Page 72 of The Royal Throne
Sabine turned to address the citizens nearby. “Thank you all for coming out today. I’d like everyone to return home.” She stood next to Rainer and whispered to him, “The two of us need to walk amicably across this bridge and into the palace.”
Without a word, he sheathed his sword and did as she said. If he ordered her to be taken to the dungeon, everyone would know and he’d have another riot on his hands. In order to maintain control, he needed to keep her safe. She didn’t think he’d lock her in her room either because she needed to continue to make appearances in town.
They entered the palace. “We need to talk,” Sabine said.
“Yes, we do,” he ground out.
Claire approached. Sabine hadn’t seen her in days—not since she’d told the woman she didn’t want her as her lady’s maid any longer.
“King Rainer,” Claire curtseyed. “You’re needed.”
“Is everything all right?” Sabine asked, wondering what the king was needed for.
Claire ignored her and instead, turned, leading the king away, their heads bent together in conversation. Since Claire was Heather’s sister, Sabine assumed it had something to do with Heather.
With Rainer currently occupied, she could address those at the palace without his interference. Wanting to take advantage of the situation, she headed to the throne room, telling everyone she passed to spread the word to meet there in fifteen minutes.
Standing on the dais, Sabine observed the packed room before her. It seemed like everyone in the palace—both nobles and servants—was in attendance. When she was about to speak, a messenger arrived, handing her a letter.
She broke the seal and read the contents. It was from Axel and stated that while Rainer was handling the riot, everyone inside the palace voted on the matter regarding Lottie. She was found innocent and all charges had been dropped. Sabine crumpled the letter. It felt as if her heart had turned to stone and dropped in her stomach.
“Your Majesty?” Drew said. “Is everything all right?”
Snapping out of her spiraling thoughts, she smiled. “Yes, thank you.” Taking a deep breath, she looked at her subjects. After thanking them for coming, she quickly told them about the riot in town, Rainer’s response, and what she’d done to de-escalate the situation. She assured her subjects all was well.
“I was also just informed that Princess Lottie has been found innocent. Thank you all for taking your time to be here today to help with these matters.” She took a step back, about to retreat to the antechamber, when someone spoke.
“Why are you addressing us alone?” Lady Regina asked, glancing around the room. “Where is the king?”
“King Rainer is currently with his pregnant lover. However, I am here and will deal with what needs to be done.” She didn’t even know where Axel or Lottie were.
After assuring everyone that they were safe and everything was okay, people began to leave.
Commander Felix asked to speak with her alone in the antechamber. She joined him there.
“People in town are concerned,” he said. “My men are assuring everyone you’ll either make an appearance tomorrow or send Harper in your stead.”
“Good idea.” Sabine began pacing, biting on her thumbnail. “I really thought I had him. I thought my plan was going to work.” She’d failed and made a mess of things.
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out the way you’d intended,” he said.
That made two of them. “I’ll let you get back to work. I’m sure you have a lot to deal with.”
“I do, especially with the new prisoner.”
She’d forgotten about that. “The assassin?”
“Yes.”
“Is he from Avoni?”
“I haven’t had a chance to interrogate him yet. From the initial reports, we can’t tell where he’s from. He’s being difficult.”
A trained assassin would never reveal any pertinent information. “Can I see him?”
“No offense, Your Majesty, but I’m not sure that’s wise. Let those experienced with this sort of thing handle it.”
While she understood why he’d said that, something in Sabine’s gut told her this prisoner was an Avoni assassin who’d come with the delegation all those weeks ago. She thought if she could see him, she might be able to know for certain. If she had to guess, she’d say this man was sent by King Kai to kill strategic military personnel in order to prevent a war. “I’d like to see him. Please.”
