The Sultan's son

17. The necklace

"Done!"

Joridey turned the gift package in his hands, satisfied with how he had realized it.

He had found some beautiful paper and a nice colored ribbon, and had neatly wrapped the necklace he had found in his brother's study. It was certainly a family heirloom, but it wasn't exhibited in the secure case where other jewels were kept, some of which his mother occasionally wore... that necklace did not belong to anyone in particular. It was buried in a drawer hidden under the desk ... he knew where the key was because he had seen Quarin open it once. There was also a gun. He hadn't touched that, his brother had made him understand the danger of guns, and he would be furious if he saw him take it. But he hadn't said anything about the necklace. Besides, Quarin and his father wore no necklaces… no one would miss it. It was very beautiful, Regina would surely like it! Therefore, after dinner, he would bring it to her.

Charmant had kept Quarin distracted all day, in order to give his little brother free rein. As soon as she could, however, she asked the child: "So, did you find a solution for Regina's gift?"

"Yup! And I've already packed it! Actually is a necklace! And after eating, I'll take it to her! Do you know where it was?"

"I'd rather not know!" she put her hands up, "Better keep a few secrets, it makes the gift more intriguing!"

She had cast the bait, but she didn't want to be involved, if someone had asked her questions it would come as a total surprise, she could say that the child had misunderstood her words. But she managed to send Quarin to look for his little brother at the right time, he had to catch her in the act...

Joridey knocked on Regina's room. She had just finished showering and was wearing a tracksuit that she also used as sleepwear. She was amazed and happy to see him. “Joridey! Hello, what are you doing here, honey?"

He went in and closed the door. "Hey, I told you I wanted to give you a gift ... so here it is!"

"Really? Wow, thanks! But you shouldn't have!"

“Open it! Open it!" he was really impatient.

She smiled and opened the package, surprisingly heavy for its small size. It was clear that a child had wrapped it, but it was sweet.

What?

She was speechless. The necklace was splendid, it looked like white gold with various intricately crafted gold pieces alternating with diamonds and sapphires, and a larger pendant in the center, with a huge teardrop-shaped ruby, surrounded by diamonds. It was exquisite, even a little cheeky with all those stones. She checked the hooks to see if there was any symbol imprinted on them. No, it wasn't costume jewelry! It was real gold! And most likely real gemstones!

"So you like it? It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Joridey..."

"You don't like it? Why that face?"

“Joridey, it is gorgeous. Wonderful, but I can't accept it."

"Why not?"

"Sweetheart, this necklace holds great value, your father wouldn't agree."

“But why should my father care? He doesn't wear necklaces!"

"But your mother does, she should have it."

"Nope, my mother has a lot of necklaces and wears them often, I've never seen her wear this one."

"Oh, so you didn't buy it?"

“No, it's a family jewel! So it's mine too."

“Joridey, even worse. Talk to your father about it, you'd better give this back to him."

“Father and mother remained in Sanremo. They have appointments with other heads of state. We left to pick up my cousin Kahan who is about to arrive in Sardinia in a few days. You know, he is the heir to the throne after Quarin and me!"

"Alright. Then return it to Quarin. Really, I can't take it. It is too precious. But, honey, I appreciate the thought!" she added with a caress because the child was gloomy.

"You didn't even try it on."

Regina was afraid of ruining it just by holding it, but that little face ... "Okay, but just for a minute. I'll pretend to be a very rich lady who wants to go out all jeweled! But then you will put it back. Ok?"

She put on the necklace, and looked at herself in the mirror, playing at being "wealthy" with Joridey, indeed, he was actually rich!

They were striking poses and laughing when someone knocked imperiously. Joridey ran to open the door.

Quarin entered with a dark face. “Joridey, you mustn't walk away without letting anyone know! We were looking for you! Thank goodness Charmant saw you coming here! Do you want me to ground you?"

As the child apologized, the prince's gaze shifted to the girl, and he immediately approached her with his mouth agape and eyes wide open.

“That's… my mother's necklace! Take it off immediately! How dare you wear it?" his rage was building up.

She hurried with the hooks to remove the necklace, swallowing hard.

He went on: “How dare you take it? THIEF! Do you know that there is a penalty of cutting off hands for those who touch it?"

Regina had managed to take it off and handed it to him. "I ... I didn't steal it!"

Quarin snatched the jewel from her hands. "LIAR! You lousy liar!" he yelled, inches from her face.

She saw out of the corner of her eye that the child did not defend her. Poor little one, he was afraid of his brother too! No, she would not blame him, he was already quite scared ... even though her legs became weak and her heart was beating faster and faster.

"Quarin ..." Joridey said in a tremulous voice, "don't treat her badly ..."

“Treat her badly? This snake has slipped into our ship to steal, do you understand? TO STEAL!"

Regina yelled, “NO! I didn't steal it, I swear to you! I swear... ” and gave a pleading look, tears streaming down her face. She wouldn't have believed herself either by now.

She started praying in her mind. God, wouldn't he cut her hand off? Without trial? Were they civilized people ... or not?

Joridey grabbed his arm: "Quarin, the necklace is here, we got it! Come on, leave her alone!"

He handed the necklace to Joridey: “Go take it to Bernard and ask him to check it. Be very careful!" and turning to Regina: "If even one stone is missing, you will pay dearly for it!"

Joridey tried to calm him down again: "I'm going, but don't treat her badly!" He was on the verge of tears.

“GOOOO! IMMEDIATELY!"

Joridey burst into tears and ran away.

'Poor little one ... no, poor me!' She was shocked.

Quarin dragged Regina out of the room. “Now come with me, you weasel. You're under arrest for stealing the crown jewels. Tomorrow I'll hand you over to the police!"

"Please, I didn't steal anything!"

"SHUT UP! I don't believe you, and I'll never believe you!"

'If I don't defend myself, it ends badly here ... sorry, Joridey, I have to tell him!' She thought. "I swear to you .. Joridey just wanted me to try it on..."

He stopped short and grabbed her shoulders. With an impressive frown, he barked at her:

“DON'T YOU DARE, YOU NASTY COWARD, INVOLVE MY BROTHER! God, I've never wanted to hit a woman, but you have no idea how much I'm restraining myself right now! Don't say another word!"

He dragged her to a large cage on the deck, slammed her inside, and closed the padlock.

"This cage is for large dogs, but it will also work for the beast you are!"

He pulled out his phone and barked orders to the captain. “Captain, dock at the nearest port immediately! Full speed!"

Charmant appeared, attracted by the cries: "What’s the fuss?"

"You’d never believe it," he pointed his index finger at Regina: "that HYENA robbed me!"

She looked at Regina, who shook her head inside the cage, with her mouth open: “No way! What did she take?"

“My mother's necklace! The dearest item I have on board!"

“Unbelievable! And where did she find it?"

“It was hidden somewhere out of sight. I thought it was a safe place. I was wrong, but I will never make the same mistake again!"

Charmant couldn't believe in her luck. Her plan had worked even better than expected. She had thought that Joridey would have taken a necklace from the safe case, it would have been very serious ... but the first Queen's necklace was of unmeasurable value to Quarin, and stealing it was unforgivable. That little piece of s**t was screwed, she was going to be thrown in jail! She had to hide her glee.

She stirred up his anger: “But it's a very serious issue! Quarin, you won't let her get away with this, I hope! You know what, don't report her to the local police, take her to Krupahw, so she'll be judged more severely, and she'll age in your prisons!"

He thought about it for a moment. “To Krupahw? Not a chance. I'd have to look at that face for days! I never want to see her again. But ... if I denounce her, then I'd be forced to testify and see her at the trial too. If there is one. Italian justice is too slow!" and moved away, calling Bernard and yelling orders to the other attendants.

"You're roasted, dumb girl," said Charmant, nastily.

"I haven't done anything! I swear to you...” Regina replied, desperate.

“Save your breath, nobody believes you anyway. You are lucky they are leaving you in Italy, the prisons here are nicer!" and with a satisfied smirk, she left.