The Queen's Crown

Chapter 10

Back in her own bedchamber, Sabine stood there, staring at the door leading to what Claire had said was the king’s room. Claire said it was locked from both sides. While Sabine could visibly see the latch was secure from her side, she couldn’t be sure about the other. She assumed it led not to the king’s personal room but into what would be their shared bedchamber. The king probably had his own room, like hers, on the other side of that one. What bothered her was the separate entrance she had leading out into the palace. If she had one, then the king likely did as well.

A lot of royal couples took lovers, so the thought of her future husband taking one shouldn’t upset her so much. She’d assumed, with time, they’d have a loving relationship like her parents had. Just because Rainer had a private bedchamber with a separate entrance didn’t mean he’d have concubines. But a small part of her understood that she didn’t know this king and she didn’t know Lynk’s customs. It could be normal for royalty here to have affairs.

Sometimes, when snooping, the best explanation for being found doing something she shouldn’t or being somewhere she shouldn’t be was to play dumb. With a shaking hand, she reached forward and unlocked the adjoining door. When nothing happened, she placed her fingers on the knob and twisted it. The door swung open, revealing a narrow hallway leading to the sitting room she’d passed by when meeting the king for breakfast.

Gunther, Rainer’s personal steward, was walking by when he noticed her and stumbled to a halt. “Is there something I can help you with, Your Highness?”

Her brows pulled together in confusion. “I didn’t know this door in my personal bedchamber led to here,” she said.

Gunther approached her. “Allow me to explain. King Rainer’s personal bedchamber is right next to yours.” He gestured to her left, indicating the door a few feet away. “After the wedding, the room the two of you will share is there.” He gestured to the door on her right.

She found it strange that the three bedchambers didn’t connect. Servants, such as Gunther, would know if, when, and how often the two of them shared a bed. “And these rooms here,” she indicated the sitting and dining rooms before them, “comprise the royal suite?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Earlier, when I came around and used the main entrance, why was that? Wouldn’t it have been easier and faster for me just to come through this door?”

Gunther glanced over his shoulder. “May I be frank?” he asked, his voice suddenly softer and lower than before.

“Please.”

“I’m not sure King Rainer is ready to share the royal suite with a stranger.”

“I understand.” She wasn’t ready to share anything with the king either. “I’m just trying to learn how things are done here in Lynk. Everything is so different from Bakley.” She smiled, hoping to gain another resource here in the palace.

“Just know you’re not the only one learning to adjust. King Rainer moved into the royal suite a few months ago. It’s hard for him being in his parents’ old rooms now that they’re both deceased. He wouldn’t even let Lady Heath—I mean, he is still getting used to being in here himself.” Gunther studiously focused on his feet, not meeting her gaze.

Sabine nodded, as if she understood what he’d said. “Thank you.” She shut and locked the door.

Sabine finished writing a letter to Rolf. She was as cryptic as possible, asking about the League without specifically asking about it. Hopefully he’d understand what she was getting at. After sealing the envelope, she gave it to Markis in the hallway. He’d make sure it went through the proper channels and made it to Bakley. She started to write another letter to her mother. However, the sun shone so brightly outside that she went to her balcony and laid down on the sofa out there.

She must have fallen asleep because the next thing she knew, the sun had shifted to the other side of the sky, indicating it was past noon. How strange for her to have fallen asleep like that. Sitting up, her tongue had an odd tang to it. She wanted to go to the kitchen to get something to drink.

Not knowing if she was still confined to her bedchamber since the king had returned, she went over to the door leading to the royal suite and knocked, hoping to discuss the matter with Rainer. It immediately swung open.

“Your Highness,” a guard said, bowing his head. “I’ve been stationed here for your protection. Is there something you need?”

A soft laugh, half snort escaped her mouth. More likely, the guard had been stationed there for the king’s protection, not hers. Rainer couldn’t have her sneaking into the royal suite without him knowing—which verified her suspicion that the door only locked from her side.

“I’m tired of being in my room and wish to see the palace. Would King Rainer like to escort me on a tour?” Hopefully he’d show her where the kitchen was so she could get something to drink since her mouth was so parched.

“Please wait here while I go see if the king is available.” He bowed before heading down the corridor, away from her.

Sabine leaned against the doorway, examining the sitting room in greater detail. Two sofas were situated in the middle, facing each other, and the wall to the right was lined floor to ceiling with shelves. Her feet moved of their own accord, taking her into the room so she could examine the contents of the shelves. There were dozens and dozens of sculptures carved from wood. Some were animals, others were people. She picked one up in the shape of a flower, running her finger over a petal, unable to believe how real it looked. The person who’d carved it had even managed to replicate the veins in its leaves.

“Your Highness,” the guard said from behind her.

She put the flower back in its spot. “Yes?” She turned to face him.

“The king said he will introduce you to his court this evening at supper. After that, you will be able to visit the gardens in the courtyards at your leisure.”

Dumbfounded, she stood there staring at him. Not only was the king not going to escort her around the palace, even after being introduced to the court, she still wouldn’t be able to wander through the halls of her own free will. Maybe things would change once they married. “Thank you for your help,” she said before returning to her bedchamber.

After closing and locking the door, she went over to her desk to finish writing the letter she’d started to pen to her mother. She was about to sit down when she paused. Something looked different. Since she wrote with her right hand, the paper should be tilted to the left slightly, but the paper was tilted to the right. Perhaps she’d unknowingly bumped it when she’d stood. As she examined everything else on the desk, an odd feeling came over her. She pulled open the top drawer. The papers inside weren’t stacked as she’d left them. Someone had been in here going through her things.

Her skin turned clammy. She glanced around her bedchamber, making sure no one else was in the room. Not seeing anyone, she tried to calm down. Instead, the panic only intensified. Going over to her door, she threw it open, making sure her guards were out in the hallway in case she needed them.

Markis immediately stepped forward. “What’s wrong?” he demanded.

“Someone has been in my room.” She opened the door wider, granting him entrance. She wanted him to check everywhere to make sure an assassin wasn’t hiding somewhere. Like in her dressing closet behind an outfit.

“Are you certain?” Markis asked, stepping into her room flanked by two additional guards. The remaining guards stayed in the hallway.

She nodded. “Has Claire been here?” she asked. Maybe her lady’s maid had been tidying up.

“No, Your Highness,” one of the guards answered.

The only other feasible option was the man who’d murdered Alina had returned to kill Sabine.

The three guards began searching through her room, looking under the bed and in her closet to be certain no one was hiding in there.

“A few of the items on my desk are moved,” she explained. Turning in a slow circle, she examined her room, not seeing anything else out of place. Then she remembered falling asleep out on the sofa on the balcony and the funny taste in her mouth. “I think someone slipped something in my food,” she whispered.

Markis rushed over, examining her eyes, skin color, and hands. “Do you feel okay?”

“I do now.” She hadn’t before. Looking directly into Markis’s eyes she said, “I took my breakfast with the king.” If someone had slipped something into her food, it had to have been then. “Do you think the king did this?”

“Why would he do such a thing?” Markis whispered so the other guards wouldn’t overhear their conversation.

“Maybe so he could look through my things?”

“It’s a possibility. Especially since we didn’t see anyone enter your room.”

Fury built. How dare the king drug her and go through her possessions, especially since Alina had been poisoned. This didn’t bode well for Rainer as it only made him look guilty. She went over to the door leading to the royal suite and pounded on it. When no one immediately answered, she threw it open and stormed inside, stepping past the guard on duty.

“Can I help you, Your Highness?” the guard asked as he hurried after her.

Sabine ignored him. “King Rainer,” she shouted, peering into the dining room, and not seeing him. She called his name again.

A door opened and Rainer strolled out of his bedchamber, wearing nothing but loose pants, his chest and face covered with sweat. “Is there a problem?”

Sabine blinked, startled to have found the king half naked.

“I just finished working with my soldiers and am about to take a bath. Do you need something?”

Regaining her wits about her, she said, “Someone has been in my room.”

“That’s because I had your room searched.”

“Why would you do that?”

He smiled and made a placating gesture with his hands. “I wanted them to check your room to ensure it was secure. When they deemed it was, I ordered two men to remain at the exterior door and one to always remain here at this door, even when you leave your room. That way, when you return, it will not have to be searched every time. It will afford you more privacy as well.”

“And when they checked my room, did you tell them to read my personal letters? To go through my desk and look at my papers?” Knowing someone had touched her possessions made her feel violated.

His eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “Not in those exact words, but yes, I did.” He ran his arm over his forehead, wiping the sweat away.

“How could you?” Shock and anger boiled inside of her. She took a step forward, wanting to wrap her hands around his thick neck and squeeze that smug look off his face. How dare he order his servants to touch her personal belongings. Her hands balled into fists.

He took a step closer to her as well. They now stood less than a foot apart. “I don’t know you,” he said, his voice low and lethal, like steel cutting through stalks of wheat. “Captain Lithane informed me that you entered my home with a weapon. I ordered my guards to go through your things to see what else you might be hiding.” His eyes raked over her body, as if looking for where she’d concealed the dagger. “I have a duty to protect my people.”

“You can’t possibly think I’m a threat.”

Rainer cocked his head to the side. “How do I know you’re really Princess Sabine and not an assassin sent to kill me?”

She scoffed at the suggestion.

“How do I know you didn’t kill the real Sabine and take her place? After all, you didn’t stay with the Bakley royal carriage after it was attacked. Instead, you showed up here, not dressed like a princess, with only one man as a guard. I have to consider the possibility that you’re not who you say you are.”

She folded her arms. “Is that why you haven’t introduced me to your court? Why you’re making me stay in my room?”

“I’m introducing you to my court tonight,” he said, his voice rising a bit as anger seeped through.

“Why bother if you’re not sure who I am?”

“With the help of my men, your carriage will arrive here today before sunset. I plan to have the Bakley soldiers verify your identity. If you’re Princess Sabine, I’ll introduce you to my court. If you’re not, you’ll be executed.”

She shook her head. Unbelievable. And she was expected to rule along with this overbearing, insufferable man.

“Did you need anything else?” Rainer asked, his voice calm.

“I only came here because I thought the person who’d murdered my sister had snuck into my room. I was frightened.” She turned and headed toward her door. She paused, remembering the other reason she’d stormed into his room. “Did you drug me as well?”

“Excuse me?” It was the first time his voice held a hint of confusion.

“Did you put something in my food to make me fall asleep?” She kept her back to him as she spoke.

“No. I would never do that.”

She peered over her shoulder at him. “I have no way of knowing that or if you’re even telling me the truth.” She entered her bedchamber.

“Princess Sabine,” Rainer called after her.

She ignored him and closed the door, being sure to lock it from her side.

Someone knocked on Sabine’s door, so she went over and answered it. Captain Lithane and Claire stood there.

“Your Highness,” Lithane said. “I’m to escort you to the southern balcony overlooking the front of the palace.”

“Whatever for?” She was glad about the opportunity to leave her room but had no idea what to wear for the occasion. She looked at Claire who had to be there to help her dress.

“Your carriage has arrived along with your soldiers,” Lithane answered.

“And when you return,” Claire said, “I am to help you get ready for your presentation to the court this evening.”

Sabine couldn’t help but laugh. “The king honestly wants my own soldiers to verify I’m me.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Instead of rolling her eyes or protesting at the ridiculousness of it, she went into her dressing closet and grabbed a cape she’d noticed earlier.

“You won’t be needing that,” Claire said.

Sabine ignored her lady’s maid and followed Lithane out into the hallway where her guards were dutifully waiting for her. She wrapped the cape around her body knowing she didn’t need it in this heat. However, if the Bakley soldiers saw her dressed as she was, they might not recognize her. The cape would help her look more like herself.

Walking through the palace hallways, she scanned her guards, searching for Markis and not finding him. Perhaps he was with the carriage and Bakley soldiers.

After a few minutes, they reached the southern balcony. Sabine strolled out onto it, going right to the railing overlooking the bridge leading to the town. The balcony was only two levels above the bridge, affording her the ability to see her men.

She smiled. “Greetings Bakley soldiers,” she said, using the term she’d so often heard Rolf say when addressing his men.

All five Bakley soldiers knelt on one knee, bowing their heads, clearly acknowledging her as their princess.

“Rise,” she commanded them. “Thank you for bringing my carriage and belongings to Lynk.” She spotted Markis who was easy to identify dressed as a Lynk soldier. “I assume Lieutenant Markis Belle has briefed you on the state of things.”

The men nodded their heads.

“That’s all you’re needed for,” Lithane said. “Let’s go.”

Sabine looked at her men one last time. “Thank you.” She waved to them and then left the balcony, following Lithane once again through the palace.

“Was that sufficient, Lieutenant Lithane?” she asked, knowing she’d used the wrong title. However, he didn’t seem keen on addressing her appropriately, so she was hoping to make a point.

“Captain.”

“No, I’m Princess Sabine. Not Captain.”

One of the guards chuckled.

“Yes,” Lithane said, irritation seeping through his voice. “That was good enough for me.”

When they reached the corridor leading to her room, she stepped around him and hurried ahead, entering her room and shutting the door before he could protest.

“I’m not going to be executed,” Sabine announced as she went over to her dressing closet where she found Claire.

“Why would you be executed?”

Sabine shook her head. “Never mind.”

“The king is going to wear a midnight blue jacket lined with silver,” Claire said, holding up an outfit. “This will match him perfectly.”

Sabine removed her cape. “Are those diamonds on the dress?”

“Yes. The king wants you to look like a queen tonight.” Claire exited the dressing closet and went over to the bed, laying the dress across it.

As Sabine removed her clothing, she asked, “When my sister was here,” she had to keep her voice steady so it wouldn’t wobble from the grief she felt whenever she mentioned Alina, “who did she spend time with?”

“The princess wasn’t here very long before…” Claire’s voice trailed off. “Your sister was friendly and kind to everyone here at court. However, I don’t recall her doing anything with anyone in particular. She wasn’t here long enough to form any friendships.”

Sabine pulled the midnight blue dress on. Going over to the mirror, she examined herself in the reflection. The sheer material loosely covered her arms, tapering around her wrists. On her shoulders, instead of the fabric going up and over them, it cut across at an angle and wrapped around her neck. Then another section of the sheer fabric attached near her underarms and covered her breasts, leaving a lot of the skin on her torso exposed. The material tightened around her waist and then flowed to the floor. Two large slits had been cut up the front, showcasing her legs. Though the material was see-through, it darkened around her breasts and other intimate areas so no one would be able to see anything uncouth. When she moved, the hundreds of diamonds sewn all over it caught the light and shimmered.

“What do you think?” Claire asked.

Instead of answering, because Sabine truly did not know how she felt about it, she countered, “What should I do with my hair and makeup?”

“Sit,” Claire said, her voice sounding far too excited.

Curious, Sabine did as she instructed.

Claire applied dusting powder to Sabine’s face. After she finished, she combed Sabine’s hair back, leaving it unbound. “Now for the finishing touch.” She pulled out a silver crown adorned with diamonds and sapphires, setting it atop Sabine’s head. “Take a look.”

Her makeup had been applied darker than she normally wore it, accentuating her eyes and her cheeks in an odd way. However, that, coupled with her hair and the crown, completed the ensemble.

“I think you look stunning,” Claire said, standing back to examine her work. “Exactly as you should. Beautiful and desirable.”

“I am doing my best to understand and embrace your customs. Thank you for helping me.” She was getting the feeling that Rainer wanted a pretty wife to look at and not one to help him rule his kingdom. Hopefully in time, she could change that. For now, she’d go along with things and not cause problems.

“That’s what I’m here for,” Claire replied. “I’m happy to help. We need to get going. The sun is about to set.”

“Is there anything I should know for tonight?” No one had mentioned what would take place, so she had no idea if she’d be speaking to the people or if there were any customs she needed to be aware of.

“I don’t think so.”

“If anything comes up, please be sure to help me. I look to you for guidance.”

Claire shifted from foot to foot. “I won’t be there this evening.”

“But you’re my lady’s maid.” Back home, her mother’s lady’s maid always attended royal functions in case the queen needed anything.

“That’s not how it works in Lynk.”

Sabine shook her head, realizing she had a lot to learn. Thankfully, she’d been to enough royal functions to have a general idea of what to expect tonight. Those with money or vying for power would immediately introduce themselves, trying to get on her good side. Those threatened by her would approach her later in the evening. She would need to make sure to keep her face devoid from all feeling and emotion. She couldn’t let anyone know if they got to her. And during all of this, she needed to ask questions about Alina and discover if anyone knew anything about her death. In other words, she needed to snoop without appearing to snoop.

Out in the hallway, two soldiers stood guard on either side of her door while the rest followed close behind her. She didn’t see Markis among them. He was probably still with the Bakley soldiers. However, she felt ill at ease not having him with her.

Claire led the way down to the first level of the palace and then to a balcony on the west side. “This is where I’m to leave you,” Claire said. “I’ll meet you back at your room afterward to help you prepare for bed.” She bowed then left.

Sabine stood alone on the large balcony, her guards hovering near one of the entrances. Growing up with five siblings meant she never had to attend a royal function by herself. She always had one of her brothers or her sister by her side. Especially since she was the youngest. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she’d be in a foreign kingdom, let alone the queen of one, having to do something like this on her own.

Gunther exited through one of the archways and smiled at her. “Princess Sabine.”

“I didn’t realize you’d be here tonight.” Since Claire wasn’t going to be in attendance, she assumed Gunther wouldn’t be either.

“I’m not. King Rainer just wanted me to inform you that your belongings from the carriage are being brought up to your room. I am personally overseeing it, so you have nothing to worry about.”

“Thank you.”

“And the Bakley soldiers are all being fed and will rest here for the night. They will return home tomorrow.”

It surprised her that Rainer was feeding them and allowing them to spend the night. He’d seemed so against anything like that earlier today. “I appreciate your help,” she replied, forcing a sweet smile on her face. The more friends she had here, the better.

As Gunther exited, Anton and Lottie walked out on the balcony and approached Sabine.

“I can’t believe Rainer threw this party together so quickly,” Anton mumbled. “I was supposed to head down to the docks tonight for the seasons celebration.”

Sabine hadn’t realized it was already changing from summer to fall. Back home, the leaves would start shifting colors. Here, she hadn’t noticed anything of the sort.

“I’m sure you can still make it,” Lottie said. “This isn’t going to take all night. But you do need to stop complaining about it. We should to be happy for Rainer. This is his engagement party, and Sabine will be our sister-in-law soon.” She smiled sweetly at Sabine.

“Well, well, well,” Axel said as he casually strolled out onto the balcony. “What have we here?” He stopped before Sabine, his eyes roaming up and down as he slowly took her in. “You almost look like you belong in Lynk.” He smirked.

Lottie rolled her eyes. “Yes, it’s amazing what a bit of cloth will do.”

Instead of responding to Axel, Sabine focused beyond him, trying to see inside the palace. Soft music floated out onto the balcony along with the voices of people talking and laughing mixed in with music. However, she couldn’t see the room or what she’d be walking into in a few minutes.

Lottie and Anton were talking with one another, ignoring Sabine.

Axel faced away from his siblings and then leaned toward her. “Be on guard tonight,” he whispered.

“From you or from the people inside?” She honestly couldn’t tell if he was flirting or warning her.

He chuckled. “Both.”

The music stopped.

“It’s time for us to go in,” Lottie said. “Except for you, Sabine. You are to wait until my brother announces you. Just make sure you don’t stand in front of the entrance. Wait over there, off to the side, so no one sees you until it’s time.”

It irked Sabine that these siblings were always rather informal with her, not bothering to use her proper title. Alina would have insisted they were doing it because they were trying to welcome her into the family. But Sabine didn’t think that was the case. She got the feeling they didn’t want to acknowledge her title or the fact that she would soon outrank them.

The twins and Lottie entered the room, leaving Sabine alone on the balcony. She meandered over to the side, close enough to hear Rainer’s voice as he spoke, but not too close where those inside could see her. The sun was setting in the distance, casting the sky in a brilliant orange.

A moment later, a soldier came through one of the entrances and waved her forward.

Holding her head high, she glided toward him and stepped through the archway. Rainer stood a few feet away, his hand outstretched to her. She hesitated a moment, almost unable to move at the sight before her.

The king looked stunning dressed in midnight blue pants that went straight down, quite different from the tailored ones people in Bakley wore. His tunic matched the color of his pants, and tonight, was buttoned closed concealing his muscled torso beneath. The crown atop his head complemented her crown, although it was larger to indicate his station. And his chiseled face held a pleasant smile, his eyes almost sparkling. He was the most handsome man she’d ever seen.

“Princess Sabine?” he mumbled, low and sultry, stirring something deep inside of her.

Forcing a smile on her face, she placed her hand on his. He guided her forward to the edge of a platform, stopping at the top of the steps that led down to a large room packed with people. As the two of them stood there, the sun setting in the distance behind them, Sabine couldn’t help but be stunned by the sheer number of people in attendance.

Standing before her soon-to-be subjects, she watched as the hundred or so people bowed their heads in veneration.

“My wedding to Princess Sabine, followed by her coronation, will take place in a fortnight,” Rainer bellowed. “Join me in welcoming my future wife to the great kingdom of Lynk.”

Everyone straightened and clapped.

Rainer led Sabine down the steps to where his three siblings stood in front of everyone present. One by one, each sibling welcomed Sabine to Lynk. Rainer then escorted her over to an elderly couple and introduced them as the Earl and Countess of Geslock. From there, he continued to introduce her to different people, so many that she had trouble keeping track of them all.

Rainer released her hand but remained at her side as he made more introductions. Every so often, he’d place his hand on her side or back, making her shiver from the intimate touch. However, she noticed most of the men behaved similarly. It had to be a Lynk thing.

A squire announced that dinner was served. Everyone moved to the other side of the room where tables had been set up for the occasion.

Rainer once again took her hand, leading the way.

“Now the real fun begins,” Axel whispered from behind her, a low chuckle to his voice.