Chapter 11

The next day, Tatiana woke up with dark circles under her eye, she couldn't get enough sleep because whenever she closed her eyes she saw Duncan shirtless so she didn't get much rest. She took her bath and went to the dining room to join the others for breakfast but before that, she prepared herself to face Duncan. She didn't want to feel nervous around him because of the incident last night so she decided to do the obvious, act like nothing happened. Tatiana walked into the dining room and she noticed that Duncan hadn't come out yet. She sighed in relief but her relief was short-lived "Good morning princess" a voice greeted behind her and she knew it was Duncan. She took a deep breath, fixed her expression, and turned around to look at him.

Duncan on the other hand looked happy but it was only visible in his eyes and he had a faint smile on his lips but Tatiana was so occupied with acting normal that she didn't notice. "Good morning Duncan" she greeted back, "I hope you had a good rest," Duncan asked in concern because he noticed the dark circle under her eyes, he looked at her face but his eyes lingered on her lips, only for a split second but Tatiana noticed it but she brushed it off thinking her mind was playing tricks on her. "Yes, I just stayed up a little bit late" she answered then she walk over to the table and sat down. "I had a lot on my mind" she continued, "oh did you?" Duncan asked and for some reason his tone made her believe he was teasing her. " Yes, for example, what type of punishment will reserve for Simmons' family, and how will get rid of the Archduke" Tatiana replied with a small smile which widened when she saw Duncan's expression.

Ivy walked out of the kitchen and served them food, she noticed a little tension between the two but she ignored it. Just then Simon walked in and sat next to Ivy "Good morning My Lady" he greeted and soon began to eat. "so Duncan tell me more about the archduke" Tatiana asked Duncan "The archduke is the king's third brother" Duncan started and Tatiana raised a brow " but the second prince always gets the archduke position " Tatiana said in puzzlement " Yas princess but the second prince died a year before the current archduke was given the position" Duncan replied, then Tatiana nodded in understanding before Duncan proceeded with giving information " He is the closest to the royal family, which makes him the least suspected person and I think the prince noticed his pretense because the prince never liked him" Duncan declared with a serious expression. Tatiana finally understood this man, he did nothing all these years because he was building his reputation as the ' respectable and loving' Archduke, such a hypocrite. After Duncan told her everything he knew they ate in silence until they finished breakfast, Tatiana turned to Simon "Find anyone related to Simmons and take them, I'll deal with them later." she told Simon " Ok My Lady" he answered.

Later, Duncan took Tatiana to a small library. He spoke to the librarian and she lead them to a backroom in it stood a woman with red hair and green eyes, and she looked very beautiful and regal and from that alone anyone could guess she was from royal heritage. It was Tamar, Salvador's sister. Duncan told her that someone special to her brother wanted to meet her. At first, she didn't want to come as she felt suspicious but as it was connected to her brother she agreed to come because she recognized Tatiana from her brother's constant praises. He would always talk about her beautiful blue hair and her Sapphire eyes that glistened whenever she was happy she always thought he exaggerated but seeing Tatiana she finally saw why her brother was smitten. Tatiana walked in. With confidence and a regal attitude.

Tamar was very sure her brother was in love with this woman and now she knew why. Duncan and Tatiana walked toward Tamar, Tatiana curtsied "Tatiana Vion greets the crown princess of Alvanor" She greeted then she rose and saw that Tamar was looking at her intently like she was trying to see what she was thinking. Tamar offered them a sit "I hope the meeting place is not an inconvenience " she asked "No not at all, in fact, it feels safer than meeting in normal places" Tatiana replied "You are more beautiful than I imagined' my brother talked a lot about you" Tamar said with a sad smile, "Your brother also talked about you a lot he always sounded proud and it is an honor to meet you" Tatiana replied. Tamar asked Duncan to excuse them so they could talk and she also asked for her servant to serve them tea

After Duncan left, Tamar turned to Tatiana, "I know you have an idea of who killed my brother, that's why you wanted to see me right?" She asked Tatiana with a heavy expression. Tatiana chuckled "Have an idea?" she asked " I KNOW who killed your brother and who ordered the kill" Tatiana told Tamar. Tamar stared at Tatiana as if contemplating if she could trust her. "Who killed Salvador?" Tamar questioned " Simmons, his trusted knight, and your uncle the archduke ordered him to do so" Tatiana answered and the shock was evident on Tamar's face, she didn't expect that her uncle would be involved in this. " Are you sure there's no blunder I don't think my uncle would do such a thing" she said trying to convince herself but deep down she knew her uncle was the man behind everything. Salvador always told her to be careful with their uncle because he was a dangerous and pretentious man. His whole personality is built on lies that he has told everyone." I believe you, Salvador never trusted my uncle and I had my suspicion that he was involved but I didn't know it would turn out to be true" Tamar explained.

"How did you find out?" she asked Tatiana " I investigated and I used logic" Tatiana replied, Tamar raised a brow asking her to explain, Tatiana leaned forward and said "A few weeks ago Duncan came and told me that he had clues and suspects, he said Simmons was the only survivor who came back to inform everyone of the prince's demise and after that, he quit being a knight at the palace because he couldn't protect the prince so he left. After he left do you know he bought a new house for his family and also recently started a business, what a coincidence, right" Tatiana sipped her tea and Tamar looked rattled at Tatiana's revelation? Tatiana continued " Soon Simmons got a new job at the archduke's house so I had my skepticism so I asked that Simmons be caught so I would question him myself and he ratted himself out but he didn't say anything about the archduke but when I mentioned him, Simmons had this look in his eyes that said I had already guessed his connection with the archduke.." Tatiana finished and took another sip of her tea. Tamar was speechless when she found her tongue she asked Tatiana "So what are you going to do?" and Tatiana smiled "I'm going to torture you uncle till he is on the line separating life and death then I'll make him beg me to end it all" Tatiana replied and Tamar felt goosebumps rise on her skin.