The Courtesan

Chapter 25

“Well, I used to be a courtesan working for Lady Andrella.”

“You know Andrella?! But how… how did you come to work in the palace? Did she send you?”

“No. I was tasked by his majesty to be the prince’s nurse.”

“Oh! Oh no! This is bad…”

“What’s happening?”

“He knows. He knows everything.”

“Who knows? And what does he know?”

In seconds, she crossed the space and held me by the shoulder, his eyes frantic.

“I know we just met and this might sound crazy but you need to leave the palace with the prince!”

Leave the palace? That’s absurd! I was finally close to achieving my goal and she wanted me to just up and leave?

“I don’t think that’s possible…”

“You care for the little one, right? Well, if you really love your life, then you’ll leave right away.”

“I’m going to have to respectfully decline…”

The ceiling above us rattled loudly. A black clothed man descended from it. It was hard to tell which was which and we were both on guard. That was until he brought a sleeping child from his clothes.

“Prince Miyon!” I cried in surprise, rushing for him. I swept him into my arms and suffocated him with a hug.

“You really do care for him.”

“Yes…”

“All the more reason to leave the palace.”

There was no way I could tell her of my true ambition.

“I truly thank you for returning him to me and saving both our lives.”

“I don’t need your thanks. I need to secure his life.”

“I -”

“Why’s the door open?! Which one of you fools was screaming and left the door open?! What if she’s gone?! The king would have your heads for it!”

“Oh, that sounds like the guards. You should get going.”

“What about you?”

“I can’t leave. Not now. But you can come back anytime you want. He’ll lead you to me.”

“... Alright.”

Clutching the child closer to me, I ran towards the entrance. From behind, I hear a light sigh but it could’ve just been the wind. In front of the cold palace were a bunch of guards and servants, all looked annoyed.

It finally occurred to me. The prince that was supposedly kidn*pped was back in my arms, just how was I going to explain breaking into the cold palace? It looked like the former queen wanted to keep the existence of her guard a secret.

What should I do?

“You there! What are you doing there?!”

“I am the prince’s maid! The prince was taken from me and I came to search for him!”

“Inside here?! This place is outlawed to visitors!”

I came closer to the entrance, and a torch was brought to my face. They also got a glimpse of the child in my arms. I held him tighter.

“It’s you. What are you doing here?”

“His highness was taken in here and I came to get him back.”

“That’s preposterous. How are we supposed to believe that?”

“Please, he was really taken! I found him in the middle of the building. He’s hurt and he’s cold. I was so frightened I would lose him…”

Amelia’s two top rules of lying; Mix the truth with lies and add a sprinkle of tears, any man would cave. It was ridiculous but by showing my vulnerability, the guard really caved.

“Did you see anything inside?”

“No. It was a miracle from the gods that I found him. I’m so sorry for disturbing you but there really was someone here! They might still be in the palace, trying to snatch up any of the other princes.”

I sounded ridiculous but the look in the eyes of the guard would ensure he checked.

“Whatever. You can go. And you all too. Disperse! You are not supposed to be here!”

I felt relieved, walking away from the cold palace. The former Queen looked rattled. Just what was going on?

“Wait!”

I froze in my tracks, looking behind me. There was a palace guard in more armor than the others and a woman whose unpleasant face was familiar. It was the same palace guard who warmed the Queen’s bed and the one I could only guess controlled the Queen.

“Good day.” I bowed lightly.

“Do you know the disturbance you caused?” She asked, pursing her lips.

“I am sorry. I overreacted because the prince was taken right before my eyes.”

“You mean, the child in your arms?”

Ah, I had briefly forgotten how troublesome she was last time.

“Yes, my lady.”

“And how, pray tell, did that happen?”

I narrated all that happened, excluding the part where I saw the former Queen.

“You mean you just happened to stumble on him in the dark? Do I look like I’m stupid?!”

“I’m not lying my lady! It really was a miracle from the gods!”

“You must be a spy for that wretched woman! Your strange origins and how you came to work in this palace!”

“With all due respect my lady, I was appointed by his majesty and sent to take care of Prince Miyon. His safety and well-being is my priority.”

“You still dare lie!”

The events that followed happened in such a way that I felt I wasn’t in my body. Her raised hand was a blur and when it struck my cheeks, the pain I was expecting didn’t come. But you know what I felt, white hot rage sizzling in my veins.

“Tell me the truth!”

“I have said nothing but the truth, my lady.”

“You -”

“Lady Vanessa, there is no need to waste your anger on such a lowly woman. We would interrogate her and get the truth out of her. It’s cold, you can return to your quarters.”

The palace guard stopped her, holding her hand in a brow raising manner. He looked comfortable doing it too. I had to know who he was.

“You… you can return with the prince. We will interrogate you later,” he said in an offhand manner.

“Lady Vanessa, let me escort you to your quarters.”

“... Very well.”

The two walked away, his arms wrapped around her shoulder. Here was finally no one left on the scene, save for the guard that locked the cold palace. He gave me a cold look, walking away.

Walking back to the west quarters, I can finally feel the sting on my cheek and the effect of the weather. Snow was falling once more and on the exposed prince so I had to hurry. The western quarters were a mess, unlike the way I left it and it definitely showed signs of being tampered with.

The candles were still lit and it was past the time that the firewood was to be replaced. I did so immediately, warming the prince up. There was definitely someone targeting the prince and with the actions I had taken, I was on their radar too.

Unfortunately, all I could do was be a sitting duck until I could glean more information.