Chapter 76 Irena
IRENA
“There, you’ll be safe here,” Sir Horace says as he finishes locking the heavy iron manacles around my wrists.
“You’re making a big mistake,” I say desperately. “Please—I just want to be with my mother! Please, just let me go.”
“I cannot—you’re locked up by orders of the Prince,” he says.
“But you can’t trust him—he killed the King and tried to kill the Queen!” I protest.
He scowls.
“You’re not helping your claims that you’re not mad with these wild accusations, Princess.”
“But—”
“I must go now. I’m sure someone will be down to check on you later,” he says.
That’s what I’m afraid of. I’m down here alone and now my brother and the Head Healer both know that I know they’re murderers.
“Just keep a guard on my mother,” I say, as he turns away. “Please—don’t let her be alone with either my brother or the Head Healer. I beg you.”
He stops and turns back to me.
“You really believe this, don’t you—that the Crown Prince poisoned the King and Queen?”
“Yes,” I say earnestly. “Because it’s true.”
For a moment, I think I’ve gotten through to him. He takes a deep breath.
“I’ll promise you this—my guards won’t leave Her Majesty’s side. And no one will give her anything to eat or drink but me. I will personally see to her safety.”
“Thank you,” I say with heartfelt sincerity. “So you’ll set me free?”
He shakes his head.
“Can’t do that—sorry. I cannot take your word over the Crown Prince’s so completely.”
“But—”
“I must go, Princess,” he says. “If what you say has even a spark of truth, it’s best if you stay down here out of sight. I’ll come to check on you later or send one of my trusted men.”
And he leaves—leaves me there in the dark, chained and helpless.
Oh Goddess—what am I going to do?