Page 39 of The Queen's Crown
ChapterTen
Back in her own bedchamber, Sabine stood there, staring at the door leading to what Claire had said was the king’s room. Claire said it was locked from both sides. While Sabine could visibly see the latch was secure from her side, she couldn’t be sure about the other. She assumed it led not to the king’s personal room but into what would be their shared bedchamber. The king probably had his own room, like hers, on the other side of that one. What bothered her was the separate entrance she had leading out into the palace. If she had one, then the king likely did as well.
A lot of royal couples took lovers, so the thought of her future husband taking one shouldn’t upset her so much. She’d assumed, with time, they’d have a loving relationship like her parents had. Just because Rainer had a private bedchamber with a separate entrance didn’t mean he’d have concubines. But a small part of her understood that she didn’t know this king and she didn’t know Lynk’s customs. It could be normal for royalty here to have affairs.
Sometimes, when snooping, the best explanation for being found doing something she shouldn’t or being somewhere she shouldn’t be was to play dumb. With a shaking hand, she reached forward and unlocked the adjoining door. When nothing happened, she placed her fingers on the knob and twisted it. The door swung open, revealing a narrow hallway leading to the sitting room she’d passed by when meeting the king for breakfast.
Gunther, Rainer’s personal steward, was walking by when he noticed her and stumbled to a halt. “Is there something I can help you with, Your Highness?”
Her brows pulled together in confusion. “I didn’t know this door in my personal bedchamber led to here,” she said.
Gunther approached her. “Allow me to explain. King Rainer’s personal bedchamber is right next to yours.” He gestured to her left, indicating the door a few feet away. “After the wedding, the room the two of you will share is there.” He gestured to the door on her right.
She found it strange that the three bedchambers didn’t connect. Servants, such as Gunther, would know if, when, and how often the two of them shared a bed. “And these rooms here,” she indicated the sitting and dining rooms before them, “comprise the royal suite?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Earlier, when I came around and used the main entrance, why was that? Wouldn’t it have been easier and faster for me just to come through this door?”
Gunther glanced over his shoulder. “May I be frank?” he asked, his voice suddenly softer and lower than before.
“Please.”
“I’m not sure King Rainer is ready to share the royal suite with a stranger.”
“I understand.” She wasn’t ready to share anything with the king either. “I’m just trying to learn how things are done here in Lynk. Everything is so different from Bakley.” She smiled, hoping to gain another resource here in the palace.
“Just know you’re not the only one learning to adjust. King Rainer moved into the royal suite a few months ago. It’s hard for him being in his parents’ old rooms now that they’re both deceased. He wouldn’t even let Lady Heath—I mean, he is still getting used to being in here himself.” Gunther studiously focused on his feet, not meeting her gaze.
Sabine nodded, as if she understood what he’d said. “Thank you.” She shut and locked the door.
Sabine finished writing a letter to Rolf. She was as cryptic as possible, asking about the League without specifically asking about it. Hopefully he’d understand what she was getting at. After sealing the envelope, she gave it to Markis in the hallway. He’d make sure it went through the proper channels and made it to Bakley. She started to write another letter to her mother. However, the sun shone so brightly outside that she went to her balcony and laid down on the sofa out there.
She must have fallen asleep because the next thing she knew, the sun had shifted to the other side of the sky, indicating it was past noon. How strange for her to have fallen asleep like that. Sitting up, her tongue had an odd tang to it. She wanted to go to the kitchen to get something to drink.
Not knowing if she was still confined to her bedchamber since the king had returned, she went over to the door leading to the royal suite and knocked, hoping to discuss the matter with Rainer. It immediately swung open.
“Your Highness,” a guard said, bowing his head. “I’ve been stationed here for your protection. Is there something you need?”
A soft laugh, half snort escaped her mouth. More likely, the guard had been stationed there for the king’s protection, not hers. Rainer couldn’t have her sneaking into the royal suite without him knowing—which verified her suspicion that the door only locked from her side.
“I’m tired of being in my room and wish to see the palace. Would King Rainer like to escort me on a tour?” Hopefully he’d show her where the kitchen was so she could get something to drink since her mouth was so parched.
“Please wait here while I go see if the king is available.” He bowed before heading down the corridor, away from her.
Sabine leaned against the doorway, examining the sitting room in greater detail. Two sofas were situated in the middle, facing each other, and the wall to the right was lined floor to ceiling with shelves. Her feet moved of their own accord, taking her into the room so she could examine the contents of the shelves. There were dozens and dozens of sculptures carved from wood. Some were animals, others were people. She picked one up in the shape of a flower, running her finger over a petal, unable to believe how real it looked. The person who’d carved it had even managed to replicate the veins in its leaves.
“Your Highness,” the guard said from behind her.
She put the flower back in its spot. “Yes?” She turned to face him.
“The king said he will introduce you to his court this evening at supper. After that, you will be able to visit the gardens in the courtyards at your leisure.”
Dumbfounded, she stood there staring at him. Not only was the king not going to escort her around the palace, even after being introduced to the court, she still wouldn’t be able to wander through the halls of her own free will. Maybe things would change once they married. “Thank you for your help,” she said before returning to her bedchamber.
After closing and locking the door, she went over to her desk to finish writing the letter she’d started to pen to her mother. She was about to sit down when she paused. Something looked different. Since she wrote with her right hand, the paper should be tilted to the left slightly, but the paper was tilted to the right. Perhaps she’d unknowingly bumped it when she’d stood. As she examined everything else on the desk, an odd feeling came over her. She pulled open the top drawer. The papers inside weren’t stacked as she’d left them. Someone had been in here going through her things.
Her skin turned clammy. She glanced around her bedchamber, making sure no one else was in the room. Not seeing anyone, she tried to calm down. Instead, the panic only intensified. Going over to her door, she threw it open, making sure her guards were out in the hallway in case she needed them.
