Page 88 of The Queen's Crown
The women all chuckled. Surely others had to be aware of Avoni’s tie to assassins. However, based upon these women’s easy demeanor, she wasn’t certain.
Karmen looked pointedly at Sabine. “I’m wondering why throw a party at all, especially with the wedding so close.”
Sabine had been wondering the same thing.
Regina sighed. “It’s clear none of you have husbands in the military.” She shook her head. “The party is clearly a distraction.” Her attention turned to the guards at the perimeter, probably making sure they were far enough away and hadn’t overheard her.
“What does the king want to distract the Avoni delegation for?” Karmen asked.
It felt as if they all took a step forward, toward one another, tightening their circle.
“I have no idea.” Regina shrugged.
“If you had to guess?” Sabine said.
She glanced about the courtyard before answering. “I’d say something is probably going on tomorrow night. The king must want to ensure the Avoni people are at the party and accounted for, so they don’t discover whatever it is he plans on doing.” Her hands kept fidgeting with the cane she leaned on. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Your Highness, I must take my leave.”
“Thank you, Lady Regina,” Sabine said, her voice louder than it needed to be. “Your knowledge on this rose is quite insightful.”
Regina bowed her head and then made her way out of the courtyard.
“What do you think is going on?” Sabine asked softly, feigning innocence. The more she learned about Rainer, the more she appreciated his ability to control the kingdom, the army, and his people. He seemed to have a keen understanding of what needed to be done. If he was planning something tomorrow, then it had to be because he wanted to investigate the Avoni people.
“The king can’t harm the delegation while they’re here in his palace,” Cassandra mused. “It would cause a war if he did.”
And Rainer wasn’t stupid—he’d never harm a person, let alone a delegation, visiting his palace.
“If he wants them in one place and accounted for, do you think it’s so he can search their rooms?” Marin asked.
“What would he be looking for?” Cassandra asked.
“Surely no one would have brought something incriminating with them,” Sabine said. No one would be that stupid.
“Didn’t they come by boat?” Karmen asked.
“Yes,” Sabine answered.
“Then that’s it,” Karmen said. “King Rainer is going to search their boat while everyone is here dancing.”
“What does he hope to find?” Sabine asked, trying to come up with something that made sense.
“He must suspect something,” Karmen said.
Sabine happened to agree with her, although she couldn’t imagine what.
“If they catch him, it’ll start a war,” Marin said.
“Maybe they’re responsible for Princess Alina’s death,” Karmen said. “Maybe the king is looking for evidence.”
Sabine knew he suspected one of his own. But what if he intended on planting evidence? She shoved the thought away. That didn’t make any sense.
“If we go to war,” Marin said, “will Bakley stand with Lynk?”
“Of course,” Sabine replied. As the words left her lips, she realized that was why the other kingdoms were objecting to her marrying Rainer in the first place. She needed to be alone so she could think this through. “I must go. I have a costume to plan for tomorrow.” She turned and started to head toward the exit.
“A war will cost thousands of lives,” Cassandra said from behind her. “It’s better to use diplomacy rather than swords.”
Sabine happened to agree with her. However, she needed to figure out what was going on, so she could stop it in the first place.
