The Rightful Queen

Chapter 15 – A Ruse

Seeing the alarm in her face, Samuel could tell there is definitely something.

He’s not heartless so as to embarrass her in front of so many people. They stopped dancing and he gestured to the side.

“Should we find a quiet place to discuss this further? I, for one, would like to see if there’s something engraved under your ribbon.”

Her heart thudded as she followed the prince to one side of the room. They were given some sort of privacy, though people could clearly see them. It would not be proper for them to occupy a vacant room for themselves in a very public event such as this.

With a somewhat shaking hand, Cristina reached into her hair and extracted the ribbon. She took a deep breath and stared at it for a few seconds before offering it to the prince.

Samuel wanted her to see, so upon taking it, he turned it over and gently lifted up the piece of ribbon that was covering its underside.

Cristina inhaled sharply. There really was the emblem of the king’s household engraved on it. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. How is she supposed to explain this situation? She looked around in a panic. Nobody seemed to be watching them, right? It would be a great embarrassment to their family name if the prince concludes that she stole the ribbon. Where is her father? Where is that damn Laura? She hasn’t seen her since she has gotten her father’s permission to move around as she pleases.

“My lord, this is a misunderstanding.” She tried to remain calm. Her father would be greatly disappointed and disturbed if he learns about this. But could she settle this on her own? To explain properly to the prince what happened?

“Please, let me explain properly. Yes, this ribbon isn’t mine. My cousin lent it to me since my dress has the same colors. I didn’t steal it, your highness. I don’t know how it ended up with my cousin. This is all I know. I swear, my lord. I wouldn’t dare steal something from the royal household. Please, forgive this servant for this error.” In her fear, she almost wanted to kneel in front of him and beg for understanding. Her only wrongdoing is taking the ribbon from her cousin’s room without permission. Even so, Laura did see the ribbon on her head as they prepared earlier and she didn’t say anything. That was an implied permission, right? Or is this a trick? But how did Laura steal such a thing? Even she couldn’t believe that Laura would be able to do it. More so, how is she capable? She wouldn’t have been able to steal anything from the royal household. No one should be able to do so, given the tight security in the palace.

“Your cousin? Who is it? I should ask how this ribbon came into his possession.”

Cristina took a deep breath. She briefly glanced at the prince. It doesn’t look like he’s angry. On the contrary, he seemed calm. Of course, the ribbon isn’t a valuable treasure. Though he did say it used to be his mother’s, it must be special to him. Still, someone appeared to have the guts to steal from the royal family, so it remains a serious matter.

“Her name is Laura, your highness. She… she’s here as well. Should I go and fetch her? I’m sure I can find her, my lord.” She didn’t dare leave without permission, no matter how much she wants to escape his presence. His exterior is calm but she gets this feeling that his aura is extremely terrifying. He has this indescribable expression on his face.

“Your highness?” She needs to be properly dismissed.

Samuel returned his attention to her.

“Go ahead.” He told her. He needed to get answers tonight.

Cristina said the ribbon was lent to her by Laura? Where did Laura get it? Is she the one?

Memories came to his mind. How he was attracted to her the moment he saw her. How he felt that she’s a wise person. How her nature is gentle and kind. But he hurt her. He remembers the garden and how she worked on it herself. She’s a beautiful person with a kind heart.

He took in a deep breath. Yes, she would most likely fit the bill of what is required to be his queen. But is she the one he met at the market? This is what he needs to confirm before making a decision. Who knows if she’s gotten it from someone else? He can’t make a wrong decision again. No third chances, the Seer said.

He remained where he is. There’s no reason for him to move around now when he’s got his lead. As the minutes passed by, he started frowning. What’s taking her so long?

He gestured for his personal guard to come closer.

“Find Lady Cristina, of Thistle. Ask her what’s taking so long.”

Well, the thing is… Cristina went to inform her father first. She was relieved at the indignation of his father. Laura’s going to be punished for sure. How could she bring such trouble to their family? He ordered the personal maids that came with the ladies to look for Laura. Where could that child have gone? Half an hour passed and they couldn’t find her in the hall. They began their search in the surrounding area. She couldn’t have gone anywhere, could she? Without a carriage, she couldn’t go home on her own. When a guard approached Cristina, her father quickly protected her.

“The prince is asking what’s taking so long.”

Her father heaved a sigh, not fully relieved, “We apologize for the wait, but we couldn’t find Lady Laura at the moment. We’ve been looking for her since earlier but she’s not inside the hall. Please wait a little more, my servants are already looking for her outside.”

The guard squinted at them before leaving and relaying the message to his lord.

Prince Samuel also fell into contemplation. Why is she absent from the celebration? Did she really steal the ribbon? Wait, that’s not right. There’s something wrong with his reasoning. Only he knows the truth. The ribbon was given, not stolen. The person he gave it to wouldn’t know that it’s a royal property. But then, where is she?

He gestured for his guards and asked a couple of them to help in the search for Lady Laura of Thistle.

Yes, she did hide in the gardens. She went to the farthermost part of it and she did plan on saying she got lost if her uncle asks where she’d been. She found a good corner with stones and sat on one. The night sky is filled with bright stars. The weather is nice, too. It feels good to be outside like this.

A full hour has passed but they couldn’t find Laura. Her uncle went to speak with the prince himself.

“I’m so sorry, my lord. We don’t know where that child went. She did come with us and she asked me if she could move around freely. I gave her permission and now I don’t know where she’d gone. We’ll surely present her to you the moment we find her. I apologize, your highness.”

To be accused of stealing, he couldn’t face his royal personage without feeling the embarrassment. That child dared to cause problems like this.

Seeing his expression, a mix of humility and anger, the prince frowned. He could understand to whom he’s directing those emotions.

“I have sent my guards to help with the search. There’s no need for you to be sorry unless she is proven to have stolen this. Right now, I only wanted to ask her questions. Don’t be mad at her.” He decided to help her out a little. In a way, it’s a safety net. What if she’s the rightful queen and they make a scene right now about his accusation? It wouldn’t be good for her and for him.

The prince walked with them outside and he was met by the sight of the huge garden. She likes gardens, doesn’t she?

“How big is this garden?” He asked a servant of the host, who had been trailing him from the beginning to provide any assistance he would need.

“It’s a sizeable garden, my lord. As huge as the hall.”

“I see.” He turned to her uncle and asked, “Has the garden been searched already?”

“No, sir. It hasn’t been searched yet. I would direct the servants here if they can’t find her in the surrounding areas first.”

Soon, the garden is being searched and Laura frowned at hearing footsteps. Soon, she heard her name being called out. Her heart felt cold. Are they searching for her? She hastily stood up and ran in circles. Who knew she would truly be lost in this maze of a garden?

In her frustration, she also called out.

“Here. I’m here.”

Soon, a few people appeared in her vision.

“Thank goodness you found me.” Her relief was genuine as she approached them.

“You’ve been here all this time?” A servant from her uncle’s household asked.

“Yes. I got lost and couldn’t find my way back.” There are plenty of hedges that are as tall as people. Her excuse is reasonable.