Waking up the next morning, Lauren glanced at Alec’s desk and saw his neatly piled files. He had not returned yet and on what she heard from the King last night, he would be back either this night or tomorrow morning. He was supposed to return this morning but King Martin said he received a letter saying Alec’s return would be delayed.
She wondered why he needed two days to stay in Acheron when as far as she knew he only needed to talk with Acheron’s King about the mine on the border of Acheron and Evardin. Besides, he was a friend of Vincent, King Sebastian’s nephew. Getting the King to sign an agreement was sure not a hard thing to do.
Unless he was busy with something else... Lauren’s eyes squinted when she remembered what Julian said yesterday.
She pulled herself out of the bed with a frown on her face.
After she got dressed, she wondered why Sally didn’t come over. It was Sally who usually tied her hair.
That maidservant of hers must be busy helping the kitchen maids again as she loved cooking, she thought while combing her hair.
Walking down the stairs to eat breakfast, Lauren did not expect the scene that she would see in the main hall.
Cassandra smirked when she caught Lauren heading downstairs.
"It’s good to see you are awake now, Lauren. Come and see what we have here," Cassandra said calmly as if she was inviting her to watch a theater show.
Lauren’s maidservant, Sally, was kneeling in front of King Martin and Queen Thalia. Her hands were on the floor as she kneeled, her forehead almost kissing the floor. She was sweating bullets and trembling in fear.
"What is happening?" Lauren walked toward them while throwing icy glares at Cassandra and her evil mother. Would they ever stop giving her problems as long as they lived?
"Tell me the truth! Is it you who killed my son?!" King Martin asked in a thunderous voice. The question was directed to Sally which caught Lauren off guard.
"Father-"
"I did not ask you to speak, Lauren," the King cut her off. "Did you know what was found in your maidservant’s belongings? The poison used to the knife that killed your brother Casper."
"That is nonsense, father. The night Casper was murdered the council searched the castle thoroughly including the servants’ quarters. If there is such evidence at that time, why didn’t they find anything? Someone must be framing my servant to put the blame on me. Don’t you find this whole thing suspicious?" Lauren tried to knock some sense in her father despite how he never listened to her in the past.
"Hah," the Queen scoffed. "Would you care to tell us who is this someone you think is framing you?"
"It is not something you can cover up, Lauren. In your maid’s room, a few things were found hidden in a small box that looked like a book, including the small bottle of poison. A drop of it on a weapon is enough to poison anyone’s heart in a few seconds." Cassandra showed the small bottle to her. "It was tested in the royal laboratory and the experts confirmed it."
"But an airheaded servant could not possibly act on her own. Someone must have instigated her to do it," Queen Thalia was blunt in directing her words to Lauren.
"Are you implying that I am responsible for my brother’s death, Your Majesty?" Lauren’s tone was cold as ice.
"Don’t put words in my mouth, dearie."
"Your words clearly implied what I said, Your Majesty. Who else would instigate a mere servant in doing something if not her master?"
Lauren turned to the King. "Father, as this concerns Casper’s death and I am being accused, I suggest we let the council investigate again, or better hold a court trial for it."
"Y-Your Majesty, there is no need for a court trial! I did it!"
Lauren froze when Sally suddenly interrupted.
"What on earth are you doing, Sally?" For the first time, she raised her tone at her maidservant.
"I did it... I-I killed the prince." Sally’s tears fell on the floor as she closed her eyes. She acted like she did not hear Lauren’s words.
"See? She admitted her crime." Queen Thalia shook her head and raised a brow at Lauren as if saying she had no way out now.
Lauren’s fists balled when the King gave Sally a strong slap.
"You simpleton! How dare you kill my only son! Tell me! Who gave you the order?!"
"Father I can assure you she didn’t do it-"
"You shut your mouth when your opinion is not asked, Lauren. I am the King of this land and you are only my daughter. Don’t overstep your bounds."
Lauren’s jaw clenched. She was seething in anger.
King Martin bent down to hold Sally on the neck aggressively. Lauren wanted to take a step forward but once she’d take a blunt action against the King, it would only complicate things further.
"Who gave you the order? Answer me," The King squeezed Sally’s neck, not giving an ounce of regard for the poor maid’s life.
"You better say it if you don’t want painful torture before death. If you are honest, we will give you an easy death," Cassandra said.
Lauren couldn’t understand. Sally knew that she could help her even if a solid evidence was found. Some of the servants inside the castle were Ethan’s people and they would not hesitate to heed her word. They could act as Sally’s witnesses. Even if the King would refuse to listen to her, with the presence of a witness, the King was obligated to conduct a proper investigation unless the accused pleaded guilty to the crime.
There must be something more to this... thought Lauren. Sally wouldn’t admit a crime she did not do mindlessly, especially if it involved her. The maidservant was nothing but a sweet girl, the person she could rely on the most in the castle.
"It was P-Princess Lauren... I took the order from her," Sally muttered in a trembling voice.