“I truly can't imagine how you must feel about your husband, Nolan.” She said tapping her nails on the small round table between us.
I said nothing but stare at Genevieve. What does she want now? If she thinks I'm the sort of meaningless gossip, you got the wrong person.
“The media is vicious. Have you not heard what they said?”
I smoothed my skirt and nodded at her.
“The people don't think Nolan should be the next King. The ministers are protesting too, you know? I mean, a man who cheats on his wife, and sets buildings on fire is not worthy to be King.”
“Nolan is none of that, Genevieve.”
“You may be able to deceive the media but not me or anyone in this Palace. We know the truth.”
“What exactly do you want from me, Genevieve?”
She heaved a long sigh and rest her head on her hand which was propped on the table. “I'm just worried, that's all. For you and the future of Lilaria. From the way things are headed, Nolan could be exiled and you, oh dear, I don't know. Perhaps you could leave Nolan's side to Henry's. I hear they say he would make a better King.”
I frowned and stood up from my seat. “I see. Thank you very much but I'm staying where I am with my husband because I know him. He would do no such thing.”
“And if you are proven wrong? What do you do then? Get your head out of the clouds, life in the palace is no fairytale.”
“I know,” I gave her sickeningly sweet smile. “I don't need you watching out for me, I can take care of myself. I'm no damsel in distress either, Genevieve. Have a good day.” I made to leave.
“Men are scum,” At her words. I paused, “especially that Nolan of yours. How you keep defending him is beyond me. When someone offers you a hand, you receive it with gratitude.” I heard the chair drag across the floor.
I bobbed my head and turn to her. “Some hands are too dirty to hold, Genevieve.”
Her jaw ticked and the glare she gave me the other day came once again. I walked up to her and grabbed the glass of water on the table. I poured it on her hands still smiling.
“I don't trust you. I don't need your help and never call me again for meaningless discussion. I don't want to see you or any of your maids near my home again, are we clear?”
She smiled but it never reached her eyes. “I'll see you around, Your Highness.”
I spun on my heels and walked away keeping my smiling face. When I reached the comfort of my suite, I let it fall. Shaking from fear and anger, I grip the table of my study.
I thought hard about the other day and the first person on my list was Genevieve. It was her maid after all that brought the gift and it was at those brief minutes her maid was able to delete the message. No doubt at Genevieve's orders but why? Why delete the message? Why set up Nolan? Why pair me with Henry?
Could it be, perhaps, she wants to get rid of Nolan as Crown Prince and put Henry in the slot? Is Henry in on this too? Why would she do such a thing?
This morning was tense when I went to meet the Elders. Queen Gabrielle was so agitated, Grandma Penelope was worried and King Richard furious. What worried me, however, was what the King said. He was going to remove Nolan as Crown Prince if no evidence came up to prove his innocence.
How could he not trust his own son?
I sat on the floor and crossed my legs. I just want to see him again. I fished out the photos we took on our getaway and smiled.
If I hadn't kept the divorce papers, would we have fought? Would he be right here with me instead of being locked away?
“Your highness,” Mara said, “Detective Blake is here to see you.”
I got up from the floor and dust my skirt. “Let him in, please.”
I sat on the leather chair and watched as Detective Blake strolled in and greeted me with a bow.
“Your Highness.”
I waved at Mara to leave the room. “Hello to you too, Detective Blake. I don't see your partner with you. Please, sit down.”
“He is downstairs,” he said and sat across from me. “I've got bad news and good news.”
“What's the good news?”
“We found the maid and questioned her, she confessed to deleting the message. We also found fingerprints that were not the Crown Prince's own on the gun powder and lighter.”
I grinned, “Really? That's good news. So who burned down the gallery?”
“That's where the bad news comes in. While we were interrogating her, she slumped and died. After running some test, we found poison in her system.”
“No,” I got to my feet pushing the chair away, “but... but... ”
“We tracked the owner of the fingerprints and he was found dead too with a slit throat.” He lowered his voice and said, “The thing is it was obviously a setup but whoever the mastermind is, knows everything and could possibly be living in this palace.”
“What happens to Nolan now?” I asked.
“I've sent the results to His and Her Majesty. Nolan will be released but will have to be protected more. We will have to screen every guard and maid in the palace to know who is a perpetrator and who is not.” He said keeping his voice low.
“Detective Blake, thank you so much. I have a request though. Remember the audio you recorded the other day when you questioned me, please do not let it get into the hands of the Press. I don't want another rumor or scandal going around.” I pleaded.
“No problem, Your Highness.” He smiled, shaking my hand before leaning in and whispered, “Be careful Your Highness. For the next words, I say out loud, I mean the opposite. You may have spies eavesdropping.”
“Thank you, thank you very much.” I couldn't wipe the smile on my face. Nolan is coming back.
“We are closing this case,” He said. “We have solved what the King asked.”
Worry gnawed at me. Whoever this mastermind is, he better tread carefully.