Heraiah

CHAPTER 12

“Rumors arise regarding the Prince Ravier caught by citizens with a mysterious woman,”

The warm scent of honey comb mixed in coffee and butter fragrance filled my nostrils and in satisfaction, I smiled. I comfortably sat in the kitchen and drank coffee as I stared at the TV. My thoughts are clouded, and still I am feeling slightly disoriented and dizzy. I drifted my eyes to the laptop in front of me and read a few comments from the citizens regarding on the ‘dating scandal’ about the prince.

I honestly don’t know how to feel about the rumors. As no one suspected it was me. Some were debating that it was his sister and some were saying it was Remia Clariski. But some were hesitant on the idea that it was Remia since the girl on the picture was shorter and dressed differently than Remi. It was understandable they expected it to be Remi since they had dating rumors but it was still unclear to them to who this mysterious woman in the picture. They couldn’t tell exactly who this person was because the hair wasn’t seen.

A picture appeared then of me and Ravier. It was a picture with two figures. The tall and masculine figure was adjusting the other person’s coat. It was hardly seen who this person was. I wore my red hair in a low pony and a hood over my head so it wasn’t seen the picture. The picture seemed to be spread like wild fire. Just as Ravier wanted.

Remembering our conversation a few days ago, he said rumors must spread about us to indicate something was going on between us. This was what he wanted. Now I don’t know if he gave me his coat to spread rumors or if he actually cared that I was getting cold. Nevertheless, I don’t care whatever in state of mind he was in.

I gently put the cup of hot coffee on the island counter and diverted my gaze on the flickering light on my finger. It was an engagement ring I found on the cabinet beside my bed. I played on the ruby diamond on the ring. The ring I found came with a note beside it. I faintly remember what happened last night after I feel asleep but the good thing is that nothing seems to be out of place about me except for the fact that I woke up in a warm my room safe and sound and not cold in a car.

When I went outside the room, breakfast was already served. He went out for work, leaving me alone in a big house. Which reminded me that I should be already going out for my mission, I thought of slacking off today since I slept ate last night but I couldn’t.

I heard someone get in the house and saw the tall figure of Khairon Algrea. With a wide smile on his face he said, “Hello, troublemaker, I see your looking through your rumors,” the bright beam suddenly faded and replacing with a serious look on his face, “I thought you were going to lay low,”

“Yeah, change of my plans,” I pursed my lips.

He walks closer with a dismissive look and suddenly the fuming expression disappeared as his eyes diverted on the eye-catching ring I was wearing, “is that a ring?”

My eyes squinted, “what else would it be?”

“When did he gave it to you? That was fast,” he commented and sat in front of me across the island counter.

I raised my hand in a way where the ring was flexed, “He left it for me this morning, I didn’t know he bought it while we were buying groceries last night,” I gave him a brief explanation after sipping a cup of coffee. The addicting scent fumed in my nose and eased my dizzy head.

His eyes widened and quickly pulled my hand, “What do you mean bought? This is one of the most treasured jewelries in the royal family,”

I pulled my hand away from his grasp and put my cup down, “What do you mean?”

“That was originally worn by Elvia Larousse, it was specially made for her requested by her husband, his majesty Calvin Larousse,”

“I’m wearing his grandmother’s ring?” I looked at the ring again.

He nodded.

“I’ve never seen it before, never heard of it as well,” I put my hand down.

“Well, that’s because after queen Elvia died at a young age, it never met daylight again, it was hidden, stored in the royal jewelry room, this is my first time seeing it, actually this is it’s first time being worn by somebody else other than the deceased Queen,” he referred to the ring. He was still staring at it as if it was some hidden treasure. Well actually, it is a hidden treasure.

“Then why did he give such a treasured jewelry to me?”

“How would I know?” he took a bite on one of my pancakes.

I rolled my eyes at him and diverted my focus on the ring. Such a special ring is given to a person he barely even knows. What is he thinking? What if I accidently loose this? Am I having to pay for this or get in jail? What was in his mind? It is impossible that he gave it out of true feelings. He could’ve given it to spark rumors again. What would people think if a treasured ring is on someone else’s finger?

Nevertheless, how could he give me something precious for a ridiculous reason? It looks pretty on my finger and compliments my tan skin but in what state of mind was he in to be as impulsive as this? He could’ve bought me a normal ring from a jewelry store and I wouldn’t complain. It’s not like we’re really in love anyways.

But it’s already on my finger, what can I do? Give it back? I bet he’d insist for me to keep it considering that he’s stayed single for years because I rejected him. And besides, it makes me feel special. It looks like the man really has big trust for me, all that I can do is take care of the ring.

I wiped my lips with a napkin and clicked my tongue. I stood up, catching Khai’s attention, “Since you’re here, I think we need to talk about how I’m going to get some information from the palace,”

“You really think there are any employees in the palace that are willing to give you information?”

“There must be,” I argued, “What about the maids?”

“Maids are too scared to say anything and only a few are allowed to actually get to hear whatever they are talking about,”

“Well, then what about Ray?”

Khai almost laughed, “Ray? The slick bastard? He would never,”

I nodded attentively, “Yeah, he’s too impulsive,”

“That’s not the only thing wrong with him, he craves power, he’s also greedy and not really someone you could count on,” he commented with a disgust written on his face. I felt a little uneasy since he was so engaged in the topic of bad-mouthing Ray Clix.

“He takes too much pride just because he’s friends with the royal family,” I trailed off agreeing to Khai’s comment.

I stared at the tv as a few advertisements showed up, “But that’s why I also need him,”

Ray Clix is the councilor, and he has been doing business with the royal family. Out of all of the nobles, he is the closest one to the Larousses. Although his name is widely known for being partners with the Larousses, he was also known for being a greedy man. Some say he played the royal family to get them on his side and some say they’re just really good friends. But it still unclear why the Larousses trust him to the point they are giving him authority.

Khai’s forehead ceased, “Well, you can’t get anything from his mouth,”

“I know, he is too stubborn, and besides, why would he help the girl from the dead?” I laughed.

Khai laughed, drinking the glass of orange juice.

“Rianne Blaire?” Khai suggested.

I immediately shook my head, “No, she may be easy to manipulate, but she has no zip on her mouth, I can’t trust her,”

Rianne Blaire is the great fashion designer of the royal family. She designs and sews the outfits of the Larousses. She has become bigger once she was trusted by the royal family to design their clothes. It was said because the Larousses where mesmerized by her ideas and talent. I couldn’t blame them; Rianne’s work was eye catching. Although she is a wonderful person, she tends to get manipulated easy and talks too much considering she’s close with the Larousses.

“I need someone I can trust,” I bit my nails.

Khai nodded, “well then your best bet is Natalia Solar,”

I shot daggers at Khai, “I am not going to talk to her,”

“well she’s your only choice, if you’re not picky, then you can go to those untrusty people,”

I rolled my eyes, he makes a lot of sense. And yet I am still hesitant, “How can I even get to her? She’s always in the palace grounds,”

“she’s not this time,”

“What do you mean? She got finally got a vacation pass?” I joked.

“No, Hera,” he paused. What was he meaning then?

“She got dismissed,”