titled official being accused of stealing from the crown, yet he stood before me with nothing but his word.

I didn't know whether to believe him.

But I knew I wasn't ready to condemn him.

"Place him under house arrest," I ordered. "Two guards are to be stationed outside his door, morning and night."

"B-but, Your Majesty, he's a criminal."

"He has been accused of a crime. He has not been proven guilty."

I looked at the guards.

"He is older than both of us, and he deserves respect. Take your hands off him and escort him home."

The guards released their grip.

Then I turned toward Lucien.

"And as for you, Sir Lucien, you are suspended from your duties until you are proven guilty or innocent."

He bowed his head.

"I accept, Your Majesty."

The guards escorted him from the throne room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I remained on the throne for several minutes, staring at the empty doorway.

Was I making the right decision?

I didn't know.

Eventually, I stood and began pacing until my legs begged me to stop.

I made my way to my chambers and closed the door behind me.

"Tell anyone who comes that I require no disturbance until I emerge."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

I walked toward my bed and sat down heavily.

My mind raced.

The treasury.

Lucien.

Vandria.

The missing gold.

None of it made sense.

I dropped onto my bed as my eyes grew heavy and my body suddenly became light.

A/N: Do you believe Lucien is the thief or he's been set up