ROYAL SUSUPICION

My brows furrowed when Ruby suddenly opens the door and went into my office. She went directly on the black leather sofa located on the left side of my office. In there is a black coffee table with a red rose in a blue marbled vase on top.

"What's with your face?" I asked Ruby. She's pouting her lips and, her eyes are glaring at the vase which I found unusual since Ruby is a good type of girl. The type of girl that you would want to be friends with because of her good personality.

"I met a jerk outside!" She shouted furiously while rolling her eyes.

My mouth instantly dropped as I look at her dumbfounded. This is the first time in my life that I heard her shouting furiously. That guy must piss Ruby off so much that made her react this way.

"What happened?" I fish for more information, now getting interested in the talk.

"Well, this jerk of a guy just accused me of stealing his wallet when he's the one who left it behind!" I laughed loudly at her answer. That's epic, I can imagine her reaction, it must be funny.

I stood up from my office chair and went directly to her place holding a cup of water that I got from my table.

"Have some water, first" She took the water out of my hand and took a big gulp of the water.

"Thanks, Zaph" She sighs and calmed herself down by exhaling and inhaling numerous times.

"Did you get his name?" I ask her again, now walking away and going back to my chair.

She looks at me with widened eyes. I thought her answer was yes, but she pouted her lips and shake her head slightly.

"I didn't" She looks regretful, and sadder now.

"Your highness, Sir Archael is in here" A server who is guarding outside announced.

I sighed and nodded at Ruby. She seems to understand what is that nod is because she stood up and went to the door to open it.

Archael walks towards us with confidence. There must be a piece of good news.

"What are you doing here, Archael?" I looked at his eyes and asked.

"I have good news, Zaph" He smiled.

"What is it" I seriously asked him stopping all that I'm doing just to focus on the conversation.

"Well, the ship that has a problem is already fixed now" He sat on the chair in front of my table.

"That's good," I nodded.

I checked the copy of my schedule and saw that I have some free time for about 2 hours.

"I want to see it" I commanded him. I fix my table before finally standing up.

Archael is in my back, trailing my steps behind. We went outside, near the sea area where the workers are currently working. One guard hurriedly went in our direction when they saw us walking in.

"What are you doing here, your highness" He bowed his head and asked me. I can feel that the guard is somehow nervous.

"I want to see what's happening inside" I ordered him, having an emotionless face, which I usually put on whenever I'm going out or meeting people.

He guided us to the office where I met Erick, The task leader for this project.

"Good morning, Your Highness," He bowed at me and offered us a seat.

"What's the latest update for the project?" I asked him without thinking anything. I felt him stiffen at my question.

"I-It's doing good, Your highness" He trembled.

I felt that something is wrong. And if I get this intuitive then there is clearly wrong with this. I nodded, staying low-key and not being obvious that I'm suspecting him.

"I want to tour around the site" I commanded him.

"I will just check it first, My lady," He respectfully answered and bowed at us before finally leaving the room"

I scanned his office. It's too messy to be one, I rolled my eyes. He has a large picture of himself on the right side where he looks fierce and has many accessories all over her body. I start walking around wondering about the tools and equipment here when one painting caught my attention.

It's a painting of a beautiful scenery. This reminds me of the sunset in the northern hills. A famous location in our kingdom because of the perfect view for its sunset and sunrise

I traced the pattern of the painting, but I suddenly pushed the painting causing it to slightly move on the right side. My brows furrowed when I saw a huge gap in the wall.

I'm about to touch it when I heard Erick's voice getting near. I had to arrange the painting in its original place before he finally comes back.

---

"Archael, investigate that man" I whispered at him, we are now entering the site with a blue safety hat in our heads.

"Do you suspect him as well" He whispered back, I look at him and nodded my head. Our conversation got Interrupted as we finally arrived inside the site.

"Good morning, Your majesty!" They all announced in unison as they kneel and made a deep bow at us.

I and Archael bowed at them as well before they stand up.

"This way" We proceed to walk and go near the sea area, where the ships are in standby.

There are around 8 ships in total, each size differs from each other.

"I want to go inside the ship," I told Archael, who is looking around the place right now.

"I will tell him" He answered making me nod my head.

He starts going to Erick's direction and left me here standing. I'm waiting impatiently here when they took too much time just to get the keys and open the ship's door.

"You can go now. Only me and Archael will stay here" I ordered, making all the people leave the ship.

I nodded at Archael after everyone left already. This is the ship that has a damaged and is fixed now. We start looking around, finding clues to satisfy our suspicion about Erick.

"Zapphire, I found it!" I heard Archael's voice coming from the lower deck of the ship.

I hurriedly went to his direction and saw him holding a bracelet. The one that looks exactly like Erick's bracelet that I saw on his picture earlier.

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