Chapter 16

A few days later, we were back in the palace. I thought there would be a huge stir about a missing horse but the stable boy quietly collected it, giving me a second glance before walking away with it. Aside from that, I was hesitant to see the state of our living quarters. The prince was excited to be home, running around the path, calling for me to hurry.

His body was still fragile so I carried him and walked in. From the entrance, I could tell something was wrong. Not only had the horrible stench multiplied, a lot of our properties were scattered around the entrance. A further look into the situation revealed the room was overturned, the royal garments gifted to the prince torn and dirtied.

Who did this?! Why would they do such a horrible thing?

Just what has this child done to deserve this?

"A-Achoo!"

I silently walked out of the west quarters with the prince. He kept on sneezing until we were a good distance away. They finally stopped and he was sprawled out on the grass, breathing slowly. I clenched my fist, controlling my breathing and my limbs.

And just what was the biological mother of the child doing? To have such a child treated unfairly, if she wasn't dead, she was heartless.

"Your highness, I have to clean now. Please stay put. If you see anyone, hide there." I pointed to a rock big enough to cover his body. He nodded, tears forming in his eyes.

"I'll be back soon. You can play out here. If you're hungry, come to me, okay?"

He nodded. I stood up and walked back to the west quarters. I gagged, closing in on the source of the smell. They went the extra mile, dumping all kinds of things there. Just how petty were they?

With no time to waste, I gathered my wits and began cleaning. With every touch, it felt like insects were crawling into my core. My nose itched terribly and the breakfast Lady Geraldine forced down my throat threatened to resurface. The mind numbing task continued for hours with little breaks in between that consisted of me rushing out for a breath of fresh air.

In between this break, I seeked the prince. I found him still playing, chasing after a dragonfly. He looked dirty but he was grinning wildly. I stank so there was no way I could approach him. I thought this through earlier so I called out to him and asked him to take lunch. I watched him eat before returning to my task.

The sun set when I was done clearing out the heap. The clothes were set aside for washing the next day and my Amelia taught patching. I smiled fondly, remembering the days she spent teaching me how to sew and how much hair she almost pulled out doing it.

I couldn't help but wonder what she was up to.

I went to fetch water, my exhaustion winning over my fear of the cold palace. However, when I got there, a strange sound pushed my exhaustion to the side. Deciding it was my mind playing tricks on me, I stalked closer quietly with my bucket, looking over a wall.

It was quiet for a while before a moan cut through the air. It was quiet but as I got closer, I picked up more sounds. It didn't sound like it was close to the water pump but just to make sure, I peeked more.

On the wall close to the water pump, a black haired man dressed as a palace guard was grinding a red haired woman dressed in what I knew was expensive red silk and royal ornaments. Horrified, I moved a little and the bucket scraped the wall.

"Did you hear that?!"

It was a soft voice, no doubt the woman. From her looks, it was obvious she was either a wife or concubine. To have an affair in the open like this...

"No one would come here at this time, my dear. Relax."

"I can't relax- ah..."

"You see, you're getting close. Even if anyone finds out, you can just get rid of them. After all, you're the queen."

"Ah... yes... there..."

The queen?! Is she Queen Moriah?

I had many, many questions. Never mind the queen having an affair, if she's the reason for the suffering of the little boy, she's probably his mother. It would mean Prince Miyon may not be Prince Kron's son after all! At that point, the plan of making him my patron may not be completely forfeit!

I had to get out of there and think of my plan. I still stank but I valued my life more than I valued personal hygiene at that moment.

The moon was rearing its head when I returned to get water. They were gone but traces of them weren't. Some people were just shameless, despite their position.

I suddenly started laughing.

For such a powerful and benevolent king, he cannot even control his own house. His own queen was cheating on him. His child was treated so poorly. My own father was a much better husband and parent than he was. He was also a much better king. King Mival's image was so flawless, seeing cracks in it made me think he was up to something.

If he could do something as big as overthrowing a whole regime, whatever he was plotting would soon surpass my own suffering. I couldn't imagine it.

Pumping water, I returned to bathe, repeating the circle several times till I smelt like herbs. Prince Miyon had long entered sleep land and lay in a far and safe place in the west quarters. There was one more thing I had to do before retiring as my limbs were aching.

I pushed the prince's cot aside, getting on my knees. I reached for a tile and placed it aside. There was a wooden box in that space and I pulled it out. Opening it, I sighed in relief to find my father's ring still intact along with a few other valuables. Taking out the coins I stashed there, I returned the box, closed the tile and pushed the cot back.

Keeping the coins tucked in the dresser, I checked on the prince and went back to sleep.

The door slamming open woke us both up in the morning. A female servant stood at the entrance, a look of disdain and disgust in her eyes. It was still too early and I was still too tired.

"May I help you?" I ask with a tinge of annoyance.

"Her majesty has summoned you."

My drowsiness cleared in an instant. Heart palpitating, I looked at the cot where the prince was sleeping. The noise disturbed him for just a little bit before he turned back to sleep.

"Did she ask his highness to come along as well?"

"I guess you would not know since you're new but her majesty has forbidden that bastard from coming into her sight. It is only you she wants to see."

"... This early?"

The servant didn't reply. She just stood there, tapping her feet, arms folded. I sighed, getting off the bed. There was no assurance I would return early and I had to give his majesty his morning herbs. Dr. Rivers stressed its importance. The situation was turning out to be problematic.

"Please give me a few minutes to prepare. I cannot go to see the queen like this."

She relented, walking from the door. I washed my face with some leftover water with a temperature that made my hands tremble. I had to procure some firewood to keep us warm and provisions to last since it would seem someone had a grudge against us.

Changing my clothes and touching up to look presentable, I follow the maid, making sure to carefully shut the door. If anything happened to the little prince before I came back...

Royalty be damned, I would kill someone.