Secrets of the Crown

Chapter 3

I guess Prince Luke was right after all. Maybe I'm just being a bit crazy. I mean, how can I just ask someone to marry me like that?

I can’t help but sit up straight on the bed, blushing as I recall his dazed response. General Wiltone accepted the prince's offer to spend the night in the palace. If it were up to me, I would have bolted without waiting for a response from Prince Luke.

I feel so ashamed of what I have done. I painted in my mind that everything would go smoothly. But I failed to understand that it isn't easy when I come with it face to face.

When I asked Prince Luke to marry me, I ended up getting no answer. We both stood there looking intently at each other. Luckily, a maid call upon our attention from behind the door saying our presence were asked by Prince Ivo. Turns out, General Wiltone didn't want me being alone with a man, even a prince.

I scrambled out of that room thinking about what kind of reaction had been made by Prince Luke. Was he surprised? Frightened? Dismayed? I don't know.

From that moment on, my emotions were always a problem, especially when I was by myself. It's nine o'clock at night and I know that I should be asleep, like the doctor said when he examined me. He saw that I was stressed, but now that I'm inside the palace, I feel like I'm suffocating.

The maids brought me a silk robe in addition to the night gown. I want to go outside to get some fresh air. Thankfully, there was no one at the door guarding me.

The palace is as big as anticipated but I don't know which way I should go. I just went to where my feet would take me.

I avoided all the footsteps that I heard from all directions. I knew that there would be night guards or maids who would be awake at this hour.

My curiosity got the better of me and I couldn't wait to get out. I ended up in a garden that was inside the palace! I wasn't sure if I was still in the palace or if I'd gotten into a connected building, but it didn't matter because now I could finally relax.

Or so I thought.

I hadn't been out in the garden for more than a few minutes when I felt a presence behind me. The moonlight cast a shadow on my body.

"Say your name." A warm voice droned in my ear. It can't be one of the Princes. They know me and wouldn't be outside at this hour.

"I am Prince Ivo's guest. I am Alfred Varnham's daughter. You surely know him." I think he is a guard. But what if he is not?

He didn't say a thing.

What if he's an enemy trying to sneak into the palace?

No. I shake my head. That would be impossible. The palace is impenetrable.

"Answer my question." His voice sounded irritable.

I was so shocked, I just blurted out, "Maud! I'm here as a guest of Prince Luke!" I tried to see if he had a dagger on me, or a knife or sword or something to kill me, but he didn't.

"It's best to just walk away and never look back. You have no idea what kind of trouble you want to get into."

The way he said it made me think he knew what I was up to. Who is this guy and why does he care?

I finally got brave enough to look up at him. As soon as I did so, however, there was only a rush of air around me, with no one in sight.

I curled my hands into a ball. I was just getting started on my journey to the palace. How could somebody possibly know about my plan?

Fearful for my own safety, I decided to return to my room. So much for wanting to get some fresh air.

The only problem is that I don’t know exactly how to get back. All I have to do is find my way back and remember where I left off. But all the hallways look the same.

"Maybe it's best to approach the guards," I thought.

I kept walking, but this time I was looking for someone who could help me get back. It was getting late, and I was haunted by the memory of that man, so I had to keep going.

A few minutes later, I heard running footsteps in the corridor a few paces behind me. “At last!” I thought, feeling a sense of security. As I neared the corridor, I was cut off by running footsteps behind me.

Two guards were running towards me with their weapons in charge.

"W-Wait!" I tried to stop them.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" Their attitude is downright hostile.

"I-I'm a guest!" I exclaimed.

"No scheduled guests were listed for today, miss. You better tell me who you are and why you are here!"

I was about to answer his question but the guards from the corridor came running towards me as well.

"What's happening here?!" As soon as they saw me, they charged their weapons as well.

"Would you just listen to me first!" I yelled, calling them out.

I was about to cry for not knowing what to do when I heard a familiar voice coming from somewhere.

"Enough."

A man in an all-black robe walked towards us from one of the corridors ahead.

"She's Prince Luke's guest. I'm escorting her back to her room."

Soon as the guards saw him, they lowered their weapons. "Sir Slyfield! Apologies. We weren't aware Prince Luke had a guest for tonight."

"I'll take things from here. You may go back to your posts."

"Right away, Sir!"

When I saw the guards leave, I breathed a sigh of relief.

"You’ve only been here a day and you’re already causing problems," he said. I could hear annoyance from his voice.

"I just wanted to—it doesn't matter. Thank you for your help, though you could have shown your face in the garden." I caught a glimpse of his face, which was looking in a different direction. "I know that was you. What did you mean?"

Meeting him so quickly possibly meant something. Whatever it is, I need to find out what he knows.

"I've got my reasons, so take a step back and think about what you're trying to do. It's better to let the past be in the past."

I can't get a straight answer out of him, which only makes me more suspicious. "Then answer this question." I looked at him closely and asked him, "Are you my friend or my enemy?"

He gave me a look and it took him a few seconds to respond. I was captivated by his hazel eyes, which appeared perpetually bored. "Right now, your enemy."