Chapter 7 #2
“No,” Drew replied. “Only those of us with clearance. Since I’ve been appointed as the head of your personal guard, I was given a key.” He pushed the door open.
Sabine stepped inside the military cavern where dozens and dozens of soldiers were training. As people noticed her, they began to bow. “Please carry on,” she said, not wanting to interrupt them.
Drew stepped to her side. “Are you wanting to train? Observe?”
She looked at him sidelong. “I wish to have a word with Captain Cutler.” She feared she would see judgment on his face. However, he simply nodded. “This way.” He led her along the side of the cavern, skirting around those training.
They passed a tunnel on the right where she heard dogs barking. She recalled Lottie saying they trained dogs here and that was where Harta had come from. Sabine would have to visit the kennels later.
“There he is,” Drew said, pointing to the far end of the room.
Sabine spotted Cutler fighting with another man of similar height and weight, his movements jerky. If she had to guess, she’d say he appeared angry.
“We’ll wait here to afford you some privacy,” Drew said.
“Thank you.” Sabine went over to the mat Cutler was fighting on, standing off to the side, waiting for him to finish.
The second Cutler twisted and caught sight of her, he ended his fight. His opponent patted him on the back before moving to the adjacent mat.
Cutler picked up a towel from the floor, wiping off his sweaty face and chest. “Your Majesty,” he said, slightly out of breath, his shoulders rising and falling.
“Captain,” she replied.
He reached down and grabbed his shirt off the mat, putting it on. “Did you need something?” His hands went to his hips, his focus above her head.
No one was close enough to overhear their conversation. “I think you know why I’m here.”
His focus finally settled on her face, his eyes searching hers. “Yeah, I suppose I do,” he said in a low voice. “He promised me he’d leave us alone. That Heather could have her child in peace.”
She’d been told the same thing. “Do you know why he changed his mind?” Perhaps it was the upcoming war.
Maybe Rainer wanted Heather here in the palace where it would be safer.
The fact that he felt the need to personally escort her meant he still loved her dearly.
Sabine just wished it wasn’t being thrown in her face.
“I do not. On the journey here, I was ordered to ride ahead of the party as a scout.” His voice dripped with a bitterness Sabine understood.
“So you didn’t have the opportunity to overhear any conversations that may be pertinent?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Is there anything else you need?” His attention shifted to her guards not far away.
“Why did you come here? Why not stay at the manor?” she asked, wondering why Cutler remained married and loyal to a woman who was in love with another man. Maybe it would help her to have clarity over her own similar situation.
“I’d rather be here training and working with my fellow soldiers than alone, holed up in my home, with nothing to do.” Cutler looked Sabine over. “Forgive me for asking, but the king, is he not pleased with you?”
Her face went red with the implication that the king was unhappy with her performance in bed, but then a laugh escaped her lips at the absurdity of it since she and Rainer hadn’t consummated their marriage.
“Forgive me for even asking,” Cutler said. “It’s just that you’re young and beautiful. I thought that once Heather was away from the king, you’d distract him enough for him to forget about her.”
She appreciated the compliment. “Heather is beautiful as well.” The woman was one of the most gorgeous people Sabine had ever seen. “And she is carrying Rainer’s child. They have a history together. I barely know the king.”
He sighed. “I guess I’d been hoping it was just a physical attraction between them and that once they were separated, it would end,” he admitted.
“You mean instead of them actually being in love?”
He nodded.
It was time to get to the crux of why she was there. “Did you know the king’s sister, Princess Lottie, hired the assassin to kill my sister, Princess Alina? She also hired an assassin who came after me.”
His eyes widened. “Is that why she’s sequestered to her rooms?”
“It is.”
He turned and grabbed the towel again, rubbing it over his face as he took a step closer to her. “That’s technically treason,” he mumbled, his voice low.
“It is.”
“What has the king done?”
“Besides sequestering her to her room? Nothing.”
His eyes searched hers. “What proof do you have?”
“I overheard her speaking to the assassin.”
He tossed the towel back to the floor. “Then it’s your word against the king’s.”
“Unfortunately. I’d mistakenly assumed my word would be good enough and he’d support me, his wife. However, I can see now that I was gravely mistaken. I am on my own. I fear another assassin will come after me.”
“I need time to think over this,” he said, glancing around the room. “My parents are having a small gathering this evening to welcome Heather and me back to court. Will you attend? We’ll be able to speak freely.”
“I’ll be there.”
She returned to her guards. “Drew, I’d like to go into town.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” He led her to the second level where they took the stairs up, exiting through the building at the edge of town. They headed to the main road.
As soon as the townspeople spotted her, they approached, wishing her well, giving her flowers, asking if she wanted to come and shop in their stores. Sabine spoke to as many of them as she could as she made her way to the seamstress’s shop.
When she entered the store, she found the woman asleep in a chair while a young girl who looked about twelve sat at the counter.
“Is that your mother?” Sabine asked the girl.
The girl nodded.
“Do you work here?” she asked, wondering if it was common for children this young to work.
“I only work here when my mom needs the help,” she whispered. “My mom and aunts were up all night sewing your clothes.”
“So you know who I am?” Sabine asked her.
She nodded. “Everyone knows who you are, Your Highness, I mean Your Majesty. Should I wake my mom? Do you need to order more clothes?”
“Don’t wake her. I’m here because I need some help.”
The girl sat taller. “I can help you.”
“Excellent. I need a new lady’s maid.” She planned to let Claire go as soon as she returned to the palace. There was no way Heather’s sister would serve as her attendant any longer. “I’m hoping you know someone who is trustworthy who can handle the job.”
“If I were older, I’d do it,” the girl said with a smile.
“I’m sure you’ll make a lovely lady’s maid one day. But you’re right, I do need someone a bit older to assist me. She needs to be able to help me dress, do my hair, and handle social issues that may come up at court. Do you know of anyone who might be able to do that?”
“My one aunt might be able to. She’s twenty-five and doesn’t like working here cause she’s not very good at sewing.”
Sabine chuckled. “Is she around? I’d like to meet her.”
The girl nodded and slid off her stool, running past the curtain that led to the back of the store.
Sabine waited a few minutes until the girl returned with a young woman who had tanned skin and long, dark hair. The woman was tall and rather striking.
“Your Majesty,” the woman said. “My niece said you wanted to meet me?”
“Yes. What’s your name?”
“Harper.” She curtseyed.
“What do you know about royal protocol?”
“Um, absolutely nothing.” Her lips pulled into a smile.
“Are you a quick learner?”
“I think I am, but my sister might not agree with me.”
“I am in desperate need of a lady’s maid,” Sabine said matter of factly. “Would you like the job?”
Harper’s eyes widened. “You want to hire me?” she asked, her voice louder than necessary in the small store, her excitement showing through.
“I do. I need someone I can trust.”
“I’d love to work in the palace.” Her smile got even bigger.
Sabine turned to face Drew. “Can you handle this matter for me?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll speak with her family and make the necessary arrangements.”
“Thank you.” She faced Harper again. “I’d like you to meet Captain Drew. He is in charge of my personal guard and will be going over everything with you. I hope to see you later this evening.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. You won’t be disappointed.”
Sabine exited the store with the rest of her guards following close behind.
A small crowd had gathered outside. While she didn’t think she had room for any more flowers in her bedchamber, she took all the bouquets that were given to her, thanking every single person who’d taken the time to do something so kind for her.
Then she perused through the town, buying some bread, honey, and even a few pieces of jewelry.
These people needed to know she was one of them.
If that meant purchasing items frequently, she would do so.
A lot of them were reserves in the army.
Since she wanted to take control of that army, she needed them on her side.
A servant opened the door, granting Sabine entrance into a quaint sitting room.
Even though the sun had set, the windows and doors remained open, allowing the warm air to pass through.
Dozens of candles had been lit, brightening the space.
A handful of people were present, all the men dressed in uniform which meant they were in the army.
When she entered, her guards remained out in the hallway, probably because this was the commander’s private rooms and she would be safe in his presence.
Lady Regina immediately rushed over, going into a low curtsey. Commander Felix joined her a moment later, bowing.
“Thank you for coming, Your Majesty,” Regina said as she stood.
Cutler came over. “Queen Sabine.” He bowed.
“Thank you for inviting me.” A servant handed Sabine a glass of wine. She took it and went farther into the room.
Felix introduced her to everyone—they were all high ranking officers and their wives.
“We weren’t sure if the king would be joining you this evening,” Lady Regina said, glancing at Cutler.
Sabine smiled. Let the games begin. “Though the king returned last night, I have seen little of him. He seems to be preoccupied with personal matters that don’t include me.”
“That’s a shame,” Felix said. “He is lucky to have you by his side. I must admit, I haven’t seen him since he returned. He hasn’t been to the training center. Had my own son not told me, I wouldn’t even know the king was here.”
Cutler stood off to the side, leaning against the wall, a drink in hand.
Sabine rarely pitied anyone. However, her heart ached for Cutler. It was obvious Rainer and Heather had spent the day together. It was also clear that Cutler loved Heather. For Heather to throw that in Cutler’s face, Sabine found it hard to stomach.
An uncomfortable minute stretched between those present. One of the wives said, “Your Majesty, I’m so glad you’ve returned to the palace yourself. We heard you’d been gone as well.” It sounded more like a question.
Sabine understood the statement for what it was. These people wanted to know where she’d been.
“I’m thankful to be home after the horrible ordeal of facing an assassin.” She took a seat on the nearby sofa, taking a sip of her drink.
“An assassin?” The woman said. “Was it the same one who…”
Not missing a beat, Sabine nodded. “It was. I just don’t understand why King Rainer didn’t arrest his sister once he found out she was the one who’d hired the assassin. Not to do anything, to let her send the assassin after me, I can’t tell you what terror that caused.”
“Princess Lottie?” another woman said.
“She wants the crown and is trying to overthrow her brother.” Sabine looked around the room, taking in everyone’s response to her words.
A few looked skeptical, so she forged on.
“King Rainer discovered his sister was behind Princess Alina’s death.
Since he’s a new king, he thought it would look bad to have his own sister trying to usurp him, so he married me hoping that it would afford me the protection I needed.
However, I then heard Lottie with the assassin telling him to end me so her brother would lose the throne.
Fearing for my life, I fled the palace and went to see my brother.
Once the assassin was dealt with, I returned.
I only hope Lottie doesn’t hire another one.
I’ve tried talking to Rainer, but he barely speaks to me. ” She let her eyes fill with tears.
“That is horrible,” Regina said, her hand going to her chest in shock. “Though, I’m not surprised. Our king seems to be preoccupied with his concubine instead of protecting what matters most.”
Sabine nodded. “Sometimes I feel so alone here. However, since being crowned, I feel I have a purpose. I’m trying to learn as much as I can about Lynk and our army.
I want to help lead this kingdom in any way I can.
I want to help my subjects.” She did her best to meet as many eyes as possible.
“I am your humble servant,” she said. “If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know. ” She bowed her head.
Regina came and sat next to her on the sofa. “We’re so glad to hear that,” she said, rubbing Sabine’s back. “You’re young and shouldering a lot of burden.”
She nodded. “Thank you for inviting me tonight. I miss being around my family and feeling loved and supported.” While she hoped to garner sympathy, she didn’t want anyone to think she was weak.
These were the highest ranking members in the army.
She needed them on her side. “You have to understand,” she continued, “I grew up in a large family. It’s hard not to have that any more.
” She reached out, taking Regina’s hand and clutching it.
“I’m sure you understand. Now that your son is back, you must feel a sense of joy.
” She pulled her brows together and looked about the room.
She twisted toward Cutler. “Where’s your wife? ”
“That’s a good question,” he said. “Especially since she’s pregnant. I suspect she’s in bed with your husband.” He downed the rest of the drink he’d been holding.