Page 32 of The Queen's Crown
“Your eyes look as if they’re going to fall out,” Axel said with a chuckle. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, unable to believe women dressed like that in Lynk.
“I must go,” Axel said. “You should remain in your room. When the king returns, he’ll be furious if he finds you roaming the halls. Especially looking like that.” He winked and then strode over to the woman, draping his arm around her shoulder. The two of them disappeared down the dark hallway.
The stars started to glimmer in the sky. Sabine sighed and headed back to her guards, upset that she’d discovered absolutely nothing of importance today. Tomorrow, she would try a different approach. One thing became clear—she couldn’t remain in her bedchamber all day.
ChapterNine
The next morning, when Claire arrived with breakfast, Sabine put her first plan into action. “Good morning,” she practically sang. “Will you keep me company for a bit? I’m so lonely.” She smiled sweetly at Claire, wanting to befriend the young woman. If Sabine was to have any hope of learning the secrets of the palace, she needed her lady’s maid as a confidant.
“Of course. Shall we sit outside?”
“That is an excellent idea.”
Situated on the balcony were a table and chairs on one side and and a sofa on the other side.
Claire set the tray on the table and took a seat.
Sabine sat across from her. “Why don’t you tell me about yourself?” She pulled the tray closer, examining the bowl of oatmeal, the plate of cut apples, and the muffin. She didn’t notice any yellow powder or anything odd smelling. Still, she hesitated, not knowing if it had been through a food taster.
“There’s nothing to tell.” Claire shrugged. “I’m the youngest of three girls. We all work here in the palace, including my mother and father. My mother works in the kitchen and my father is a guard.”
Knowing her mother worked in the kitchen and the food had most likely gone from cook to Claire, Sabine relaxed and took a small bite of oatmeal. “I’m the youngest of six.”
Claire smiled. “It’s hard being the youngest sometimes.”
“Yes, it is.” She leaned back in her chair. “How long have you worked in the palace?”
“Since I was sixteen, so about three years now.”
They were roughly the same age then. “What did you do before I arrived?”
“I was assigned to Princess Alina. Prior to that, I apprenticed for the resident seamstress.”
Sabine found that interesting. She didn’t know how one went from working with a seamstress to being the future queen’s lady’s maid. “Working with the seamstress sounds far more exciting than helping me.” Not wanting to sound like she was fishing for information, she asked casually, “What about your sisters? What do they do?” She plucked an apple and put it in her mouth.
Claire’s eyes widened. “Why do you ask?”
Obviously, Sabine had stumbled on something with regards to Claire’s sisters. She needed to try and discover what it was.
Sabine shrugged, trying not to appear too interested. “I’m just curious. You told me what your parents do but not your sisters. Since you’ll be attending to me, I thought we should get to know each other. I’m desperate for a kind friend here in this strange kingdom.” Sabine forced a smile on her face, thrilled with the prospect of her first clue. Granted, it might not have anything to do with Alina, but there was something amiss and she was determined to discover what it was.
“The king tasked me as your lady’s maid to ensure you dress and look the part. Given my background with the seamstress, I’m sure you can understand that I have a knack for fashion. That is the only reason I’m here.” She abruptly stood.
“I’m sorry if I said something to offend you. Are we not permitted to be friends?”
“No. I mean, yes, we can be friends. But I need to go. I have some other tasks I must attend to.”
Sabine wanted to ask what other jobs she had but refrained from doing so. Claire was far too skittish and untrusting now. Sabine would have to nudge her slowly.
That evening, Sabine sat at the desk composing a letter to her mother. For the first two paragraphs, she detailed her perilous journey to Lynk. Then in the next paragraph, she described the palace and the people she’d met. Her mother would be able to draw the same conclusions Sabine had with regards to possible suspects and motives.
Someone knocked on her door. “Come in,” she called out.
Axel stepped into her room wearing loose black pants and a black tunic open in the front. It was stitched with intricate gold embroidery along the edges.
She stood, surprised to see him. “Is there something I can do for you?”
