Chapter 22: Remedy

"Maybe she knows or received news from her spy or heard from the others that she failed for assassinating us. Or, maybe, she thought she had a chance to get a revenge just for planning a slap to me since she may be possibly think that Father and the knights will be there to find the sinner and investigate the incident." I said as he sits back.

"Again, I am not completely accusing Lady Lucinda for this but, I am just making sure that no lives can be harm. All I need is to investigate who looks suspicious as possible." I ended with a warning in case they are thinking that I'm only focused on the viscount's daughter."

"Now that we have clues, we can start the investigation promptly. These papers might be the evidences from the missing clues we are facing right now. As the Queen of Starnstadt, I apologize to the Kingdoms and Queendoms that is now involved in this situation." Mother stands up as the three of us, Father, King Levin, and I also stands up and bows to the people inside here.

"It was a great feeling to help, Cliodhna. There's nothing wrong with it because we must help each other to grow our country." Queen Yzabelle said with a smile.

"I agree. Don't worry about it. We all know about the most tragic history between Starnstadt and Mondreich. We are actually glad that the two nations had finally in good terms and it was a good news that you are having an alliance by joining forces and marriage set up." King Heron spoke as he claps then, people followed.

"To he honest, it was actually a headache when it happened. I am concerned as well and I don't know why. Maybe I am just thinking negatively that time when the war between these two countries might involve Almondia for this." King Rupert said and everyone laughed as he facepalms.

"Oh~ I actually wanted to know from the start of how this marriage suddenly came up. Is it connected to the alliance?" Queen Cliodhna said with her palm on her mouth, looking like she's teasing us to spill something cheeky.

The four of us look at each other. I met Mother's eyes as she raise her eyebrows and wiggles them. I suddenly chuckle at her reaction. Father shakes his head as we heard King Levin clears his throat.

"Well, I don't want to blab the whole story about our sudden marriage but I hope this answers gour question. Your Majesty Yzabelle, it was supposed to be an alliance or let's just say, it's an excuse of mine." King Levin said as he cheekily smiled.

"Oh my! I think I know now." Queen Yzabelle giggles as the others were left confused.

"It's almost midnight. To end this assembly, I would like to notify every one of you that the alliance of Starnstadt and Mondreich isn't enough in this matter of case since we are not sure if these clues we have right now is in the same mastermind. But don't worry, the help you are providing to us will end once the investigation is completely finsihed. Again, we apologize for this ruckus." Father said as the four of us bows once again as the people inside here also did.

"As Father said, it's almost midnight. The ocean is not in a good weather to fleet at night because you may encounter something dangerous. I can't let you all stay here because we are still in a search for the sinner and we are having a lockdown for safety purposes." King Levin explained.

"Mother?" he called Mother as she looks at him.

"Don't worry, Levin. They will be staying to us. Our land is not that far away from here."

"Then, let's go now. I also have to leave early in the morning tomorrow." King Rupert said as we all left the meeting hall.

Mother and Father leads the way at the exit as an arm suddenly pulls me.

"Oceana, let's go ho--" I saw Mother looked at us as she gets pulled by Father.

"Can we talk before you go?" he huskily said. He must be tired because of the meeting.

"You are now talking with me, King Levin." I heard him sigh.

"Looks like the typical you came back." he said with a weak laugh.

"Came back? I'm still me. Nothing changed." he weakly smiles and pats my head.

"I know that you're disappointed to me for blaming you to my brother's death. But I hope you can forgive me and fix this immediately." his hand slides down to my arms and when it reaches my hand, he lifts it up and plants a kiss.

"I can't kiss you on the lips right now because I know you're mad with a serious problem that is supposed to be out of our relationship." he let go of my hand and smile weakly once again.

"I respect you for that. For now, I will give you space to let you think about it. I will always visit you in Starnstadt to check on you before going to Almondia for investigation with Father." I coldly nod.

"I guess you really aren't ready to talk. So, I guess, I have to wait. See you tomorrow, my beloved Queen." he walks forward and cups my cheeks as he land his lips on my forehead.

"Goodnight. Have a safe arrival." I nod once again and casually walks out to the exit.

I am now aware of my romatic feelings for him. But it still makes my head boil about his brother's death and to his sudden accusation to me. And right now, I am having mixed feelings towards the problem. Disappointed, sad, anger and heart broken.

I feel disappointed because our grand wedding is messed up.

I feel sad because of Prince Ephraim's death.

I feel anger because he accused me to the crime I didn't commit.

and lastly...

I feel heartbroken.

I feel heartbroken because my dream wedding is now vanished.

I feel heartbroken because my brother-in-law sacrificed himself to save King Levin and I.

and...

I feel heartbroken because of the words he said to me.