Secrets of the Crown

Chapter 14

I know General Wilthone is gonna be mad when he finds out I'm not going to the learning facility, but nothing's going to happen if I do. I'm not gonna let him and Reed do the plan by themselves. I need to find out who killed my parents.

But before I can do that, I have to look for people who know my parents. I have to find people who would be willing to talk to me if they know anything.

I'm going to start with the people at the palace, but since I won't be able to go there right now, I'm going to look for that old lady I saw in the garden.

I knew she was about to say my mother's name then.

My mom, Lady Laura, passed away when I was very young and most of my memories of her are fading away.

We didn't talk about her much and I was too young to really understand what happened. All I know is that she passed away and no one told me why. But now I get it. They were protecting my innocence.

After General Wiltone took off, I got dressed and donned a hooded coat to hide my face. Since the old lady works as a gardener, I'll start with the only flower shop in the capital.

Sophie saw me walking to the main door and she asked, "Where are you off, Miss?"

"Capital. I just need a few things," I said without pausing.

"Does Master know you're leaving for the capital?"

"If you don't tell him, he won't know." She followed me until I got to the stables.

"I said I'd be back before dark." I got on my horse and left.

I don't usually travel alone in the capital. When I'm in need of something, General Wiltone will buy it for me and have it be delivered to the mansion. And when I asked if I could go, he would arrange for the maids to accompany me. In my younger years back at Varnhame's mansion, it was the same case.

After dropping my horse off at a public stables, I headed straight to the flower shop. I waited until all the other customers had gone before I went up to the salesperson.

A middle-aged woman walks up to me and asks if I'm looking for a particular flower. I smiled at her, "Yes, I am looking for a particular flower. Something that a royal lady would like."

She looked around for something I needed, and she said, "This purple rose would be perfect for a royal, Miss."

I looked at the purple rose she handed me carefully. It was indeed captivating. "I'll take it," I smiled.

While the purple rose was being prepared, I took a moment to compliment her. "Your flowers are stunning," I said. “You should be working in the palace."

She smiled at the compliment. "Thank you, Miss, but I don't meet the criteria."

"You mean there's someone better than you?"

"Oh, yes, definitely."

"Do you happen to know someone? Probably, someone who used to work at the palace?" I started my investigation.

"Are you, perhaps, looking for Madame Muriel?" She read through me.

I smiled. "I saw her once in the palace and I was meaning to talk to her."

"She's no longer working for the palace. But the last I heard, she moved back to her home town of Avilly."

She gave me the purple rose, which she had covered with a piece of paper. "That's unfortunate, Avilly is a long way away," I said as I took it.

I knew it would take a long time to get to Avilly. It'll take five days to get there. I can't be gone that long. Not even Reed can be gone that long, especially not without the certainty that she knows something about my mother.

I was walking out the door and two kids bumped into me and knocked all the herbs and dried plants they were carrying all over the floor.

“Dino!” I exclaimed as soon as I saw him, then Jessie came running at us. "What are you two doing running?"

"Sorry, Lady Maud," said Dino, getting up. "We're in a hurry," said Jessie, picking up some herbs from the floor.

"Did something happen?" I recognized the herbs and dried plants that they had. Someone must be sick.

"Auntie Ruth hasn't been feeling well since last night and now she's got a fever," Jessie answered.

"Are you on your way back? Can I come with you?" It's been a while since I've seen these two. I've been meaning to check back on them but so much has happened since the accident.

I went with them to their aunt's place. It looked like a decent place to live. The inside is clean and I think it’s a good fit for the brothers. I guess I shouldn’t have been so concerned, but it’s good to know they’re living in a good home now.

"Where did you two go?" A middle-aged lady went down the stairs with a flushed face.

"Auntie Ruth! We brought medicine!" Dino rushed to get her the herbs.

"I told you, I'd be okay, but thank you boys," she smiled, taking the herbs from him.

She turned her head toward me and said, "Oh, we have a guest. Pardon me, who you might be?"

"She's the lady that found us," Jessie said, helping her aunt down the steps.

"I'm sorry for coming in uninvited. I'm Maud Varnhame. I saw these two in the alley and thought someone might be sick after seeing the herb. Please, take these." I gave her the purple rose which she took confusedly.

"V-Varnhame?" she wondered. "Oh my!" she exclaimed in a sudden panic. "Pardon my rudeness, my lady," she bowed.

"No, it's okay. Please, sit down. The boys told me you have a fever. I came in to see if I could be of help."

"I could not possibly accept your kindness, my lady. Please forgive these two for bothering you," she said, still headed below.

I went ahead and helped her sit up. She said, "Your home is very nice. Would you mind if I stayed for a while?"

Because of my last name, it is normal for ordinary people to treat me with courtesy. Although, I would prefer for her to treat me normally since I'm acquainted with the boys.

"It's my pleasure, my lady, you're so kind."

Dino and Jessie made her rest upstairs on her bed. After that, Jessie prepared refreshments for us while Dino placed the flowers into a vase. I learned that they have been living nice and peaceful lives since they came into their Aunt's home. They told me not to worry about them anymore.

"We'll grow big and strong and become royal guards!" Jessie said with his mouth full of biscuits.

"Yes!" Dino agreed. "You will be at the palace by then, right?" He looked at me.

I didn't know what to say. "Did the prince decide not to marry you?'

I thought he'd forgotten about that. "Well, I don't think I can answer that right now."

"Married to a prince or not, we will protect you when we grow up to repay you for helping us." Jessie nodded to what Dino had said.

Jessie said suddenly, "Is Brother Reed coming today?"

I wasn't expecting Reed's name to be mentioned in our conversation.

"I guess not. He said yesterday he had things to do."

"Does he come here often?" I asked.

"Yeah. He visits us and brings us delicious food and fancy clothes," Jessie said, eyes wide.

I had no idea that Reed was still keeping an eye on them.

"He also said he saved you, so we weren't too worried," Dino said proudly.

"He did and he still keeps me safe," I said, smiling. Reed may appear to be an enigma on the surface, but he's actually quite nice on the inside.