Chapter 26
1213 Words
About five days later, there was a heavy knock on the door of our room. I was just getting ready to open Amelia’s reply when I heard it. I hid the letter quickly and ran to open the door. I couldn’t say I was surprised when I saw two royal guards at my door.
“Good day to you sirs. How may I help you?” I made my voice as gentle and approachable as possible. Those stern expressions didn’t budge.
“The chief summons you. You are to come with us.”
“I would love to come with you but there would be no one to watch over his highness.”
“The chief will send someone.”
“I trust he will but his highness is but a child. I fear he would be a hazard to himself if left alone.”
Thus, I successfully delayed them into finding a caretaker for the prince while I was gone. If I didn’t, it was highly likely he would be left alone and suffer while I wasn’t there. Even if they hated him, no one would dare harm him, with exception from the King’s wives.
I followed them through the palace to the courtyard close to which the palace barracks were located. Eyes followed me as I walked through and some even bore pity.
The inside of the barracks were dark and gave off a sinister air compared to when I was there last. We walked in deeper until we reached a flight of stairs and started to descend. I had no idea the barracks had a lower layer. In the lower layer, there were rows of small cells and at the far back was a much larger one. It was open and standing inside was the man that promised an investigation.
“Good day to you,” I greeted politely.
He raised his head to look at me and surprisingly, gave me a smile.
“I hope you weren’t treated too badly.”
“No sir. They were most cautious.”
“Okay. My name is Jonah Griff. I am the Chief of the royal guards. May I inquire about your name?”
“I am called Elayne Greycastle, My lord.”
“Miss Greycastle, do you know for what reason I have called you here?”
“I presume you have important questions to ask me.”
“Yes, very important questions. Miss Greycastle, can you describe in detail what happened that day?”
“Of course.”
I proceeded to tell him the same story I told Lady Vanessa. I had been practicing it since I returned and wanted to make sure my alibi was concrete. So far, he looked like he believed me.
“Miss Greycastle, we searched the palace for days and found no evidence that anyone had snuck into it.”
“Well that must be dreadful! For someone to sneak in and leave no tracks, the palace is essentially in danger!”
“... You’re right.”
“I implore you to look further. I would rather you look further. If you will, please check our room too.”
It was a risky plan but telling them to check my room was giving them a way to trust me. However, the chief looked smart. He wouldn't buy into such a ploy so easily.
“Miss Greycastle, we have also investigated you as well. We found information linking you to Lady Andrella.”
“Yes, I used to work with Lady Andrella before. His majesty tasked me with taking care of Prince Miyon.”
“We know about that. Did you know Lady Andrella and Queen Moriah used to be very close?”
I honestly had no idea. Before my debut, Lady Andrella left me on the back burner and only made contact with me when she needed my skills. Many important guests had come to the house before but I had never once seen Queen Moriah before that day.
“I didn’t know. I wasn’t one for gossip.”
“So, you don’t know who Queen Moriah is?”
“I don’t know who she was. I heard she was the former queen and that she died. Is there a reason you’re asking me about this?”
“You’re telling me you have no information on the palace?”
“I don’t have any that could be important. Is there something important that you need from me?”
He said nothing, staring at me for a few minutes. He leaned in closer till his face was inches away from mine.
“You know, you’re a slippery one.”
“P-Pardon me?”
“You were a courtesan, right?”
“Yes…”
“Then I believe you know how to serve people, correct?”
No.
I slipped from him, running towards the exit. It was blocked by the two guards that came with me. My braided ponytail was pulled back by rough hands and my body slammed against the wall.
“Why are you running? It’s winter… The men need someone to play with…”
“No… please no…”
“That’s not how I want you to beg…”
One hand held my neck firmly against the wall while the other wandered down my dress. A hot slippery tongue was shoved into my mouth, trying to force beyond my clenched teeth. I never anticipated him to be so skillful, pinching my n*****s. A moan involuntarily slipped out, granting him access to the crevices of my mouth.
He was too strong for me to dislodge, his free hand roaming my body, finding points in which I didn’t know pleasure was possible. In that cell, with an audience, he reduced me into a moaning, drooling mess. Only when my nether regions were wet did he let go, licking his fingers.
“You’re good quality.”
The way his eyes raked over my body made me shiver. He came closer and my body responded by curling in.
“Are you ready to talk now?”
“I don’t… I don't know… what you… want from me…”
“You’re still unwilling to admit you’re Queen Moriah spy.”
“I don’t… even know what… she looks like.”
I wasn’t lying. All I caught was a hazy silhouette with the basic lightning from the fire.
“The locks on the door were expertly picked.”
“I just… wanted to save… Prince Miyon.”
“There was no sign he was ever kidn*pped. We cannot believe you that easily.”
“Believe what you will. I swear on my father’s grave that I’m not anyone’s spy.”
“... Fine. We’ll keep observing you. We’ll wait till the king returns. You can escort her back to her quarters.”
“Yes sir!”
- Writer
